Mesothelioma Exposure Investigation
How an Asbestos Product Investigation Works
A patient may remember a task, machine, package, color, shape or supplier without remembering the exact asbestos product. Those details can still guide product identification.
How the Investigation Develops
From memory to evidence
Start with the task
What the person did can narrow the relevant product family.
- Cutting or sanding
- Repair or replacement
- Mixing, scraping or cleanup
Describe what it looked like
Ordinary visual memories can be useful.
- Shape and size
- Package or container
- Color, texture or form
Connect it to equipment or location
The surrounding equipment and workplace can narrow possibilities.
- Machine or system
- Department or building
- Supplier or contractor
Test the identification
A suspected product should be checked against evidence rather than assumed.
- Time period
- Manufacturer history
- Product literature or testimony
Questions
Common questions
What if I remember only a nickname for the product?
A nickname, description, task and workplace can still be useful clues.
Should I guess at a brand?
No. It is better to preserve what you actually remember and investigate from there.