With the recent trial involving W.R. Grace & Company, the federal government and the citizens of Libby, Montana, the topic of asbestos-related illness is receiving additional national attention. There are approximately 2,000 to 3,000 cases of mesothelioma diagnosed each year in the United States and those numbers are expected to climb in the near future.
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. In some cases though, reports have documented a small number of patients that have contracted the disease without ever being exposed to asbestos fibers.
Exposure occurs when the microscopic fibers that make up asbestos are either inhaled or ingested into the body. This typically happens after asbestos-containing materials are damaged or disturbed and release asbestos fibers into the air.
In the past, some of the more common locations for asbestos exposure (predominantly for men) have included the construction, shipyard, railroad, power plant, chemical plant, manufacturing, mining and automotive industries.
However, other indirect cases of asbestos exposure, known as secondary exposure, have affected the lives of women and children. Many of the men who worked with asbestos would unknowingly carry home asbestos fibers on their skin and clothes, exposing their wives, children and friends to the toxic mineral. To date, secondary exposure has been responsible for an impactful portion of malignant mesothelioma cases.
Diagnosing this disease can be an extremely difficult task, as many of the symptoms patients often experience will resemble those of minor and more common health conditions. In addition, the severe latency period associated with mesothelioma (usually ranging anywhere from 20 to 50 years) can allow the disease to progress to later stages of development by the time diagnosis occurs.
Currently, the Environmental Protection Agency and Consumer Product Safety Commission have instilled strict regulations concerning asbestos, even though not all asbestos material is banned. Products that contain 1 percent or more asbestos fiber are considered to be asbestos-containing.
Those who suspect asbestos in their home or workplace should speak with an asbestos consultant. Approximately 80 percent of homes built before 1980 are likely to contain some amount of asbestos. It is important to note that if intact and stable, asbestos-containing materials generally do not pose a health threat as long as they are routinely checked for potential damage.
Additional information on mesothelioma may be found through the Mesothelioma Cancer Center.
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