Causes of Mesothelioma

The primary cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. There are numerous professions that are known to have used asbestos and are thus at risk

• Construction Workers
• Auto mechanics
• Building engineers
• Railroad workers
• Navy sailors
• Shipyard employees
• and others

Workers in these occupations were exposed to asbestos and have become ill from asbestos cancer. However, there are cases of asbestos diseases and mesothelioma in persons with much smaller exposure to asbestos. These cases include families of workers in high-risk professions or those who lived in closed proximity to asbestos manufacturing plants.
Asbestos fibers lodge inside the body and cannot be processed. When breathed in, these fibers damage the mesothelial cells in the pleura or peritoneum The fibers are so tiny that they actually can damage DNA. The injured cells can create lung cancer or mesothelioma.
Since asbestos exposure is the primary cause of mesothelioma, it is important to know how you may have come in contact with asbestos. It is found in both industrial applications and household products, including, but not limited to:

• Brakes
• Clutches
• Plaster
• Attic Insulation
• HVAC Duct Insulation
• Joint Compounds
• Gaskets
• Packing
• Electrical wire
• Cement Pipe
• Paint
• Pipe Covering and Insulation
• Putties
• Roofing Shingles
• Siding
• Floor tiles
• Insulating blankets and pads
• Boilers
• Turbines
• Pumps
• Valves
• Caulk
• Spackling Compounds
• Baby Powder
• Chalkboards
• Coffee Pots
• Hair Dryers
• Toasters
vFireproofing materials
• and others

Asbestos has the ability to resist heat, capacity to insulate and flexibility to be woven, making it very popular in industrial applications and home appliances. While there are now limitations for asbestos use, it is still imported regularly in products from other countries.

The latency period for mesothelioma is quite long – as long as 30-50 years. Mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases are often misdiagnosed as other less innocuous illnesses such as the flu. Therefore, it is critical that you let your doctor know if you have been exposed to asbestos or were a spouse or child of one exposed.