Asbestos in Asbestos Curtains
Concerned that asbestos curtains could cause asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma? Learn more below.
What are asbestos curtains?
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Heavy curtains made from fire-retardant asbestos were used extensively in theaters in the late 19th and 20th centuries to protect audiences from fire that possible started onstage. In an era of more lax safety regulations, fire was a real concern on stages laden with hot lights and flammable sets. Asbestos fire curtains were meant to drop onto stage at the first sign of a fire. So important were these safety curtains that they were required to have the word “Asbestos” clearly written on them to assure the audience that they were protected. Sadly, they didn’t always work as intended. One devastating fire at the Iroquois Theater in Chicago in 1903 that killed hundreds of theater goers was made worse by a malfunctioning asbestos curtain. These curtains were also installed in warehouses and other large halls throughout the twentieth century, and many remain in place today.
Can asbestos curtains cause mesothelioma?
Despite the original safety benefits of asbestos curtains, many now pose a health risk. This is because they are required to undergo regular routine testing which can disturb the integrity of the curtains, causing the fibers to be released into the air.
Asbestos exposure has also been linked to several types of cancer, including lung, stomach, intestinal, esophageal, and rectal, as well as malignant mesothelioma, a rare but deadly form of cancer. Often mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases take decades to appear, so victims may not even be aware that they have been exposed to asbestos until it’s too late.
Mesothelioma lawyers can help you.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other asbestos related disease, contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney immediately. Mesothelioma attorneys have helped thousands of mesothelioma patients win compensation for lost wages and medical costs.