Alabama Mesothelioma Cancer and Asbestos Exposure in AL

The Mobile to Pascagoula area of Alabama is known to be home to companies that "screen" individuals for mesothelioma, oftentimes using untrained personnel, in the hopes of getting a diagnosis appropriate for a court case. There are several industries based in Alabama where it commonly occurred that individuals were exposed to asbestos. They include:

• eight power generation plants
• six steel and iron mills
• four oil refineries
• two marine construction and repair sites
• Kimberly-Clark pulp and paper mill plants
• Cement Asbestos Company plants

Eighty community water systems in Alabama also used a combination of cement mixed with asbestos to create the pipes used to funnel water throughout the water network to homes and schools. Water system overseers do not think that this is a problem; the latest tests for asbestos in the water were performed in 1994 and many of the systems have never been tested. The overseers have said that they "doubt their pipes ever leached asbestos fibers into the drinking water."

Alabama Cities where Asbestos Exposure Occurred

Provided below is a list of cities in the state of Alabama where asbestos jobsites are known to have been located. If you worked at any of these companies and/or jobsites in Alabama there is a possibility that you may have been exposed to harmful asbestos which is known to cause mesothelioma. Click on any link to view a complete list of jobsites in that city.

The Statue of Limitations and The Discovery Rule

Based on previous rulings, Alabama courts have not gone out of their way to help litigants in asbestos disease cases have their day in court. This has to do with when asbestos diseases are diagnosed and the aforementioned statue and rule:

• Statute of Limitations: the period of time you have in which you must file a claim in court or forfeit the right to sue
• Discovery Rule: the statue of limitations starts when a disease victim is diagnosed, rather than exposed

Because exposure to asbestos, which can lead to asbestos cancer, often takes several decades for symptoms to become evident, it was important that the statute of limitations begin at diagnosis for asbestos disease victims rather than date of exposure. Otherwise, the statue of limitations could easily run out, leaving the victim with no recourse in court.

Nevertheless, Alabama has put some limitations on the discovery rule as it applies to asbestos disease. The first is that you have up to one year after diagnosis to file a claim with a mesothelioma lawyer, and only if you were exposed after 19 May 1980 and have had a professional diagnosis. Unfortunately, many asbestos disease victims diagnosed at various mesothelioma clinics, were exposed before 1980, and thus have virtually no recourse to sue the negligent corporations for damages in Alabama courts.

Other Alabama Jobsites Where Asbestos Exposure Occurred

Tradesmen who worked at any of the Alabama Jobsites listed below may have been exposed to high levels of asbestos. Asbestos exposure at any one of these Jobsites could put them at risk for developing one of the following asbestos related diseases: malignant mesothelioma (a terminal cancer), asbestos related lung cancer, asbestosis or pleural mesothelioma.

McIntosh

• Brown & Root
• Ciba Geigy Chemical Company
• MacIntosh Steam Generating Plant
• Mathieson Alabama Chemical Corp
• Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation

Monroeville

• Alabama River Pulp Company
• Olinkraft Inc
• Temple Inland Forest Products
• Vanity Fair Mills

Montevallo

• Alabama College
• Allied Products Company
• U S Gypsum Company
• Westinghouse

Naheola

• American Can Company
• James River Paper Mill
• Marathon Southern Corp
• Naheola Southern Corp

North Birmingham

• Chemical Plant
• Semet Solvay Company
• Sloss Sheffield Steel and Iron Company
• U.S. Pipe

Opelika

• BF Goodrich
• Opelika Foundry Company
• Opelika Mills
• Pepperell Manufacturing Company
• Uniroyal Tire Company
• Us Rubber
• West Point Papermill
• West Point Pepperell Manufacturing
• West Point Stevens

Parrish

• Alabama Power Company
• Gorgas Power Plant
• Pratt Coal

Pennington

• American Can Company
• Fort James
• Fort James Operating Company
• Georgia Pacific
• James River Dixie Northern - Georgia Pacific
• James River Paper Company
• Marathon Southern

Phenix City

• Alabama Kraft Company
• Continental Carbon
• Mead Paper
• Rust Engineering Company

Pine Hill

• Industial Development Board of Camden
• Macmillan Bloedel Particleboard, Inc.
• Rust Engineering Company
• Weyerhaeuser

Prattville

• International Paper
• Prattville Paper Mill
• Union Bag Camp Paper Corporation
• Union Camp Corporation
• Union Camp Paper Mill
• Union Camp Plywood Plant

Saraland

Scottsboro

• Bellefonte Nuclear Plant
• Goodyear
• Revere Copper & Brass

Stevenson

• Mead Paperboard
• Widows Creek Power Plant

Sylacauga

• Avondale Mills
• Central Mills
• Defense Metal Products Inc
• Georgia Marble
• Moretti Harrah Marble Company

Talladega

• Allen Graphite Company
• Coosa River Ordnance Plant
• Newbury Manufacturing Company
• Northern Ala Coal Iron and Railway Company
• Talladega Furnace Company
• Talledega College

Tarrant

• Alabama By-Products Corporation
• Clow Pipe and Foundy
• James B. Clow and Songs
• Ketona Chemical Corporation
• Singmaster & Breyer For Ketona Chemical Company

Thomas

• Republic Iron and Steel Company
• Republic Steel Corp

Tuscumbia

• Colbert Steam Plant
• Ford Company
• Robbins Tile Company
• Tennessee Valley Authority

Tuskegee

• Creasey Company
• Tuskegee Normal and Industrial
• Tyndall Air Force Base, Mess Hall
• U.S. Veteran's Hospital
• Veterans Administrative Hospital

Woodward

• Koppers Company Inc
• Koppers Company Tar Andb Chemical Div
• Tar Products Div Koppers Company
• Woodward Iron & Coke

Sources

Centers, Jessica. "Multiple Water Systems Still Use Asbestos Pipe." Aniston Star, 24 July 2005.

Curran, Eddie. "Diagnosing for Dollars?" Mobile Register, 4 April 2004.

Diseases of Asbestos Exposure - Asbestos123

Besides being the main cause of mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is known to cause several other diseases. Despite the fact that mesothelioma remains latent for at least a decade, other asbestos related diseases appear much earlier after the initial exposure to the asbestos mineral.

Asbestos exposure is most of the times an occupational hazard, and some times it can take place at home, if the building is insulated using asbestos materials. Roofing of some houses may also be constructed using asbestos materials.

What are asbestos diseases?

Asbestos diseases are mostly related to breathing and lung disorders because the tiny fibers attack the tissue surrounding the chest cavity. Many asbestos workers are known to have breathing disorders; between those, a few develop lung diseases or even lung cancer.

Asbestos dust causes the most issues because it becomes airborne with ease and thus inhaled or swallowed by anyone in the vicinity. The risk increases for smokers or those that have already developed lung diseases from other causes.

