Residents of Georgia might not realize it since it has been so closely associated with different types of lung cancer, but asbestos is actually a naturally occurring substance.
Still, when breathed in, it can linger in the lungs and cause all kinds of health problems, including mesothelioma and other cancers. Asbestos is a known carcinogen, or cancer-causing agent.
Everyone is exposed to asbestos at low levels because, as mentioned, it is in the natural environment. However, those who are around it frequently, for example, because of their jobs, are more likely to develop health problems.
Aside from frequency of exposure, other risk factors include how much asbestos a person was exposed to as well as what the exact composition of the asbestos was, as asbestos is actually a combination of chemicals that can vary. The source of the asbestos also matters. Additionally, due to genetics or lifestyle choices, some people are just more vulnerable to asbestos exposure than are others.
The bottom line is that there is no magic formula that dictates whether a person will get sick because of asbestos exposure. When other factors are present, even a small amount of asbestos can leave a victim with cancer.
This is an important point given the fact that baby powder manufacturer Johnson & Johnson has recently been in the news of late as it struggles to fight off allegations that it sold powder which contained cancer-causing asbestos.
Any household product, including a medical product like baby powder, can contain asbestos and, thus, can prove ultimately deadly to its users. Victims and their families may be able to get compensation for their losses through a medical product liability claim.