Elevator Brake Shoes
Those who participated in creating elevator brake shoes with asbestos may not be aware of the long-term health conditions and complications of the exposure. Though individuals did not know about these conditions, many companies did not supply their employees with the safety gear that was needed. Workers who made elevator brake shoes with asbestos may be at risk of developing an asbestos-related illness or health condition such as mesothelioma.
Workers who helped created and manufacture elevator brake shoes and those who worked in the buildings where these shoes were manufactured are at risk for asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma. However, the danger is not limited to factory workers. Over time, the brake shoes wear down, throwing dust that contains asbestos fibers into the air. Once the particles are airborne, they can be inhaled by anyone who comes near the brakes, including maintenance people and possibly users of the elevator itself.
Companies used asbestos because it was cheap and relatively easy to use. It also has a long life, is durable, and is quite fire-resistant. For the people who worked in the process of manufacturing elevator brake shoes, the risk of having an asbestos-related disease is very real and should not be taken lightly. Not only are the workers at risk, but their families are as well. Asbestos is easily transportable because it is very lightweight. Workers may have exposed their families to asbestos without knowing it. The fibers can be transported in hair, clothes, shoes, and even skin.
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