North Carolina
North Carolina has many natural deposits of a fibrous material known as Chrysotile. Chrysotile has been used in the production of a variety of man-made products such as cement, gaskets and other common products. It is also a material which makes up asbestos. Unfortunately, products made of Chrysotile often broke down easily over time. This allowed the tiny asbestos fibers inside to become loose and spread into the air supply, where they could be easily inhaled.
Asbestos sites in North Carolina
North Carolina has many shipyards, which are among the most common sites to find asbestos materials in use. The state also has mills, power plants and other industries that have been acknowledged to possess a high degree of asbestos materials. Before asbestos products were banned, they were used in the production of several items which were used in not only industrial settings, but also in construction materials that can be found in homes and businesses.
Removing Asbestos
Only a qualified professional should ever attempt to remove asbestos. Since asbestos is made up of tiny fibers, and damage to materials which contain the toxin can lead to the inhalation of asbestos. If you need to have any dangerous materials discarded, contact a company that is certified to work with asbestos. Try a site such as ThomasNet.com and search for asbestos removal to locate a qualified company for this job.
Asbestos related deaths in North Carolina
A survey which spanned from 1979 to 1999 indicated over one thousand deaths from asbestos and Mesothelioma, a lung disease related to asbestos exposure. The EWG Action Fund put this data together, and listed Mecklenburg, Rowan and New Hanover counties as the top three for asbestos deaths in the state.
Asbestos lawsuits in North Carolina
North Carolina has produced many lawsuits based on asbestos related sickness and deaths. Today their are ongoing group lawsuits with the goal of fighting for those who have been put at risk by exposure to this harmful material.
One major North Carolina case involved the company CSX Transportation. In 2004, a long time employee sued them after he was diagnosed with Mesothelioma. It was determined that the company was aware of the asbestos, and yet chose to do nothing about it or notify anyone of the dangers. The end result was an award of $7.5 million to the former employee - a warning to companies that if they know about asbestos on their premises; they need to do something about it.
What to do if you have been exposed to Asbestos
The single most important thing for those who were knowingly exposed to do first is to secure medical information about their exposure, including finding out if the exposure is likely to result in healh complications.
It is also important secure legal counsel. The statute of limitations for a wrongful death lawsuit in North Carolina is 2 years, and it is 3 years for negligence and personal injury. Once you know that you have been exposed, it is advisable to find legal counsel immediately
Asbestos is a very dangerous substance - if you or a loved one think that you may have been exposed, monitor your health closely and request our free information packet for further information.
Last modified: December 28, 2010.
