7 Things You May Not Know About Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is one of the deadliest forms of cancer along with the following types of cancer:

• Lung
• Colorectal
• Breast
• Pancreatic
• Prostate

You likely have heard of asbestos and mesothelioma on the news, advertisements for personal injury attorneys, and from people in your life. However, there are some not so well-known facts that probably haven’t been on your radar. Click here if you’d like to know more about your options if you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or believe you may be at risk. Fortunately, around 95% of those seeking compensation receive it by settling out of court. 

Want to know more about mesothelioma and asbestos? 

1. There are over 60 nations that have banned the use of asbestos. The United States is not one of them. This is, in large part, because industry lobbyists and their Congressional allies have blocked a bill that was first introduced in 2002. Even that bill became watered down over a few years but this didn’t get through to the President’s desk. 
2. More than a million U.S. workers in construction and general industry are currently at risk of asbestos exposure. About 90,000 people around the world die from asbestos-related diseases every year. In fact, exposure to asbestos is considered to be the top cause of work-related deaths globally.
3. The U.S. chemical industry imported four times the amount of asbestos in 2018 than it had imported the prior year. This is concerning when you are aware of the toll it can take on people who are exposed to asbestos where they live and/or work. On a positive note, global production of asbestos dropped from 2.1 million tons in 2012 to 1.4 million tons in 2015. 
4. Even though production levels have dropped, it’s estimated that over 2 million tons of asbestos are consumed throughout the world every year. 
5. Asbestos is the overarching name for six silicate compound minerals that are found naturally in the environment. They may be separated into threads that are thin yet durable. Then they are used for industrial and commercial purposes. The fibers are heat-, fire-, and chemical-resistant. This is a major reason why it’s been chosen for use in numerous industries.
6. Millions of workers in America have had asbestos exposure since the early 1940s. Just some of the workers who dealt with a high level of risk include those in shipbuilding, construction insulation work, firefighters, automobile mechanics, drywall removers, and those who have mined and milled asbestos, as well as manufactured asbestos-containing materials. 
7. Even people who only had limited, brief exposure to asbestos have developed asbestos-related diseases. Typically, this occurred when workers brought home these fibers on their clothes, shoes, skin, and hair. This is why many workers who have contact with asbestos are required or suggested showering and/or changing out of their clothes before they leave work or store their clothes in a separate area to change into later.