Diseases caused by asbestos

More and more diseases are discovered that are related to some form of asbestos exposure. Here is a list of some of the most common disorders caused by exposure to the asbestos mineral:

• Lung and other cancers (most of the forms of cancer linked to asbestos are lung related, but there is no scientific proof that all of them are caused by the mineral)
• Asbestosis (a form of disease related to damage to the inside of the lung due to inhalation of asbestos dust)
• Pleural thickening (the pleura hardens and does not allow for normal activity of the lungs)
• Pleural plaques (localized form of pleural thickening, not as severe, but may cause further disorders if treated incorrectly)
• Autoimmune kidney disease (traces of asbestos found in the kidney led doctors to believe that this kind of disease is also related to asbestos exposure)

NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health) says that asbestos exposure diseases besides mesothelioma have been decreasing the past 2 years due to the fact that companies are more concerned about their workers health. On the other hand, attorneys say that the risk is not completely gone for asbestos workers, as their number of cases has remained stable across a longer period of time.

If you think you need more information regarding asbestos diseases or if you are a victim of one contact asbestos cancer organization and we will gladly help, cost free.

Heating Ducts Asbestos Exposure Asbestos.net

Although the word asbestos is used these days mainly in relation to its health risks and dangers, it is widely applied in a range of functions. This substance, which is actually a group of naturally occurring minerals, has been used in shipping, construction materials, automotive repairs, mining and other purposes. The range of benefits that asbestos offers is huge, but inhaled over a period of time, the microscopic particles of asbestos pose dangerous health risks. They have been linked to rare and painful forms of cancer such as mesothelioma.

Most people have been exposed to minute amounts of asbestos. Houses, businesses and schools built before 1980 often were full of materials containing asbestos. From the cement pipes and vinyl siding, to ceiling and floor tiles and textured paints; asbestos was present in so many products that it is almost impossible to entirely avoid.

Your homes heating and cooling ducts could also contain asbestos. In days past, asbestos was a commonly used material in the manufacture of heating and cooling ducts; if your house is several decades old, the chances that your heating duct has layers of asbestos are extremely high. Even some new houses have heating ducts and pipes made with asbestos. The material was used to line the inside and outside of the pipes in homes as well as other types of properties.

The dangers of asbestos inhalation are at their highest when a person is working in the construction industry in close proximity to asbestos, on a prolonged basis. However, the heath risks that are posed to those who live in residential buildings where the heating system includes ducts and pipes that are made of asbestos, cannot be discounted. Unfortunately, there havent been enough studies to prove the effects of asbestos in heating ducts on the residents of the house. Experts agree, however, that the potential for long-term heath effects could be high. There is also a potential for economic risks; a house with a heating system known to contain asbestos could be harder to sell on the market. Future homeowners could be put off by the thought of asbestos in their heating ducts.

You can draw comfort from the fact that the material lying still does not release enough particles to be a health risk. Its only when the asbestos is moved or damaged that the chances of direct inhalation are enhanced. If you have heating ducts containing asbestos in your home, youre advised not to try removing the pipe wrap on your own, but to call experienced asbestos abatement technicians.

Asbestosis compensation: solicitors: mesothelioma: specialists

Asbestosis compensation claims solicitors: mesothelioma

Mesothelioma compensation: asbestos exposure UK legal claims, for mesothelioma & asbestosis conditions, by independent specialist solicitors with 26 years' track record in success getting clients proper compensation following asbestos exposure at work. 

Solicitors here pursue compensation claims for mesothelioma and asbestos disease for clients throughout the UK, in Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, China, Poland, Netherlands, Zimbabwe, Germany & elsewhere, against all UK employers, including in London, Birmingham, Southampton, Plymouth, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Gosport, Havant, Barking & Dagenham, Newham, Medway and all UK industrial cities. 

Types of occupation where exposure to asbestos has occurred

Over the last 100 years asbestos has been commonly used in numerous industrial processes and occupations. Those in the following occupations regularly came into contact with airborne asbestos fibres:

aerospace workers, architects, auto mechanics, boilermen, brake mechanics, building superintendents, carpenters, construction trades, deck officers, demolition trades, electricians, engineers, heating engineers, insulators, labourers, lab technicians, laggers, machinists, marine engineers, masons, merchant marine seamen, naval personnel, pipe fitters, plumbers, power station workers, refractory brick layers, roofers, sheet metal workers, shipyard workers, spouses of exposed workers, steamfitters, telephone repairmen tilers, welders and window fitters.

Successful claims & settlements over decades for: 

Telephone engineers Heating engineers Lab technicians Laggers Carpenters Dockers Non-asbestos factory employees Asbestos factory employees Construction workers HM Dockyard workers Marine engineers	Plumbers Merchant navy cadets Merchant navy deck officers Refractory bricklayers Power station workers Aerospace workers Window fitters General builders Insulation engineers Boilermen Fitters

No surprises: qualified solicitors: fully transparent

"Specialists in handling asbestos-related claims on both a domestic and international level. Advise on claims arising from a variety of industries, and assists numerous clients based overseas who were originally exposed to asbestos while in the UK." Chambers: Clients Guide To The Legal Profession 2013/14

"Mesothelioma claims are a niche area in which they excel."

Humphreys & Co. has a prominent industrial disease and injury unit .... "outstanding.... leading specialists ..... hugely knowledgeable about asbestos-related matters ... very professional ...... compassionate .... provides service of the highest order. Legal 500 Clients' Guide

Our clients keep 100% of their damages: no deductions

Asbestos exposure: settled claims (last 2 years to April 2013) (to be updated): 

Pleural thickening (provisional damages)	45,000	26.04.2013
Mesothelioma	210,000	08.04.2013
Mesothelioma	130,000	28.03.2013
Pleural thickening (provisional damages)	40,000	27.03.2013
Mesothelioma	255,000	14.03.2013
Mesothelioma	70,000	18.02.2013
Mesothelioma	100,000	13.11.2012
Mesothelioma	180,000	08.11.2012
Mesothelioma	110,000	07.11.2012
Mesothelioma	250,000	30.10.2012
Pleural thickening (provisional damages)	40,000	10.10.2012
Asbestosis (provisional damages)	32,500	01.10.2012
Mesothelioma	292,500	28.09.2012
Asbestosis	40,000	27.09.2012
Mesothelioma	220,000	21.09.2012
Mesothelioma	100,000	06.09.2012
Pleural thickening (provisional damages)	35,000	20.09.2012
Asbestos-related lung cancer	91,376	23.07.2012
Mesothelioma	73,080	03.07.2012
Mesothelioma	147,181	01.06.2012
Mesothelioma	185,000	22.06.2012
Mesothelioma	120,000	06.06.2012
Mesothelioma	174,000	30.05.2012
Mesothelioma	82,116	05.04.2012
Mesothelioma	232,801	21.03.2012
Mesothelioma	500,000 (net)	13.03.2012
Mesothelioma	200,000	13.03.2012
Asbestosis	9,234	13.03.2012
Mesothelioma	111,000	24.02.2012
Pleural thickening	8,827	23.02.2012
Mesothelioma	165,000	17.02.2012
Mesothelioma	112,040	15.02.2012
Mesothelioma	320,000	10.02.2012
Mesothelioma	180,000	06.02.2012
Mesothelioma	210,000	06.02.2012
Pleural thickening (provisional damages)	9,072	02.02.2012
Mesothelioma	108,350	02.02.2012
Mesothelioma	165,000	31.01.2012
Mesothelioma	160,000	23.01.2012
Mesothelioma	95,000	11.01.2012
Mesothelioma	120,000	03.01.2012

Talk through your situation at no cost with somebody at partner level today. We have decades of experience of winning settlements from major employers on behalf of our claimant clients.

