Asbestos in Asphalt
Concerned that exposure to asbestos asphalt could lead to asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma? Learn more below.
Like so many other industrial products manufactured in the twentieth century, asphalt sometimes contained asbestos. Asbestos was sometimes used in asphalt for roads, sidewalks, and even school running tracks. It was also included in asphalt roof shingling to make them flame retardant and to increase their insulation and tensile strength. It is very likely that if you have asphalt roofing shingles made before the 1980s, they contain asbestos.
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Asbestos asphalt in roads and roof shingles presents a relatively low risk of asbestos exposure and is classified as a Category I substance by the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), meaning it is less likely to become friable and release dangerous asbestos fibers.
However, there is no known safe level of asbestos exposure. Intact asbestos roofing is most likely safe. But once the material becomes demolished or otherwise damaged, the asbestos fibers can easily become airborne. Inhaling asbestos can lead to numerous asbestos related diseases, including asbestosis, pleural plaques, and even mesothelioma cancer, a rare but deadly disease who’s only known cause is asbestos exposure. If you worked with asbestos roofing felt, you may have been exposed to asbestos.
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. It generally attacks the lungs, stomach, and in rare cases, the heart. The symptoms of mesothelioma vary widely; the only way to know for sure if someone has mesothelioma is by a biopsy combined with a full work history. What investigators are looking for in work history is an exposure to asbestos. If you believe you may have been exposed to asbestos, or have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may want to consider calling a mesothelioma attorney to discuss your legal options. A qualified mesothelioma attorney can help you get the compensation that you and your family need and deserve. Mesothelioma attorneys have helped thousands of mesothelioma patients win compensation for lost wages and medical costs.