Louisiana’s environment has had a tough time in the last century. Hurricanes habitually wreck coastal communities, oil spills have laid waste to precious resources, and the chemical factories that lined the Mississippi River also filled its delta with dangerous substances.
One chemical that has taken a toll in the Bayou State is asbestos. Although it was used for many years by humans who admired its flame resistance at high heat, the discovery of the crystalline mineral’s role in lung cancer and other respiratory ailments led to its decline and eventual removal from industrial markets.
Asbestos was widely used as a flame insulator into the 1970s, and old construction may still be contaminated with sources of the material. Asbestos abatement, in which potential sources are sealed off, was a popular method of minimizing the damage for decades. Now, asbestos removal is often the choice of municipal governments, which often control buildings that still contain asbestos.
Removal is often conducted during renovations. A church in uptown New Orleans was recently recognized among other structures as excellent examples of historic restoration. The Victorian structure was contaminated with lead as well as asbestos, which was removed along with damaged brick and architectural details.
People who are suffering the health effects of asbestos exposure may have a case for financial damages exacted from the organizations that installed it or failed to remove it. Legal representation can clarify the options that exist for victims of asbestos and their families. No one should have to go through a diagnosis related to asbestos without the support he or she needs.