Humphreys & Co. are pleased to support the North Bristol NHS Trust Mesothelioma Research Fund and the Avon Mesothelioma Foundation.

Asbestos-Related Diseases Pleural Plaques, Effusions

Exposure to asbestos can cause not only pleural mesothelioma and other types of cancer, but also severe scarring of the lungs and a disease known as asbestosis. These diseases, while not cancer, still can seriously impact the life of the victim, causing uncomfortable symptoms and prompting the need for treatment. Some of these conditions, such as pleural plaques and pleural effusion, are commonly present in the majority of pleural mesothelioma cases.

Pleural Plaques and Effusion

Pleural plaques are akin to scars on the lungs, caused by collagen deposits to the pleura. These plaques form as a result of asbestos exposure. Plaques do not generally produce any notable symptoms. Furthermore, they are not considered a forerunner of cancer.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 50 percent of all individuals who were regularly exposed to asbestos develop pleural plaques. Because they do not carry any distinct symptoms, they are often discovered during X-rays or CT scans that are performed for some other reason or they are detected during the routine screenings that many individuals who were exposed to asbestos participate in on an annual basis. Even though plaques don't indicate cancer, the patient's doctor may still want to order additional tests.

Asbestos exposure can also cause pleural effusion, which is the build-up of fluid between the parietal and visceral layers of the pleura. This fluid can cause pain and make it very difficult to breathe. If a person is found to have fluid in the pleural area, the doctor will probably order it to be tested for cancer cells. In addition, the fluid can be drained in order to relieve the uncomfortable symptoms it causes.

Asbestosis

First given a name in 1928, asbestosis is a common ailment in individuals with prolonged exposure to asbestos. It is characterized by inflammation, scarring and severely diminished lung capacity. As with the latency period associated with pleural mesothelioma, symptoms of this disease may take 10 to 30 years to appear, long after exposure has occurred in some cases.
The most prevalent symptom of asbestosis is pulmonary fibrosis, defined as a scarring or thickening of the lungs. Hence, the lungs become stiffened, making it difficult for them to expand and contract. Other symptoms of asbestosis include:

• Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity. Later, this shortness of breath may expand to times of rest.
• Less tolerance for physical activity.
• Chest pain or discomfort
• A phlegm-producing cough
• Clubbing of fingers (in some cases)

Asbestosis symptoms may be easily confused with those of other more common pulmonary ailments, including asthma. That is why misdiagnosis often occurs. Asbestosis symptoms, however, develop over a long period of time, making it different from many other lung-related ailments. Anyone who suspects they may have asbestosis should inform their doctor of their history with asbestos.

How Does Asbestosis Develop?

Asbestosis occurs when an individual inhales tiny, sharp asbestos fibers. These fibers can become lodged in the lungs and may eventually cause scarring and stiffening. Once inhaled, asbestos fibers are difficult to dispel, and even the body's macrophages, which are attracted to and can ingest foreign substances, have difficulty fighting asbestos fibers. The result is cumulative scarring of the air sacs (alveoli) which results in difficulty breathing because lung capacity is diminished. It will also take more muscular effort to breathe than it would for a person with normal lungs.

Asbestosis and Asbestos Exposure

Not everyone who suffers prolonged exposure to asbestos develops asbestosis. However, reports have shown that people who have experienced moderate to severe asbestos exposure over a period of ten years or longer are at a significantly higher risk for developing this and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos miners are especially susceptible.

It normally takes as much as 10 years after the first exposure to asbestos for individuals to develop asbestosis. However, in recent cases of asbestosis among emergency workers who responded to the 9-11 attacks, it has been proven that the disease can develop much more quickly if exposure is at intense levels.

Smoking does not cause asbestosis but it can aggravate the condition. There is also proof that individuals with asbestosis who smoke are much more likely to develop lung cancer because of their smoking habit. Smoking does not increase the risk of developing pleural mesothelioma, but it does compromise the lungs making them more susceptible to disease.

Tests for Asbestosis

Patients who suspect they may have developed asbestosis should provide their doctor with a thorough occupational history so that the link to asbestos inhalation is apparent and so that the doctor can order the proper tests to confirm or deny this diagnosis.

When first testing for asbestosis, the doctor may listen to your lungs. Lungs affected by asbestosis often produce a particular dry, crackling sound. However, that is not sufficient for a diagnosis. Most likely, your doctor will order some sort of imaging test, ranging from a simply chest X-ray to a CT scan or MRI. He may also perform a pulmonary function test to determine how well the lungs are working.

Treatment for Asbestosis

There is no cure for asbestosis. Instead, your doctor will focus on relieving the symptoms of the disease and making sure that it does not progress. As was previously mentioned, it is essential for all asbestosis victims who are smokers to stop smoking immediately. Patients may need to wear oxygen masks to assist with breathing and doctors may suggest flu or pneumonia vaccines to avoid respiratory illnesses that can cause further complications. Blood thinning medications may also be suggested in order to prevent blood clots from forming and obstructing already-narrowed vessels. In some cases, lung transplant surgery may be suggested.

Complications from Asbestosis

Common complications from asbestosis include:

• Pulmonary hypertension - high blood pressure in the lung's arteries
• Lung cancer- those who smoke and have asbestosis are at a higher risk for cancer development.
• Pleural Mesothelioma - the cancer has been known to develop in those with asbestosis.
• Heart problems - pulmonary hypertension caused by asbestosis can lead to the enlargement of the heart's right ventricle and, eventually, its failure.

All of these conditions may be life threatening, so patients should be careful to monitor their overall health when they have asbestosis.

Asbestos Exposure Asbestos Lawyers Maurice Blackburn

The main diseases caused by asbestos are:

• pleural mesothelioma
• lung cancer
• asbestosis
• asbestosis-related pleural diseases and pleural plaques

Other asbestos and dust diseases include:

• peritoneal mesothelioma (mesothelioma of the lining of the stomach)
• asbestos induced carcinoma
• silicosis
• progressive massive fibrosis, and
• occupational asthma.

If you are suffering from any asbestos or toxic dust disease or illness, our specialist asbestos lawyers can help you claim compensation.

We can also connect you with support groups. We provide financial and in-kind support to the Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma Support Group in the ACT. In Victoria we support Asbestoswise and Gippsland Asbestos Related Disease Support.

We can make sure all of your legal affairs are in order, and all avenues for compensation are covered, and that includes related claims connected to your superannuation accounts and life insurance policies.

