How does asbestos exposure occur?
The most common way that people are exposed to asbestos is at work. Because asbestos is heat and fire resistant it has been heavily used in certain industries, and professions, and types of workplace such as:
- Oil refineries
- Ships and shipyards
- Mining
- Welding
- Automotive
Asbestos used to be very common in building materials. It was used in materials for every part of a building from the foundation to the roofing, and everything in between including ductwork. Many older buildings still contain asbestos exposing families in their homes, schoolchildren, and people who work in otherwise low-risk jobs.
What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is only caused by asbestos exposure. The most common type affects the lining around the lungs, called the pleura. Mesothelioma can also affect the protective sac around the heart and the lining of the abdomen.
Symptoms of mesothelioma do not appear until about 20 to 50 years after asbestos exposure. The cancer kills quickly, but it is extremely painful. There is currently no cure for mesothelioma, but there are treatments which can greatly extend your life expectancy if the cancer is detected in its earliest stages.
Can smoking cause mesothelioma?
No. You do not get mesothelioma from smoking. You can only get mesothelioma if you have been exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma affects the lining around the lungs. It is not lung cancer. Smoking can make the symptoms of mesothelioma worse and can interfere with treatments.
What other illnesses can asbestos exposure cause?
Asbestosis is a common result of asbestos exposure. It is not a form of cancer. It is a form of pulmonary fibrosis. Asbestos is scarring of the lungs, which reduces lung capacity, and it can be fatal. Death from asbestosis comes in the form of suffocation or heart failure.
Asbestos exposure can cause other types of cancer including lung cancer, throat cancer, colon cancer, and more. It is not unusual for those who have been exposed to asbestos to develop more than one asbestos-related illness.
What should I do if I think there is asbestos in my home?
Talk to a qualified asbestos abatement professional. If you try to remove the asbestos yourself you will put yourself and your family at an even greater risk for exposure because you can release the fibers into the air while trying to do the tear-out.
If you or a loved one has mesothelioma or any asbestos-related illness, please call our Arkansas mesothelioma attorneys or submit an online questionnaire. The initial consultation with our mesothelioma lawyers is free of charge, and if we agree to handle your case, in most cases we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary recovery of funds. In many cases, a mesothelioma lawsuit must be filed before an applicable expiration date, known as a statute of limitations. Please call right away to ensure that you do not waive your right to possible compensation.