Asbestos and Metal Craftsmen
Metal craftsmen are the people responsible for shaping metals, which include anything from giant skyscrapers to the tiny hand tools. The jobs of metal craftsman are some of the oldest professions and were certainly very important to the industrial growth of the United States. It is unfortunate, but many of the people working within this industry were exposed to asbestos and have or will face serious health problems as a result.
Metal Craftsmen Jobs at High Risk for Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma
Metal craftsmen are regarded as a group of occupations with a higher risk for asbestos exposure, because of the number of asbestos products present in the workplace due to the constant presence of fire. Asbestos-containing products are fire-resistant but can release fibers and dust into the air when disturbed, which when inhaled can lead to a number of health problems including asbestosis and the following cancers: mesothelioma, lung, esophageal, gastrointestinal, laryngeal, and pharyngeal. Unfortunately, many of these asbestos exposures could have been prevented if metal craftsman had known the dangers and been given the proper training and safety equipment. The following metal craftsman jobs may have been affected by asbestos exposure:
- Welders
- Tool and Die Makers
- Tinsmith
- Steel and Iron Workers
Asbestos Products used by a Metal Craftsman
As mentioned above, metal craftsman have a higher risk of asbestos exposures primarily because of the equipment they worked with on a daily basis. Ironically, much of this equipment was actually meant to be protective safety gear designed to guard them from heat and fire. Asbestos was woven into clothing such as gloves and jackets for the workers to wear because of their close proximity to high heat, fire, and sparks. Some of the tools that these metal workers used also contained asbestos. For instance, up until the 1980’s, welders were using welding rods that contained asbestos. The rods would get hammered and release the asbestos-containing dust and fumes into the air.
As with most occupational asbestos exposures, the on-site workers are not the only people at risk for asbestosis, mesothelioma, and the other health risks. Metal craftsman may have returned to their home covered in asbestos fibers putting both family and friends at risk.
Are you a Metal Craftsman who May Have Been Exposed to Asbestos? A Mesothelioma Lawyer May be Able to Help
It is recommended that people who have spent a significant period of time working with metals get a full physical evaluation by a medical doctor. Mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure, often takes 15-40 years to manifest and victims average only one year of life after diagnosis. Thus, it is important to catch the disease in its early stages. At-risk workers should pay close attention to any mesothelioma symptoms which include fluid in the lungs, chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and fatigue.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and believe you were exposed to asbestos over the course of your aerospace career, you may be entitled to financial compensation. To learn more about your legal options regarding a potential mesothelioma settlement, please contact us for a free case evaluation. Mesothelioma lawyers who are proficient in the field of asbestos law may be able to help a family evaluate whether a mesothelioma lawsuit is a possiblilty.