Fire Blankets
The main reason asbestos enjoyed such widespread use for decades was because of its excellent fire-resistant properties. For centuries, individuals were aware that asbestos-containing products could withstand fire. Even as long ago as during the early Roman Empire, asbestos was lauded for its fire resistance and was used in items that demanded those properties.
Fire kills. That’s why it’s important to protect individuals from the dangers of heat and flames. Fire blankets have long been used for this purpose. Fire blankets come in different sizes and are used for varying purposes. The small fire blanket is a safety device that is designed to squelch the small incipient fire. It is simply a sheet of fire-retardant material that is placed over the fire to smother it. These fire blankets can be used in both commercial and household applications. These days, they are usually made of fiberglass but were once fashioned from woven asbestos cloth.
Larger fire blankets are designed to wrap around a person whose clothes are on fire. In some instances, they are kept in factories and other places where the possibility of fires is high. They can be easily accessed in emergency situations and can indeed save lives and prevent individuals from developing serious burns. Firefighters also use fire blankets, and can carry them inside burning buildings in order to safely rescue those trapped amidst the heat and flames.
Quite simply, fire blankets work by completely surrounding or covering the fire and depriving it of oxygen. For many years, asbestos cloth was the best way to extinguish the fire. However, those who used the fire blankets on a regular basis were exposed to asbestos, especially when the blankets began to decompose and release fibers. Because of that, firefighters and others who used the blankets were likely to inhale the fibers and many individuals eventually developed asbestos-related ailments or diseases, including pleural plaques or scarring of the lungs, asbestosis, and even mesothelioma, an asbestos-caused cancer for which there is no cure.
Unfortunately, records show that companies that manufactured asbestos fire blankets often knew of the dangers of asbestos and inhaling asbestos fibers, yet they continued to manufacture the blankets and sell them to end users such as fire companies and others that needed the protection that fire blankets offered. If manufacturing had ceased as soon as the hazards were discovered, many individuals could have been spared the pain of asbestos diseases.
If you were exposed to asbestos due to the use of fire blankets and if you have subsequently developed mesothelioma because of that exposure, you may have a right to monetary compensation. An experienced asbestos attorney can help make that determination. For more details, take a moment to request our free mesothelioma information kit.