Other toxic dusts

Asbestos isnt the only type of toxic dust that can cause respiratory and other diseases; other toxic substances include silica, lead and mercury. We have extensive expertise in helping people suffering from such diseases pursue compensation claims. Contact our Asbestos and dust diseases practice for help with your claim.

Silica

Exposure to silica dust can cause silicosis, which is the scarring and hardening of the lungs. Workers and labourers in the construction and excavation industries can be exposed to silica dust when using jack hammers to excavate large quantities of sandstone.

Like asbestos diseases, silicosis can take 15 to 30 years to develop. Progressive massive fibrosis is an extreme form of silicosis where scarring continues to get worse and ultimately takes over the entire lungs. A rare complication is silica-caused kidney failure, there are proven medical links between silica dust inhalation and the adverse and sometimes terminal effects on a persons kidneys.

HSE: Asbestos - health and safety in the workplace

Revised Regulations April 2012

Find out more about the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012

Find out more

Managing and working with asbestos

Understand your responsibilities and how to protect yourself and others.

More about asbestos

HSE's revised Approved Codes of Practice (ACOP) Managing and working with asbestos

Following a three month consultation period the Asbestos Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) has been revised. This is to make it easier for employers to understand and meet their legal obligations. The presentation and language has also been updated wherever possible.

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Asbestos Disease Information California Asbestos Legal

At Risk For an AsbestosRelated Disease?

The construction trades, ship building and maintenance, and auto repair are occupations with high asbestos exposure risks. For more information see Occupational Asbestos Exposure.

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Mesothelioma, Asbestosis and Lung Cancer

All asbestosrelated diseases pose serious health risks. Find out more about Mesothelioma, Asbestosis and Asbestos Lung Cancerdiseases that may be caused by exposure to asbestos.

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Our Asbestos Lawyers, Your Legal Rights

Our asbestos attorneys have helped asbestos victims for over 30 years. Learn more about how our team of expert asbestos attorneys can help you.

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Asbestosis: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

Asbestosis is a lung disease that occurs from breathing in asbestos fibers.

Causes

Breathing in asbestos fibers can cause scar tissue (fibrosis) to form inside the lung. Scarred lung tissue does not expand and contract normally.

How severe the disease is depends on how long the person was exposed to asbestos and the amount he or she breathed in. Often, people do not notice symptoms for 20 years or more after the asbestos exposure.

Asbestos fibers were commonly used in construction before 1975. Asbestos exposure occurred in asbestos mining and milling, construction, fireproofing, and other industries. Families of asbestos workers can also be exposed from particles brought home on the worker's clothing.

Other asbestos-related diseases include:

• Pleural plaques (calcification)
• Malignant mesothelioma -- can develop 20-40 years after exposure
• Pleural effusion -- a collection that develops around the lung a few years after asbestos exposure

Workers today are less likely to get asbestos-related diseases because of government regulations.

Cigarette smoking increases the risk of getting asbestos-related diseases.

Symptoms

Possible other symptoms include:

Exams and Tests

When listening to the chest with a stethoscope (auscultation), the doctor may hear a crackling sound called rales.

These tests may help diagnose the disease:

Treatment

There is no cure. Stopping exposure to asbestos is essential. To ease symptoms, drainage, chest percussion, and vibration can help remove fluids from the lungs.

The doctor may prescribe aerosol medications to thin lung fluids. People with this condition may need to receive oxygen by mask or by a plastic piece that fits into the nostrils. Certain patients may need a lung transplant.

Support Groups

You can ease the stress of this illness by joining a support group whose members share common experiences and problems. See lung disease - support group.

Outlook (Prognosis)

The outcome depends on the amount of asbestos you were exposed to, and for how long. This condition tends to get worse more slowly than idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis if you stop being exposed to asbestos.

Patients who develop malignant mesothelioma tend t ohave a poor outcome. About 75% of those who are affected die within 1 year.

Possible Complications

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you suspect that you've been exposed to asbestos or if you have unexplained symptoms.

Prevention

In people who have been exposed to asbestos for more than 10 years, screening with a chest x-ray every 3 to 5 years may detect asbestos-related diseases early. Stopping cigarette smoking can dramatically reduce the risk of asbestos-related lung cancer.

Alternative Names

Pulmonary fibrosis - from asbestos exposure; Interstitial pneumonitis - from asbestos exposure

References

Cowie RL, Murray J, Becklake MR. Pneumoconioses. In: Mason RJ, Murray JF, Broaddus VC, Martin TR, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa : Saunders Elsevier; 2010: chap 65.

Samet JM. Occupational pulmonary disorders. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 93.

Update Date: 6/10/2011

Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Ccare, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Brayton Purcell LLP - Asbestos Asbestos Exposure

In the late 1800s, asbestos, which had been in use for thousands of years, began to be touted in the U.S. as a miracle substance to an unsuspecting public. Its widespread use as insulation expanded by the mid-20th century to include a broader mix of uses. It was used in fire-retardant coatings, brakes, clutches, fireproofing, aerospace component parts, stucco/gun plastic cement, water and sewer pipe and furnace cement, heat- fire- and acid-resistant gaskets, pipe and block insulation, acoustical ceiling textures (popcorn ceilings), fireproof drywall, flooring, roofing, lawn fertilizer, drywall joint compound, dental and jewelry making accessories and many other types of products.

Asbestos has been used in thousands of products and in numerous workplaces. By the early 1900s, scientists and medical professionals began noticing a large number of early deaths and lung problems in asbestos mining towns and asbestos cloth factories. Great Britain made asbestosis a compensable work-related disease by the 1930s; the U.S. followed about 10 years later.

By 1928, it was well established in medicine, science and industry that asbestos dust released from any asbestos-containing product caused asbestosis; by 1944 lung cancer; by 1960 mesothelioma; and by 1965 various other cancers. Yet, asbestos was not removed from most products until the 1970s and 1980s, and remains in some products even today.

Asbestos Exposure And Its Link To Cancer

Asbestos exposure can lead to serious, debilitating and often fatal diseases. These include mesothelioma, lung cancer, various other cancers, asbestosis and pleural disease.

There is no "safe" level of asbestos exposure, and there usually is a period of 10 to 50 years before an asbestos victim exhibits the first clinical asbestos disease symptoms.

Dangerously high levels of asbestos exposure have been found in various occupational settings, including construction sites, shipyards, refineries, factories, steel mills, paper mills, railroads, auto repair shops and mines. Potential asbestos exposure can also occur at schools, public buildings and even in your own home if asbestos products are disturbed or become damaged. Experts agree that families who have a loved one who works with asbestos outside the family home are at a heightened risk of developing an asbestos related disease if they assisted with laundry or even greeted that individual each day as they arrived home from work.

Learning About Asbestos Health Issues And Your Legal Options

This website is designed for educational purposes and as an aid to asbestos victims. It provides tools and resources, explains how to identify different types of asbestos and asbestos-containing products, and discusses asbestos exposure risks and asbestos disease.

If a person develops an asbestos disease because of direct exposure to asbestos or because of indirect contact with asbestos through a family member's embedded clothing, the parties responsible for the exposure can be held financially liable for the victim's medical bills, income loss, suffering and other losses.

