Asbestos is most often associated with construction and industrial settings, but landscaping professionals may also face hazards linked to asbestos exposure. The mineral was widely used in a variety of building materials, insulation, and even outdoor products. Landscapers who work in older environments may be unaware of these hidden dangers.
Landscapers may come into contact with asbestos through soil, mulch, or construction debris that contains the mineral. Properties with older buildings, garages, or sheds may have asbestos cement, roofing materials, or insulation that can break down over time. Disturbing these materials during maintenance, demolition, or excavation can cause asbestos fibers to enter the air, where they can be inhaled.
Tasks involving digging, trenching, or grading may disturb buried asbestos materials. Working around old concrete pads, asphalt, or contaminated fill can also present risks. Even activities like removing plants near deteriorating siding or roofing may increase the chance of exposure if those materials contain asbestos. Any task that disrupts soil or older building products raises the potential for airborne fibers.
Although asbestos use has been heavily restricted, it remains present in many older structures and in soil where contaminated debris was discarded. Certain vermiculite-based products, once marketed for gardening, were also contaminated with asbestos. Because asbestos does not break down naturally, landscapers may still encounter it decades after its installation or disposal.
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. The only known cause is exposure to asbestos fibers. Once inhaled, fibers can remain in the body for years before disease develops. Landscapers who unknowingly disturb asbestos materials are at risk of inhaling fibers that may later result in mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma typically develops many years after initial exposure, with latency periods ranging from 20 to 50 years. This means that landscapers who were exposed decades ago may only now be receiving a diagnosis. Because symptoms often appear gradually and resemble less serious conditions, the disease is frequently diagnosed at a later stage.
Common symptoms include persistent coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss. In some cases, fluid buildup in the chest or abdomen may occur. Landscapers who experience these symptoms and have a history of asbestos exposure should seek a prompt medical evaluation to determine if further testing is needed.
Protective practices such as wearing respiratory protection, wetting soil to limit dust, and avoiding disturbance of suspect materials can reduce risk. However, landscapers may not always know if asbestos is present in their work environment. Professional asbestos testing and abatement are the only reliable methods of addressing the hazard.
Landscapers diagnosed with mesothelioma may be eligible to pursue compensation through lawsuits, asbestos trust funds, or other legal avenues. Compensation can offset medical costs, lost income, and other damages. Because asbestos exposure often occurred years earlier, legal claims may require identifying former worksites and manufacturers responsible for asbestos-containing products.
Asbestos cases often involve identifying exposure sources that occurred decades ago. A lawyer familiar with mesothelioma claims can connect occupational history with asbestos products or contaminated worksites. This process can strengthen a landscaper’s case for compensation and provide a clearer path toward financial recovery.
You do not have to face this struggle without trusted legal guidance. To learn more, contact our Philadelphia mesothelioma lawyers at Brookman, Rosenberg, Brown & Sandler. For a free consultation, call today at 215-569-4000 or contact us online. Located in Philadelphia, we proudly serve clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Living in an apartment can be convenient, but it can also come with hidden dangers—like asbestos exposure. This mineral, once…
Military personnel have been stationed in hazardous places for decades. Many years ago, military personnel were exposed to asbestos on the…
Asbestos was widely used in construction materials for decades, particularly before the late 1980s. Many schools across the United States…
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Because it develops slowly and is difficult to diagnose…
Most people think of asbestos exposure as something that happens only on construction sites or in industrial plants. However, you…
Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive form of cancer linked almost exclusively to asbestos exposure. The disease takes decades to develop,…