Asbestos

What Is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a carcinogen (cancer-causing substance) that was once used in thousands of consumer goods. Many industries like construction, shipbuilding, and manufacturing relied on asbestos-containing products between the 1930s and early 1980s.

At the time, asbestos was thought to be a safe material. However, exposure to asbestos-containing products can cause lung cancer and other serious illnesses later in life. Many exposed to asbestos decades ago are just now getting sick.

Quick Facts About Asbestos and Cancer

• What does asbestos look like? Asbestos looks like bundles of white, grey, green, or yellow fibers. You may not know that a product contains asbestos, though, unless it’s tested.
• How was asbestos used? Breathing in or swallowing asbestos fibers can lead to irritation and the mutation of healthy cells. This can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other cancers 10-50 years later.
• How many people are at risk? Over 27 million people were exposed to asbestos at their jobs by the time the health effects became well-known in the early 1980s.
• How many people die from asbestos? An estimated 40,000 Americans die from asbestos-related diseases each year.

Knowing you have asbestos-related lung cancer or another serious illness can be worrying, but we’re here to assist you and your family.

Lung Cancer Group can help you explore your treatment options and pursue compensation for medical costs for lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. Get started with our Free Lung Cancer Guide.

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Asbestos-Related Diseases

People exposed to asbestos could develop any number of illnesses decades later, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Learn about the most notable asbestos-related diseases below.

Asbestos Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the most common type of cancer caused by asbestos. Between 8,500 and 10,500 people die of asbestos lung cancer every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

You could develop asbestos lung cancer even if you smoked. In fact, asbestos fibers worsen the damage that smoking does to the lungs.

You could develop asbestos lung cancer even if you smoked. In fact, asbestos fibers worsen the damage that smoking does to the lungs.

“Smokers who are also exposed to asbestos have a risk of developing lung cancer that is greater than the individual risks from asbestos and smoking added together.”

— National Cancer Institute (NCI)

While asbestos-related lung cancer is very aggressive, it’s possible to live for decades. Jim was diagnosed with advanced asbestos lung cancer in 2005 but is still alive today after undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the linings of the lungs, heart, abdomen, or testicles. It is only caused by asbestos — there are no other known causes.

About 3,000 people develop mesothelioma each year. While many patients are diagnosed in an advanced stage when treatments are limited, some have become survivors. The longest-lived patients have reached nearly 30 years of survivorship with medical care from top doctors.

Call (877) 446-5767 for help exploring treatments and compensation options if you’re facing mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer.

Other Asbestos-Related Cancers

Asbestos exposure can lead to a number of different cancers besides mesothelioma and lung cancer. This is because the asbestos fibers may cause long-term harm to many parts of the body.

Other asbestos cancers include:

• Colon cancer
• Gastrointestinal cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Rectal cancer
• Throat cancer

While asbestos-related cancers can be aggressive, it’s important to remember that treatments may be available to help you live longer and have a better quality of life.

Asbestosis

Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease. The lungs stiffen over time. Symptoms include difficulty breathing and chest pain. Like mesothelioma, the only known cause is asbestos.

Asbestosis is not cancer, but it’s still very dangerous and can lead to fatal complications like lung failure. Patients could also develop lung cancer or mesothelioma while having asbestosis.

Other Asbestos-Related Illnesses

Cancers and asbestosis are just a few of the many health problems linked to asbestos exposure.

Other asbestos diseases include:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Those exposed to asbestos could develop COPD over time as the lungs get weaker.
• Pleural effusion: This is a buildup of fluid in the lining of the lungs (pleura) that causes shortness of breath and chest pain. Mesothelioma patients often suffer from pleural effusions.
• Pleural plaque: A protein made by the body called collagen builds up around asbestos fibers in the pleura to form pleural plaque. The plaque is harmless and causes no symptoms, but could mean you’re at risk of other illnesses.
• Other pleural diseases: Pleural thickening, pleurisy (inflammation of the pleura), and pneumothorax (collapsed lung) can all stem from asbestos exposure.

There’s no safe level of exposure to asbestos. This means anyone exposed could go on to get sick with one of the health issues listed above later in life. Some will experience several asbestos-related illnesses at once, such as pleural effusions and cancer.

