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Ceiling Tiles
Not all tiles are designed for use on floors; they are also made to cover walls and ceilings. Installing ceiling tile may be a bit trickier, but a professional crew can get the job done quickly. Tile provides many benefits, and for years one of the chief advantages was that they were made out of a mineral that was strong, durable and resistant to cold, heat and fire.
This mineral was asbestos, and it is found in natural deposits on both land and sea. It was mined for decades and used as the backbone of a plethora of industrial and construction products. Aside from its other advantageous properties, asbestos is abundant and inexpensive to mine. Facts like these led to a boom of asbestos manufacturing that began in the late 1800's and continued to grow until it was banned from use in the 1970's.
It may seem unusual that such a beneficial material would suddenly be made illegal, but the reality of the situation was very frightening: researchers discovered that it was toxic. Goods that were made out of the mineral were safe as long as they remained undamaged, but if a ceiling tile were to crack or come loose and crash to the ground, infinitesimal asbestos particles will break free and float up into the air. Individuals who get close to these particles may breathe them in without realizing it, and the poisons they contain will then be released into the person's respiratory system. This can lead to massive tissue scarring, difficulty breathing and a form of cancer called Mesothelioma.
Conditions that develop as a result of asbestos exposure can be fatal. To avoid further instances of people being put in jeopardy, products such as ceiling tiles were removed and disposed of. This process should only be attempted by a certified professional who knows exactly how to deal with asbestos. Otherwise, the risks are great and the results could be tragic. Regrettably, not every company did the right thing and stopped using asbestos. Instead, some unethical manufacturers took no steps to dispose of the hazardous goods they had produced and even continued to include asbestos in their products. This allowed more employees to become afflicted and put their customers at risk. To fight back, people issued thousands of lawsuits against the companies who used this hazardous material.
Because asbestos based ceiling tiles may still be in use today, there are ever ongoing opportunities for people to be exposed and become ill. If you feel that you may have spent time around any item that contained this toxic material, contact your doctor immediately for a respiratory exam. People who were subjected to asbestos may be able to take legal action against the manufacturers. Find out what rights you have and what actions you may be eligible to take by ordering a copy of our informative asbestos and Mesothelioma brochure. It is free, and will provide you with essential details about what you can and should do next.