If you lived near the Durez plant, you likely saw sooty stuff that would come out of the plant occasionally and get on your laundry, hung out to dry. Durez Plastics Corporation in North Tonawanda, New York, will always be remembered by the community surrounding it for its role in exposing workers, and their families alike, to asbestos dust. In the video below, dedicated Buffalo mesothelioma attorney John N. Lipsitz discusses childhood exposure to asbestos in detail and also discusses how Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford can help you.

Durez used raw asbestos fibers as a product ingredient to strengthen its plastic molding compounds. Giant mixers were used to combine raw asbestos with other materials. This was an extremely dusty process, and dust collectors were used to siphon off the dust from the mixers. The dust collectors were not effective, and asbestos dust escaped into the air and into the surrounding residential neighborhoods.  The asbestos dust settled on surfaces, including cars, lawns, backyard swimming pools, rooftops, and even Ramsey Field, where little league activities were conducted in the 1960s and 1970s.  Many residents who lived in the area were aware of the concentrations of dust emitted from Durez, but figured it was just a nuisance and there was no reason to worry. Years later, workers and residents now know it was harmful. The asbestos that was floating in the air was odorless and tasteless.  It had no warning properties.  The heavier concentrations emitted directly from the plant gave the air a bluish tint. By the time the dust floated out into the neighborhood, it was generally invisible in the air, although still toxic.

Unfortunately, individuals can’t test for very early signs of mesothelioma, and there is no medical technology that would allow you to predict early signs of the development of mesothelioma. You can, however, do some screening perhaps annually.

A CT scan, for example, can see if there is any fluid accumulating in the space between the lining of the lung and the chest wall. A pleural effusion is an indication of some pathology in the lung. It’s only through screening like that that you might detect it at an early stage.

There have been advances in surgical techniques and in medical techniques.  People getting mesothelioma over the past 10 to 15 years are beginning to live longer. Even if you’ve found it at a very early stage, it doesn’t keep you from getting mesothelioma or experiencing its profound effects.

If you or someone you love grew up around the Durez Plant, or any other hazardous job site, at the first indication of an unusual onset of symptoms, you should consult a doctor. Be sure to tell your doctor that you are concerned about childhood exposure to asbestos because you grew up in a neighborhood known for toxic asbestos exposure.  Please first go to the doctor if there is any indication that you may have mesothelioma.  Please consider contacting us after you’ve seen the doctor and found that there’s some indication that you may be suffering from an asbestos-related disease.

The lawyers at Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford are very familiar with past conditions at hazardous job sites throughout New York State, because we have represented many workers who were previously exposed and are now suffering from mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases.  Don’t delay in finding out what your rights are, because there are time deadlines that are in place.  Our office also has a Worker’s Compensation department, and regularly represents injured workers in their workers’ compensation claims.

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Since 1995, the attorneys at Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC have been helping clients in Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse, NY, who have been injured due to asbestos exposure. Through our tireless efforts, we have helped to shape and reform asbestos laws throughout the state of New York. We have a full team of lawyers devoted to representing people exposed to asbestos.

If you have questions about childhood exposure to asbestos, or if you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer, please contact us today and we will schedule an appointment to come to your home and meet with you and your family to explain your legal rights, and how our law firm can help you.