Asbestos Imports Rise in the U.S.

Asbestos is a dangerous mineral that has numerous industrial applications. It has been banned in 50 countries but not in the U.S. or Canada, and imports of asbestos are on the rise.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summary asbestos imports into the U.S. rose by 25 percent in 2011. The asbestos industry has insisted asbestos imports and usage have been on the decline, but the USGS survey shows otherwise.

Asbestos is used in over 3,000 commercial products according to the EPA. These products can range from building materials, car parts to everyday household items like paper and floor tiles.

In the 80s, asbestos was banned for some uses. Strict regulations have been outlined for safe use of the material, but some employers ignore these rules and unnecessarily endanger the health of their employees. Workers who have been afflicted with an asbestos-related disease often retain mesothelioma attorneys to hold negligent employers accountable for their disregard to their safety.

Because the material can cause a number of diseases which include mesothelioma, a fatal form of lung cancer, there are strict regulations placed on its use. Mesothelioma attorneys make sure that people who have been negligently exposed to asbestos get the money needed for their medical care.

The World Health Organization has stated that no level of asbestos exposure is safe. Mesothelioma lawyers fight for the people exposed to asbestos by seeking financial compensation and making the public more aware of the dangers it can pose.