Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson rushed asbestos tests for its baby powder

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Louisville residents may have heard that Johnson & Johnson is being accused of selling talc-based baby powder containing asbestos. A new report from the Wall Street Journal reveals that the corporation rushed several laboratory tests in the effort to show that its product was free of asbestos contamination.

J&J had commissioned two independent laboratories to conduct the tests on the same baby powder products that were recalled by the FDA. One of those laboratories actually found asbestos but then quickly changed its conclusion, stating that the talc sample provided by J&J was contaminated by the AC unit in the testing room.

Talc and asbestos are two naturally occurring minerals that can be found in close proximity to one another. At this stage, though, where the findings of the test have not been replicated, experts cannot say for certain if J&J’s baby powder did contain asbestos. Still, the corporation is facing over 16,000 lawsuits claiming that the baby powder is responsible for consumers developing conditions like ovarian cancer and mesothelioma.

A federal judge is expected to give a ruling on whether the conflicting lab reports can be admitted as evidence. The FDA intensified its own testing back in 2017, but J&J continues to refute its findings.

Mesothelioma is one of the fatal diseases that are caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a harmful mineral in any quantity, so those who are exposed to it may be eligible for compensation. Perhaps they were working in an old building where asbestos was in the insulation or tiling, or maybe they used a product containing the mineral. Whatever the case, victims, or their families if victims die, may want to see a lawyer about filing a claim and seeking a fair settlement against the responsible party.

Mesothelioma risk

Mesothelioma: symptoms and risk factors

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Louisville residents should know that mesothelioma is a rare cancer but also one of the most aggressive. It occurs in the thin layer of tissue called the mesothelium, which covers the heart, lungs and other internal organs. The two major types are pleural, occurring in the lining of the lungs, and peritoneal, occurring in the lining of the abdomen.

Mesothelioma symptoms are not specific to the disease. Those with pleural mesothelioma will experience chest pain, shortness of breath and even weight loss. Peritoneal mesothelioma leads to abdominal pain and swelling as well as weight loss. Everyone is encouraged to see a doctor at the first sign of such symptoms, but considering the rarity of mesothelioma, one may be diagnosed with something else.

The number one risk factor in developing mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Asbestos fibers were once widely used in building materials, insulation and car brakes. While its use has been restricted, the U.S. has not banned it entirely. Miners breaking up asbestos can be exposed, and workers tearing out old insulation may inhale dust containing the mineral.

It can take between 20 and 60 years for mesothelioma to develop from asbestos exposure. Living with someone who works with asbestos and having a family history of mesothelioma also raise the risk for the cancer.

While there are treatments for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses, a cure is impossible. It’s important, then, that mesothelioma patients be diagnosed as soon as possible. Sometimes, that correct diagnosis may never come, and the doctors may be to blame. In some cases, the employers who had their employees work around asbestos may be to blame. There are various ways that a victim of asbestos exposure could strive for compensation, and a lawyer may explain them.

Asbestos Exposure for Jewelers and Mesothelioma Claims

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Though asbestos use has been limited over the past few decades, it can still be found in various industries. Louisville residents should know that one of those industries is the jewelry industry.

Can Jewelers Be Exposed to Asbestos?

Yes, jewelers who used asbestos soldering forms or worked with materials containing asbestos may have been exposed to dangerous fibers.

Even limited exposure in the jewelry workshop setting can increase risk of mesothelioma years later.

This means that anyone working in a jewelry store, including sales associates who never actually make or repair items, can also be exposed to asbestos when those fibers are released in the air.

Real Example of a Mesothelioma Case Linked to Jewelry Work

The first jewelry-related mesothelioma case was reported on back in 1992 by the American Journal of Industrial Medicine, so the issue has been known for a while

It involved a 61-year-old man who had been a jeweler for 35 years. He was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, or cancer of the thin lining separating the lung cavity and chest wall. The cancer spread to one of the man’s lungs, so he underwent a pneumonectomy, or removal of an infected lung.

How Jewelers Are Exposed to Asbestos

In his case, as in many others, loose asbestos fibers were inhaled or ingested during the soldering process. Exposure can happen several ways, including:

●      Using a clay-like mixture of asbestos and water to hold two metal pieces together when soldering.

●      Handling materials that contain loose asbestos fibers.

●      Breathing in fibers released into the air during the soldering process.

Some forms of asbestos are less dangerous than others. But even those who are exposed to the “safe” forms can nonetheless develop mesothelioma.

While the American Journal of Industrial Medicine has called for asbestos soldering forms to be replaced, the fact is that generations of jewelers have already been exposed to the mineral. Mesothelioma takes up to 50 years to develop, so cases of it will likely appear in the future.

Legal Options for Workers Exposed to Asbestos

When mesothelioma can be traced back to workplace conditions, injured workers can file a personal injury claim or workers’ compensation claim. This is the point where they may want to get legal counsel.

With a lawyer, they may be able to prove that their employer knew about the danger of asbestos exposure yet did nothing about it. Third-party investigators might come in to gather all the needed proof before the lawyer goes on to negotiate a settlement.

You can reach our team here at Satterley & Kelley, PLLC by calling our Louisville office at 502-589-5600 or toll-free at 855-385-9532. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule a free initial consultation.

FAQs About Asbestos Exposure for Jewelers

Can jewelers get mesothelioma at work?

