In 2022, we all know that asbestos can lead to a lot of very serious diseases. It can cause cancer, such as mesothelioma or respiratory diseases. It’s a very dangerous compound that is often fatal, and people are always advised to avoid it if they can.
From a modern perspective, it’s sometimes hard to understand why people began using asbestos in the first place. Why would they ever take such a risk with such a dangerous product?
It is strong and heat resistant
First and foremost, people knew that asbestos was a strong material and that it was heat resistant. It didn’t burn. This meant that it could be added to things like home insulation. It then acted as a fire retardant, making it less likely that the home would burn down. This has historically been one of the biggest hazards to human settlements, so asbestos seemed like a helpful product, and it has been used for a long time in these sorts of ways.
Additionally, you have to remember that most people did not understand the full risks of asbestos. They didn’t know nearly as much about cancer or how it developed. In other words, they could see the clear benefits in that it was heat resistant and durable, but they couldn’t yet see the long-term impact. However, considerable evidence suggests that many companies that sold asbestos were well aware of its dangers.
There is always a chance that you or a loved one could have been exposed to it already, so be sure you know about all of your legal options.