Asbestos Textiles
Asbestos, a fibrous mineral, has been used in over 3,000 products and in hundreds of industrial applications due to its ability to stand up to heat, chemicals and electrical currents. Along with its uses in construction and shipbuilding, asbestos is also widely used to make textiles, woven fabrics and cloths.
Types of Textiles That Contain Asbestos
The term textile refers to a broad category of woven materials. Those that have been known to specifically contain asbestos include:
- building insulation
- electrical insulation
- fireproof blankets
- fireproof clothes
- packing cloths
- stage curtains
- welding curtains and blankets
Many household materials, such as wallboards, caulking and fireproof blankets, also contain asbestos and, consequently, widely expose the general public to hazardous asbestos fibers.
While some manufacturers replaced the asbestos in these textiles upon learning about evidence of asbestos cancer toxicity, others continued making some textiles with asbestos, as no suitable substitute could be found. As a result, some of the above-listed textiles are, to this day, made from asbestos fibers.
Industries that Use Asbestos Textiles
The above-listed asbestos textiles have a number of applications in various industries, including in:
- appliance repair
- construction
- emergency rescue
- locomotives
- manufacturing
- mining
- milling
- plumbing
- shipbreaking
- shipbuilding
Employers in the above and any other industries that regularly expose workers to asbestos textiles are responsible for:
- fixing damaged asbestos (as disturbed asbestos releases toxic particles into the air)
- informing employees about their risk of asbestos exposure in a particular work environment
- making the working environment as safe as possible
- properly ventilating the working area
- providing employees with necessary safety equipment and gear to limit their asbestos exposure
Whether non-compliance is due to an employer's lack of knowledge or blatant negligence, failure to follow through with these asbestos regulations can cause workers to develop asbestos diseases and employers to be legally liable for monetary damages.
If you have been exposed to asbestos textiles and developed an illness such as mesothelioma cancer or asbestosis, contact mesothelioma treatment centers today. You may be able to obtain compensation to help cover your treatment costs.