The attorneys at Brayton Purcell, L.L.P., have advocated on behalf of asbestos victims since 1984. Individuals who are diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer or other asbestos-related diseases are understandably shaken and eager to find out what medical and legal options are available to them. Our lawyers provide support and understanding as well as legal advocacy.

For more than 30 years, the AV-rated* law office of Brayton Purcell, L.L.P., has proven to be a premiermesothelioma andasbestos exposure injury law firm. While we have offices based in California, Utah and Oregon, our legal practice spans the entire nation. Our law offices are staffed with trial attorneys pursuing complex litigation in court, bringing a foundation of knowledge and hands-on experience. Because of our comprehensive knowledge of the complex medical and legal issues that arise in asbestos cases and our dedication to personally pursue your case expeditiously through trial, we have been able to secure compensation that allows our clients and their families to explore medical treatments not otherwise available to them and obtain peace of mind. There is no law firm in the country that takes more complex cases to trial each year and obtains the results we do for our clients.

Our record of tangible success includes numerous multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts on behalf of clients nationwide. Our verdicts upheld on appeal in California, Washington and Utah were the largest in the respective states for asbestosis and mesothelioma victims.

For both legal and medical reasons, as soon as you become aware that you may have developed an asbestos-related disease or injury, you should contact an experienced mesothelioma and asbestos lawyer to determine what your legal rights are and how they can best be protected.

*AV Preeminent is a certification mark of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell ratings fall into two categories - legal ability and general ethical standards.

Mesothelioma Lawyer, Mesothelioma and Asbestos Lawsuits

is a fatal asbestos cancer involving the mesothelium, a protective lining that encloses most of the body's internal organs. The only known cause of mesothelioma seems to be exposure to asbestos particles in the air. The time between exposure and the appearance of symptoms can be as long as 20 to 50 years.

Exposure to asbestos fibers has been linked to asbestos cancer, asbestosis (scarring of the lungs that restricts breathing), asbestos mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the chest cavity), and silicosis. The chances of getting an asbestos-related illness increase as the level and duration of exposure to asbestos increases.

If you suspect that you might have an asbestos mesothelioma case, it's best to first ensure you follow these steps in preparation for meeting with an asbestos mesothelioma attorney:

1. Get a clear diagnosis which ideally includes a tissue biopsy; or get a copy of the medical records and diagnostic documents from your loved ones physicians.

2. Prepare a will. If you, yourself, are a victim of asbestos mesothelioma, its best to prepare a will that stipulates which law firm is to represent your case. While no one likes to think of these things, the executor of your will may ultimately need to work with this law firm. Better to identify your law firm rather than risk having multiple lawyers getting involved in the case as a result of various family members seeking to find counsel on your behalf.

3. Write down when and where you believe you or your loved one was exposed to asbestos.

4. Write down the name of the company or companies you or your loved one worked for, even if you or your loved one worked as a contractor.

5. Write down the names of fellow workers that knew there may have been asbestos on the job site(s).

6. Contact an asbestos mesothelioma lawyer. If you have not already done so, you should meet with an asbestos lawyer and bring all supporting documentation with you.

7. Have the lawyer prepare an affidavit of critical facts for preserving your case.

If you have been diagnosed with asbestos disease, theres a good chance that your colleagues will also have been exposed. They may even have contacted a lawyer already, and be familiar with the process. If possible, reach out to your former colleagues to find out how they are and what, if anything they may have done or be doing, and if they will support you in your claim.

If you are a spouse of a mesothelioma victim who has recently died from the illness, you and your heirs could have between one to three years from the date of death to file a wrongful death action, which may result in the recovery of substantial monetary damages.

Asbestos Remains in Use Despite the Health Warnings

Asbestos is not banned in the US and Canada and it is still in use in a wide variety of products. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that there are 3,000 different types of commercial products currently in use in the US today that contain asbestos, including building materials, brake pads, and fire retardant materials and products. Exposure can also come from unlikely sources. A weekend do-it-yourselfer may become exposed while undertaking home repair projects around the house. Asbestos fibers can also be transferred via clothing, skin or hair through contact with a household member who has worked around the deadly substance. People who suspect that they or someone they love might have been exposed to asbestos should always get a clear diagnosis to determine the severity of their illness.

Primary Asbestos Exposure

At Work

Asbestos can pose a serious health threat when disturbed or when it begins to deteriorate and asbestos fibers are released into the air and inhaled. To date, companies which have exposed their employees to asbestos have faced thousands of lawsuits and settled hundreds of millions in damages.

Asbestos is mainly used as an insulating material it is a very effective fire retardant material, hence its use to insulate boilers, pipes, and fire doors; it's used in roofing and many construction materials, and in electrical fittings.

The types of work environments where you are most likely to encounter asbestos include mines, shipyards, railroads, power plants, and construction sites.

Workers who may be at risk for asbestos exposure include, but are not limited to:

• Boiler and furnace technicians
• Car mechanics (brake shoes)
• Construction workers
• Navy shipyard workers
• Pipe fitters
• Miners
• Railway workers

Secondary or Passive Asbestos Exposure

At Home

Asbestos mesothelioma doesn't just affect the people working with it directly. Recently the medical profession has started to recognize that people can be affected by asbestos-caused diseases through secondary or passive exposure.

For example, cases of second-hand asbestos exposure were recently been reported by wives and children of men who worked in the shipyards in World War II. The workers were exposed to large amounts of damaged or "friable" asbestos while on the job, and their wives became came ill following exposure to asbestos fibers that had become lodged in the workers' clothing. Over the years, the constant inhalation of these fibers resulted in the development of asbestos-related diseases.

In the Community

Secondary asbestos exposure is also possible by living in a community or area located near an asbestos mine or a company that manufactures asbestos or products containing asbestos. Many older buildings may also contain asbestos insulation, including schools.

Perhaps the most famous victims of community contamination in North America are the residents of Libby, Montana, an asbestos-mining town. Vermiculite, which naturally contains asbestos, was mined there between 1923 and 1991. Workers and families of workers who lived in the town sued W.R. Grace, the last company to own the mine. At one point the company reportedly faced 110,000 lawsuits for sickening hundreds of people and contributing to the deaths of 225allegedly with full knowledge.

Other examples of community exposure include the World Trade Center site after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and areas prone to damage from natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina.

Asbestos Mesothelioma Warning Signs

Early symptoms of asbestos mesothelioma can include chest pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, hoarseness, cough, fluid retention and abdominal swelling.

Because mesothelioma affects the pleura, or the membranes that surround almost all of your internal organs, pain or swelling in the chest or the abdomen could be a symptom of mesothelioma.

You are warned to contact your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. If you have been exposed to asbestos fibers in the past you should make your doctor aware of that as well.

Asbestos Respirators

For decades, thousands and thousands of workers were unaware of asbestos-related diseases and were not given respirators.

Workers in the asbestos industry would have to be made aware of harmful asbestos exposure if they were given safety and protective gear, i.e., asbestos respirators. In many cases, the employer knew about asbestos exposure but failed to warn of the hazards, including asbestosis and mesothelioma.

