Asbestos exposure is still a problem in the United States, despite efforts to ban the substance in building materials and other applications. Thousands of individuals across the United States are pursuing legal action for themselves or a family member after developing mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer from exposure to the carcinogen.

These asbestos class action lawsuits are currently being litigated across the country as lung cancer victims and their families seek to claim their portion of the asbestos disease fund, containing millions of dollars in monetary compensation for medical treatments and damages related to mesothelioma.

What is Asbestos Lung Cancer?

Asbestos lung cancer is a rare type of cancer that results in over 4,800 deaths a year within the U.S.  It is very similar to mesothelioma, which is a cancer that develops in the protective lining that covers internal organs like the lungs, abdomen cavity, heart, and testes. The leading cause of asbestos lung cancer and mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. When asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested, these fibers are trapped in the lung and lung lining. Over time, the accumulation of these fibers can cause inflammation, scarring, tumors, and eventually lead to an individual developing asbestos lung cancer. Many families and individuals are seeking legal and monetary compensation for asbestos related mesothelioma and lung cancer.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral and has been used as a common building material since the late 1800s. According to the Mesothelioma center, in 1935, “Medical researchers first made a probable causal relationship between exposure to asbestos and lung cancer.”  The U.S. government and other countries around the world have classified asbestos as a human carcinogen and its use is extremely limited.

Many individuals may have been exposed to asbestos without their knowledge either at home or on the job. Because of the long latency period, most individuals will not be diagnosed with mesothelioma or express symptoms of asbestos related lung cancer until 15-35 years after the initial exposure.

Occupational Exposure to Asbestos

Individuals who have held certain trade professions are at a higher risk of mesothelioma lung cancer. These occupations include:

• Shipyards workers
• Auto mechanics
• Paper mill workers
• Construction workers
• Textile workers
• Insulation installers
• Sheet metal workers
• Roofers
• Toll collectors
• Tilers
• Linotype technicians
• Plumbers

In these occupations, working individuals may have had prolonged exposure to asbestos in enclosed spaces with little to know protective gear.

Additionally, U.S. military veterans are considered a high-risk group for developing mesothelioma because of decades long exposure to asbestos in ships, submarines, tanks, planes, and barracks. After the completion of their service time, many of these same veterans were qualified to work in the trade occupations, such as a the ones listed above, which exposed them to more asbestos material and aggravated the existing medical condition.

Helsinki Criteria for Mesothelioma

In 1997, the Helsinki criteria was established to aid doctor’s in diagnosing mesothelioma lung cancer.

The first and most important criteria is:

• The patient must have developed the lung cancer at least 10 years after initial exposure to asbestos.

Once this criteria is met, other criteria includes:

• Diagnosis of asbestosis.
• Higher than normal asbestos fibers present in the lung tissue.
• The patient must have been exposed to levels of airborne asbestos equal to 25 f/mL-yr

Of course, the Helsinki criteria is not the only diagnostic tool used by doctors to determine asbestos lung cancer. The most important factor to receive a Mesothelioma diagnosis is that the lung cancer developed at least 10-15 years after initial exposure to asbestos material.