Lung, Mesothelioma & Asbestos Information

What Are The Risk Factors For Mesothelioma?


Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma cancer. 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 mesothelioma 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 cancer 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.

Can Mesothelioma Be Prevented?

Mesothelioma Help - The best way to prevent this disease is to avoid contact with asbestos in public buildings, homes, and at work. People who could be exposed to asbestos at work include miners, factory workers, railroad workers, insulation workers, ship builders, makers of gas masks, and construction workers.

For more free legal information on Mesothelioma and Asbestos Lawsuits, please visit Free Legal Information.


MORE RESOURCES:
Mesothelioma - Google News

MedHeadlines

MicrRNA-based mesothelioma test available from Rosetta Genomics
Mesothelioma News, TX - 7 hours ago
Rosetta Genomics has announced that its microRNA-based test to diagnose mesothelioma is now commercially available to physicians. ...
Mesothelioma Treatments Making Significant Progress MedHeadlines
Mesothelioma Victim Puts Hopes in Experimental Treatment Blogger News Network
Updated Information on University of Minnesota’s Mesothelioma Study Asbestos.com
Blogger News Network
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Fresh News

Mesothelioma.com: Compound Produced In Lung Cancer Cells
TransWorldNews (press release), GA - Jan 5, 2009
Worldwide, lung cancer - including mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer that occurs in the pleural lining of the lungs- is the leading cause ...
Cell Biologists Identify New Tumor Suppressor For Lung Cancer Science Daily (press release)
Lung Cancer Cells Activate Inflammation to Induce Metastasis Imperial Valley News
UC finds protein that fights lung cancer Cincinnati.com
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Lawyers and Settlements

Asbestos Mesothelioma and New York City Firemen
Lawyers and Settlements - 9 hours ago
Carlos and his brothers should be concerned about the risk of asbestos mesothelioma from asbestos exposure. The latency period can be up to 30 years, ...


Inventor of Mesothelioma Treatment Alimta Donates $1 Million for ...
Asbestos.com, Florida - Jan 5, 2009
Alimta is being used in 92 countries and is the only medication approved for the treatment of mesothelioma. In recent years, Alimta has increased the ...


ChildRC.com Launches The Child Resource Center
PR Newswire (press release), NY - 1 hour ago
The Law Offices of James Sokolove (LOJS) modeled The Child Resource Center on its award-winning, mesothelioma community site (www.MesoRC.com). ...


Mesothelioma Treatment Gets Boost with New Diagnostic Test
Asbestos.com, Florida - Dec 31, 2008
This breakthrough marks the first molecularly-based test that can accurately diagnose mesothelioma from other types of cancers found in the lung. ...
Rosetta Genomics Announces Commercial Availability of Its Third ... Reuters
Rosetta Genomics introduces new cancer test Trading Markets (press release)
Rosetta Genomics reveals introduction of Its Third MicroRNA-Based ... RTT News
RNAi News - Globes
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Four brothers sue Chevron over father's mesothelioma death
Southeast Texas Record, TX - Jan 2, 2009
... on behalf of their recently deceased father against Chevron and Gulf Oil, claiming the mesothelioma with which he was diagnosed was wrongfully caused. ...


New Mesothelioma Diagnostic Test
InjuryBoard.com, FL - Jan 2, 2009
The test is the first that can diagnose mesothelioma from other types of cancers found in the lung. Harvey Pass, MD, Division Chief for Thoracic Surgery and ...


LegalView Reports Development of a Breakthrough Study Explaining ...
PR.com (press release), NY - Jan 1, 2009
The scientists hope that with the study, they will eventually be able to produce more adequate mesothelioma treatments. Denver, CO, January 01, ...
LegalView Features New Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment ... PR.com (press release)
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Armley: Deadly dust play to premiere in community
Armley Today, UK - 15 hours ago
The play follows the true-life journey of a local woman June Hancock, who was diagnosed in 1993 with mesothelioma, after her exposure to asbestos in 1930s ...

Mesothelioma - Google News

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