What Are the Risk Factors for Mesothelioma?

The first link between asbestos and mesothelioma was made in the beginning of the twentieth century. It was in the 1930s that a doctor first wrote about asbestos being the prime cause of lung cancer in the American Journal of Cancer. A theory later developed that it was the ingestion of asbestos that was responsible for certain forms of lung cancer, and this was supported in 1962, when an Australian asbestos worker was diagnosed with mesothelioma. However it wasn't until later in the 1960s that the British Journal of Industrial Medicine suggested that those who lived in neighborhoods near asbestos factories could also be at risk, regardless of whether they were directly exposed or not.

Asbestos was once used in many products such as roofing, floor tiles, insulation, and ironing board covers. While a large quantity of its production was halted after 1989, due to an increased awareness of the link between asbestos and mesothelioma, it is still being manufactured for some products today. Because of asbestos, nearly eight million Americans are at risk for developing mesothelioma.

Though asbestos is synthetically produced, belonging to a family of fibrous minerals, it is also a natural mineral found across the United States in the form of dust and rocks. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), estimates that nearly 730,000 public buildings still contain asbestos insulation. When the small fibers of the asbestos are inhaled, they pass through to the small airways and work their way into the lungs. This directly injures the mesothelius cells, which over time, results in mesothelioma. While those who are at greatest risk are the occupational workers such as miners, insulation manufacturers, and construction workers, their families are also at risk because the fibers of the material are brought home on their clothing.

To help minimize your risk of exposure, it is important to be able to identify asbestos. The serpentine fibers are curly and are known as chrysotile. This is the most common form of asbestos used, and while it is more difficult for these fibers to work their way to the lungs, they have still been linked to mesothelioma. Amphiboles are the most carcinogenic. They are thin, rod like fibers that can pass easily through the nose and airways.

Mesothelioma takes 20 to 50 years to develop, and a person's risk of developing it depends greatly on the amount of asbestos they were exposed to and how long they were exposed to it. It is important to note that if a person, such as a miner or an insulation manufacturer, has been exposed to asbestos and then leaves that profession, their risk for developing mesothelioma does not decrease over time.

Employers and manufacturers can be held responsible for the development of mesothelioma due to the fact that they are aware of the risks to which they allowed the worker and their family to be exposed. A lawsuit can be filed for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages because of this. If this situation applies to you, consult an attorney who specializes in mesothelioma cases (see Resources).