For example, a forklift driver who worked with asbestos was never issued a respirator. In another case, a drilling rig worker was constantly exposed to asbestos drilling mud without any safety gear except for a handkerchief. Failure to warn is a main contention of litigation against the asbestos industry.

Other lawsuits pertain to defective respiratory protection. Countless lives could have been saved if asbestos respirators actually protected workers from breathing asbestos fibers. Some asbestos lawsuits have shown that employers failed to warn for economic reasons, such as the cost of asbestos respirators.

Currently, defendants in asbestos litigation include manufacturers whose products contain no asbestos and did not affect a plaintiffs exposure to asbestos, such as 3M Company. For more than two decades the 3M Company has been the target of about 400,000 lawsuits over its dust mask, which was used as an asbestos respirator, alleging the product is defective. Other respirator manufacturers have also been accused of marketing defective masks, even though they were approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). American Optical has been named in more than140,000 lawsuits claiming their defective asbestos respirators contributed to, or were responsible for, asbestos-related diseases on workers who were unaware that they wore faulty protective masks.

Faulty (e.g., leaks because it doesnt fit the users face properly) asbestos respirators are worse than not having one at all because workers falsely believe they are safe from asbestos exposure and can thereby further put themselves in harms way.

Faulty equipment and/or not even given asbestos respirators are still an issue. In 2007, Maryland state officials ordered a halt to work when a contractor licensed in asbestos removal had exposed up to 20 workers to asbestos without any protective gear. A Workers Compensation Report in May 2009 found that firefighters may not be completely protected from hazardous substances such as asbestos due to inadequate protective equipment.

Asbestosis

Asbestosis is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that is caused only by inhaling asbestos fibers. Although it is not a type of cancer, asbestosis is a serious and life-threatening disease because it can lead to asbestos lung cancer and mesothelioma. The chances of getting asbestosis increase as the level and duration of exposure to asbestos increases, and anyone who has come in contact with asbestos is at risk for developing asbestosis. Symptoms of asbestosis rarely occur less than 10 years following first exposure to asbestos fibers and are more common after 20 years or more, therefore making it even more difficult to file a lawsuit by yourself.

Many reports have proven that corporations, asbestos makers and industry members had knowledge of the dangers of asbestos and its link to asbestos-related illnesses since the 1930s. An asbestosis lawyer can bring about a suit against multiple asbestos employers and asbestos manufacturers.

ATSDR - Asbestos - Home

• Feature #1 - Summary Report: Exposure to Asbestos Containing Vermiculite
• Feature #2 - Fact Sheets for Libby related sites.
• Feature #3 - Health effects of exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos is a group of minerals that generally look like separable, long, thin fibers. These fibers are small and can be seen with a microscope. When these fibers are disturbed, causing the fibers to float in the air, they can be easily breathed into the lungs. Scientists have recognized asbestos as a health threat to humans because these fibers can be breathed into the lungs and can cause cancer and other lung diseases. We are all exposed to low levels of asbestos in the air. People are more likely to experience asbestos-related disorders when they are exposed to high concentrations of asbestos, are exposed for longer periods of time, and are exposed more often. The time lag between significant inhalation of asbestos and any adverse health manifestations can be as long as 30 or more years.

Learn more about asbestos, its effect on public health and the efforts of ATSDR to respond to this hazard.

Asbestos Advice Helpline - Asbestos Claims, Asbestos

Recent statistics show that 1% of all UK men over the age of 40 have been affected by asbestos and are eligable for asbestos compensation should they make an asbestos claim.

Asbestos is a mineral which occurs naturally and is still mined in some parts of the world. 2 million fibres can fit on a pin head and can cause fatal diseases ranging from Mesothelioma and Asbestosis, to Lung Cancer and Pleural Thickening.

Following a recent decision in the House of Lords, you cannot claim asbestos compensation for Pleural Plaques unless the Pleural Plaques are causing symptoms.

Asbestos was used for many purposes as it has useful qualities. It is flame resistant, a good insulator and acid resistant but people who worked with it are at risk. If you worked in the following industries you may have been exposed to asbestos:

• Plumbers
• Power station workers
• Ship yard workers
• Thermal insulation engineers
• Asbestos manufacturing workers
• Building workers
• Carpenters
• Demolition Workers
• Electricians
• Gas fitters
• Heating and Ventilation Engineers
• Joiners
• Laggers
• Painters and decorators
• People who have lived and played near asbestos factories when they were children
• People who have washed workers overalls
• People working in places where other workers are handling asbestos

The most common uses of asbestos were paste for lagging pipe work and boards to create fire walls.

You May Be Entitled To Asbestos Compensation

If you are suffering from asbestos related conditions such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer or Pleural thickening, please contact the Asbestos Advice Helpline NOW as you may be entitled to asbestos compensation if you make a claim. We want to help you receive the compensation you are due if you have developed diseases caused by asbestos exposure.

Asbestos related conditions such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer or pleural thickening take a long time to develop, but if your health has deteriorated due to negligence and asbestos exposure, your case does not expire; many of our clients are over 50 years old and even retired and have been awarded compensation because they are suffering harm from exposure to asbestos during their working life. Even if the company or insurer responsible no longer exists, you are still eligible and we will make a claim to pursue the compensation you deserve.

All of the asbestos claims that we receive are taken very seriously and dealt with promptly. Many of our previous clients, particularly in cases of mesothelioma, have received their compensation within 6 months of making their original asbestos claim. The first step is to determine liability, which means our panel of asbestos solicitors will thoroughly investigate to determine when you were exposed to asbestos in your working life and to track down the employer and insurer responsible.

Asbestos Claims Are Made On A No Win No Fee Basis

When liability is determined, we will arrange for your compensation claim to be made on a no win no fee basis. This means that the legal costs are taken from the employer or company involved; this gives you compensation that you deserve. Our advice is, impartial and confidential, which can give you the confidence to claim against the negligence of former employers.

Asbestos Cancer Hazards of Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos cancer is a malignant tumor caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. Asbestos exposure is most commonly associated with mesothelioma and lung cancer. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer affecting the lining of the lungs, heart, and abdomen, while traditional lung cancer occurs in the tissue of the lungs lobes..

Pleural Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Pleural mesothelioma, the most common variety, is caused by inhaled asbestos fibers which lodge themselves in the pleural lining of the lungs. Asbestos fibers, which are microscopic but durable, then irritate the inner tissue, causing the growth of harmful scar tissue and eventually mesothelioma.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Peritoneal mesothelioma is less common and doctors have not exacted relationship between the asbestos exposure and the malignancy. However, nearly all peritoneal mesothelioma patients have a history of asbestos exposure. Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the abdominal cavity, near the digestive tract. Doctors surmise that ingested asbestos fibers lodge in the outer tissue of the organs and cause a similar inflammation as in the pleura.

