Who Is At Risk for Mesothelioma?

The primary cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos.  Therefore, anyone working in a trade or industry which had the common practice of using asbestos containing materials (ACMs) before the 1980’s, runs a higher risk of developing mesothelioma.  Some occupations in which workers were more likely to be exposed are:

Shipyard workers and shipbuildersNavy veteransMechanicsFirefighters & First RespondersMinersRailroad workersDrywall & Insulation workersConstruction & Demolition workersPlumbersElectriciansCustodians & Maintenance PersonnelOil Refinery workersPower plant workers

Mesothelioma has an unusually long latency period between time of exposure and development of symptoms, anywhere from ten to fifty years.  Often, tracing back to the source of exposure can be tricky.  Mesothelioma attorneys, however, are experts in investigating occupational histories and have vast amounts of resources and knowledge that make identifying the source of exposure easier.

Asbestos was used in thousands of industrial and construction products because of its durability, heat resistance and insulating properties.  An estimated 3000 people in the United States alone are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year.  This number is higher in developing countries and regions of higher exposure where regulations are not in effect and protections are still not being offered.

If you or a loved one has had a job in one of the above mentioned occupations, we highly recommend that you tell your doctor of your work history and that you get regular checkups.  The best chance of treating and managing mesothelioma comes when the disease is diagnosed in early stages.  Consult with your physician immediately if you have known exposure and are having any symptoms, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, and/or loss of appetite.  Realize many symptoms of mesothelioma are vague and instead of minimizing them, have a doctor decide.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 24th, 2010 at 12:39 pm and is filed under Mesothelioma. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

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