How Much Asbestos Can Cause Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed in those who have been exposed to asbestos for a long period of. The symptoms typically do not show until 20-60 years after exposure to asbestos. The companies were aware of the risks, but they concealed them from workers and public.
Most commonly mesothelioma is a problem with the peritoneum, or lungs. It can also affect the heart and testicles.
Occupational Exposure
Asbestos workers are at the highest risk for developing mesothelioma. Asbestos was a strong inexpensive, fire-resistant and cost-effective material that was widely employed in shipbuilding, construction, manufacturing, and other industries due to its affordability and strength. The jobs involved removal, handling and installation of asbestos-containing material on a daily base. They were also exposed by exposure from second-hand sources when asbestos-containing items were carried home on clothing hair, tools, or clothing. These asbestos-containing fibers could have been inhaled by family members, who later developed mesothelioma.
The duration and the intensity of exposure to asbestos are among the most important factors in determining if asbestos workers develop mesothelioma. The likelihood of developing mesothelioma increased even if one was only exposed to low levels of asbestos for a short time. The mesothelioma symptoms usually are not evident until decades after the initial exposure. The average time to develop symptoms for pleural mesothelioma is 30 to 60 years and for peritoneal mesothelioma, it is between 20 and 40 years.
Electricians, pipelayers and plumbers are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. Through the 1920s and the 1960s, these jobs were at the forefront of asbestos production and use. Asbestos was often put in electrical insulation, floor tiles, and vinyl siding. Asbestos is also used in clutches and brake shoes in addition to other products for construction and manufacturing. Shipyards, and especially veterans of the Navy yard, were among the most risky environments for mesothelioma. People working in and around these ships handled asbestos-based materials as well as cut and sanded asbestos-containing materials, and sawed and sanded asbestos-containing insulation.
Asbestos is unique in its ability to break apart and release tiny sharp fibers into air. When inhaled, these asbestos fibers are absorbed by tiny air passages and adhere to the mesothelial cells of the victim. Cells become irritated and inflamed, leading to mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is most commonly found in the linings of the lung stomach (peritoneum) as well as the heart (pericardium) and the linings of the tests. Individuals who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma should consult an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to determine their eligibility for compensation. Many asbestos companies have set trust funds to pay those who have developed mesothelioma from occupational exposure.
Secondhand Exposure
Many people develop mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos in the second degree. In this type of situation, someone who was exposed to asbestos while at work brings home dangerous fibres on their clothing or skin. The family members inhale and inhale these fibres, often unaware that they are doing so. Because asbestos has no warning qualities, this can continue to happen day after day. Military personnel and veterans are the most likely to develop mesothelioma. OSHA reported that 33 percent of mesothelioma sufferers are veterans. Asbestos is used in many military products, including aircrafts and ships to make them more durable and resistant to flames.
The risk of mesothelioma is increased the more asbestos a person is exposed to and the length of time. It is also dependent on the type of asbestos that the person was exposed to. All forms of asbestos are dangerous, however certain types -- chrysotile or Crocidolite in particular are more likely than others to cause cancer. For example the chrysotile is mesothelioma only caused by asbestos version of the material is most often linked with lung cancer, while crocidolite asbestos is more commonly associated with mesothelioma and other fibrosis-related illnesses.
After exposure to asbestos, the symptoms of mesothelioma can develop anywhere between 10 and 50 years later. This lag is called the latency period. It is challenging to make an accurate diagnosis. Additionally, the symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to other illnesses and can be mistaken for one another.
People who have been exposed to asbestos second-hand could be entitled to compensation from the companies that caused the exposure. However the lawsuits must be filed with an attorney who is experienced in finding the source of exposure. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience can help victims navigate this process and make a successful mesothelioma lawsuit.
In addition to workplace asbestos exposure women may also suffer from mesothelioma that is secondhand due to asbestos exposure at home. This is due to the fact that women, especially those who were homemakers when asbestos was popular, often brought asbestos fibres home on their clothes and inhaled them.
Environmental Exposure
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium which forms the abdomen, lungs, or testis. The growth of the cancer is typically related to exposure to carcinogenic mineral asbestos. Before developed countries strictly regulated (United States) or prohibited (Europe, Australia) the use of asbestos, thousands of people were exposed to it frequently at workplaces and at home.
Various types of products contained asbestos, such as drywall, insulation, pipes and cements, as well as glues and glues. Workers who handled and installed these products were at greatest risk of being exposed to asbestos. Construction and industrial sectors, as well as those who manufacture asbestos products, such as asbestos cement insulation and shingles were at risk. In addition to those who handled asbestos directly some were exposed to asbestos when they inhaled asbestos dust and fibres. Inhaling asbestos dust and fibres can lead to a variety of health issues, including mesothelioma. lung cancer, asbestosis, and pleural plaques.
The chance of a person developing mesothelioma is increased by the amount of time and intensity of their workplace asbestos exposure. Other factors that increase a person’s risk, besides direct exposure, are the family history and exposure to asbestos.
Certain people have breathed in asbestos fibers and dust from clothing. This type of mesothelioma indirect is referred to as secondary exposure. Indirect exposure can also occur when an individual moves into a place in which someone else has been working with asbestos.
Mesothelioma can also be triggered by gene mutations linked to asbestos exposure. These mutations in genes can alter the body's response to asbestos and increases the likelihood of developing mesothelioma, especially when the person is exposed to a lot of occupational exposure.
Mesothelioma symptoms can manifest within 20 to 60 years of exposure to asbestos. When symptoms appear, people should inform their doctor of their asbestos exposure history. They should also ask for an appointment with mesothelioma specialists to avoid a false diagnosis and ensure access to high-quality treatment. The specialist doctors will order scans of the body and blood tests to determine if an individual has mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness.
Genetics
Mesothelioma's onset can be loosely correlated to the duration and quantity of exposure to asbestos. Certain individuals do develop mesothelioma in spite of low levels of asbestos exposure. It has been suggested that genetic mutations could be the reason for this disparity.
Researchers have discovered that specific mutations in genes can make people more prone to mesothelioma development. They may also affect how patients react to chemotherapy. Mutations can lead to the overexpression or subexpression of genes and proteins that regulate the growth rate of mesothelial cells. The overexpression of these genes and proteins can lead to cell growth which is a hallmark of mesothelioma.
Scientists have discovered a genetic mutation known as BAP-1 which can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure. A mutation in this gene increases the number of cytotoxic cell types of mesothelioma, which the body produces. This may lead to formation of tumors in different areas of the body. Asbestos fibers that stick to the lungs can cause mesothelioma that is malignant.
Asbestos fibers may damage DNA and chromosomes. This can cause variety of diseases, including mesothelioma. These mutations can also make patients more susceptible to the negative effects of asbestos.
In addition to genetic mutations, family history is another risk factor for mesothelioma. Many victims are exposed to asbestos because of their loved ones' work exposure. Asbestos particles can be brought home through the wear of workers' clothing or shoes.
Most cases of mesothelioma result from people who have been exposed to high levels asbestos over a prolonged period of time. Most often mesothelioma begins to develop years after the initial asbestos exposure. The mesothelioma latency time can be as long as 40 years. However, a tiny percentage of people with mesothelioma had low-level exposure to asbestos and developed this disease because of it. A mesothelioma diagnose does not necessarily mean that the patient was exposed to asbestos.