Mesothelioma Information

History of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma‘s deadly history has its roots in the 19th century. In America, Britain and South Africa, asbestos, a naturally occurring substance, was heavily mined and used for manufacturing and milling. Asbestos is made up of nearly indestructible fibers that make it very useful for insulating and fireproofing.

Asbestos Linked with Lung Disease

Even before 1900 physicians began to see a rise of lung disease among those working with asbestos or those living near areas where it was mined or released into the environment.
Information reviewed by mesothelioma researchers shows that lung disease was occurring at particularly high rates in asbestos factories in Britain. In 1906, the first case of asbestosis was diagnosed there. Asbestosis is not lung cancer or mesothelioma; instead, it is a build up of scar tissue in the lungs caused by breathing asbestos fibers. The scar tissue eventually interferes with the lungs’ ability to expand and retract and the victim is slowly strangled.
In 1927, Dr. W.E. Cook published an article in the British Medical Journal. This article detailed his research showing that asbestosis could result in death.

Britain Commissions Lung Study

By the late 1920’s, lung disease was becoming so prevalent among asbestos workers that the English government commissioned a study. In 1930 the results of the study were published: asbestosis was proven to be caused by occupational exposure to asbestos.

Lung Cancer

By the mid 1930’s, lung disease, including cancer, was widespread among asbestos workers and retired asbestos workers. The information shows that mesothelioma wasn’t yet named but some of the cancers were identified as “pleural cancer” which is what mesothelioma is.

1930’s – Awareness Increases

• 1930-1931 Articles by Soper as well as Panacost and Pendergrass note asbestos diseases can have long latency periods. This information is a mesothelioma identification building block.
• 1930-1935 Merewether writes that asbestos workers in plants and mills face risk of death from asbestos exposure. Includes discussion about risks of asbestos products.
• 1934-1935 A Department of Labor special bulletin described a clear link between certain levels of asbestos dust and asbestos cancer.
• 1935 Lynch and Smith identified cases of asbestosis and asbestos lung cancer in the United States

1940’s – Mesothelioma Diagnosed, Germans Compensated

• In 1941 Kuhn published the first known compensation for asbestosis.
• 1942 German law indicates that asbestosis and lung cancer are diseases for which German workers may be compensated
• 1943 Pleural mesothelioma was diagnosed
• 1947 Mereweather reports that 13% of asbestosis deaths were found, upon autopsy, to also have lung cancer.

1950’s

During the 1950’s, both Britain and the United States continued to see a distressing number of new asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma cases. Many articles on the subject were published and the link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma continued to strengthen.

1960’s – Wagner’s Strong Mesothelioma Correlation

While asbestosis and other asbestos lung cancers continued to be a large concern, awareness of a growing number of mesothelioma cases spread. Mesothelioma information was compiled more aggressively.

• 1960 Wagner published his landmark and very influential study that established a strong correlation between mesothelioma and occupational asbestos exposure.
• 1964 Selikoff published a review of more than a thousand asbestos workers. The review included information that he observed a high rate of mesothelioma fatalities among the workers.
• 1965 Hueper published (as a part of Sellikoff’s work) that a broad range of products and occupations could potentially cause asbestos diseases, including mesothelioma. Also discussed hazards of bystanders to asbestos work.
• 1965 Newhouse article found 9 incidences of mesothelioma in family members of asbestos workers..

1970’s First Asbestos Regulation by OSHA

In 1971, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was created. Its first item of business was to pass asbestos regulations. These regulations were a response to public outcry about the undeniable link between asbestos exposure, asbestos diseases such as mesothelioma, and asbestos companies’ continued disregard for worker safety.
These regulations defined how asbestos and asbestos products should be manufactured, transported, used and disposed of, and much more.

Mesothelioma Today

Today, asbestos is highly regulated. But that regulation is too late for the 2000+ mesothelioma victims that are diagnosed every year.

Medical Advances

Mesothelioma is still considered a deadly disease and the survival is depressingly low. However, recent medical advances offer hope for improved life span and quality of life. Be certain to get information about the latest advances and what they mean for you when speaking with your doctor, and get a second opinion.

Mesothelioma Litigation

Mesothelioma victims’ families, advocates and attorneys are fighting back to protect the rights of those most injured. We encourage you to join the fight!