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Those working in the construction, shipbuilding, railroad, and automotive trades are at particularly high risk for developing mesothelioma if they have been exposed to asbestos.
Asbestos Exposure Can Lead to Mesothelioma
Industries with High Asbestos Exposure Risk:
Asbestos exposure is the main cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos fibers are very tiny and may be inhaled if they become airborne. Once you inhale asbestos fibers, they can remain trapped in your lungs. They may also be distributed throughout your body to the pleura (the membrane lining the lungs), to other body organs, or to your lymph nodes.
Inhaling asbestos irritates your system and may eventually lead to asbestos diseases such as asbestosis and asbestos pleural disease as well as to mesothelioma. You can also unknowingly swallow asbestos particles, a process that some associate with peritoneal (stomach) mesothelioma.
Period Between Asbestos Exposure and Development of Mesothelioma
The time period between your first exposure to asbestos and the onset of mesothelioma symptoms, called the latency period, may be 40 years or more. The risk of developing asbestos disease does not disappear because the asbestos fibers may remain trapped in the lungs or the lung cavity for life. Also, there is no “safe” level of asbestos exposure; even minimal levels may cause disease.
Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure Among Workers
Workers in the building, construction, shipbuilding, railroad, and automotive industries who have been exposed to asbestos are at particularly high risk for developing mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure at any level increases a person’s chance of contracting mesothelioma. Even family members of workers exposed to asbestos face an increased susceptibility to the disease due to contact with asbestos dust brought into the home on the workers’ shoes, clothing, skin, or hair.
In the past, asbestos exposure occurred mostly in an occupational setting where asbestos was used in a variety of products and applications. Today, potential asbestos exposure occurs in other locations as well, most often in schools, homes and public buildings where asbestos products have fallen into disrepair or become damaged.
If you believe that you or a family member has been exposed to asbestos, it is important to learn more about the symptoms and diagnosis of mesothelioma. Also see our sister site, Asbestos Network for background and details about asbestos. Please feel free to contact us through this web site or at our offices with any questions about asbestos exposure and your legal options.
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