How Much Asbestos Can Cause Mesothelioma
Many people suffer from mesothelioma because of long-term exposure to asbestos. Symptoms usually don't appear until 20 to 60 years after exposure. Manufacturers were aware of the dangers but kept them from employees and the general public.
The majority of the time mesothelioma affects the peritoneum, or lungs. It can also affect the testicles and heart.
Exposure to Occupational Hazards
Asbestos workers are at the highest risk of developing mesothelioma. Asbestos was a tough, fire-resistant, and affordable material that was extensively used in the construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding and other industries due to its cost and its strength. Many of these types of jobs required handling, removal and installation of asbestos-containing materials every day. They were also exposed to asbestos through indirect exposure to asbestos-containing materials as they were taken home on their clothes hair, or on tools. These fibers may have been inhaled by family members, who then developed mesothelioma.
The duration and intensity of an asbestos worker's exposure is the biggest factor in determining if they develop mesothelioma. However, the risk of mesothelioma increases even if they've been exposed to low levels of asbestos for a brief period of time. Mesothelioma is usually not able to manifest until years after exposure. The average latency period for pleural mesothelioma is 30 to 60 years. And for peritoneal mesothelioma, it is between 20 and 40 years.
Plumbers, pipelayers and electricians are also at risk of developing mesothelioma. In the 1920s and into the 1960s, these occupations were at the forefront of asbestos production and usage. Asbestos is often used in vinyl siding, floor tiles, and electrical insulation. Asbestos was also utilized in a variety of manufacturing and construction products, such as brake shoes and clutches. Shipyards were another risky working environment for mesothelioma, especially Navy yard veterans. The workers on and around these vessels dealt with asbestos-based materials, sanded and cut asbestos-containing materials, and cut and sanded asbestos-containing insulation.
Asbestos is unique in its ability to break down and release microscopic, sharp fibers into air. These asbestos fibers are inhaled and stick to the mesothelial cells of the victim's membranes. Mesothelioma is triggered by cells becoming inflamed, inflamed and infected. Mesothelioma is found most often in the lung's linings, stomach (peritoneum) as well as the heart (pericardium), and the linings of the tests. To determine if you're eligible for compensation, those who have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma can consult with an experienced lawyer. Many asbestos companies have set up trust funds to pay those who have developed mesothelioma due to exposure to asbestos in the workplace.
Secondhand Exposure
Mesothelioma is often caused by secondary asbestos exposure. This type of scenario occurs when someone who was exposed to asbestos at work, brings harmful fibres to their clothing and skin. These fibres are then breathed in and ingested by family members, often without them realizing it. Since asbestos has no warning properties, this could continue day after day. Veterans and military personnel are the most likely to develop mesothelioma. OSHA found that 33 percent of mesothelioma sufferers are veterans. Asbestos is a component of many military products, including aircrafts and ships to make them more durable and resistant to flames.
The risk of developing mesothelioma rises the more asbestos an individual is exposed to and for how long. It can also be affected by the kind of asbestos to which a person has been exposed. All asbestos types are dangerous, however certain kinds -- chrysotile and the crocidolite type in particular are more likely than others to cause cancer. For instance the chrysotile type of the material is often linked to lung cancer, whereas crocidolite asbestos is more commonly associated with mesothelioma as well as other fibrosis-related diseases.
After exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma-related symptoms can be seen between 10 to 50 years later. This lag time is known as the latency period. It makes it difficult to get an accurate diagnosis. The symptoms of mesothelioma may be confused with those of other illnesses.
Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos through secondhand exposure could be eligible for compensation from the companies responsible for this exposure. These lawsuits need an attorney with experience in tracing the exposure. An experienced mesothelioma law firm can assist with this process and help patients to file a mesothelioma suit that is successful.
Women also can develop mesothelioma that is secondhand after household asbestos exposure. Women, especially those who worked as homemakers during a time when asbestos was in high demand and was a popular choice for homemakers, carried asbestos fibers home on their clothing and inhaled them.
Environmental Exposure
Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the mesothelium layer of the lung (pleura), the abdomen or testis. The development of cancer is often due to exposure to asbestos, an endocrine-producing mineral. Before the developed nations strictly regulated (United States) or prohibited (Europe, Australia) the use of the material, thousands of people were exposed to asbestos regularly at work and at home.
Asbestos was discovered in a wide range of products, including drywall and insulation pipes, adhesives, pipes and cement. Workers who handled or installed these types of products were at the highest risk of asbestos exposure. This included construction and industrial workers as well as those who manufactured asbestos-based products like asbestos cement, shingles, insulation and pipe wraps. In addition to workers who handled asbestos in direct contact, others were exposed to asbestos dust and fibres. Inhaling asbestos can cause many health problems, including mesothelioma and lung cancer, asbestosis, and plaques on the pleural area.
A person's risk of getting mesothelioma increased with the amount of time and intensity of their work asbestos exposure. In addition to direct exposure, other factors that increase a person's risk include family history and asbestos exposure.
Some people have been exposed to asbestos by the inhalation of dust or fibres that were absorbed by clothing. This type of indirect exposure is known as secondary mesothelioma exposure. Indirect exposure may occur when someone moves into the home with asbestos in it.
Mesothelioma can also be triggered by genetic mutations that are linked to asbestos exposure. These gene mutations can alter the body's response to asbestos, and increase the chances of developing mesothelioma, especially when the person is exposed to a lot of occupational exposure.
Symptoms of mesothelioma can appear anywhere from 20 to 60 years following asbestos exposure. When symptoms first begin, one should consult their doctor and tell them about the history of asbestos exposure. They should also request a referral to mesothelioma specialists to prevent a misdiagnosis and to ensure access to high-quality treatment. The doctor will request scans and blood tests to determine if the patient has mesothelioma or a different asbestos-related disease.
Genetics
The onset of mesothelioma is dependent on the amount of asbestos a person was exposed to and the length of time the exposure lasted. However, some people develop mesothelioma at lower levels of exposure. It has been suggested that genetic changes could be the reason for this disparity.
Researchers have discovered that certain gene mutations can make people more vulnerable to the development of mesothelioma and may alter the way patients respond to chemotherapy. Mutations can lead to an overexpression or a subexpression of proteins and genes that regulate the growth rate of mesothelial cells. Overexpression of these genes and proteins can cause cell overgrowth, which is a most common cause of mesothelioma hallmark of mesothelioma.
Scientists have discovered a genetic mutation known as BAP-1 that could increase the chance of developing mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure. A mutation in this gene can increase the amount of cytotoxic mesothelioma cells that the body produces. This can lead to the development of tumors in various parts of the body. For instance, asbestos fibers that stick to the lungs (pleura) result in malignant pleural mysothelioma. asbestos fibers that enter the abdomen the lining (peritoneum) cause peritoneal mesothelioma.
Asbestos fibers can damage DNA and chromosomes, which can cause a variety of different diseases, including mesothelioma. These mutations can also make a patient more sensitive to the effects of asbestos.
Family history is an important risk factor for mesothelioma in addition to genetic mutations. Many victims are exposed to asbestos as a result of their loved ones' occupational exposure. Exposure can occur when asbestos particles enter the workplace and then are carried home by a worker's clothes or shoes.
The majority of mesothelioma cases are caused by people who have been exposed to high levels of asbestos over a long period of time. In the majority of cases mesothelioma is diagnosed years after asbestos exposure. The mesothelioma's latency period can be as long as 40 years. A small percentage of mesothelioma patients had low-level asbestos exposure and developed the disease as a result. It is important to note that a mesothelioma diagnosis does not mean that a person was exposed to asbestos at any time during their lifetime.