Most people are aware that asbestos is a carcinogenic material and its use has been significantly reduced since research showing its potential to negatively affect health has been available. However, what many may not know is that the risk of lung cancer from asbestos can be present for many decades after a person was exposed to the material.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that is mined from the earth. However, since the material has become a health hazard, no asbestos mines are currently in operation.

The material was widely used in construction applications because it had a superior ability to provide insulation and fire proofing qualities as well as offering tensile strength. It is still used in some applications, but it is highly regulated.

If asbestos is left untouched, it typically does not produce any problems. However, when it becomes airborne, the small particles of the mineral can be inhaled and can lodge themselves in the body, particularly in the lungs, where they can slowly do a great deal of harm.

Over time, the asbestos fibers can irritate the lungs and can cause cancerous changes to develop. These changes are often slow and subtle, and many times, they are not immediately linked to asbestos exposure that occurred decades before.

The Risk of Lung Cancer from Asbestos Can Span a Lifetime

Many older adults are just now being diagnosed with lung cancer from asbestos exposure. Their initial exposure often begin occurring in their early work years in their 20s and 30s, and it has taken several decades for the signs and symptoms of lung cancer to clearly reveal themselves.

In general, most individuals develop lung cancer from asbestos exposure that happened during the course of their employment. Construction workers, automobile workers, plumbers and those working in the shipbuilding industry typically have the greatest risk of exposure, and approximately 80% of those who have been exposed to asbestos in this way have been males.

Secondhand exposure is also a possibility prompting a diagnosis of lung cancer from asbestos. The family members of those who worked in an occupation with asbestos exposure can develop the disease when the worker came home and the asbestos fibers transferred from that individual’s clothes to the living area of the family.

In addition to workplace exposure, exposure to buildings where asbestos was used is the other main way an individual becomes diagnosed with lung cancer from asbestos. The material is often found in floor tiles, plumbing, roof’s, window caulking, furnaces and fireplaces. Older schools and colleges often report the need for remediation when remodeling old buildings.

Have You Been Diagnosed with Lung Cancer from Asbestos Exposure?

If you have been diagnosed with lung cancer from asbestos exposure, you may be eligible to take legal action against your employer or against the product manufacturer responsible for your exposure. An experienced attorney can provide you with a free, no obligation consultation to discuss the details of your situation and to help you understand if filing a lawsuit is right for you.