What Is Asbestos? Exposure Sources Health Risks and Who Is at Risk

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral made of microscopic fibers. For decades, it was prized in construction and manufacturing for its heat resistance, strength, and durability — but those same fibers, once inhaled or ingested, can cause serious and often fatal disease decades later.

Where Asbestos Was Used

From roughly the 1940s through the 1970s, asbestos was used extensively across many industries:

• Insulation — pipe, boiler, and building insulation in homes, schools, and offices
• Shipbuilding — insulation, gaskets, and fireproofing throughout Navy and merchant vessels
• Automotive parts — brake pads, clutches, and gaskets
• Construction materials — flooring, roofing, cement, and drywall joint compound
• Textiles — fireproof fabrics and protective clothing
• Industrial equipment — furnaces, ovens, and machinery requiring heat resistance

How People Are Exposed

• Occupational exposure — workers in high-risk trades and industries who handled asbestos-containing materials directly, often for years
• Secondary (take-home) exposure — family members exposed to fibers carried home on a worker’s clothing, hair, or skin; read more about secondary exposure and legal options for family members
• Environmental exposure — living near mines, factories, or naturally occurring asbestos deposits

Health Conditions Caused by Asbestos

Asbestos fibers lodge in lung tissue and other organs, where they can cause inflammation and scarring over decades. Known conditions include:

• Asbestosis — scarring of lung tissue that causes progressive breathing difficulty
• Pleural plaques — thickened areas on the lung lining, often the first visible sign of past exposure
• Pleural effusion — fluid buildup between the lung and chest wall; see our guide to pleural effusion
• Mesothelioma — an aggressive cancer of the lining of the lungs, abdomen, heart, or testicles
• Lung cancer — asbestos exposure significantly increases the risk, particularly for smokers

There is no known safe level of asbestos exposure, and symptoms of related disease often do not appear for 20 to 50 years after the initial exposure. Veterans exposed during Navy service face particular risk; see our overview of veterans’ benefits and legal options.

Talk to Cohen, Placitella & Roth About Your Diagnosis

If you or a family member were exposed to asbestos, understanding how and where that exposure happened matters for both your health and your legal options. Our mesothelioma attorneys have represented patients and families for more than 40 years. Contact Cohen, Placitella & Roth for a free consultation. Call us at (888) 324-7683 or contact us online. We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding diagnosis and treatment, and a qualified attorney regarding your legal rights. Cohen, Placitella & Roth, P.C. is licensed to practice in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and other jurisdictions, and represents clients nationwide with qualified co-counsel.