Asbestos Gloves
For decades, myriad products were made of or contained asbestos. Before it was understood just how dangerous the toxic mineral could be, it was admired for its excellent fire- and heat-resistant properties, so it was used for many applications that involved high temperatures or the potential of fire.
Unfortunately, those applications also included protective clothing and other gear that was used by individuals who worked in industries where heat and high temperature was the norm, such as in oil refineries, power plants, steel mills, and railroads. It was not unusual for workers to don clothing made of or containing a fairly high concentration of asbestos, including asbestos gloves, which allowed these workers to handle hot items without risk of injuring themselves.
Asbestos gloves resembled either normal fingered gloves or mittens and some employees wore them all day long. While the gloves were safe as long as they were in good condition, if they ripped or suffered some other sort of damage, small asbestos fibers may have been released, putting the wearer at risk for inhaling the hazardous mineral. Because individuals often touch their noses with their hands, inhalation was easily accomplished.
Other asbestos-containing protective clothing may have accompanied the gloves, including asbestos lab coats, aprons, shoe coverings, or even masks, which made asbestos inhalation even more likely.
Unfortunately, workers who wore this protective gear were unaware of the danger of inhaling asbestos. Even more unfortunate was the fact that their superiors often knew of the hazards of asbestos exposure but did not share such information with their employees. Consequently, individuals who wore asbestos gloves and other asbestos-containing clothing inhaled dangerous fibers and developed asbestos-related diseases decades later. These diseases include mesothelioma, an aggressive asbestos cancer that generally kills its victims less than a year after diagnosis. Others develop asbestosis, which can be horribly debilitating and can eventually become mesothelioma as well.
If you worked in an industry where you wore asbestos gloves to handle high-temperature equipment, you may have inhaled asbestos fibers while on the job. You’re not alone. Each year, many individuals who wore asbestos gear to protect them have discovered that the gear did the opposite – causing diseases that will change their lives and the lives of their family forever.
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma due to exposure to asbestos gloves or similar items, you may have a right to seek compensation for your injuries. Take a moment to fill out our information request form to learn more about the disease and your legal rights.
