You can develop mesothelioma, even if you suffer exposure to a small amount of asbestos. Many studies have reported there is no safe amount of asbestos, and any exposure can potentially trigger the development of mesothelioma or related health conditions.
However, when considering this factor, it’s more important to consider the length of time a person is exposed. Therefore, long-term asbestos exposure at work is the most common reason for a mesothelioma diagnosis. Workers exposed to asbestos over several years have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma. This risk falls between eight percent and 13 percent. As a result, the chance of getting mesothelioma increases the longer you’re exposed.
If you have received a diagnosis due to asbestos exposure, consult a mesothelioma lawyer about your options today.
Types of Exposure
You also have to consider the types of exposure when determining what amounts or sources may lead to the development of an asbestos-related disease.
Asbestos exposure may result from exposure at work, exposure from an asbestos employee in the home, or short-term exposure.
Occupational Exposure
Work-related exposure often happens at construction sites, industrial facilities, or military compounds in the U.S. High-risk employees also include first responders.
Because of the long use of asbestos, millions of Americans have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace. Miners, factory workers, installers and manufacturers of insulation, auto workers, gas mask makers, plumbers, construction workers, and shipbuilders represent a strong sampling of the labor force.
Secondary Exposure
Family members of an asbestos worker may be exposed to asbestos dust, which may accumulate on the worker’s clothing.
Short-Term Exposure
You may be exposed to asbestos if you’re in an area after a natural disaster or close to an older building that is remodeled or demolished. This is also true if you spend time in an abandoned building built before the 1980s.
Outdoor Exposure
Some people are exposed to low levels of naturally occurring asbestos in the air outdoors. The dust may come from the soil or rocks. It happens in areas where rocks have a higher content of asbestos. In some spots, asbestos is in the air and the water supply.
The Length of Asbestos Fibers and How They Increase Risk
It’s also important to consider the length of the asbestos fibers. Asbestos that is longer (around 15 micrometers) is associated with an increased risk of disease. The longer fibers, unfortunately, can’t be cleared away from the macrophages in the body. Macrophages are types of white blood cells that surround and kill microorganisms and remove dead cells. They also stimulate the activity of other immune system cells.
When the macrophages can’t do their job as well, the fibers can cause inflammation and genetic damage.
Get in Touch with a Mesothelioma Attorney Now – Not Later
So, if you’re diagnosed with this disease, you need to discuss your situation with a mesothelioma attorney.
A mesothelioma lawyer knows what legal measures to follow to ensure you receive compensation for medical care and damages such as pain and suffering. They can maximize your claim through asbestos trust funds and by filing personal injury lawsuits on your behalf.
What Is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that affects the lining of the chest wall, lungs, heart, abdomen, or testes. It can lie latent for years after exposure to asbestos, a natural mineral composed of microscopic fibers. Asbestos is ingested or inhaled when the substance is airborne.
Certain risk factors may increase the probability of a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Risk Factors and Mesothelioma
Risk factors make up any factors that increase the odds of getting a disease like cancer. Therefore, different cancers have varying risk factors. While risk factors like smoking are controllable, other risk factors, like age or genetics, are not.
If you have a known risk factor or several risk factors, it does not necessarily mean you’ll get diagnosed with cancer. Some people with few or no known risk factors may still develop the disease. That’s why it’s important to think about the source of your disease.
For example, if you worked in a company that did not warn you of exposure risks, you still need to seek compensation, as the length of exposure can indeed heighten the possibility of a mesothelioma diagnosis. Also, research suggests that high levels of exposure in the workplace have been linked to mesothelioma diagnosis.
Mesothelioma in the Lungs and Chest Wall – Pleural Mesothelioma
The main risk factor for mesothelioma in the lung or chest wall (pleural mesothelioma) is linked primarily to workplace exposure.
Asbestos fibers that remain in the lungs may travel to the ends of the small airway and settle in the pleural lining of the chest wall and lungs. When they do this, they can injure the pleura’s cells, ultimately developing into mesothelioma. The fibers may also cause asbestosis, a development of scar tissue in the lung.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
When mesothelioma develops in the abdomen, it’s known as peritoneal mesothelioma. This often occurs when asbestos fibers are inhaled, swallowed, and coughed up.
The Latency Period
People with extended asbestos exposure starting at an early age naturally have a greater risk of developing mesothelioma. The time between the first exposure to asbestos and a diagnosis can range between 20 and 50 years.
Also, the risk of getting cancer will not go down after exposure. Once exposed, the risk is present for the rest of your life.
Risk Factors for Age and Gender
It’s also important to note that the risk of mesothelioma increases as people age. Therefore, it’s rare to get mesothelioma if you’re 45 years old or younger. About two out of three patients with pleural mesothelioma are at least 65. Also, mesothelioma occurs more often among men than in women.
Schedule a Free Case Review and Consultation with a Mesothelioma Attorney Now
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma and want to know more about your rights for claiming compensation in a personal injury claim, you need to contact a mesothelioma attorney right away.
The sooner you talk to a mesothelioma lawyer, the sooner you can receive compensation to cover your medical costs and provide financial support for lost income and pain and suffering. Schedule a free case review and consultation now.
