| Although even ancient Greeks and Romans noted | | | | Thus, when people began to recognize these |
| the ill health effects that were associated with | | | | dangers, they started to call for a ban against |
| asbestos exposure, it was not until the 1970s that | | | | asbestos. The Asbestos Hazard Emergency |
| people began to call for an asbestos ban in the | | | | Response Act (AHERA) was passed in 1986 as |
| United States. One step the government took in | | | | an amendment to the Toxic Substances Control |
| protecting people from asbestos was the | | | | Act (TSCA). TSCA was originally passed in 1976 |
| Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act, or | | | | to regulate the use of chemicals. AHERA was |
| AHERA. | | | | added to TSCA as its second subchapter. AHERA |
| First, it is important to understand why it took | | | | itself was later amended in 1990. |
| such a long time to ban asbestos. Many people | | | | The purpose of AHERA is to give the |
| thought the ill health effects were outweighed by | | | | Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, |
| the beneficial characteristics of this material. | | | | regulative control over asbestos. The original |
| Asbestos is a member of the silicate mineral | | | | AHERA authorized the EPA to phase out |
| family. As a silicate, asbestos has high insulating | | | | asbestos in schools, as well as train and certify |
| properties. Silicates are resistant to electricity, | | | | people who inspect for asbestos. In 1990, |
| heat, flame, chemicals, as well as degradation. | | | | Congress passed the Asbestos School Hazard |
| Additionally, asbestos itself is useful because it has | | | | Abatement Reauthorization Act, or ASHARA. |
| both high tensile strength and flexibility, which | | | | ASHARA extended the umbrella of the EPA's |
| makes it easy to add to other materials. | | | | control by allowing it to require certified workers |
| On the other hand, asbestos is now known as a | | | | who came into contact with asbestos in public and |
| human carcinogen. It was specifically linked to | | | | private buildings as well. |
| mesothelioma in the 1950s, and now we know | | | | Sadly, many people were exposed to asbestos |
| that it can also cause lung, throat, esophageal, | | | | before AHERA and ASHARA came into effect. |
| colorectal, gastrointestinal, and kidney cancer. | | | | Thus, because mesothelioma takes an average of |
| Asbestos is not dangerous until it becomes | | | | twenty years to appear, many people may still be |
| waterborne or airborne, where you can ingest or | | | | diagnosed with this deadly cancer. |
| inhale the mineral. From there, asbestos particles | | | | If you or someone you know has developed |
| can become lodged in your body. Your body | | | | mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure, |
| cannot break down asbestos fibers, so instead it | | | | you may be entitled to financial compensation. For |
| may form nodules around them. These nodules | | | | more information, talk to mesothelioma and |
| can turn into cancerous tumors. | | | | asbestos lawyer from Williams Kherkher today. |