Despite the implementation of regulations and restrictions intended to limit dangerous exposure to asbestos in the United States, thousands of people are still dying from mesothelioma every single year.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) first started regulating worker’s exposure to asbestos due to the danger of the substance, and additional regulations put in place by the Environmental Protection Agency sets requirements for renovating, demolishing and inspecting buildings containing materials made from asbestos, like paint, shingles, roofing, vinyl tiles and insulation.
Despite all of these regulations, a recent analysis conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) discovered that there were 45,221 deaths connected to mesothelioma between 1999 and 2015. They found that the largest increase was in people over the age of 85 who were likely exposed to the carcinogen decades ago.
While the overall number of deaths of people between the ages of 35 and 65 are down, the fact that people under the age of 55 are still dying because of mesothelioma means that workers are still being exposed to asbestos at dangerous levels.
Some common sources of this exposure are in demolition and renovation projects that stir up asbestos originally installed years before – people facing exposure in this manner are considered the third wave. The first two waves were the original miners and manufacturers of asbestos and then the people installing the products like pipefitters and ship builders.
While there has been an overall reduction in the use of asbestos on worksites, it’s still being used for new products. A recently published report noted that:
"Asbestos production stopped in the United States in 2002, but it is imported into the country to produce chemicals used in manufacturing common items such as soap, fertilizers, and alkaline batteries."
Our mesothelioma attorneys at Bailey Cowan Heckaman PLLC are committed to providing victims in need with the experienced and knowledgeable legal representation they require to secure the compensation they deserve. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with asbestos, give us a call to discuss your situation with a member of our firm today, or schedule a free case consultation by filling out our online form.
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