Asbestos and Children
Asbestos was a widely used building product until it was eventually banned by the U.S. government because of its link to mesothelioma and other serious health complications. However, although new products are not manufactured with asbestos-containing materials, older homes and buildings still contain asbestos in their original building materials. Because of this, asbestos-containing products can still be found in many schools.
Because of the serious effects of asbestos exposure in adults, concerned parents can only worry about the effects of asbestos on children. Experts do not yet know how asbestos will affect children, since the diseases associated with the substance usually do not appear until long after the exposure has taken place. It is likely that the problems experienced by children who have been exposed to asbestos will be similar to the problems experienced by adults.
However, since children are still growing and developing, the potential for varying complications is reason for concern, since asbestos might affect a developing child in a different way than a grown adult. Luckily, scientists have shown that birth defects have not developed in animals exposed to asbestos.
The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) established guidelines to ensure the safety of children who go to school in facilities built with asbestos-containing materials. Each school is required to hold an asbestos management plan that any concerned person can access, and school officials and school board members should be knowledgeable and informed about asbestos in the school.
In some schools, asbestos-containing materials have been removed, while other materials have been safely sealed. Both of these processes must be performed to federal standards and are subject to regular inspections.
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It is understandable that anyone who has been affected by asbestos exposure is concerned about the safety of their loved ones. If you or someone you know has been exposed to asbestos, contact the mesothelioma lawyers of Williams Kherkher at 800-781-3955 for legal advice regarding your situation.
