We now know that asbestos is very dangerous. It can lead to serious health conditions, including an aggressive form of cancer called mesothelioma. This danger has led to the ban of asbestos for most uses in the United States.
But why was asbestos initially used? Even before people fully understood the danger that it posed, what were some of the advantages?
Fiber strength
One of the things that makes asbestos so dangerous is that it has a high fiber strength, which is why the fibers can get lodged in your body and do not break down. Often, there is a long latency period before people develop mesothelioma, where asbestos fibers may already be present in their bodies for decades. But this fiber strength was also very beneficial when asbestos was used in building projects.
Fire resistance
But perhaps even more important was the fact that asbestos is highly fire and heat-resistant. Because it does not burn, it was often used for roof shingles, floor and ceiling tiles and insulation, especially around pipes or heating systems. Because it has a high level of heat resistance, it was also useful for many automotive parts, such as the transmission, the clutch or the brakes. Friction would not cause it to wear down or overheat as quickly as it did with other materials.
Your legal options
This helps to explain why asbestos is still a threat today, as it was so commonly used for a variety of different purposes in the past. If you or a family member has suffered from mesothelioma or related diseases, you must know exactly what legal options you have.