Pericardial Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Pericardial mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the heart and is extremely rare. Like peritoneal mesothelioma, very little is known about the relationship between the malignancy and asbestos exposure but nearly all patients have asbestos exposure history. Physicians surmise that because the cancer occurs in the hearts lining, the asbestos fibers may impact the heart through the bloodstream.

Lung Cancer and Asbestos

Asbestos has also been linked to cancers of the lung, as opposed to the pleural lining of the lungs. These are likely the result of malfunction caused due the exposure and inhalation of asbestos fibers, which can also cause chronic respiratory conditions such as asbestosis.

What is Asbestos?

For most individuals, especially those born in the last 40 years, the mention of asbestos conjures up thoughts of a dangerous substance that's sickened many people and caused myriad deaths around the world. That's an accurate description.

A common misconception on the part of many individuals, however, is that asbestos is a hazardous man-made substance, conjured up in factories around the world for commercial use. The truth is, however, that asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that can be found in hundreds of countries on just about every continent. As a matter of fact, asbestos is still mined in several of these countries, including Canada and Russia. Other countries have outlawed the mining of asbestos.

Asbestos is a highly-fibrous mineral with long, thin, separable fibers. The thin fibers can be spun and woven together, and possess valuable heat-resistant properties that make asbestos suitable for insulation and other such products. Indeed, for decades, asbestos was the material of choice for many industries that were manufacturing products for which heat resistance, low electrical conductivity, flexibility, and high tensile strength were essential factors. Today, there are other alternatives.

There are two kinds of asbestos. The serpentine variety is curly. Chrysotile asbestos, most commonly used for industrial purposes, is from the serpentine family. Other asbestos fibers, from the amphibole family, are very straight and needle-like. Amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite are amphibole asbestos varieties.

Currently, chrysotile asbestos is the only type mined on a wide-scale though a handful of countries continue to mine other forms. However, worldwide outrage about the use of dangerous asbestos has forced many countries to reconsider their position on mining.

Why is Asbestos a Health Concern?

Studies estimate that approximately 3,000 different types of commercial products include asbestos. In and of itself, the mineral is not harmful, as long as it's intact. However, when the asbestos in these products is damaged and the fibers become airborne, concerns begin to arise.

"Friable" asbestos - that which is dry and can be easily crumbled with the hand - is the culprit. Such asbestos is more likely to release fibers into the air. Spray-applied asbestos fireproofing, which was used in millions of buildings throughout the world, is of the friable variety. However, some non-friable asbestos can also release airborne fibers, particularly when sanded, chopped, hammered, cut, or otherwise manipulated. That's why, when demolishing a building that contains asbestos, proper removal and disposal in a designated asbestos landfill is essential before the building is torn down.

Why are Airborne Fibers Dangerous?

Inhaled asbestos fibers remain in the body and cannot be expelled. Because of this, the fibers can easily penetrate body tissues and may deposit themselves in airways and in the lung tissue. The more you're exposed, the more likely you might develop an asbestos-related disease. Most people exposed to asbestos on a very casual basis probably will not develop such a disease.

Once the fibers are lodged in the body, they will cause inflammation which may eventually result in the formation of cancerous tumors, particularly on the mesothelium - the lining of the lungs. Other affected areas may include the peritoneum - the lining of the abdomen - and the pericardium - the lining around the heart. There are various type of mesothelioma treatment options for each type.

With some recent exceptions found in workers at the World Trade Center disaster, asbestos-related diseases, such as pleural mesothelioma, usually surface several decades after exposure. That's why current cases of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases involve many individuals who were employed in shipyards during World War II, performing jobs that exposed them to friable asbestos on a daily basis. Shipyard workers are among those most affected by aggressive asbestos cancer.

Is Asbestos Banned?

Contrary to what many people believe, asbestos is not and has never been banned in the United States. In 1976, Congress passed a law to regulate toxic substances (known as the Toxic Substances Control Act) but a total ban was not suggested. In 1989, the Environmental Protection Agency finalized regulations to ban asbestos under the aforementioned act, but two years later, a New Orleans circuit court of appeal overturned the regulation. The result was that new uses of the dangerous mineral were banned but old ones remained.

Many other industrialized nations have banned asbestos including the European Union and a handful of other countries, such as Chile, Croatia, Australia, Argentina, and Saudi Arabia. Several countries, especially those who continue to make money from the mining of asbestos, consistently fight against asbestos bans.

A few current U.S. senators, with the assistance of asbestos watchdog groups, hope to encourage the government to reconsider a ban on all asbestos products. A new bill, called the "Ban Asbestos in America Act of 2007" (S.742), was introduced by Senator Patty Murray on March 1, 2007.

Last modified: April 14, 2011.

Exposed to Asbestos - Asbestos123

Asbestos is a natural occurring mineral, used in many industrial processes, either as a compound in a finished product or during the manufacturing process. It can be found under the form of rocks and it is mined usually in large mining stations across the world.

Asbestos exposure is the number one cause of mesothelioma cancer and other asbestos related diseases. At the moment, it is the only known and proven cause of these diseases.

Asbestos exposure What to do?

Most cases of asbestos exposure occur at the workplace o during the renovation or construction of a new building. In both cases, asbestos, in its raw form, needs to be handled by a person which causes it to release tiny asbestos fibers. These small fibers have the ability to implant themselves in soft tissue of the body and cause inflammation in that area. This allows cancer cells to develop. This is how asbestos exposure occurs.

There are several methods of avoiding asbestos exposure recommended by experts. These do not guarantee that mesothelioma or other asbestos diseases will not develop, with it decreases the chances. These methods are:

• Use the provided protective gear
• If non is available, ask your employer to follow the law and provide the appropriate equipment
• Avoid handling asbestos that has not been processed, it is the form of asbestos most likely to cause side effects
• Avoid taking your work clothes home, they might carry asbestos fibers that could infect your loved ones
• Do not allow construction firms to use asbestos containing materials to insulate your house. They come in fibrous state and will easily release the deadly fibers
• If you bought a house that has been insulated using such materials, contact an asbestos removal company

How much asbestos exposure is threatening?

The lethal dose for asbestos is not the same for everyone. It depends on several factors. The following are tested and proven:

• The type of asbestos the person has been exposed to
• Where the exposure took place
• The duration of time spent by the person in the asbestos rich environment without any form of protection
• Other risk factors, including smoking and diseases of the lung present previous to the asbestos infection

Asbestos exposure with no cancer, whats next?

If asbestos exposure has not caused mesothelioma or other types of lung cancer after more than 50 years, the person can be almost certain that the cancer will never appear. Asbestos exposure cancer though, can also cause a range of other diseases almost immediately. The appearance of these diseases does not mean that mesothelioma will not appear. The doctors recommend a visit, in order to provide with a diagnosis or an advice towards avoiding mesothelioma.

Would you like to know more about asbestos exposure? Contact asbestos cancer organization and receive completely free information.

Asbestos - Public Health

Asbestos

Exposure to asbestos can be a serious health risk if asbestos-containing material is disturbed in such a way that the particles and fibers become airborne. Symptoms of asbestos-related diseases, such as shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pain, often do not appear until 20 to 50 years after the exposure.

