Is Minor Asbestos Exposure a Risk?

As with any harmful substance, long-term exposure to said substance is more problematic than short-term exposure. For instance, if you encounter asbestos at work one day and a remediation team is then called in to remove it, you’re at far less risk than if you spent years working around asbestos without knowing it. That prolonged exposure simply increases the odds of serious complications.

That said, studies have repeatedly found that exposure at any level can increase the risk of mesothelioma, laryngeal cancer and lung cancer. This is never something that you should take lightly. While many who experience minor exposure may not develop these diseases, others may contract them in the future — it often takes decades for the exposure to lead to illness.

How Long Were You Really Exposed?

Another question to ask is how long the exposure was really occurring. Say that asbestos insulation was found on pipes in the workplace. You may have been working in that building for years. While it feels like you were only exposed on the day that you found the insulation, the reality is that you were working five days a week in a hazardous environment. Because the onset of symptoms can take years, many people have no idea that they’re dealing with asbestos at the time, and they do not notice that anything is wrong until it’s too late.

What Options Do You Have?

If you have experienced asbestos exposure or have been diagnosed with one of the diseases listed above, it’s very important to know about all of your legal options. You may deserve compensation.