Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

    WASHINGTON, DC, April 09, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that occurs in the mesothelium, a thin layer of tissue that covers almost all of the internal organs. Two to three thousand people are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. Mesothelioma can affect the lining of the lungs, the heart, and the abdomen.

Many factors contribute to the increased risk of mesothelioma, such as genetics, the environment, the general status of your health and lifestyle choices.

Asbestos and Mesothelioma

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos is a mineral found naturally in the environment. Asbestos fibers are found in insulation, cement, brakes, shingles, flooring and many other products, because they are strong and resistant to heat. Workers handling asbestos fibers are at the greatest risk for mesothelioma.

Dust created when asbestos is handled, if swallowed or inhaled, may settle in the lungs or stomach. This causes irritation that may lead to mesothelioma, though how this occurs isn't totally understood.

The mesothelioma risk increases in people who are exposed to high levels of asbestos, people exposed over a long period of time and people exposed at a young age. It is known to take decades for someone to develop mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure. Contrarily, people with years of exposure to asbestos do not always develop mesothelioma. Yet, a brief exposure to asbestos has caused mesothelioma in others. This finding indicates that perhaps other factors are involved in the development of mesothelioma.

Even though many manufacturers have been aware of the dangers of exposure to asbestos, they have knowingly exposed their workers to these hazards. Millions of Americans have been exposed to the hazards of asbestos fibers. Over seven hundred thousand buildings in the United States contain asbestos. Asbestos is also found in factories, ship yards, construction sites, railroads and manufacturing facilities and other places as well.

With almost three thousand new cases of mesothelioma diagnosed each year, most new cases are white men fifty to seventy years of age. Since it is difficult to detect, mesothelioma is usually in its advanced stages when initially diagnosed.

If you live in the Baltimore, Maryland or Washington, D.C. area and you or a family member has been exposed to asbestos or have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, please visit the website of mesothelioma attorneys, Parker, Dumler & Kiely, LLP today to learn about your legal rights.

Source: Parker, Dumler & Kiely, LLP
Website: http://www.baltimoremesotheliomalawyer.com

# # #