If you are concerned about health problems associated with asbestos exposure during your military service, talk to your health care provider or local VA Environmental Health Coordinator.

How Veterans may have been exposed to asbestos

Pipefitter

Veterans who served in any of the following occupations may have been exposed to asbestos: mining, milling, shipyard work, insulation work, demolition of old buildings, carpentry and construction, manufacturing and installation of products such as flooring and roofing.

Veterans who served in Iraq and other countries in that region could have been exposed to asbestos when older buildings were damaged and the contaminant released into the air.

Health problems associated with exposure to asbestos

Breathing asbestos mainly causes problems in the lungs and the membrane that surrounds the lungs, including:

• Asbestosis: Scarring of lung tissue that causes breathing problems, usually in workers exposed to asbestos in workplaces before the Federal government began regulating asbestos use (mid-1970s).
• Pleural plaques: Scarring in the inner surface of the ribcage and area surrounding the lungs that can cause breathing problems, though usually not as serious as asbestosis. People living in areas with high environmental levels of asbestos, as well as workers, can develop pleural plaques.
• Cancer: The two types of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos are lung cancer and mesothelioma, a cancer of the thin lining surrounding the lung (pleural membrane) or abdominal cavity (the peritoneum). Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer usually caused by asbestos exposure.

Learn more about asbestos and its health effects from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

Health concerns?

If you are concerned about health problems associated with exposure to asbestos during your military service, talk to your health care provider or local VA Environmental Health Coordinator.

VA offers a variety of health care benefits to eligible Veterans. Not enrolled in the VA health care system? Find out if you qualify for VA health care.

Compensation benefits for health problems

Veterans may file a claim for disability compensation for health problems they believe are related to exposure to asbestos during military service. VA decides these claims on a case-by-case basis. File a claim online.

Learn more about VA benefits.

Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance The Authority on Asbestos

Listen to audio about the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance.

The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance is dedicated to serving mesothelioma victims and their families.

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that occurs in the thin layer of cells lining the body's internal organs, known as the mesothelium. There are three recognized types of mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of the disease, accounting for roughly 70% of cases, and occurs in the lining of the lung known as the pleura. Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the abdominal cavity, known as the peritoneum and pericardial mesothelioma originates in the pericardium, which lines the heart.

An individual may be at risk to develop mesothelioma if he or she was exposed to asbestos in the workplace or at home. Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos and the inhalation of asbestos particles. In most cases, mesothelioma symptoms will not appear in an individual exposed to asbestos until many years after the exposure has occurred. Those with a past asbestos exposure history experiencing symptoms should consult a physician with experience in accurately diagnosing mesothelioma. The earlier mesothelioma is diagnosed, the more likely it is to be caught at an early stage. At earlier stages of mesothelioma progression, more treatment options are available and oftentimes a better prognosis is given. Additional mesothelioma information and statistics can be found in this section.

Once an individual has been diagnosed by a qualified mesothelioma doctor, the next step is to discuss mesothelioma treatment options and to develop a treatment plan. Recent scientific research has produced significant breakthroughs with regard to treatment protocols for mesothelioma patients and more options are now available for managing mesothelioma and supporting improved quality of life. Newly diagnosed mesothelioma patients often have many questions for their doctors about the treatment options that would be most effective for them. Conventional treatment options for mesothelioma include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Recently, chemotherapy drugs including Alimta® and Cisplatin have showed promising results in some patients.

Mesothelioma clinical trials as well as experimental treatments are other options that certain mesothelioma patients may be eligible to participate in. Our site features a comprehensive mesothelioma cancer treatment section that includes important information for patients and families. We've included resources on top mesothelioma experts such as Dr. Sugarbaker, as well as a comprehensive list of cancer centers where mesothelioma treatment takes place. Beyond the conventional treatments for mesothelioma, certain alternative therapies may provide assistance to mesothelioma patients. We continually update this section of our site as new mesothelioma treatment information becomes available. Check back often to read about the most recent advances.

Asbestos exposure is the primary cause of mesothelioma cancer. Inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers may cause an inflammation of internal tissue and disrupt organ function which leads to the development of mesothelioma. Asbestos products were used extensively throughout the 20th century in a wide variety of applications. Asbestos companies continued to produce these products even after they were known to be hazardous and harmful to workers and their families. Many of these products were responsible for asbestos exposure sustained by both the individuals who manufactured the products as well as those who used them at commercial, industrial and military jobsites. Renovation and construction both at home and in schools and other public facilities also posed high risk areas for asbestos exposure.

Asbestos related cancer is common among military veterans who we exposed on naval ships, in shipyards and at military bases. Naval ships where exposure occurred include aircraft carriers, battleships, destroyers, submarines, warships and others. Some prominent shipyards where asbestos was prevalent include Brooklyn Navy Yard, Norfolk Navy Shipyard, Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Long Beach Naval Shipyard and Hunters Point Naval Shipyard. At commercial and industrial locations including refineries, power plants, steel mills, auto production facilities and large construction sites, many workers were put at risk. Some of the occupations of workers at risk include electricians, plumbers, boilermakers, carpenters, mechanics , machinists and more. Additionally, if you lived with someone who was regularly exposed to asbestos and washed their clothes, you could be at risk for second hand asbestos exposure.

Although rare, mesothelioma affects veterans from all branches of service: Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. As mesothelioma has a long latency period and can remain dormant for several decades, veterans who served our country from 1930 through 1980 are just now being diagnosed with the disease.

Navy veterans who worked in navy shipyards and or served on our nation's warships and submarine's from WWII through the Vietnam War were exposed to high concentrations of deadly asbestos and are at a high risk for developing mesothelioma. Boiler rooms, engine rooms, sleeping quarters, and other areas of naval vessels were the most common areas where asbestos was present. As a result, Navy veterans are at a greater risk of developing mesothelioma. Medical support and treatment centers are available to veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. If you are a veteran and believe that you were exposed to asbestos, you should inform your physician during your next visit.

Asbestos manufacturers and distributors made a concerted effort to hide the dangers of asbestos from the public, while at the same time profiting heavily from the sale and manufacture of harmful asbestos products. Those suffering from Mesothelioma can seek compensation from the manufacturers of asbestos and asbestos-containing products by hiring a competent mesothelioma lawyer. When deciding whether or not you should pursue your legal rights as a mesothelioma victim, you should think about the following three things. First, asbestos manufacturers had knowledge of the dangers of asbestos and knowingly put hardworking men and women at risk. Second, treatment for mesothelioma can be very expensive. Third, by exercising your legal rights, you can protect your loved ones in the future.

Once you make the decision to pursue your rights, a competent asbestos attorney will maximize recovery from both viable and bankrupt asbestos defendants. Over 65 asbestos trusts have been established holding billions of dollars combined across them. These asbestos trust funds have been set aside to help compensate those workers who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer or other asbestos related diseases. The legal process to compensate mesothelioma victims is not overly burdensome and should be strongly considered to help offset treatment costs and to provide financial security for loved ones.