Asbestos - Mesothelioma

Asbestos is a naturally occurring, fibrous mineral found in the ground and mined all over the world. It is so small it can only be identified under a microscope. In the past, asbestos was added to various products such as insulation to increase fire resistant properties. Asbestos exposure, especially of an extended duration, has been linked to mesothelioma and other health problems, including lung cancer. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects cells in the lining of the chest and abdomen. The tissues in these areas are called the mesothelium, and they produce a lubricating fluid that allows the organs to move easily and without irritation or injury in the torso cavity.

Asbestos fibers attach themselves to the lining of the lungs or other parts of the respiratory tract and remain there indefinitely. Asbestos is most dangerous when it is airborne. The fibers are small and light and can stay afloat for a long time and can travel great distances from their source. Since asbestos fibers are microscopic and airborne, people can breathe in asbestos fibers for many years without realizing it. Workers in environments in which construction materials, especially insulation, are handled are at greatest risk. Starting in the 1940s, workers, unaware of the danger, regularly handled and were exposed to large amounts of asbestos, often for long durations. Trades that involved especially high levels of exposure included asbestos production related fields like mining, milling, asbestos tile manufacture, and the manufacture of products that used asbestos. Other industries with high levels of possible exposure included shipbuilding, construction, car repair, and any form of demolition. Today, worker's exposure to asbestos has been reduced due to government regulations. Still, however, demolition workers are at risk when they disturb antiquated materials that contain asbestos in older structures. It can take anywhere from 10 to 40 years for symptoms of an asbestos related disease to surface.

Critics have charged that asbestos manufacturers knew of the dangers of asbestos exposure many years before alerting the public of potential health risks. Despite the dangers associated with asbestos, the substance can still be found in thousands of products today. Because of its airborne mobility, its microscopic size and harmful properties, professional assistance is required to remove asbestos. There are professional abatement services that will remove asbestos from homes or other buildings. Asbestos is most harmful when the structure containing it is disturbed, releasing asbestos fibers into the air.

Some observers contend that asbestos product liability lawsuits have resulted in over $100 billion in claims and bankrupted over 100 companies.

Wayne Walker is president of CapTran, the leader in litigation financial services. http://www.captran.com

© 2005 Capital Transaction Group Inc

---

Lung Cancer: The Bad and the Worse

In terms of deaths caused by various forms of cancer,... Read More

Mesothelioma Cancer and Asbestos

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer which occurs in thin... Read More

What Are The Risk Factors For Mesothelioma?

Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma... Read More

Mesothelioma Cancer Diagnosed: Dealing With Emotions

People deal with and react to having cancer in different... Read More

Wittenoom Graveyard

Despite the known fact that Wittenoom is responsible for many... Read More

How to Sense Low Levels of Asbestos in Your Daily Environment

My discovery came to me by accidentally removing an asbestos... Read More

Mesothelioma Book - Review

"Lean on Me" Cancer through a carer's eyes Lorraine Kember... Read More

What You Need To Know About Lung Cancer

Cancer is a disease in which certain body cells don't... Read More

Protect Against Mesothelioma by Avoiding Asbestos

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that attacks the body's mesothelial... Read More

Mesothelioma Cancer Diagnosed- Questions to ask

Following diagnosis, uppermost amongst a patient's thoughts will be these..."Am... Read More

Coping With Cancer-A Family View

An often forgotten feature of dealing with cancer is what... Read More

How to Tell if You Have Mesothelioma from Asbestos Exposure

Mesothelioma - Symptoms and SolutionsSymptoms of Mesothelioma can be latent... Read More

Mesothelioma Research

Research offers hope of cure for mesothelioma. A laboratory mouse... Read More

Mesothelioma - Cancer that Strikes 40 Years Later

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant... Read More

What Is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma the medical name for cancer of the pleura (the... Read More

The Asbestos Disaster - Who Is To Blame

The ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians were all aware of... Read More

Mesothelioma or Asbestos Cancer

Mesothelioma: What is it?Mesothelioma is a malignant cancerous disease of... Read More

Lung Cancer Discoveries

There is a new way to treat lung cancer with... Read More

Mesothelioma Help

According to the National Cancer Institute, mesothelioma is a malignant... Read More

Knee Deep in Asbestos

When I was 17 old I started working at an... Read More

The Facts About Lung Cancer - Better To Be Aware

Keep yourself abreast of facts about lung cancer, as the... Read More

Asbestos - The Silent Killer

Asbestos is the single biggest work place killer today. People... Read More

Mesothelioma - The Largest Man Made Epidemic

It is documented that Australia had the highest per capita... Read More

Mesothelioma Cancer: Early Warning Signs and Causes

What is Mesothelioma?Chances are you may never have heard of... Read More

Mesothelioma Information Help

Depending on the stage of the disease, the most common... Read More

Frequently Asked Questions About Mesothelioma

Many people have never heard of Mesothelioma and are unaware... Read More

Lung Cancer 101 What You Need to Know About

Accounting about for 14% of all cancers and 28% of... Read More

Lung Cancer-Non-Smokers at Risk!

Most of us non-smokers feel we've got little to worry... Read More

Mesothelioma Cancer - What to Tell Children

The amount of information you should give them depends on... Read More

Acoustic Asbestos Ceiling Removal, Is It Necessary?

Homeowners with acoustic asbestos ceiling question about the effects of... Read More

Mesothelioma in the UK

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the external... Read More

Mesothelioma Attorneys and Asbestosis Treatment Data

Mesothelioma attorneysIt is very important to work with specialized mesothelioma... Read More

Mesothelioma Treatment

Like all other types of cancer, mesothelioma is incurable. Although... Read More