Asbestos was widely used in the shipping industry until about the mid 1980’s, after which the use of it was banned in many countries. During the course of the construction, repair, and maintenance of the ships, as well as in ship demolition work, many workers are exposed to asbestos-containing materials and are therefore at risk of contracting Mesothelioma.
The Use of Asbestos in the Shipping Industry
Asbestos was widely used in the shipping industry due to its many beneficial properties such as heat resistance, fireproof properties, strength, and durability. It was used around pipes, boilers, engines, and turbines. When those involved in the construction, repair, and maintenance of the ships were working on the ships, they would often be exposed to large amounts of asbestos dust, and were therefore at risk of contracting Mesothelioma.
Ship Demolition and Asbestos Today
Today, asbestos is no longer used in the shipping industry, and many ships that contained asbestos are being demolished. During this process of demolition, the demolition workers are also exposed to large amounts of asbestos dust. Fortunately, people today are more aware of the dangers and are thus taking precautions to prevent the inhalation of asbestos dust.
The Shipping Industry and Mesothelioma Lawsuits
Many workers in the shipping industry however did not take the necessary precautions in their work, and many shipping companies hid the dangers of Mesothelioma from their workers. Today, these workers are suffering from Mesothelioma. As a result, many lawsuits are taking place in which employees are suing their previous employers for the exposure they had to asbestos-containing materials that has led to this disease.