Since the 1970s, asbestos has become a heavily regulated substance in the United States. While many companies have stopped using this mineral, and more gear is being used to protect against its harmful fibers, those who were once exposed to asbestos are still at risk of mesothelioma even after their exposure stops.

The mineral asbestos is naturally heat- and corrosion-resistant, and has been used in a variety of products, from insulation to floor tiles and more. Unfortunately, asbestos has been classified as a substance capable of causing cancer (or carcinogen).

But the danger of developing a serious asbestos-related disease lasts long after that exposure. The Department of Labor notes that upon exposure, fibers can be inhaled and lodge in a person’s lungs, inflaming and irritating the area over time and even slowly releasing iron into the body. This elevates a person’s risk of developing mesothelioma years later.

Symptoms of asbestos mesothelioma often do not appear until after the cancer has developed to a later and more dangerous stage.

New Asbestos Research Shows Long-Term Risk

Recent research
from a group of researchers from both the U.S. and Italy has found that the risk of mesothelioma associated with asbestos exposure does not actually go down once a person is removed from their site of exposure. According to a recent study in the International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, the risk of malignant mesothelioma ten years after exposure to asbestos had ended was much higher than the risk of lung cancer after the same period.

“This analysis provides evidence that the risk of mesothelioma does not decrease after cessation of asbestos exposure, while lung cancer does,” note the researchers in their conclusion.

The Risk of Mesothelioma from Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos exposure has been connected with serious problems, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and more. Mesothelioma is a disease that affects the thin, membranous lining of the chest and abdomen. Sadly, mesothelioma can be an extremely dangerous disease, and often proves deadly.

While long-term exposure to asbestos (especially in high quantities) poses a higher risk of causing asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma, even short-term exposure can lead to these diagnoses. Since mesothelioma is a malignant disease, the risk of developing mesothelioma does not end once the exposure itself has ended.

Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit

If you or a loved one have suffered from mesothelioma associated with exposure to asbestos, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue mesothelioma compensation.

While filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by diagnosis with mesothelioma, nor can it bring a loved one back to life, it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses and lost wages.

After a cancer diagnosis or the death of a loved one, pursuing mesothelioma litigation can seem overwhelming. Top Class Actions has done the initial work of connecting you with an experienced mesothelioma attorney. Consulting a mesothelioma lawyer can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your compensation.