| When Hurricane Katrina dropped her massive | | | | The unacceptable nature of the re-victimization of the |
| devastation on the coast of Louisiana and Texas, the | | | | Katrina survivors can only be compounded by the |
| property loss was astronomical. Homes, businesses, | | | | asbestos risk, and Mesothelioma cases in the future |
| and buildings were completely destroyed, leaving | | | | are an unacceptable consequence of governmental |
| behind a wave a possible asbestos exposure for the | | | | abandonment that is synonymous with Hurricane |
| victims who were fighting for their lives. | | | | Katrina. |
| While buildings built before 1980 were heavily laden | | | | Mesothelioma lawyers and doctors, who live in the |
| with asbestos, even newer buildings carry a high | | | | aftermath of asbestos exposure through their clients, |
| enough asbestos risk that future health effects are | | | | are greatly concerned about the risks of Mesothelioma |
| probable. Most of the homes and buildings in the | | | | as it relates to the current levels of asbestos |
| devastation zone were built before 1980, providing a | | | | exposure in Texas and Louisiana. The results from this |
| huge release of asbestos into the lungs of the | | | | level of exposure will not be evident for decades to |
| surviving victims. | | | | come, as Mesothelioma carries a long period of |
| Prior to 1980, asbestos was the building material of | | | | dormancy after exposure to asbestos. |
| choice. Asbestos carries a high level of insulating and | | | | There have been numerous unforeseen |
| heat resistant characteristics which in effect were | | | | consequences to the annihilation endured by Hurricane |
| supposed to create safer, more economical buildings. | | | | Katrina, and those who have suffered have done so |
| The potential for the development of Mesothelioma | | | | dearly. Governmental clean up action is already too |
| was not enough to deter contractors, companies, and | | | | late, but in the interest of continuing to attempt to |
| developers from its use until recently. Laws enforced | | | | protect those who have had minimal exposure. The |
| the lowered use of asbestos, but asbestos has far | | | | longer the asbestos remains lingering in these areas, |
| from been eliminated in construction. | | | | the greater the number of people who will face |
| Mesothelioma becomes a potential health risk | | | | Mesothelioma and other health risks. |
| whenever disaster destroys buildings, and the victims | | | | Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath left behind ample |
| of Katrina are certainly at a high risk for Mesothelioma | | | | devastation and the senselessness of asbestos |
| and asbestos exposure related effects. The | | | | exposure and the threat of Mesothelioma on top of all |
| devastated areas of Louisiana and Texas are now | | | | that is utterly ridiculous. Clean up efforts should have |
| considered hot spots for asbestos exposure and | | | | begun immediately. There is simply no excuse for |
| future cases of Mesothelioma. | | | | allowing this toxic debris to linger any longer. Those |
| Many of the materials used to build the houses and | | | | who have been exposed to the asbestos laden debris |
| buildings may contain very high levels of the asbestos | | | | will not know whether or not their health has been |
| fibers. There are ample samplings of dangerous | | | | affected for decades. |
| material still lingering around the devastated areas of | | | | Adding just a little more insult to injury, there are ample |
| Texas and Louisiana, including asbestos-cement | | | | companies in these states which are still utilizing toxic |
| corrugated sheet, millboard, cement flat sheet, pipeline | | | | level of asbestos in their everyday production without |
| wrap, roofing felt, vinyl-asbestos floor tile, | | | | regard to employee well being or health. While there |
| asbestos-cement shingle, pipeline wrap, | | | | are a few exceptions, the vast majority of oil refining |
| asbestos-cement pipe, and vermiculite-attic insulation. | | | | companies are marginally protecting their employees |
| This debris is only a fraction of the asbestos laden | | | | against the risks of asbestos exposure. |
| material that poses significant health threats to the | | | | Mesothelioma lawyers are recommending that |
| people of the affected areas of Louisiana and Texas. | | | | employees take it upon themselves to research their |
| Unfortunately, with the entirely overwhelming degree of | | | | own company's standard practices to determine |
| devastation coupled with the unnecessary hardships | | | | whether or not asbestos related illness are a possibility |
| the victims of Katrina have endured, there are | | | | for their future. Mesothelioma is not an acceptable |
| immediate needs that seem more pressing than | | | | retirement gift, and there is no acceptable excuse for |
| asbestos exposure. While there are still families living in | | | | any company not following every conceivable |
| tents and trailers being fed in free soup kitchens there | | | | precaution to safeguard employees from asbestos |
| is little option for those still facing potential asbestos | | | | and the threat of Mesothelioma. |
| exposure. | | | | |