Is Asbestos Exposure
the Cause of Mesothelioma?
In as many as two out of every three cases, people diagnosed with mesothelioma have one thing in common: Asbestos exposure. They either worked directly with asbestos-laden products in their occupation; worked in an environment such as a shipyard where asbestos exposure is likely; or they lived with someone who could have carried asbestos fibers into the home on their work clothing.
Is asbestos exposure the only cause of mesothelioma? In a word, the answer is no. Currently, it is suspected that asbestos exposure is not the only way to contract the asbestos cancer known as mesothelioma. However, no other causes have been definitively been linked to the disease as yet.
What is asbestos? Asbestos is actually a term that has been given to a group of six different, naturally occurring mineral fibers: chrysotile, anthophyllite, grunerite (amosite), riebeckite (crocidolite), tremolite, and actinolite. The natural resistance this group of fibers has to both heat and fire, and their reluctance to conduct electricity — made asbestos one of the mostly widely used commercial substances of the 20th century.
The problem is that asbestos fibers separate from one another easily and are hundreds of times thinner than human hairs. As a result, they become airborne easily and are inhaled into the lungs of anyone who happens to be nearby.
How does asbestos affect the human body? When asbestos fibers are inhaled, ingested or in rare cases, absorbed through the skin, they can become lodged in airways, lung tissue or the mesothelium membrane. Over time — anywhere from 20 to 50 years after exposure occurred — non-cancerous forms of asbestos-related disease such as asbestosis, or the more deadly asbestos cancers such as pleural mesothelioma may result.
Nationwide Legal Help for
Mesothelioma Victims and Families
St. Louis Area: 618-307-4085 / Toll Free: 888-362-6890
Although asbestos cancer treatment options are limited in most cases — you can assert your legal rights and pursue some measure of justice, and compensation, through the civil justice system.
With decades of asbestos litigation experience to draw from — lawyers at Gori Julian & Associates, P.C. have the knowledge and resources you'll need to assert those legal rights effectively. For a free case evaluation, please call our law offices directly or contact us online. An experienced attorney will be available to discuss your potential lawsuit, answer your questions and address any other concerns you may have.
