Asbestos exposure and mesothelioma is a prevalent concern to the general public, especially to retired manufacturing employees and military veterans.

The connection between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma has been most reported for individuals who work shipyards, construction companies, and other manufacturing environments involving machines or insulation.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that forms in the mesothelial lining of the lungs or other organs, and is almost exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos fibers.

Asbestos exposure can happen directly by inhaling or swallowing the fibers, or second hand when loved ones make physical contact with clothing the fibers attach to. Often, patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage of the disease and have little treatment options, because it can take up to 50 years for mesothelioma to develop.

Due to the fact that mesothelioma can take decades to progress to a stage when symptoms show, it is only in the past several years that asbestos exposure and mesothelioma have become a prominent legal concern.

Product liability lawyers have received numerous asbestos mesothelioma claims, alleging the manufacturing companies that produced the asbestos products either knew or should have known to the risks of asbestos exposure. Employers, as well as manufacturers of asbestos-containing products, have also been named in lawsuits.

Overview of Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma Connection

Asbestos is a fibrous material that was popularly used for construction and insulation purposes for many years, but tapered off in popularity in the last 50 years due to awareness of the asbestos exposure and mesothelioma connection.

When asbestos was classified as a carcinogen, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Consumer Product Safety Commission had implemented strict safety regulations in using the material in the commercial and industrial industries. These federal agencies also imposed strict asbestos removal regulations to prevent asbestos fibers from being released into the air.

While asbestos is harmless while dormant, it becomes deadly when released into the air. Asbestos reached its highest in popularity during World War II for its chemical and fire resistant materials, making it ideal for insulation.

However, military veterans are not the only ones at risk of the asbestos exposure and mesothelioma association, as many retired manufacturing and construction employees have also been diagnosed with the disease.

Occupational exposure is the most common occurrence of asbestos exposure, which means the most common cause of mesothelioma and other asbestos exposure health problems occurred directly on the job site.

While environmental and secondhand asbestos exposure is less common, it still happens on a regular basis and leads to mesothelioma diagnoses. It is important to note that secondhand asbestos exposure and mesothelioma is less likely, and trace amount of asbestos fibers rarely cause health problems.

Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 patients are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year in the United States, with an estimated 10,000 patients dying from asbestos-related health problems. The asbestos exposure and mesothelioma correlation has already spawned several significant lawsuits and resulted in plaintiff awards.

Potential asbestos mesothelioma plaintiffs may be able to file legal action against manufacturing companies or employers and should contact an experienced lawyer to discuss legal options.