Asbestos is a naturally-occurring fibrous mineral, known to Greeks as miracle mineral due to its durability, flexibility, and resistance to heat and chemical damages. In the United States, the mineral is used in numerous industries and about 3,000 commercial products including: vinyl tiles, caulk, roofing and ceiling tiles, brakes shores, textiles, insulation, cement, and many more. It is used as fireproofing and insulating material in factories, schools, homes, and ships.
Asbestos is composed of long and thin fibers that become airborne when damaged and disturbed. Despite the many uses of asbestos, it is now considered as hazardous to public health. Studies have finally found out heavy and prolonged exposure to asbestos causes several serious illnesses to people.
Asbestos Causes Many Types of Cancer
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer, which is almost exclusively linked to heavy asbestos exposure, but about 2,000 new cases are diagnosed in the US every year
Three types of the disease include: pleural (lungs), peritoneal (abdominal cavity), and pericardial (heart).
The prognosis is poor because condition is often diagnosed in the advanced stages; mainly because symptoms are typically late to appear. There is no cure but different treatment options are available.
Lung cancer is not directly caused by asbestos but exposure to its fibers combined with smoking increases the risks. However, some evidences linked asbestos to both small-cell and non-small-cell lung cancer.
Kidney Cancer Many studies linked asbestos exposure to higher risk of kidney cancer.
In addition, medical researches studies have shown a link between asbestos exposure and other types of cancer in the following organs: kidney, colon, intestines, esophagus, and gallbladder.
High-Risk Occupations for Asbestos Cancer
Some occupations inevitably expose individuals to high levels of asbestos and these include: construction and building work, demolition jobs, shipbuilding and shipyard, drywall installation and removal, auto brake repair, and firefighting and fireproofing. Patients who have jobs connected with asbestos in the past typically show signs of illness after two to five decades.
When you need information on the types of cancers associated with asbestos, discover articles and videos on mesothelioma on the New Jersey Mesothelioma Lawyer Blog.
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