The serious health risks associated with asbestos exposure have been known for generations. The naturally occurring fiber is the only known cause of mesothelioma, an incurable and deadly form of cancer of the lining of the lungs and internal organs. Legal and regulatory scrutiny of asbestos use has ramped up over the years — including a 2024 ban on chrysotile asbestos — but an alarming number of Americans continue to die from mesothelioma every year. While mesothelioma diagnosis rates have fallen among men, they have remained steady among women.
We can help.
The Dangers of Asbestos
Asbestos has been a versatile and useful material for a variety of manufacturing and heavy industry applications because of its insulating and heat-resistance qualities. These properties made it a widely used component of construction, automotive and shipbuilding materials, as well as fire-retardant clothing and appliances.
Starting in the 1970s, the U.S. government began taking steps to regulate asbestos use. The passage of the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 played a role in limiting asbestos and other hazardous pollutants. Additionally, pressure from labor unions and trade organizations demanding safer working conditions further accelerated the decline in asbestos use, leading manufacturers to explore alternative materials. Most recently in 2024, the United States government finalized a ban on chrysotile asbestos, although companies may continue to use the material for certain manufacturing processes for up to 12 years.
While these restrictions and regulations have helped, too many corporations continue to place profits over people and cut corners on safety in the workplace and in the products they manufacture and place on store shelves.
While the general public was not aware, industry has long known the reality that talcum powder products are routinely contaminated with asbestos. Both talc and asbestos are minerals that are frequently found together in underground deposits. And products containing talc — including Johnson’s Baby Powder and a wide variety of cosmetic products — are frequently found to be contaminated with asbestos.
The Link Between Asbestos and Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is an aggressive and deadly form of cancer that affects the tissue that surrounds major organs in the chest and abdominal area. Exposure to asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma takes years to develop, so patients are typically diagnosed decades after their exposure.
Why Mesothelioma Cases Continue to Occur:
- The time between diagnosis and exposure is a major factor in why we continue to see new cases of mesothelioma.
- Workers exposed in the late 1980s can still develop this or other health concerns from prior exposure to asbestos.
- Workers, including auto technicians, shipyard workers, construction workers, and firefighters, continue to risk asbestos exposure from contact with aging products and materials that still contain asbestos.
- Consumers are often exposed through use of talcum powder, cosmetics, and even toys that were contaminated by asbestos fibers.
- Spouses who did a worker’s laundry may have come into contact with asbestos fibers in their clothing.
- Schoolchildren can be exposed through improper demolition, repair, and maintenance of school buildings that contain asbestos, including cases in Hawaii, Iowa and Louisiana, and around the country.
How We Help Victims of Asbestos Exposure in Hawai‘i
Seek justice with the help of our experienced Hawai‘i asbestos attorneys. Our mesothelioma law firm has represented Hawai‘i residents like you affected by asbestos exposure for over 40 years, aggressively fighting the corporate giants responsible for their dangerous products. If you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos or suffered from a disease caused by asbestos, like mesothelioma, we can help.
