Mesothelioma Lawyer - Lung Cancer and Asbestos Exposure Explored

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral used in a number of products. Its widespread use developed as a result of its fire resistant qualities. Unfortunately, when asbestos is broken up into small pieces, it produces a dangerous dust. If this dust is inhaled, it becomes deposited into the lungs and cause a number of diseases including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Often times health problems associated with asbestos can take 40 to 50 years before they are present, which makes identifying the exposure difficult.

Who is most at risk?

Asbestos exposure can result from a variety of sources, but the most likely culprit is exposure in the workplace. The federal government starting taking serious steps in the 1970s towards the regulation of asbestos. In 1989, virtually all new uses of asbestos in the United States were banned after the Environmental Protection Agency issued a final ruling. Any asbestos that is still in use today is highly regulated.

There have been many people who have dedicated themselves to studying the risks of asbestos, and we owe all of them a debt of gratitude. There has been some fine research on the subject, and one popular study is called, “The quantitative risks of mesothelioma and lung cancer in relation to asbestos exposure” by John T. Hodgson and Andrew Darnton (Epidemiology and Medical Statistics Unit, Health and Safety Executive, Magdalen House, Stanley Precinct, Bootle L20 3QZ, UK). I would urge everyone to read the study in its entirety. Below is an excerpt:

“Mortality reports on asbestos exposed cohorts which gave information on exposure levels from which (as a minimum) a cohort average cumulative exposure could be estimated were reviewed. At exposure levels seen in occupational cohorts it is concluded that the exposure specific risk of mesothelioma from the three principal commercial asbestos types is broadly in the ratio 1:100:500 for chrysotile, amosite and crocidolite respectively. For lung cancer the conclusions are less clear cut. Cohorts exposed only to crocidolite or amosite record similar exposure specific risk levels (around 5% excess lung cancer per f/ml.yr); but chrysotile exposed cohorts show a less consistent picture, with a clear discrepancy between the mortality experience of a cohort of xhrysotile textile workers in Carolina and the Quebec miners cohort. Taking account of the excess risk recorded by cohorts with mixed fibre exposures (generally<1%), the Carolina experience looks untypically high. It is suggested that a best estimate lung cancer risk for chrysotile alone would be 0.1%, with a highest reasonable estimate of 0.5%. The risk differential between chrysotile and the two amphibole fibres for lunc cancer is thus between 1:10 and 1:50.”

If you have or a loved one has suffered from asbestos exposure and have symptoms or have been diagnosed with asbestosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma (pleural, peritoneal, pericardial, or testicular mesothelioma), you should speak with an attorney to discuss your legal rights. Do not delay. Cases have time limits called statute of limitations which determine how long you have to file a lawsuit. Failure to file a lawsuit in time can result in the barring of your case forever, and prevent you from receiving any compensation.

About the Author:

Monty Wrobleski is the author of this article on Asbestos Attorney. Find more information about Asbestos Lawyer here.