Types of Asbestos

There are 6 types of asbestos fibers and all of them cause lung cancer, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

Each type belongs to one of two groups: amphibole and serpentine. Learn about the types and groups below.

Amphibole Asbestos

Five of the 6 types of asbestos are part of the amphibole group. They look like needles and appear straight under a microscope.

Asbestos fibers that belong to the amphibole group may stay inside the lungs for a longer span of time, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

Serpentine Asbestos

The only type of asbestos that belongs to the serpentine family is chrysotile asbestos. Chrysotile asbestos fibers are curly and flexible. Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center notes that chrysotile is the most common cause of asbestos-related diseases as it was used more than any other type.

Chrysotile asbestos was used in cement, roofing materials, plastics, and many other products.

We may be able to help you pursue compensation and justice if you developed an illness like lung cancer after being exposed to asbestos. Get started with a free case review.

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What Products Contain Asbestos?

Over 3,000 products were made with asbestos before the health risks were publicly known. Everything from building materials to consumer products like toothpaste contained asbestos.

Notable asbestos products included:

• Adhesives
• Boilers
• Brake pads and linings
• Cement
• Coatings
• Drywall
• Fireproofing materials
• Gaskets
• Insulation
• Joint compounds
• Makeup
• Patching
• Plastics
• Popcorn ceilings
• Roofing
• Rubber
• Shingles
• Textiles
• Toothpaste
• Vinyl floor tiles

“I worked 40 years in construction. I was exposed to asbestos through sheetrock, the mud, through gaskets in piping, through respirators, cartridges, and filters all through my career.”

– John Stahl, mesothelioma patient

Because asbestos-containing products were so widespread, millions of people were exposed. It takes 10-50 years for lung cancer or mesothelioma to develop after exposure, so many are still at risk today.

Manufacturers of Asbestos-Based Products

Hundreds of companies around the world made and sold asbestos-containing products for decades. Records from some of the largest companies reveal that they knew asbestos was harmful, but actively hid this from the public to make money.

Notable asbestos manufacturers include:

• Johns Manville: The biggest producer of asbestos-containing materials, Johns Manville started using asbestos in 1858.
• Raybestos: The president of Raybestos knew about asbestos dangers back in the 1930s, but hid them.
• W.R. Grace: For nearly 30 years, W.R. Grace operated an asbestos-contaminated vermiculite mine in Libby, Montana. One in 10 Libby residents now has an asbestos-related disease. Many more were also exposed to asbestos from W.R. Grace’s products.
• Other companies: Babcock & Wilcox, Armstrong World Industries, Fuller-Austin, Kaiser Aluminum, J.T. Thorpe, Owens Corning Fibreboard, and Western MacArthur are among dozens of other corporations that made and sold asbestos-containing products.

Once the health risks of asbestos came to light, these companies faced a flood of lawsuits from those with lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other illnesses.

Call (877) 446-5767 to learn if you may be eligible for legal compensation from companies that used asbestos without disclosing the dangers.

When Was Asbestos Banned?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned the use of asbestos in new materials and projects in 2024.

However, more than 700,000 buildings in the U.S. still contain asbestos, according to The Hill. The ban had no effect on these buildings, meaning people across the country are still at risk.

Sturdy asbestos products don’t pose a risk to human health, but if they break down, fibers could be released into the air. The media has recently covered stories in which old asbestos in houses, military bases, and fire stations has been disturbed and threatened people’s health.

Asbestos-Related Occupations

One of the most common ways people were exposed to asbestos was through their jobs. In fact, more than 27 million people suffered occupational asbestos exposure between 1940 and 1979, according to the ATSDR.

You risked asbestos exposure if you were a:

• Boilermaker: Most boilers were built with asbestos products like insulation before the 1980s. Boilermakers had to install or repair boilers in cramped spaces, where asbestos fibers could linger in the air.
• Construction worker: Those who worked on construction sites may have been exposed to asbestos-based cement, paint, insulation, tiles, and more.
• Military service: U.S. veterans are at risk of asbestos lung cancer and other diseases as military branches relied on the substance until the early 1980s. U.S. Navy veterans are at the greatest risk, as almost all Navy ships contained asbestos.
• Shipyard worker: Shipyard workers had to install and remove asbestos piping, wires, gaskets, insulation, and much more. About 33% of mesothelioma patients today are either former shipyard workers or U.S. Navy veterans

Many people worked with asbestos on an everyday basis at these jobs, increasing their cancer risk.

