Chemical and Hazardous Substance Exposure

When lung injury or other harm results from hazardous chemical exposure on the job, victims are urged to contact an experienced lawyer to schedule a free initial consultation. Lung injury from long-term exposure to chemicals such as those listed below may be compensable through workers’ compensation and possibly through third-party liability claims as well.

Toxic Injury After Chemical Exposure to Hazardous Substances on the Job

Employers and manufacturers of industrial and household chemicals may be held accountable when employees suffer toxic injury after chemical exposure to substances such as the following:

• Benzene
• Diesel fuel
• Gasoline
• Brake cleaner
• Parts cleaner
• Kerosene
• Toluene
• Naphtha
• Thinner
• Solvent
• Asbestos

Employers are responsible for providing proper training and implementing safety measures when employees must use dangerous chemicals such as these in the course of their jobs. Workers need to know that they are legally entitled to look at the MSDS (material safety data sheet) for hazardous substances that they may be exposed to on the job.

Short-Term and Long-Term Injuries

Improper handling of hazardous chemicals may lead to injuries in the short term or long term, such as the following:

• Cancer, including leukemia
• Brain damage
• Damage to the central nervous system
• Heart damage
• Lung damage
• Bone and joint damage
• Occupational asthma

Secondhand Chemical Exposure

Since there have been documented cases of housewives developing mesothelioma after breathing in dust from their husbands’ clothes, we know that secondhand exposure to hazardous substances may be as harmful as firsthand exposure by employees who work with dangerous chemicals.

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Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive cancer that primarily affects the lining of the lungs (pleura), abdomen (peritoneum), or heart (pericardium). While there are some less common risk factors, the overwhelming majority of mesothelioma cases are directly linked to exposure to asbestos.

This fibrous mineral, once widely used in various industries, poses a significant health threat when its microscopic fibers become airborne and are inhaled or ingested. The latency period between asbestos exposure and the development of mesothelioma can be incredibly long, often ranging from 20 to 50 years.

If you believe that you have contracted mesothelioma due to work-related exposure, it is crucial to understand your legal rights and options.

This devastating diagnosis, often occurring decades after initial asbestos exposure, can leave victims and their families facing immense medical expenses, lost income, and emotional distress. Companies that knowingly exposed workers to asbestos without proper warnings or protection can be held accountable for the harm they caused.

A Charleston mesothelioma lawyer can handle these complex cases and can provide invaluable assistance. They possess the legal understanding of asbestos litigation, including the specific regulations, historical exposure sites, and liable companies in the Charleston area and beyond.

The Primary Culprit: Asbestos

Asbestos is the undisputed leading cause of mesothelioma. Its unique properties, including heat resistance, insulation capabilities, and strength, made it a popular material in construction, manufacturing, and other sectors for much of the 20th century. However, when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, they release tiny, needle-like fibers into the air. These fibers, once inhaled, can become lodged in the mesothelial lining of organs, leading to chronic inflammation and cellular damage that can eventually progress to cancer.

High-Risk Occupations

Numerous professions carried a high risk of asbestos exposure, putting workers in direct contact with the dangerous fibers. These occupations often involved manufacturing, installation, or removal of asbestos-containing products.

Construction and Renovation Workers: This broad category includes a significant number of individuals exposed to asbestos. Plumbers, electricians, carpenters, roofers, and demolition workers frequently encountered asbestos in insulation, ceiling tiles, flooring, pipes, and roofing materials. When these materials were cut, drilled, or removed, asbestos fibers were released into the air.

Shipbuilding and Repair: During the 20th century, asbestos was extensively used in shipbuilding for insulation, fireproofing, and soundproofing. Workers involved in building, repairing, or dismantling ships, including pipefitters, welders, and laggers, were routinely exposed to high concentrations of airborne asbestos fibers in enclosed spaces.

Power Plant and Industrial Workers: Power generation facilities, refineries, and other industrial plants heavily relied on asbestos for insulation of boilers, pipes, and machinery due to its heat-resistant properties. Maintenance workers, insulators, and boilermakers in these environments faced consistent exposure.

Automotive Mechanics: Historically, asbestos was a common component in brake linings and clutch pads. Mechanics who worked on these parts, especially before regulations restricted asbestos use, were at risk of inhaling asbestos dust released during repairs and replacements.

Firefighters: Firefighters often respond to fires in older buildings where asbestos-containing materials may be present. The destruction caused by fire can release large quantities of asbestos fibers into the air, exposing firefighters as they battle blazes and sift through debris.

Factory and Manufacturing Workers: Employees in factories that produced asbestos-containing products, such as insulation, textiles, or cement, were directly involved in handling raw asbestos and finished goods, leading to significant exposure.

Secondary (Take-Home) Exposure

Beyond direct occupational exposure, a concerning aspect of workplace asbestos hazards is “take-home” exposure. Workers who were directly exposed to asbestos could unknowingly bring asbestos fibers home on their clothing, hair, skin, and tools. Family members, particularly spouses who laundered contaminated clothing and children who greeted their parents, could then inhale or ingest these fibers. This indirect exposure has unfortunately led to mesothelioma diagnoses in individuals who never directly worked with asbestos.

Lack of Awareness and Protection

For many decades, the dangers of asbestos were not widely known or properly communicated to workers. Even when the risks became apparent, adequate protective measures, such as proper ventilation, respirators, and training, were often insufficient or entirely absent. This lack of awareness and protection exacerbated the problem, leading to widespread exposure among unsuspecting workers.

Am overwhelming majority of mesothelioma cases stem from occupational exposure to asbestos. A wide range of professions, from construction to shipbuilding, put workers at significant risk. The long latency period and the potential for secondary exposure make mesothelioma a devastating legacy of past industrial practices where the dangers of asbestos were overlooked or downplayed.

Contact Bailey Javins & Carter Today

Contact Bailey, Javins & Carter, L.C. for more information. Know your rights pertaining to use of and exposure to hazardous chemicals on the job. Learn how to pursue and obtain compensation for your lung disease or other maladies caused by chemical exposure.