Construction Mastics

Article Tools:

Throughout the construction industry, mastics are used for adhesives and sealants under floor tiles and in ceilings, roofing, walls and windows. Construction mastics, a term used to cover many products in home building and remodeling, often contained asbestos, especially if manufactured and sold before1980.
Though most companies no longer use asbestos construction mastics, the dust continues to post a threat in older buildings, especially during demolitions. As a result, a health risk exists for anyone in and around such places. Exposure to asbestos has been linked to fatal illnesses such as mesothelioma and other cancers.
Many manufacturers and builders continued to use construction mastics and other asbestos-laden products after it was discovered to be harmful to workers. They knowingly continued these practices despite knowing that asbestos causes lung cancer and other illnesses. As a result, millions of dollars have been paid to victims exposed to mastics in lawsuits and settlements.

Today, demolition companies and asbestos abatement programs follow strict guidelines to protect their workers from the potential risk of asbestos exposure. However, because this wasn’t always the case, many companies were taken to court and sued for their involvement in ignoring the health risks associated with asbestos products.

Lawyers are helping thousands who were adversely affected by working with or around construction mastics and other asbestos products. Anyone suffering from mesothelioma, may be entitled to compensation from asbestos manufacturers. If you are the spouse or child of someone who has died from mesothelioma, you are entitled to file a claim and seek compensation.
Determining a Prognosis
If you or a family member has fallen ill and suspect it to be asbestos-related, a medical doctor should be contacted immediately. All serious and terminal illnesses require a diagnosis through medical tests to confirm the existing condition, progression and prognosis. This must be the start of the process of identifying, addressing, and effectively dealing with mesothelioma.

Some of the symptoms related to mesothelioma include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, a persistent cough, blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up from the lungs, pain in the chest or abdomen, difficulty in swallowing or prolonged hoarseness and significant weight loss.
Though there are no known cures for mesothelioma, researchers continue to find new ways to extend life and help ease the symptoms related to the illness, as well as the treatment.

'Construction Mastics' Resources:
  1. Rod De Llano, Attorney. http://www.mesotheliomamedical.com/resources/mesothelioma-and-asbestos.html, Mesothelioma and Asbestos.
    Accessed: 23 March 2008.
  2. Early, Ludwick and Sweeney, LLC. http://www.mesothelioma.com/industry.htm, Asbestos Exposure and Jobsites. Updated 2008;
    Accessed: 23 March 2008.
  3. Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America. http://www.mesorfa.org/treatments/index.php, New Approaches to Treating Malignant Mesothelioma. Updated 2007;
    Accessed: 23 March 2008.

Free case consultation

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, contact us using the form below to speak with a mesothelioma consultant, free of charge.