How Much Asbestos Can Cause Mesothelioma
Many patients suffer from mesothelioma because of long-term exposure to asbestos. The symptoms typically do not show until 20-60 years after exposure to asbestos. The manufacturers knew about the risks, but they kept them from their employees and the public.
Most commonly mesothelioma is a problem with the peritoneum or the lungs. It can also affect the testicles and the heart.
Workplace Exposure
Asbestos-related workers have the greatest chance of developing mesothelioma. Asbestos is a durable and fire-resistant material that is commonly employed in manufacturing, construction ships, ship construction and other industries because of its durability and affordability. Many of these jobs required the removal, handling, and installation of asbestos-containing products daily. They were also exposed to asbestos through secondhand exposure when asbestos-containing products were brought home on their clothes hair, tools or clothing. Family members could have swallowed or inhaled these asbestos fibers, which caused mesothelioma development.
The length and the intensity of an asbestos worker's exposure is the primary factor in whether or not they will develop mesothelioma. The likelihood of developing mesothelioma higher even if someone was exposed to only low levels of asbestos for a short period of time. Mesothelioma typically doesn't manifest until years after exposure. The typical time of latency is between 30 and 60 years for pleural, and 20 to 40 for peritoneal.
Plumbers, electricians, and pipelayers are the other occupations most likely to develop mesothelioma. During the 1920s and into the 1960s, these professions were at the forefront of asbestos production and usage. Asbestos was frequently used in electrical insulation, floor tiles and vinyl siding. Asbestos is also found in brake shoes and clutches in addition to other products used in manufacturing and construction. Shipyards were another high-risk work environment for mesothelioma especially Navy yard veterans. Those who worked on or near these vessels frequently dealt with asbestos-based insulation, as well as sanded and cut and sawed asbestos-containing products.
Asbestos is a unique material that has the capacity to break up and release sharp micro-sized fibers into the air. These asbestos fibers are inhaled and adhere to the victim's mesothelial cell membranes. Mesothelioma results from cells becoming irritated, inflamed and infected. Mesothelioma most often occurs in the lining of the lung (pleura), stomach lining (peritoneum), heart lining (pericardium) and lining of the testes (tunica vaginalis). Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma should contact an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to determine their eligibility for compensation. Many asbestos companies have set up trust funds to compensate those who have developed mesothelioma due to occupational exposure.
Secondhand Exposure
Mesothelioma is often caused by asbestos exposure secondary to the disease. In this kind of situation, someone who was exposed to asbestos at work brings home those dangerous fibres on their clothing and skin. The family members inhale and inhale these fibres, often without realizing they are doing this. Asbestos is not a warning substance and therefore, it can be ingested day after day. The most frequent cases of mesothelioma in the United States involve veterans and those who were in the military. OSHA has reported that 33 percent of mesothelioma victims are veterans. Asbestos was used in many military products to make them fire-resistant and long-lasting, including vessels, ships, aircrafts, and power plants.
The chance of developing mesothelioma is increased by the amount and duration of exposure to asbestos. It is also affected by the kind of asbestos to which an individual has been exposed. All forms of asbestos are dangerous, but some kinds -- chrysotile and Crocidolite in particular are more likely than other types to cause cancer. For instance, chrysotile asbestos is frequently linked to lung cancer, whereas the crocidolite asbestos is more often associated with fibrosis, mesothelioma and other ailments.
Mesothelioma-related symptoms can take between 10 and 50 years to develop after first exposure to asbestos. This lag is called the latency period. It is challenging to make an accurate diagnosis. In addition mesothelioma symptoms are similar to other illnesses and could be misinterpreted as the same symptoms.
Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos second-hand could be eligible for compensation from the companies responsible for the exposure. However, these lawsuits require an attorney who is experienced in finding the source of exposure. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience can assist victims through this process and successfully file a mesothelioma lawsuit.
Women can also develop secondhand mesothelioma from household asbestos exposure. Women, particularly those who were homemakers during a time when asbestos was highly demanded and was a popular choice for homemakers, carried asbestos fibres home on their clothes and inhaled them.
Environmental Exposure
Mesothelioma can affect the mesothelium that covers the abdomen, lungs, or testis. The growth of the disease is usually related to exposure to asbestos mineral, which is a carcinogen. Before developed countries banned or strictly regulated the use of asbestos (Europe, Australia, United States), thousands of people were exposed to the mineral at their workplaces and homes.
Asbestos was found in a wide range of products including insulation and drywall pipes, adhesives, and mesothelioma is caused by cement. Workers who handled and installed these products were at the most risk of being exposed to asbestos. This included construction and industrial workers and those who made asbestos-based products like asbestos cement roofing, shingles, insulation and pipe wraps. Workers who dealt with asbestos directly were not the only ones who were exposed. Others were also exposed through inhaling asbestos fibres and dust. Inhaling asbestos can trigger a myriad of health issues, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and plaques in the pleural cavity.
The risk of mesothelioma increasing in the amount of time and the intensity with which a person has been exposed to asbestos while at work. In addition to direct exposure, other factors that increase the risk include family history and asbestos exposure.
Certain people have inhaled asbestos fibres and dust from clothing. This type of mesothelioma indirect is known as secondary exposure. Indirect exposure may also occur when an individual moves into a place where someone else has been working with asbestos.
Mesothelioma can also be caused by gene mutations linked to asbestos exposure. These mutations in genes can alter the way that a person's immune system responds to asbestos, thereby increasing the risk of developing mesothelioma.
The symptoms of mesothelioma can manifest between 20 and 60 years after exposure to asbestos. When symptoms start to appear, patients should tell their doctor about their asbestos exposure history. They should also ask for an appointment with mesothelioma specialists to avoid a misdiagnosis and ensure access to quality treatment. The doctors will order scans and blood tests to determine if the patient has mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related disease.
Genetics
The onset of mesothelioma can be dependent on the amount of asbestos a person was exposed to and the length of time the exposure was. Certain individuals are diagnosed with mesothelioma even though they have had no asbestos exposure. It has been suggested that genetic changes could explain this discrepancy.
Researchers have discovered that certain gene mutations can make individuals more susceptible to mesothelioma developing. They may also affect the way that patients respond to chemotherapy. Mutations can result in overexpression or underexpression of proteins and genes that regulate the growth of mesothelial cells. Overexpression of these proteins and genes can lead to an increase in the number of cells, which is a hallmark of mesothelioma.
Scientists have discovered a gene mutation called BAP-1 that could increase the chance of developing mesothelioma from asbestos exposure. A mutation in this gene increases the amount of mesothelioma cytotoxic cells that the body produces. This can lead to the formation of tumors in different areas of the body. Asbestos fibers that adhere to the lungs can cause mesothelioma that is malignant.
Asbestos fibers can harm DNA and the chromosomes. This can lead to a variety of illnesses that include mesothelioma. These mutations may also make the patient more prone to the effects of asbestos.
In addition to genetic mutations Family history is a further risk factor for mesothelioma. This is because many victims are exposed to asbestos due to their loved ones' work exposure. Exposure can occur when asbestos particles infiltrate the workplace and then are carried home on the clothing of a worker or shoes.
The majority of mesothelioma cases result from people who have been exposed to high levels asbestos over a prolonged period of time. In the majority of cases, mesothelioma develops years after the initial asbestos exposure. The mesothelioma latency time can be as long as 40 years. A small proportion of mesothelioma patients experienced low-level asbestos exposure and suffered from the disease as a consequence. It is important to note that a mesothelioma diagnosis does not mean that the patient was exposed to asbestos at any time in their life.