Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Asbestos is a group name and minerals that occur naturally in the masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been mined and used commercially since 1800, its use has increased greatly during the Second World War. Asbestos was widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, tiles, flooring, textiles, and insulation. Since 1940, the first half, millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos dust.

If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they can be inhaled or swallowed and can cause serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung disease) and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.

Initially, the risks of asbestos exposure were not known. However, an increased risk of mesothelioma was later found in:

Shipyard workers
People who work in asbestos mines and mills
Producers of asbestos products
Workers in the heating and construction industries
Other tradespeople.

Today, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets limits for acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace. The people who work with asbestos-Use personal protective equipment to reduce the risk of exposure.

The risk of asbestos disease with heavier exposure to asbestos and longer exposure time. However, some individuals with only brief exposures developed mesothelioma. On the other hand, to develop, not all workers who are heavily exposed to asbestos-related diseases.

Understanding the Mesothelium

The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of living. It consists of two layers of cells: One layer immediately surrounds the organ, the other bag around it. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid released from these layers, so that moving parts (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures.

Mesothelium has different names depending on its location in the body. Peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most organs in the abdominal cavity. Pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the thoracic cavity, while the pericardium covers and protects the heart. mesothelial tissue surrounding the male internal reproductive organs is called the tunica vaginalis testis and the tunica serosa uteri covers the internal reproductive organs in women.

Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos at work is reported in about 70 to 80 percent of cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without known exposure to asbestos.

There is some evidence that family members and others living in asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, asbestos and possibly other related diseases. This risk can be caused by exposure to asbestos dust brought home the clothes and hair of asbestos workers. In order not to expose family members to asbestos fibers, asbestos workers are usually required to shower and change clothes before leaving the workplace.

Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. But the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure increases a person's risk of developing lung cancer