Novabestos
Asbestos is a crystal based material that is made up of interconnected fibers that can break apart and become airborne. They are small enough that people often breathe them in without even realizing it. The fibrous strands become lodged in the respiratory system, where they can do massive amounts of damage. Ingested particles of the mineral are the only cause of serious respiratory disorder called asbestosis and an often deadly type of cancer, mesothelioma (including pericardial mesothelioma). These conditions are untreatable (i.e. there is no mesothelioma cure), and have been responsible for making multiple thousand of people extremely ill, and claiming the lives of many others, leaving mesothelioma survivors that a few in number. There are a number of top mesothelioma doctors practicing at mesothelioma cancer centers across the country that offer treatments to help slow the progression of the disease and improve quality of life (although mesothelioma remission is rare). Some of these advanced treatments include multi-modality therapy, mesothelioma brachytherapy and photo-dynamic therapy. Some new drugs are also available including Gemcitabine, Alimta®, Onconase and Navelbine. Read more in our mesothelioma treatment guide.
Of course, none of the dangers of asbestos were known when products such as Novabestos were being produced. It took until the 1970's before this fact became widely known in America, and by then countless people had been afflicted. To make things even worse, after some manufacturers learned the truth, they continued to produce items that contained the poisonous material anyway. This profit-driven decision caused even more people to fall victim to this hazardous substance.
As people were diagnosed with cancer and other diseases related to asbestos exposure, they also started filing lawsuits against the companies that used it in their products. So many claims were filed that most of these manufacturers sought bankruptcy protection. When granted, this allowed them to reorganize their business structure, create trust funds to pay off victims with valid claims, and continue operating without the ever increasing debt they had been incurring.
The government eventually stepped in, and declared the use of asbestos in any product to be illegal. By the early 1980's, it was no longer mined or utilized anywhere in America. However, thousands of goods that were tainted with this toxic substance can still be found all over the country. At no point should anyone other than a certified professional attempt to move, replace or destroy any of these items. To do so would be extremely dangerous, and will put you unnecessarily at risk of exposure to asbestos fibers.
Estimates suggest that there are still hundreds if not thousands of people who are suffering as a result of using or producing Novabestos and similar products. If you are among them, you may have legal recourses. To find out more, order a free copy of our informational kit that discusses the aftermath of asbestos exposure and the options that victims may have.
