Fire Curtains
Each year, thousands of people die in fires that may have been stopped had the right precautions been taken. Decades ago, particularly in the mid-years of the twentieth century, one of the best ways to contain fires was through the use of asbestos and asbestos-containing products.
Indeed, thousands of products made for use in the home or in various industries contained asbestos, and the mineral was used so often largely because of its fire-resistant qualities. Just after the turn of the century, theaters began using asbestos fabric to make the curtains that hung on the stages of the world. The switch to asbestos curtains was prompted by a number of serious theater fires that occurred around the turn of the century. These asbestos fire curtains were used not only in large Broadway theaters and other major playhouses around the country, but also small community theaters and even in school auditoriums. The curtains sometimes served as the main stage curtain but were more often intended to be an “emergency” curtain that could be dropped in case of a fire.
Records show that these fire curtains did indeed work and probably helped avoid a number of disasters. However, when they became worn or were damaged, they presented their own kind of danger. Damaged asbestos can release toxic asbestos fibers, which become airborne and can be inhaled by those working nearby. Because these curtains were constantly being pulled in one direction or another, they were subject to a lot of wear and tear, so damage was not unusual. That means stagehands, actors, and others who worked in theaters were subject to asbestos exposure. In schools, teachers and administration may have breathed in the dangerous fibers from fire curtains in school auditoriums or theaters.
Airborne asbestos dust or fibers that are inhaled can cause serious damage to the lungs or other organs of the person who is exposed. Once these fibers are inhaled, it is impossible to expel them and they remain in the lungs where they cause inflammation and irritation and could potentially result in the development of asbestos-related diseases, such as asbestosis or mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer that attacks the linings of the body’s internal organs, include the lungs, heart, and abdomen. Mesothelioma is a sure death sentence for anyone who develops the disease as there is no cure and few successful treatments.
If you worked with asbestos fire curtains and have developed mesothelioma because of your exposure to this dangerous mineral, you should visit an experienced asbestos attorney to learn more about who is responsible for your disease and whether or not you have a right to monetary compensation. For more details, order our free mesothelioma information kit today.
