K & M Block
Hundreds of years ago, asbestos was used for several purposes. Chief among them was to make cloth that was very strong and durable. The cloth also had a very unique quality - it was able to remain intact when placed into a fire. Ancient Persian cultures used to clean cloth that was made from asbestos by holding it under a flame and letting any impurities get burned out.
Many of the old civilizations that utilized asbestos were aware of its dangerous properties. Historical records document that they understood that using the naturally occurring mineral could lead to serious health issues, and even death. But this important fact was not always well documented and passed on, so many generations later it was still being used despite its toxicity.
During the later 1800's, asbestos was discovered in large deposits in America. It was mined, and incorporated into products such as insulation, cement and other construction based items. These goods helped to usher in the Industrial Revolution, which was an incredible time of growth and urbanization for the country. The hazardous aspects of asbestos were not understood at this point, and the number of products it was used in continued to grow.
Insulation materials are necessary for most every home, school, church, factory and other standing structures, and the majority of it was made with asbestos until the late 1970's. By then scientists had discovered the long lost fact that the mineral that was so sought after by manufacturers was also responsible for causing mesothelioma (including pericardial mesothelioma). As this knowledge was spread out to the companies that produced the contaminated articles, most immediately stopped using it. Some, however, continued to use asbestos until it was officially banned from use in the United States. As a result, many more employees and customers were exposed to potentially dangerous products. Mesothelioma victims generally receive a poor mesothelioma prognosis as there is no cure for the disease. As such, the mesothelioma life expectancy is said to be short leading to the low numbers of mesothelioma survivors. Look through our mesothelioma treatment guide to get more information or visit our mesothelioma resources center.
Following the ban, manufacturers were forced to change the products they produced to ensure they did not contain any of the hazardous mineral. Many of the contaminated insulation products were professionally removed, but there could be thousands of them still in use at asbestos jobsites all over the country. Any asbestos based items that are still in public locations can pose a continuing health threat. Insulation materials that are in areas where people commonly gather could present a significant danger, as older products are likely brittle and falling apart, allowing hazardous fibers to easily break off. If you suspect you have K & M Block in your home or business, call a certified contractor and have them remove it. To attempt this job on your own would be extremely risky.
Individuals exposed to products containing asbestos over the years do have legal rights and a mesothelioma attorney could be of help. To find out more, request a copy of our free brochure. It is packed with information about asbestos, mesothelioma and the rights of those who have been victimized.