Risks of Secondhand Asbestos Exposure Among Families

Family members of those who worked with asbestos were also at risk due to secondhand (or take-home) exposure. Workers could unknowingly bring asbestos fibers into their homes on their clothing or skin. Loved ones might then breathe in or swallow the fibers.

Spouses and children have gone on to develop serious illnesses even though they never actually worked with or around asbestos-containing products as a result of this type of exposure.

“My father would come home from work, and I’d run up and hug him. He was covered in dust from a worksite. We didn’t know that it included asbestos dust.”

— Julie Gundlach, 20+ year mesothelioma survivor

Contact us now for help if you or someone you love has developed an asbestos-related disease like lung cancer or mesothelioma.

Avoiding Asbestos Exposure

Avoiding asbestos is the only way to prevent asbestos-related diseases like lung cancer. Below are three steps you can take to avoid asbestos exposure and help keep your loved ones safe.

1. Identify Possible Asbestos-Containing Materials

You won’t be able to tell if something contains asbestos by looking at it. But, it’s a good idea to avoid any damaged substances or structures in older homes that may have used asbestos.

You’ll need to call a professional to have asbestos testing done. Avoid touching the product or material if it’s damaged or crumbling. Professionals can use asbestos test kits to assess any dangers and then recommend steps to keep you and your family safe.

2. Remove or Abate Asbestos

Asbestos-containing products can be either removed or abated (sealed) by professionals. In some cases, no action may be needed. It depends on whether the asbestos is friable or non-friable.

Friable asbestos is worn down or damaged and could release fibers into the air. Professionals can either remove the products in question or cover them with a protective coating so fibers won’t be released. The latter option is known as asbestos abatement.

Non-friable asbestos products are safe since the fibers can’t escape. That said, you could have an asbestos remediation professional remove them for your peace of mind.

3. Spread Awareness

You can help in the fight by spreading awareness that lung cancer and mesothelioma can develop even if someone was exposed to asbestos long ago.

Conventions, conferences, and events take place throughout the year to help more people understand the risks of asbestos and how to get help for the illnesses it causes.

Asbestos Compensation Options

You may be able to seek asbestos compensation if you or a loved one developed lung cancer, mesothelioma, or another illness after being exposed to this toxic substance.

Ways to pursue asbestos compensation include:

• Asbestos lawsuits: Lawsuits can force manufacturers of asbestos products to pay for the harm they’ve caused. You can work with our lung cancer law firm to file an asbestos lawsuit if eligible. Many past clients have received millions of dollars from asbestos-related lung cancer claims.
• Asbestos trust funds: Trusts have been set up by bankrupt asbestos companies (which can’t be sued). There is over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds right now, and we can help you file from the comfort of your home.
• VA benefits: Veterans with asbestos lung cancer or mesothelioma can get military benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Many veterans qualify for disability payouts typically worth over $4,000 a month.

A skilled asbestos lawyer can help you file lawsuits and other claims to pursue compensation with ease.

Get a free case review to find out if you may be eligible for asbestos compensation following a lung cancer or mesothelioma diagnosis.

Get Help for Asbestos Lung Cancer

• Access Financial Aid and Justice
• Learn About Your Options
• Contact Us for Free

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Get Help If You Were Harmed by Asbestos

Nobody deserves to develop life-threatening illnesses like lung cancer or mesothelioma from asbestos products, which were thought to be safe for decades.

Yet this is exactly what has happened as millions of U.S. workers used asbestos without knowing the dangers since major companies hid the risks.

If you or a loved one developed a serious illness like lung cancer after working with or around asbestos, Lung Cancer Group can help.

Work with our team to:

• Better understand the risks of asbestos diseases
• Explore your medical options after a diagnosis
• Pursue compensation worth $1 million+ in some cases

Get a Free Lung Cancer Guide or call (877) 446-5767 to learn if we can help you or one of your family members.