Aeronautical Engineer
An aeronautical engineer or aerospace engineer is a person who researches and completes design work on an aircraft. Aeronautical engineers design aircrafts, test aircrafts, and improve safety measures while minimizing environmental impact. Included in their work duties, aeronautical engineers maintain, update and retrofit airplanes with modern equipment and materials. Unfortunately for aeronautical and aerospace engineers, their jobs often have the potential to expose them to asbestos.
Asbestos-containing products have the potential to release fibers and dust into the air when they are disturbed. If the fibers are then inhaled, it can lead to a number of health problems including asbestosis and the following cancers: mesothelioma, lung, esophageal, gastrointestinal, laryngeal, and pharyngeal. Unfortunately, many of these asbestos exposures were preventable if workers had simply been given the proper training and safety equipment.
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Asbestos Products in the Aerospace Industry
Asbestos was used in airplanes primarily because of its resistance to heat and friction, but also for its resistance to electrical and chemical damage, sound absorption and tensile strength. Some of the asbestos-containing areas of planes included brakes, insulation, glues, and epoxies. Left undisturbed the asbestos parts are not a problem, but planes are constantly being serviced and cutting, grinding, sanding, or removal of these parts has the potential to release the deadly fibers.
As with most occupational asbestos exposures, the on-site workers are not the only people at risk for asbestosis, mesothelioma, and the other health risks. Aerospace workers of the past often returned to their homes and families covered in asbestos fibers, putting both family and friends at risk.
Aeronautical Engineers May Still Be at Risk for Asbestos Exposure
In 1981, the US Navy, like the majority of the industry, began replacing asbestos-laden parts of their aircraft with asbestos-free substitutes. Renovations to, and retrofitting of, older aircraft with new parts brings the potential danger of exposure when the older asbestos-containing parts are handled and replaced. In addition, many parts, including the brake linings, are still allowed to contain low concentrations of asbestos so safety training and modern equipment is still important.
Were You Exposed to Asbestos Working as an Aeronautical Enginer? A Mesothelioma Attorney May be Able to Help
It is recommended that people who have spent a significant period of time working as an aeronautical engineer get a full physical evaluation by a medical doctor. Mesothelioma, a rare, aggressive, and currently incurable cancer caused by asbestos exposure, often takes 15-40 years to manifest and victims average only one year of life after diagnosis. Thus, it is important to catch the disease in its early stages. At-risk workers should pay close attention to any mesothelioma symptoms which include fluid in the lungs, chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and fatigue.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and believe you were exposed to asbestos over the course of your aerospace career, contact a mesothelioma attorney to get the financial compensation you may deserve. To learn more about your legal options and using a mesothelioma attorney, please contact us for a free case evaluation.