What does asbestos have to do with mesothelioma?
The only known cause of mesothelioma in the United States is previous
exposure to asbestos fibers. Asbestos manufacturers knew about the hazards of
asbestos seventy years ago - but they kept this knowledge to themselves. The
first warnings given to workers exposed to asbestos were in the mid-1960s, and
they were terribly inadequate. Even today, workers are not always told they are
working around asbestos and are at risk for asbestos disease.
What can someone with mesothelioma do?
- Seek out the best and most up-to-date information.
- Seek out the best medical care.
- Early screening for mesothelioma diagnosis.
- Stay in close contact with your doctor.
- Consider whether or not you want to bring a lawsuit because of this
asbestos-related injury.
- Remember that resources are available to you through community and
medical support groups, asbestos victims' organizations, your place of
worship, as well as your family and friends.
How common is mesothelioma?
Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years,
mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new cases of
mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Mesothelioma occurs
more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease
can appear in either men or women at any age.
What are the risk factors for mesothelioma?
Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of
asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all
cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any
known exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of
strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven.
Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement,
brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If
tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing
process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health
problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk
of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other
cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.
Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the
combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person's
risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung.
Who is at increased risk for developing mesothelioma?
Asbestos has been mined and used commercially since the late 1800s. Its use
greatly increased during World War II. Since the early 1940s, millions of
American workers have been exposed to asbestos dust. Initially, the risks
associated with asbestos exposure were not known. However, an increased risk of
developing mesothelioma was later found among shipyard workers, people who work
in asbestos mines and mills, producers of asbestos products, workers in the
heating and construction industries, and other tradespeople. Today, the U.S.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets limits for acceptable
levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace. People who work with asbestos wear
personal protective equipment to lower their risk of exposure.
The risk of asbestos-related disease increases with heavier exposure to
asbestos and longer exposure time. However, some individuals with only brief
exposures have developed mesothelioma. On the other hand, not all workers who
are heavily exposed develop asbestos-related diseases.
There is some evidence that family members and others living with asbestos
workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, and possibly other
asbestos-related diseases. This risk may be the result of exposure to asbestos
dust brought home on the clothing and hair of asbestos workers. To reduce the
chance of exposing family members to asbestos fibers, asbestos workers are
usually required to shower and change their clothing before leaving the
workplace.
People considering clinical trials may be interested in the NCI booklet
Taking Part in Clinical Trials: What Cancer Patients Need To Know. This booklet
describes how research studies are carried out and explains their possible
benefits and risks. The booklet is available by calling the CIS, or from the NCI
Publications Locator Web site at
http://cancer.gov/publications on the Internet.
Mesothelioma Lawsuit is the best way to find information about
Mesothelioma resources.
This web page takes the legwork out of finding great
Mesothelioma resources. We have compiled great links to
Mesothelioma
information and pages dedicated to
Asbestos Insulation here. . .
To your right you will find links to various
Mesothelioma related pages. There you will find great information about
Asbestos Insulation.
We've taken the time to check out each and every featured Mesothelioma website to make sure they are quality sites, with quality information.
Here you will find
some of the best resources on Asbestos Insulation ever compiled
and some incredible resources
for Mesothelioma.
In our "Featured Mesothelioma Article"
section, you'll find an article related to Mesothelioma.
We will be providing you with updated and new featured articles on a regular
basis.
Additional
Mesothelioma links
1 Attorney Information.com Mesothelioma Mesothelioma
Article Asbestos
Asbestos Abatement Supply
Asbestos Attorney California
Asbestos Claim Mesothelioma
Asbestos Colorado Lawyer
Asbestos In The Home - Internet Error
Asbestos Mesothelioma Lawsuit
Asbestos Project Management
Asbestos Register
Asbestos Regulation
Asbestos Removal Massachusetts
Asbestos Removal Service
Asbestos Replacement Shingles
Asbestos Siding
Asbestos Testing
Attorney Austin Malignant Mesothelioma
Attorney Lawyer Mesothelioma
Chicago In Mesothelioma Settlement
Iowa Mesothelioma Attorney
Lee County Mesothelioma Lawyer
Malignant Mesothelioma Body Cavity
Mesothelioma Cancer Center
Mesothelioma Litigation
Mesothelioma Support Law Resource
Mesothelioma Treatment Option
Mesothelioma Update
Montana Mesothelioma Attorney
New Mexico Mesothelioma Lawyer
Replacement Asbestos Siding
Mesothelioma
Who Is At Risk?
Overview The only known cause of mesothelioma is previous exposure to asbestos
fibers. Often times workers are not told they are working around asbestos, and
even single exposures to very low doses of fibers can produce serious long-term
consequences.
Asbestos diseases are said to follow the trail of exposure. That means that
wherever people have received asbestos exposure, regardless of their trade, age,
sex or race, they are at risk of cancer and other diseases.
Almost anyone who has inhaled asbestos dust is at risk. Even a worker's families
and friends can be at risk, because asbestos can often be carried on clothing.
Exposure to asbestos dust can occur at major construction job sites, in
shipyards, in industry, and during construction or renovation of commercial
buildings. See the list at right for certain occupations that are known to be
those where risk of exposure to asbestos is great, and the numbers of people in
such occupations contracting asbestos disease are high.
Please contact a mesothelioma attorney if you have any questions about
occupational risk, or if you'd like to explore your legal rights.
Mesothelioma:
Questions and Answers
What are the Risk Factors for
Mesothelioma? - Part 3
Working with asbestos is the
major risk factor for Mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is
reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. However, Mesothelioma
has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of
strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven.
Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement,
brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If
tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing
process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health
problems. In addition to Mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk
of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other
cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.
Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of Mesothelioma. However, the
combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person's
risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung.
Mesothelioma:
Questions and Answers - Part 4a
Mesothelioma - Who is At
Increased Risk for Developing Mesothelioma? - Part 4a
Asbestos has been mined and used
commercially since the late 1800s. Its use greatly increased during World War
II. Since the early 1940s, millions of American workers have been exposed to
asbestos dust. Initially, the risks associated with asbestos exposure were not
known. However, an increased risk of developing Mesothelioma was later found
among shipyard workers, people who work in asbestos mines and mills, producers
of asbestos products, workers in the heating and construction industries, and
other trades people. Today, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) sets limits for acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in
the workplace. People who work with asbestos wear personal protective equipment
to lower their risk of exposure.
Here are some
Additional
Mesothelioma Resources
-
Asbestos. Current Best Practices for Vermiculite Attic Insulation ... Is my health at risk from previous exposures to the asbestos in the insulation? ... |
Asbestos is a mineral fiber that has been used commonly in a variety of building construction materials for insulation and as a fire-retardant. EPA and CPSC have ... |
These tiny fibers can be present in the dust in an area where asbestos insulation is disturbed. ... you think you have asbestos insulation, do not attempt to ... |
Asbestos is known to have toxicity. ... thermal pipe insulation ... Low density insulation board and ceiling tiles ... |
Resources to answer your health concerns regarding asbestos found in vermiculite insulation. ... If your insulation does contain asbestos, don't attempt to ... |
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