Asbestos in Massachusetts

What is Asbestos?

The word asbestos is the term for six types of naturally-occurring minerals. Their physical properties can be useful for several reasons: the minerals are resistant to heat, electrical, and chemical damage, and provide excellent sound absorption and tensile strength. Unfortunately, in some forms, asbestos can be toxic.

What is it used for?

Due to the unique properties of asbestos, it is most often used in construction and shipbuilding. Concrete, bricks, pipes, cement, gaskets, insulation, flooring, roofing, drywall, lawn furniture, and joint compound at one time all used asbestos as one of their components. Formerly, this potentially deadly material was also manufactured into automobile brake pads, shoes, and clutch discs.

Massachusetts asbestos law

Asbestos use was banned by the European Union as of January first, 2005. Most developed countries also follow these guidelines, with the exception of the United States. In 1991 it was ruled that trace amounts of asbestos can still be legally used in various consumer products. While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), limit the amount of asbestos use in certain areas, these agencies have never entirely eliminated the substance from coming into contact with the American public.

Massachusetts asbestos exposure

People most commonly exposed to asbestos in Boston, Massachusetts and the surrounding area are those who work with and around it on a daily basis. These work situations include shipbuilding, asbestos mills and mines, and heating and construction industries. Family members of these workers, as well as those living in the immediate geographical area where the jobs are performed, also carry an additional risk.

Asbestos and lung disease

Massachusetts asbestos disease can cause other lung-related diseases and conditions, such as:

• Lung cancer includes both small-cell and non-small cell
• Mesothelioma attacks the lining of tissue covering internal organs.
• Asbestosis scars the lungs and restricts the amount of oxygen the victim can use.

We can help Massachusetts asbestos disease sufferers

Thornton & Naumes, LLP has a profound understanding of the varied and devastating consequences that asbestos exposure can have. We show our clients the utmost in caring and compassionate representation. With the knowledge our firm possesses in asbestos-related conditions, you can be confident we have what it takes to produce positive legal results.

Give us the opportunity to serve your best legal interests

Call 1-888-632-0108 or fill out the form on our contact page to speak for free with a Thornton & Naumes attorney specializing in mesothelioma and asbestos litigation. We look forward to answering any questions you may have after this visit to our website. We are here to help.