Asbestos particles are microscopic. That doesn’t mean they’re not dangerous. They can lead to serious diseases, such as mesothelioma. This is a type of cancer that usually develops in the tissues around the abdomen or around the lungs. It is aggressive and often fatal.
But part of the problem is that people cannot see these tiny particles. Many workers are exposed when breathing dust, for example, that contains microscopic asbestos particles that aren’t being filtered out. The workers think that the dust is harmless, but the particles become trapped within their bodies. There’s often a long latency period, and mesothelioma may take decades to develop – but it could all stem from that initial exposure.
What rating should your mask have?
There are certain masks that can filter out these particles. But they typically need to have a rating of P-100, N-100 or R-100.
Many popular masks have a lower rating. For example, an N-95 mask may be used in medical situations, but it simply cannot filter out the microscopic asbestos particles. Some workers will try to use neck gaiters or dust masks. These don’t help at all, as the particles are far too small to be inhibited by the mask.
What this means is that people sometimes believe they have taken all of the necessary safety precautions, but they have actually been exposed to potentially deadly asbestos contamination. This can lead to mesothelioma in the future, which can be very expensive to treat and, as noted above, has a high fatality rate. That’s why these individuals and their family members need to know about all of the legal options that they have at their disposal.