Boats of Freeport

Shipyards like the Boats of Freeport in Texas have been known for putting workers around many asbestos-containing materials. Ships use a variety of materials that contain asbestos and cutting or altering these products tends to disperse these fibers into the air. This places everyone in the vicinity in danger of inhaling these fibers and developing mesothelioma.

Asbestos is used for a variety of applications which include insulation and fireproofing materials. Asbestos can also be sprayed onto products to make them less flammable. This method of coating materials is one of the top ways that asbestos fibers can be released into the air. Mesothelioma is not the only disease that results from exposure to asbestos. Lung cancer and asbestosis are other asbestos-related diseases that will occur if proper safety is ignored.

In addition, many of the workers who worked at the shipyard of Boats of Freeport exposed family members to asbestos without any knowledge of the situation. Secondary exposure is a primary reason why family members of a shipyard worker will develop mesothelioma. Small fibers of asbestos can stick to hair, skin, and clothes, and are often transferred from the shipyard to the home. Family members who inhale these fibers are also subject to developing mesothelioma.

Symptoms of mesothelioma include persistent coughing, wheezing, hoarseness, chest pain, abdominal pain, and fatigue. Other symptoms that are associated with this disease are anemia, fever, and swelling of the feet. Noticing these symptoms and not confusing them with the flu or a cold is the best weapon against the effects of mesothelioma. Many symptoms of mesothelioma do not show up until 20 to 50 years later. By this time, treatment may not make a difference in dealing with this deadly disease and it may be too late.