We recently discussed how problematic it can be if you find asbestos in a building that you are leasing. Maybe you have been using it as your business headquarters for decades. Former employees are now threatening to sue over health concerns, saying they were exposed to asbestos. They may have developed mesothelioma or other serious diseases.
As you consider your legal options, you may find yourself wondering why asbestos was used in the first place. Perhaps you didn’t even know that it was in the building when you began leasing it, and you didn’t really understand just how dangerous it was. Now that you can see the clear risks, you are wondering why it was used initially. What was the benefit of asbestos?
Numerous construction applications
The reality is that asbestos does have numerous advantages when being used in construction projects. A few examples include:
- It is fire resistant, so it could slow down or prevent building fires.
- It’s a thermal insulator, which is why it is often used in pipe insulation, making the building more efficient.
- It’s relatively weatherproof and durable, so it lasts for a long time.
- Termites won’t damage asbestos the same way they would damage wood materials.
- It is a low-cost material, so it was an inexpensive way to increase the efficiency and fire safety of a building.
- The fibers are microscopic but very strong, so it could be used to strengthen composite cement materials.
Of course, all of these advantages are washed out by the health concerns that were later discovered. But asbestos was used for decades before this was known, so it does often show up in older buildings. Be sure you know exactly what legal options you have in this position.