Asbestos in District of Columbia

Asbestos was used for many years due to its propensity to be heat-resistant.  It was a great asset for anything that needed to be insulated.  It was concluded, however, that it is a hazardous and toxic substance, proving highly detrimental to one’s physical health.  Even when the risks became known, some employers chose not to warn employees of the dangers.  These are the cases for which you should seek asbestos help in the District of Columbia.  Speak with an asbestos attorney if you are a victim and to find out more about the District of Columbia asbestos regulations.

District of Columbia Asbestos Regulations

Older buildings, whether they are administrative or industrial in nature, run a higher risk of containing asbestos and putting you at risk for mesothelioma.  The District of Columbia asbestos regulations includes an Asbestos Abatement Program and an Asbestos Removal Procedure in place for handling air quality issues and physical properties that are to undergo renovation or be torn down.  The Environmental Health Administration, Air Quality Division, website lists the rules and guidelines for contractors working with the substance.  Asbestos must be removed before any remodeling, renovation, or demolition of a property takes place so as to remove any health hazards that may exist in the area.  There is special testing an asbestos worker must undergo in the District of Columbia before they can be part of a removal team for the dangerous material.

If you or a loved one has been affected by asbestos exposure, mesothelioma, or any asbestos-related illness or disease, you should get asbestos help in the District of Columbia by contacting an asbestos attorney to discover what options or recourse might be available to you.

Asbestos Exposure in the District of Columbia

• Capitol Hill Buildings Contain Asbestos.  A report made available recently by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that workers maintaining the HVAC system and water lines below the Capitol Hill buildings have been exposed to asbestos fibers for years.  The District of Columbia asbestos mortality rate is reported to rank 30th overall, or 1 in 11 million persons.

• Washington Navy Yard.  The Washington Navy Yard is a key example of a facility that was primed to contain asbestos materials.  It has a history dating back to 1799 and has seen a wide range of responsibilities, operating through two World Wars.  It was always at the forefront of the latest technologies, and, thus, was associated with products that could benefit from asbestos properties.  Nearly all industrial activities before the 1980s had something to do with asbestos.

An Aggressive Cancer

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer, proven to be caused by exposure to asbestos.  It is an aggressive form of the disease that can lay dormant for years.  It is insidious in that you might not know for a very long time that you are developing the disease.  It might take even longer to ascertain that the cause of your cancer came from some contact with asbestos material.

Help for Asbestos

You must act now.  If you believe you have been exposed to District of Columbia asbestos as a result of your occupation or a hazardous site you have worked (still work) around, contact an asbestos attorney today.  Start the process that can ensure you are treated fairly and that any medical bills stemming from this exposure can be paid by the responsible party.