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Glassblower Mitts - Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure Risks

For many years, primarily around the time of World War II, asbestos was used to make a wide variety of products including glassblower mitts. Glassblower mitts are used by glass blowers to protect their hands when they are working with molten glass. In years past, glassblower mitts were made using asbestos, although nowadays, asbestos is not used.

Asbestos was used for many reasons but primarily because asbestos fibers are very resilient. They are tough and durable and are known for being nearly indestructible. Before the health ramifications were known about asbestos, it was a common product used and was great for glassblower mitts because of their ability to protect from heat and maintain their integrity. However, asbestos is no longer used to make glassblower mitts because now we know that asbestos can cause diseases and mesothelioma cancer. These fibers are easily inhaled into the system, which is the primary cause of this cancer.

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that makes up approximately three per cent of cancer-related deaths each year in the United States, including people who made or worked with glassblower mitts. While this seems to be only a small percentage, there are approximately 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma reported each year. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the pleura (the lining of the lungs), or the lining of the heart or abdomen. It is caused by asbestos fibers becoming lodged in the lining, which then becomes irritated and inflamed. It takes anywhere from 15 to 40 years for the symptoms of mesothelioma to appear and once diagnosed the prognosis is not good and many people succumb only a short time later.

Unfortunately it is not only glass blowers who used glassblower mitts, or those who made or worked near glassblower mitts that are at risk for mesothelioma - asbestos fibers are very thin and are easily carried home on clothing, skin, hair and shoes and once again can be dislodged once at home, making the families of glass blowers and glassblower mitt manufacturers also at risk for mesothelioma cancer. Any level of exposure to asbestos, even small amounts tracked home from workers who made glassblower mitts or for glass blowers who used the glassblower mitts daily can increase your risk of mesothelioma and other asbestos related illnesses. There is no set 'exposure requirement' to asbestos - some people who had a lot of exposure making glassblower mitts are never diagnosed with mesothelioma, while others who had very limited exposure to glassblower mitts are.

Asbestos is a great heat insulator and was greatly used for manufacturing glassblower mitts. Regardless of whether you worked with glassblower mitts, manufactured glassblower mitts, or worked as a glassblower that utilized glassblower mitts, you could be at risk for mesothelioma.

For glass blowers and their families, there is help available. A qualified mesothelioma lawyer can help you with launching a lawsuit against the manufacturers of glassblower mitts that contained asbestos. Many companies knew of the ramifications of asbestos on health and still continued to make and distribute products that contained this dangerous substance.

If you worked with glassblower mitts, manufactured glassblower mitts, worked as a glassblower, or are a family member and you've contracted mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, you need to contact a mesothelioma attorney to help you with a lawsuit against glassblower mitts manufacturing companies.

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