Asbestos

There was a time when asbestos was in nearly everything. It was inexpensive, relatively easy to find, and falsely believed by consumers and workers to be safe. Even today, there are still times when products you use every day could contain asbestos. Here’s what you should know about products that could contain asbestos. Remaining intentional uses While there are dramatically fewer places where you will encounter asbestos, it still has some very common uses, such as: Building and roofing materials Automobile parts (primarily clutches and brakes) Thermal Insulation Many other products Chalk Baby powder Makeup Crayons You may not handle […]

While many people generally link asbestos exposure to mining, shipyards, factory work, construction or heavy industry, the unfortunate reality is that companies used the material in countless occupations and consumer products. Due to the heat-resistant nature of asbestos, organizations manufactured numerous products using the material. Unfortunately, as the product ultimately broke down and deteriorated, the asbestos fibers became small enough to inhale or ingest leading to deadly conditions such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. For hundreds of years, builders used asbestos fibers to enhance thousands of products eventually leading to mass production including steam pipes, flooring tiles or roofing […]

The FDA recently published a paper on asbestos testing in cosmetics written by the Interagency Working Group on Asbestos in Consumer Products (IWGACP), an agency they created. It was inspired by a public meeting on the subject in February of 2020, some two years ago. The length of time matches the length of the group’s name the document’s title, “IWGACP Scientific Opinions on Testing Methods for Asbestos in Cosmetic Products Containing Talc (including Talc Intended for Use in Cosmetics).” Proposed improvements in testing methods The objective of the white paper is to develop standardized testing methods that would make future […]

Despite Johnson & Johnson’s continuing efforts and legal maneuvers to minimize the financial damage caused by their talc-based products, high-profile news stories continue to document the link between the company’s offerings and the negative and potentially deadly impact on consumers. J&J is attempting to spike a news report covering their legal strategies to fight against lawsuits filed by victims diagnosed with cancer supposedly linked to their baby powder products. The company cites the use, if not an abuse of confidential company documents as a disqualifying factor in any claims for First Amendment protection, specifically freedom of the press. Complicating the […]

With housing prices as high as they currently are, many people are choosing to forego a newer home and remodeling an older home instead. While this option can be a fruitful and rewarding endeavor, it comes with its own share of dangers. If the home that you are thinking of remodeling is old enough, there is a chance that it could have asbestos in several key locations. Make sure you are aware of the risk and take the proper precautions in order to keep yourself and your family safe. Where Asbestos Commonly Exists Because of its temperature resistance properties, home […]

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) announced that this year Global Asbestos Awareness Week is April 1-7, 2022. The purpose of Global Asbestos Awareness Week is to educate people on asbestos use, preventing exposure, increasing compliance and enforcement of existing laws and regulations, and strengthening international partnerships. On April 7th, the week will end with a virtual candlelight vigil. Linda Reinstein, ADAO co-founder and former Brayton Purcell client, states: “We are excited to bring our educational messages to a global audience. COVID-19 has made the world an even more dangerous place for those who suffer from an asbestos-caused disease, and […]