It may come as something of a surprise to learn that asbestos, to this day, has still not been entirely banned. Yes, strict regulations are now in place for asbestos, but the fact remains that literal tons of asbestos-containing products are still used in the United States every year. As recently as 2016, it was estimated by the United States Geological Survey that approximately 340 tons of asbestos-containing products were used in 2016 alone.
Here is a closer look at five of the most common asbestos-containing products that can still be purchased today.
Insulation
Before the 1970s and strict asbestos regulations were put in place, it was practically guaranteed that asbestos would be used for insulation purposes. This is a key reason why most older homes contain asbestos in the house’s insulation. Despite the improvements made for modern insulation, asbestos is still used in some forms of new insulation today.
However, the amount of asbestos is far less than what was previously allowed. Modern regulations ensure that modern asbestos can contain only up to 1% asbestos, making asbestos exposure less likely. Still, research has shown that a single exposure to asbestos may be all that is needed to receive a mesothelioma cancer diagnosis, which reminds that no safe level of asbestos exposure has ever been established.
Clothing
This may seem like a surprising use of asbestos, but it may come as less of a surprise if you are already aware of the intrinsic fire-resistant properties of asbestos. Asbestos has natural flame-resistance that made the mineral ideal for industrial applications in the 20th century before the harms of asbestos were known.
Today, asbestos is still used to make fireproof clothing by weaving the microscopic asbestos fibers into clothing. This clothing can then be used for firefighters and glass blowers, to name just a couple of occupations that may need fireproof clothing. Fortunately, asbestos in clothes is particular to clothing that needs fireproof capabilities, which means it is quite likely that none of your clothes contain asbestos fibers.
Soil for Pots
If you love to garden with potting soil, it may come as an unwelcome surprise to hear that some potting soil contains asbestos. This is frequently caused by the presence of vermiculite in potting soil, which is a mineral that is often found near asbestos deposits. Although vermiculite is less frequently used in potting soil today, it is still currently in use. As such, those who use potting soil should be aware of the fact that any potting soil containing vermiculite could very well include asbestos as well.
If you or a loved one has used these products or others that are still made with asbestos (such as vehicle parts or construction materials like roofing tiles) and were diagnosed with mesothelioma, talk to a mesothelioma attorney at The Ledger Law Firm to find out if asbestos products were responsible.
Contact us online for a free case evaluation to find out whether you are entitled to legal compensation.
