Malignant Mesothelioma And Asbestos Exposure Diseases Malignant Mesothelioma is the most serious of all asbestos-related diseases. It is a rare cancer that occurs in the tissue covering the outside surface of the lung (pleural tissue) or in the tissue covering the stomach and bowels (peritoneal tissue). Virtually all cases of malignant mesothelioma are caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos fibers are inhaled or swallowed and work their way to the outside surface of the lung or the outside surface of the bowel where they become trapped. Over time, these trapped fibers can cause a reaction that may lead to malignant mesothelioma. The time required from first exposure to airborne asbestos fibers to the appearance of malignant mesothelioma can be twenty years or more. This time lapse is referred to as the latency period.
There are various treatments for mesothelioma. Individuals suffering from mesothelioma should consult their doctors to determine what course of treatment will be most beneficial for them. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been used in insulation and other products since the late 1800's. Asbestos deposits have been mined extensively in Canada, South Africa, Australia, Russia and the United States. Once the asbestos is mined and used in the manufacturing process, tiny fibers are created. The fibers cause disease when breathed into the lungs.
Asbestos was widely used for many reasons. It resists fire and has good thermal, electrical and acoustical insulation properties. Additionally, it acts as a bonding agent to bind other materials together. Its fibers are strong, but flexible, and resist corrosion. Asbestos has been used in a multitude of products, including: - Pipe covering, insulation and cement
- Boilers, turbines and other heat-generating industrial equipment
- Fireproofing and acoustical sprays
- Heating duct connectors
- Refractory products
- Brake linings, clutch pressure plates and other friction products
- Fireproof cloth and other textiles
- Wallboard, joint compound and plaster
- Cement and cement piping
- Electrical wiring
- Floor tile, ceiling tile, and linoleum
- Cloth
- Roofing materials
- Cement board
- Kent cigarette filters (1952-1956)
Exposure to any of the above products can result in asbestos related disease. When asbestos-containing products are cut, sawed or sanded, people inhale the fibers. Because individual asbestos fibers are so tiny that they can only be seen with a microscope, they are very light-weight and stay in the air for a long time. Asbestos Exposure The following occupations have a history of high levels of asbestos exposure. If you worked in any of the following trades between World War II and 1972, you were likely exposed to asbestos during your employment:
| Construction Trades: | | Insulators | Plasterers | Plumbers | | Pipefitters | Electricians | Carpenters | | Sheetmetal Workers | Laborers | Boilermakers | | Steamfitters | Operating Engineers | Tile Setters | | Iron Workers | Drywall Tapers | Metal Lathers | | | | Other Trades: | | Asbestos Plant Workers | Shipyard Workers | Oil Refinery Workers | | Power Plant Workers | Railroad Workers | Merchant Marines | | U.S. Navy Veterans | Longshoremen | Industrial Plant Workers |
Asbestos Diseases Asbestos exposure is know to cause several diseases. The most common diseases caused by asbestos exposure are asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can also cause other cancers, including colon, laryngeal, esophageal and stomach cancer. A unique aspect of asbestos-related injuries is the long latency period between exposure to asbestos and the onset of the injury or disease. For mesothelioma, the latency period is between 15 and 50 years, or more. That means that a person could have been exposed to asbestos 50 years ago, and develop mesothelioma today.
Mesothelioma
Malignant Mesothelioma is the most serious of all asbestos- related diseases. It is a rare cancer that occurs in the tissue covering the outside surface of the lung (pleural tissue) or in the tissue covering the stomach and bowels (peritoneal tissue).
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer occurs when malignant cells originate within the lung. It is the most common asbestos-related cancer found in present or ex-smokers who have a history of asbestos exposure.
Asbestosis
Asbestosis is the scarring of the tissue of the lung itself from inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers. Many doctors who do not have a good understanding of asbestos-related diseases tend to use the term "asbestosis" as a buzzword for any and all conditions related to asbestos. One of the primary and common symptoms of asbestosis is shortness of breath upon exertion.
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