Yes, jewelers who used asbestos soldering materials or worked in shops where asbestos was present may develop mesothelioma years later.

How long does mesothelioma take to develop?

Mesothelioma can take decades to appear after exposure, sometimes 20 to 50 years.

Can workers file a claim for asbestos exposure?

In many cases, workers exposed to asbestos on the job may be able to file a personal injury or workers’ compensation claim. If that business no longer exists, workers may be entitled to compensation from an asbestos trust fund.

Vintage household items

Vintage Household Items May Contain Asbestos

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Many of us prefer the feel and look of vintage clothes, cars and other “classic” items over their newer, often less durable counterparts. In fact, we’ve all heard someone say “they just don’t make them like they used to” with a disappointed tone, remembering when this or that product was sturdier or better in some way. It’s true — very few products of any kind are still manufactured with the same processes and materials used in previous decades.

However, in many instances, older products contain dangerous substances that cause illnesses that manufacturers and regulators were unaware of when they were in production. This is particularly true of products that contain asbestos. Until medical researchers identified the link between asbestos and mesothelioma, many of the products produced from the 1930s through 1977 included asbestos.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a light, strong, durable mineral fiber that was used in thousands of products over centuries because it’s resistant to the following:

  • Heat
  • Fire
  • Chemicals
  • Electricity

If fibers are airborne, people can inhale or swallow them. Asbestos fibers may never leave the body or be destroyed by its immune response.

Why is Asbestos Dangerous?

Asbestos’ microscopic fibers, when released into the air and inhaled or swallowed, can pose serious health risks. The primary reasons why include:

  • Easily Inhaled or Swallowed: Asbestos fibers are tiny and lightweight, so they’re easily airborne. When people breathe in these fibers, they can become trapped in the lungs and other parts of the respiratory system. When the fibers get into the mouth and are ingested, they threaten the digestive system, abdominal organs, and the abdominal lining
  • Health Effects: Prolonged or repeated exposure to asbestos fibers can lead to various severe health conditions, including asbestos (a chronic lung disease causing breathing difficulties, coughing, and reduced lung function), lung cancer (those who smoked have a particularly high risk), mesothelioma (a rare and aggressive cancer that primarily affects the lining of the lungs (pleura) or the abdominal cavity (peritoneum)), ovarian, uterine and other cancers
  • Long Latency Period: Asbestos’ health effects often take years or decades to develop
  • Fiber Durability: Asbestos fibers in the body can remain for a long time, possibly for a person’s lifetime, causing continued health risks after initial exposure ceases
  • There’s No Safe Exposure Threshold: There is no known safe level of asbestos exposure. Even small amounts over time can potentially lead to health issues
  • Secondary Exposure: People who come into contact with asbestos-exposed individuals or environments (such as asbestos workers’ family members) can also be at risk, as fibers can be carried on clothing, skin, and hair

Compared to the period of asbestos’ peak use (Industrial Revolution through the 1970s), overall, few new products contain asbestos for sale.

Homes and products from this period often contain dangerous amounts of asbestos, and individuals who spend significant amounts of time in them or around them may have much greater asbestos exposure than they realize. If you believe that you experienced prolonged asbestos exposure, you may need to build a strong personal injury claim to seek fair compensation for personal and financial losses these products caused.

What kinds of household items may contain asbestos?

Unfortunately, there was a time when manufacturers included asbestos in a wide range of products. Often, asbestos was used in products that generate a significant amount of heat, but not always. Vintage heating items that commonly contain asbestos include:

  • Hair dryers
  • Ironing boards and rods
  • “Electric” blankets that plug into an outlet
  • Heating appliances like coffeemakers, toasters and mini ovens

Other products that do not directly involve heating or shielding from heat may include:

  • Toys for children
  • Vermiculite, often used in potting soil
  • Chalkboards
  • Brakes used in consumer vehicles

Protecting your future

Mesothelioma, which results from asbestos exposure, is a deadly form of cancer that requires ongoing medical treatment. If you believe that your exposure to asbestos led to your own mesothelioma, now is the time to begin protecting your rights and your future.

Building a claim seeking compensation for asbestos exposure requires a great deal of time and attention. Be sure to use all the high-quality legal guidance and tools that you need to ensure that your rights remain secure while you fight for fair compensation for your losses and suffering.

Why You Should Hire Satterley & Kelley, PLLC for Your Cancer Case

If you’re diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related cancer, you may be entitled to compensation for what you’ve endured. This includes physical and mental pain and suffering, financial costs, medical bills, and how the disease impacts your relationships.

You need a law firm with experience representing victims taking legal action against the asbestos industry. Satterley & Kelley, PLLC attorneys have helped asbestos victims for more than 20 years.

We have relationships with the best experts in the world to help us prove that asbestos caused your injury and the physical, emotional, psychological, and financial harm you suffered.

Call Us Today for a Free Consultation

After a mesothelioma diagnosis, there’s no time to waste because there’s a lot of work behind an asbestos claim or lawsuit. Satterley & Kelley PLLC attorneys are your boots on the ground if you or someone you love in Kentucky suffers from mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness.

Call us at 855-385-9532, locally 502-589-5600, or contact us online to arrange a free initial consultation with a Satterley & Kelley PLLC lawyer.