Famous movie actor Steve McQueen died in 1980 from cancer of the chest lining. It was a well-known fact that McQueen continuously used fireproof asbestos suits when he was racing cars in the 1950s. Asbestos exposure was the suspected cause of cancer.

A newspaper report in late 2002 spoke about a woman who was diagnosed with mesothelioma at the age of 74. The woman, who died in 2002, was exposed to asbestos clothing between 1945 and 1965 when her ex-husband was working as a fire fighter.

Asbestos has a unique chemical composition, which enables it to withstand very high degrees of temperature. At the same time, its individual fibers are so soft and flexible that they can easily be spun and woven into clothing, somewhat similar to cotton. This is what led to its rampant use in fireproof clothing worn by firefighters.

Fireproof asbestos clothing is a great health hazard. Due to the very nature of their work, firefighters can rip or damage their uniforms. Asbestos is harmless when it is undamaged or secured tightly within a binding fiber. However, the moment a product is damaged or frayed, it starts releasing high concentration of minute, glass-like fibers that stick to the walls of the lungs. Firefighters who have used fireproof asbestos clothing are very much at risk of inhaling microscopic fibers that could have escaped through damaged or worn clothing. Unfortunately, the human body cannot excrete or remove these particles.

According to certain studies, even limited periods of exposure can cause asbestos-related diseases. Fireproof clothing poses another great danger – that of causing secondary exposure. Since the fireproof clothing is worn over ordinary clothing, there are chances of fibers sticking to the clothes and shoes of these workers. Thus, family members who handle these clothes on a regular basis are at risk. There has been a recorded case of a 16-year old boy dying of asbestos exposure from his father’s work clothes.

Workers and family members exposed to asbestos for a long period, invariably develop lung diseases from the airborne particles that they ingest.

If you suspect that you could have inhaled asbestos fibers or inadvertently brought them home with you, contact an asbestos attorney immediately using the form at the bottom of this page.