Asbestos in Fire Brick
Concerned that exposure to fire bricks made with asbestos could lead to asbestos-related diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma cancer? Learn more below.
Asbestos has long been celebrated for its insulating and fireproofing properties, and was included in countless industrial, military and consumer products until it was phased out of use by the early 1980s. One of these products was fire bricks. Fire bricks, also known as firebrick or refractory brick, are used to line furnaces, kilns, fireplaces, and fireboxes, essentially creating a durable insulation barrier around extremely high heat installations. As the go to material for anything that needed insulation and durability for much of the 20th century, asbestos was an obvious choice for including in firebricks.
Unfortunately, the asbestos used to make fire bricks and other products was hazardous. Airborne asbestos fibers released during the manufacturing or disposal of firebricks can remain suspended in the air for hours or days, and can be easily inhaled. Once embedded in the lungs they wreck havoc with the mesothelium, the delicate protective layer of cells that line the body’s internal organs. Inhaled asbestos fibers are the precursor to numerous serious illnesses, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma, a rare but deadly form of cancer.
Although asbestos manufacturers knew for many years that exposure to asbestos was hazardous, they suppressed information that would have protected their workers from exposure. As a result, asbestos related diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis have killed or incapacitated countless thousands of individuals exposed to asbestos.
What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a rare but deadly form of cancer that 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 an 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.