Throughout the 20th century, more than 3 million tons of asbestos were mined in our country and put in thousands of everyday products. Asbestos was very inexpensive and was used as filler in many different products throughout many different industries. For example, asbestos was often used in brake and clutch linings, engines, missile fins, and insulation.
There are a number of different jobs where workers were exposed to a large amount of asbestos on a very frequent basis. People who have worked in aerospace and missile production industry may have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma cancer due to asbestos exposure on the job site.
Many individuals who worked in aerospace and missile production, or performed maintenance in the industry beginning in the World War II era may have been exposed to asbestos, the only known cause of mesothelioma.
Aerospace engineers may have seen varying levels of asbestos exposure depending on their role in the production, research, design, or maintenance of the aircrafts or missiles. Before the use of asbestos was regulated, it was a desirable material for use in many areas of an aircraft due to its resistance to heat and friction in addition to being a lightweight mineral.
Asbestos was often used in brakes and glues, as well as to insulate engines, fuel tanks, and electrical wiring. In missile production, plastics used for missile fins, casings and heat shields were often reinforced with asbestos. Asbestos may have also been used in rocket motors, chambers, and nozzles as insulation. Any aeronautical worker who performed maintenance on or worked in and around these areas may have been exposed to asbestos dust.
Unfortunately, millions of people have been exposed to asbestos over the years. Only now are we able to see the disastrous effects of asbestos exposure in the workplace. Generally, it takes 10 to 60 years from the time of asbestos exposure until symptoms appear or mesothelioma is diagnosed.
Many companies have established trust funds to pay compensation to persons injured by asbestos or diagnosed with mesothelioma.
If you have mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related injury, and wish to consult an attorney about your legal rights to compensation, CLICK HERE for a free consultation.
