Mesothelioma Asbesto Cancer Prevention

Any form of cancer is tragic but Mesothelioma has recently emerged as one of the most frustrating and brutal forms of all.

Mesothelioma is not only serious but can take a long time to manifest. People suffering from this condition today find out about the disease when it’s too late. This form of cancer can take 30 to 50 years to show and by then, the person has no idea when or where he contracted the cancer.

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that eats away at the protective membrane that covers our internal organs which is what makes it such a dangerous condition. Mesothelioma cancer is actually quite rare but over the past 20 years, the number of cases has risen dramatically, with nearly 2,000 new cases being reported each year. In a majority of cases, exposure to asbestos at the workplace has been found to be a common factor.

While Asbestos is present in harmless amounts in many of our day-to-day items, people who are exposed to it at the workplace face higher risk. The reason why there are so many cases of Mesothelioma today is because 40 years ago, there were no regulations regarding the handling of asbestos. Young people who freely handled the substance when they were 20 or 30 years old have found themselves with cancer today in their 60s or 70s.

OSHA has now set down strict regulations regarding how long workers can handle asbestos and the kind of protective gear that they should wear.

Asbestos Use and Mesothelioma

It has now been established beyond a doubt that exposure to asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer. Taking adequate precautions and using alternative materials is the best bet to safeguard against the risk of contracting this fatal disease.

Here are some important fact:
• Asbestos exposure affects nearly 1.3 million employees in the construction and general industry.
• These workers are at a considerable risk of getting mesothelioma, a lethal form of cancer that attacks the lining of the lungs, stomach, and internal organs.

Is the government taking a proactive stance? Yes. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has addressed asbestos hazards by specifying the standards for the general industry and shipyards.

What other actions are being taken? The challenge for industry leaders and the government is daunting. The applications of asbestos are legion. Fire protection, heat insulation, ceiling tiles, building boards and automotive components are some common areas of asbestos usage.

In fact, there already is a determined action by the industry to use alternative materials in some applications. These include:
• Floor tiles • Gaskets and seals • Vehicle clutch plates • Insulation in cookers • Packing products • Cement sheeting for roofs and walls.

There can be no substitute when it comes to safeguarding the health of the nation. By eliminating the use of asbestos and asbestos-based products, the risk of mesothelioma can be drastically reduced.

Home Sweet Home But Not Near Asbestos Plant

Researchers in Japan recently discovered that residents living within 1.5 miles of a factory that manufactured asbestos or products containing asbestos were more likely to develop asbestos cancer.

People who worked in the asbestos plant had the highest risk to asbestos fibers which penetrated the lungs causing mesothelioma cancer. The death rate decreased, the further away from the factory they lived.

Yet, people who never worked at the asbestos plant but lived within a 2-mile radius all were diagnosed with mesothelioma showing symptoms for up to four decades and then dying.

Have you or someone you know been diagnosed with asbestos cancer? Perhaps it's time to file a mesothelioma lawsuit claim?

Asbestos Cancer and Fossil Fuels

What causes asbestos cancer?

When microscopic asbestos fibers are inhaled, these deadly asbestos fibers get caught in the lining of the lungs laying the groundwork for asbestos cancer also known as mesothelioma. The rate of this type of deadly cancer is extremely high for oil refinery workers.

Working with fossil fuels can be an extremely deadly occupation. In some countries where the ozone layer is depleted, skin cancer rates are the highest because UV rays are to blame. Working conditions in the fossil fuel industry are among the most hazardous as workers will encounter is asbestos, a known carcinogen.

Ozone depletion and fossil fuel use and processing is deadly to people as well as the planet.

Do you or a loved one suffer from asbestos cancer?