People At Risk For Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a malignant disease that is caused by particles, particularly asbestos fibers, being inhaled by individuals. It is classified as a cancer because the fibers act as a carcinogen and disrupt the normal growth and division of cells in the mesothelium, which is the protective layer covering parts of the lungs and other organs in the body. Those most likely to be exposed to asbestos fibers and develop this serious medical condition include shipyard workers, power station employees and individuals living in areas where the compound is mined.

This article is provided as information only, contact a Mesthelioma Attorney for additional information.

Mesothelioma And Shipyard Workers
Until the 1980s asbestos was used extensively in the shipbuilding industry. Naval shipyards used asbestos as an insulating material for steam pipes, boiler rooms and to coat the floors and decks of the vessels themselves. Many workers employed in the shipbuilding industry inhaled large amounts of fibers because of the confined areas in which they performed their tasks. Asbestos was made into ceiling tiles for the interior of these vessels and wrapped around the inner side of electrical breaker panels. Much of this activity occurred before the ventilation systems on the ships were completed and therefore large quantities of free-floating fibers were trapped inside the vessels.

Exposure In Power Plants
Much like shipyard workers, power station employees are susceptible to inhalation of asbestos fibers. Many of these facilities use furnaces that heat great amounts of water to produce steam and operate turbines for the production of electricity. These hot environments were often built with layers of asbestos in the walls and ceilings. After time and as building aged the fibers became airborne and were inhaled by countless workers.

Risks Near Mining Operations
Libby, Montana is a prime example of the danger of asbestos to the community at large. An asbestos mining operation was running in this community for decades, and the loosened fibers found their way into almost every structure in town, carried by the prevailing winds. Many residents have been diagnosed with mesothelioma in Libby and other towns where asbestos is mined. The result is the abandonment of the community, although the danger is already present in the lungs of these individuals and cannot be purged. Mesothelioma has an extremely long period of latency; the asbestos fibers lay dormant in the lungs for as many as 40 years, rarely less than 15, before symptoms of the disease are noticed.

Those exposed to asbestos fibers in the workplace or have lived with individuals that carry asbestos fibers home in their clothing and hair are at risk for inhalation. There are numerous ongoing civil suits in the courts today regarding exposure to asbestos and the eventual health complications including development of mesothelioma. As of today there is no cure for this disease and persons concerned about their past exposure to asbestos fibers should seek advice from their physician. Legal professionals are the best source of information regarding damage claims from the development of mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses.

Goldberg & Osborne, a personal injury law firm, has provided this article for informational purposes only, written by an independent author, and has not reviewed or edited this article and is not responsible for its content or accuracy.