Mesothelioma and Asbestos - Birds Of The Same Feather

By Heidi Wingrain

Asbestos is a naturally occurring compound that is highly useful. It has been used extensively in industries for many purposes. Cement manufacturing units and ship building companies have been using it on a large scale. The use of asbestos increased since'40s and many people were engaged in its extraction, processing and related activities. But the link between mesothelioma and asbestos was not found out till'60s. Hence no precautionary measures were taken by the company owners and no restrictions were imposed by the government to protect the workers from inhaling or ingesting the harmful fibers floating in the air.

The health of the workers was in peril since they were inhaling asbestos particles. Not only that the family members were also infected through the dangerous particles carried home through their dress or hair. This happened since the workers went back home without a shower or changing of cloths. As soon as the connection between mesothelioma and asbestos was established, restrictions were put forth by the governments regarding the use of asbestos. Some countries even banned the use of the product. But it was too late since many were already infected as there exited no precautionary measures earlier.

Once we inhale asbestos particles through the air, they get accumulated in the protective lining of the lungs and other vital organs. This triggers chemical reactions which result in abnormal and uncontrolled division of mesothelium cells. This continues for a number of years with the result that the infection spreads and cancer symptoms appear.

Asbestos can cause a series of other ailments like the lung cancer, but mesothelioma is the most dangerous of all. Precautionary measures like wearing protective masks, showering and changing cloths etc have made work with asbestos somewhat less risk prone. But mesothelioma cases still appear here and there. Every year at least 3000 people get diagnosed to be carrying this disease in the United States alone and the number around the world must be many times than that. It should also be mentioned here that some countries have no such asbestos laws and people are exposed unscrupulously by greedy employees to asbestos exposure and its aftereffects.

Since there is an umbilical relation between mesothelioma and asbestos, workers are entitled to monetary compensation. The amount, which may run to millions, can help to cover treatment expenses and loss of income. - 30286

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