Overexposure to asbestos is the major factor which is in charge of contracting mesothelioma. Of all the reported mesothelioma cases, about 70-80 % has a record of asbestos exposure. At the same time, one or two other cases have been reported where asbestos was not at involved. Asbestos is a mineral happening in nature as tons of flexible fibers and it can be separated into fine threads and woven. It is widely put to industrial use for producing cement, flooring products, brake linings, roof shingles, insulation products and textiles. Owing to its widespread use, a number of employees have been affected by asbestos mesothelioma.
During the process of manufacturing, these asbestos particles get scattered in the air. Serious health hazards take place in the workers when they inhale or swallow them unknowingly. It is also found that asbestos exposure coupled with smoking increases the risk of getting affected by the cancer. There have been millions of American workers who have been exposed to the material since early 1940s. The workers include those who are in the asbestos mines and mills, shipyard industry, heating and construction industries etc.
As the exposure to asbestos increases, the risk of asbestos related diseases also increases. Since the late 1800s, asbestos has been mined and put to commercial purposes. In the beginning, people were not aware about the risks involved in asbestos. Once the connection between asbestos mesothelioma and asbestos was discovered, many welfare measures and laws in this regard came into existence. Now there is a limit set for acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the factories.
Asbestos has not left out even the family members and other dear ones of the workers. They have also become miserable victims of the particles when they are brought home by the workers unknowingly in their clothing and hair. But some safety measures adopted recently stipulate that workers should shower and change cloths before leaving the factory.
Diagnosis of asbestos mesothelioma is really difficult as the indicators of the illness appear very late. The resemblance of the symptoms with those of other sicknesses also prove and difficulty in the path of early diagnosis. Improvement in medical technology has given rise to many treatment alternatives for the victims, though a complete cure isn’t materialized so far.