Houma Asbestos and Mesothelioma Exposure Lawyer

Asbestos is a naturally occurring silicate mineral mined for its useful characteristics such as thermal insulation, chemical and thermal stability, and high tensile strength. The three most common types of asbestos are: a) chrysotile, b) amosite and c) crocidolite. Chrysotile (A, B) is the most common type of asbestos and makes up approximately 90%-95% of all asbestos contained in buildings in the United States.

Asbestos is made up of microscopic bundles of fibers that may become airborne when distributed. These fibers get into the air and may become inhaled into the lungs, where they may cause significant health problems. Some of these health problems include:

• Asbestosis – a lung disease first found in naval shipyard workers. As asbestos fibers are inhaled, they may become trapped in the lung tissue eventually causing scarring which can harm proper lung function.
• Mesothelioma – a cancer of the outer lining of the lung and chest as well as the abdominal wall. This form of cancer is only caused asbestos exposure.

Thousands of workers have been exposed to asbestos through their jobs although people who live near sites where asbestos could be found are also at risk. These include: refineries, power plants, factories, shipyards, steel mills, automotive repair shops, offshore oil rigs, railroads, and shipyards. Some occupations where exposure to asbestos may have occurred include:

• Auto Mechanics
• Drywallers
• Electricians
• Insulators
• Iron workers
• Laborers
• Longshoremen
• Merchant marines
• Sand blasters
• Welders
• U.S. Navy veterans