There are several types of toxic substances that can cause delayed symptoms or even immediate effects on victims. Here are a few of the most common see in environmental injury cases:

Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that can be separated into fine threadlike fibers. These fibers are heat, fire, and chemical resistant, so asbestos was a favorite among many commercial industries for decades. It was commonly used to make roofing shingles, cement floor tiles, and insulation until the 1970s when the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission banned its use. Over the next decade, the Environmental Protection Agency placed stricter bans on asbestos usage, eventually eliminating its usage altogether.

Why is Asbestos Dangerous?

As long as asbestos is not disturbed, it generally doesn’t pose a health problem. However, because the fibers that make up asbestos are so small, products containing asbestos release the fibers into the air when touched or moved. When these fibers are inhaled, they can become lodged in the lungs and cannot be easily broken down, causing an accumulation of fibers and scarring of the lungs over a period of time. The longer these fibers are inhaled, the higher the risk of health problems.

Exposure to asbestos can cause many types of diseases, most commonly including:

• Lung cancer
• Mesothelioma, a type of cancer that attacks the tissues surrounding the lungs and abdomen.
• Asbestosis, or thickened lung tissues leading to trouble breathing.
• Damage to the lining of the chest cavity.

Beryllium

Beryllium is a metal that is favored in the manufacturing industry because it is strong, lightweight, and is an excellent conductor. It is most popular in the telecommunications, medicine, transportation, oil, and gas industry, but the list goes on.

Why is Beryllium Dangerous?

Beryllium is a known carcinogen and can cause a variety of health problems. When you breathe in beryllium or come into contact with beryllium with your skin, you can develop health problems such as:

• Skin rashes from coming into direct contact with beryllium.
• Beryllium sensitization, where your body’s immune system attempts to rid your body of beryllium.
• Chronic Beryllium Disease (CBD), a lung disease that is caused by inhaling beryllium.
• Lung cancer from inhaling microscopic particles of beryllium.

Benzene

Benzene is a liquid chemical that is colorless and has a sweet odor. It evaporates very quickly and is extremely flammable. It is very popular in the chemical industry, ranking as one of the top 20 chemicals produced in volume in the United States. It is widely used to make Styrofoam®, plastics, resins, and fabrics.