What is it and how does it affect the body? Layman’s terms -

As explained by a famous Mesothelioma Lawyer from Chicago. If you watch television throughout the day, you are sure to see commercials and segments from Mesothelioma Lawyers on asbestos-related injuries or even deaths as a result of being exposed to the particle.

People that work in the construction or manufacturing industries know all too well what asbestos is, but for the regular person with a desk job, the term ‘asbestos’ may need more explanation.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “asbestos is commonly used as an acoustic insulator, and in thermal insulation, fire proofing and other building materials. Many products in use today contain asbestos.” The mineral asbestos has been extremely useful for the manufacturing of different goods such as floor tiles, paint, putties, and more. However, it’s also the leading cause for mesothelioma cancer, a certain serious and even deadly form of cancer that affects the mesothelium.

In fact, for the past 20 years, the number of people affected by asbestos related problems continues to grow. In the United States alone, there are 2,000 cases reported every year. So the questions being asked are how does asbestos affect the body and why?

What are asbestos particles?

Asbestos are so small like dusts that they can be inhaled by those who are exposed to them. The problem is that they can stick to the walls of the lungs and throat and will develop into different types of respiratory illnesses, including asbestosis and, of course, mesothelioma.

How does asbestos affect the body?

According to Wikipedia, “the inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause serious illnesses, including malignant mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis (also called pneumoconiosis), calcifications in the lung, pleural plaques and a rare condition called pnuemothorax. Since the mid 1980s, many uses of asbestos have been banned in many countries.”

How long does it take to diagnose mesothelioma?

You can be exposed to asbestos during the manufacturing process ir when wearing or washing clothes exposed to asbestos for as long as 10 to 20 years. What’s worse is you will never even know that since symptoms don’t appear suddenly. It is important to know your exposure chances of asbestos to know when or if you should be test by a physician.

What are the health hazards of exposure to asbestos?

Exposure to asbestos may increase the risk factors of the following:

* Asbestosis–a chronic lung ailment that can causes shortness of breath, coughing, and/or permanent lung damage
* Lung cancer
* Mesothelioma–a cancer that affects the thin membranes that line the chest and abdomen
* Other cancers of the larynx, oropharynx, gastrointestinal tract, and kidneys

Who is at risk?

Nearly every person has been or will be exposed to asbestos at some point during their life. However, most do not become sick from their exposure. People who do fall ill from asbestos are usually those who are exposed to it on a regular basis, most often in a job where they work directly with the material or through substantial environmental contact. Studies show that family members of workers heavily exposed to asbestos face an increased risk of developing mesothelioma. This risk is thought to result from exposure to asbestos dust brought into the home on the shoes, clothing, skin, and hair of workers.

How can I decrease my risk?

To decrease these exposures, asbestos workers are usually required to shower and change their clothing before leaving the workplace.

By knowing the basics about asbestos and mesothelioma cancer, workers in the industry and family members of construction workers can be better armed to protect themselves and their loved ones from a potentially fatal disease.