Fume Hoods
Throughout most of the twentieth century and for decades prior to that, asbestos was used in a large number of applications. Usually, it was chosen because it was extra strong and could last for eons, but the primary reason for asbestos use was its extreme ability to resist fire and high temperatures. Because fires were – during early times – such a common occurrence, this miracle mineral was lauded by many because it greatly decreased the incidence of fires in homes, factories, and elsewhere.
Anywhere high temperatures, chemicals, or fire was found, so was asbestos. For example, the mineral was often used in the manufacturer of fume hoods. A fume hood is a piece of scientific equipment often found in chemistry laboratories, designed to limit exposure to dangerous or unpleasant fumes. The fume hoods work when air is drawn in from the front of the unit through a fan and either expelled to the outside of the building or filtered and fed back into the room. They come in two varieties: ducted and re-circulating. Before the asbestos warnings were issued in the late 1970s, the duct pipe in the ducted models was usually made of asbestos.
Though fume hoods usually work well and help scientists and researchers avoid exposure to toxic or odorous fumes, fume hoods of old that contained asbestos presented other hazards. The duct pipes were easily damaged and could release airborne asbestos fibers, which would, in turn, be inhaled by those in the vicinity. The result was the eventual development of asbestos-related diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma.
Companies that manufactured asbestos duct pipes for fume hoods did nothing to product their workers from inhaling fibers nor did they warn the end user about the dangers of purchasing fume hoods that included asbestos-containing pipe. Records show, however, that many company owners and executives were indeed aware of the hazards of asbestos for years – even decades – before the negative information about the mineral became public knowledge.
This cover-up resulted in the illness and death of many individuals. Asbestos should have been banned years ago but – at the very least - anyone working with asbestos should have been wearing protective clothing that would have helped prevent the inhalation of toxic asbestos dust. Once inhaled, those sharp fibers cannot be expelled and workers subject to inhalation could eventually develop an asbestos disease.
Each year, about 3,000 individuals exposed to asbestos through work with fume hoods and other asbestos-containing products develop mesothelioma, an aggressive asbestos cancer for which there is no cure.
If you were exposed to fume hoods with asbestos piping and have developed mesothelioma, it’s important that you be educated about your legal rights. For more information, order our free mesothelioma information kit today to learn more about the disease and determine your right to legal compensation.
Last modified: December 28, 2010.
