He wore a loincloth, and she wore a red sari.
They were poor farmers who harvested okra and eggplant during the day and worked in industrial plants in the night.
They worked tirelessly to ensure that their children and grandchildren would have a much more comfortable life than they could imagine.
My grandparents did not expect the best for their families.
The day they moved to America, my father told me, was the happiest he had ever seen his parents.
They knew that in America, their family wouldn ?? t have to face grueling working conditions ?? didn t lead to success.
They knew the backbreaking work and the risk of developing melanoma from working hours in the lung cancer risk of continually work in unhealthy and harmful conditions in factories would their hot nightmare, the Indian sun ?? and not for their children.
Unfortunately, they were wrong.
exposure to deadly asbestos at work
My eldest uncle on my father's side ?? s moved to the US with my parents and grandparents in the 1980s he began to work quickly in a large technological plant to ensure its children and the family had a bright future.He stood during the 14-hour shifts, inspecting and sorting meticulously computer parts.
But as he worked overtime to give his family a better future, he ?? didn t realize that lined the electrical insulation of the deadly asbestos hanging over his head.
My grandparents tell me that their son has experienced severe pain in the lower back, and he was constantly tired.
They say he lost unhealthy amounts of weight and a hoarse cough and dry.
The family, ?? did not know about the dangers of toxic asbestos, simply assured hard work caused the pain.
Lack of awareness of asbestos
They did not know that 60 percent of those diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma experience back pain, lateral chest pain, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, cough persistent fever, weight loss and fatigue.Although 16 years have passed since my uncle left the factory, his family had no idea mesothelioma has a long latency period of 20 to 50 years after prolonged exposure to asbestos.
My uncle had been inhaling asbestos fibers for years during his grueling journey.
These fibers themselves embedded in the lining of the lungs, causing a dangerous inflammation of the pleura and tumors.
My family could not have imagined that, despite the laws of many labor regulations and health protection measures, health of my uncle would eventually collapse.
Asbestos, often called ?? fiber miracle ?? was common in the industrialized world. It has been used as insulation for electrical wiring, in the compounds of roofing and flooring, spray on the flame-retardant coating for steel beams in buildings and for many other industrial or commercial purposes.
Asbestos Use Declined in the US
the deadly fiber has a long history of being incorporated into our daily lives.Despite the toxic effects of asbestos, it is still not banned in the US The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans in 1991 unfortunately reversed the US Environmental Protection Agency ?? s (EPA) in 1989 phaseout of products containing asbestos.
After much needed awareness, the use of asbestos has declined significantly in the United States
However, many people across the country are still in the dark about dangers of asbestos.
Thousands of homes, offices and private structures of buildings contain asbestos fibers.
Researchers estimate that there are about 3,000 new mesothelioma diagnosed each year in the US
Thousands remain at risk.
Symbol Change and Inspiration
My uncle died last year ?? 21 years after working at the plant.He inspired my family to be careful about their health. He wanted us to know that we have the right to a healthy and happy lifestyle.
Despite its passage, it is a symbol of change. After his diagnosis of mesothelioma, he raised thousands of dollars for fundraising and has taken action against the factories that still expose workers to hazardous conditions. He directed and controlled local campaigns to ensure all workers and residents were aware of their surroundings and could make informed decisions.
My grandparents hoped their family would never live a nightmare. And uncle inspired me to make sure nobody has either.
Kishan Patel is a student at the University of California, Los Angeles. It is the first place winner of mesothelioma Exchange Centre Essay Contest for fall 2015.
