| Asbestos has been used since the times of the | | | | * labored breath; |
| Ancient Greeks, but its dangers are a modern-day | | | | * weight loss. |
| issue. Asbestos was used often in the nineteenth and | | | | Pleural, peritoneal and pericardial mesothelioma are all |
| twentieth centuries because of its high tolerance to | | | | possible variations of the deadly cancer, with pleural |
| heat and its usefulness in fireproof insulation. However, | | | | (lung) mesothelioma the most commonly manifested |
| recently it has been exposed that when inhaled, | | | | version of the disease. |
| asbestos causes deadly lung conditions such as | | | | High-Risk Professions |
| mesothelioma. | | | | Though the use of asbestos is now regulated by laws |
| Occupational Exposure and Dangers To Workers | | | | and regulations, the disease's long dormancy period |
| After noticing that chronic diseases, especially cancers | | | | means that it still has a high number of potential victims. |
| of the lung such as mesothelioma, were extremely | | | | Professions at a high risk for asbestos exposure and |
| common in construction workers who were exposed | | | | mesothelioma are those which involved repeated |
| to asbestos, doctors began making a connection | | | | exposure to asbestos in its industrial forms. These |
| between asbestos and mesothelioma. Unfortunately, | | | | professions include: |
| construction and other workers who were exposed to | | | | * electricians; |
| asbestos from the 1950s through the 1970s, when the | | | | * painters; |
| dangers of asbestos were more fully recognized, are | | | | * insulators; |
| still suffering from the ill effects of asbestos exposure | | | | * carpenters; |
| at work. There are now laws and regulations in place | | | | * bricklayers; |
| that are designed to prevent workers from exposure | | | | * construction workers; |
| to toxic asbestos; however, these laws cannot undo | | | | * mechanics; |
| years upon years of exposure to this deadly mineral in | | | | * other tradespeople, in particulal, people who worked |
| the workplace. | | | | in home or commercial construction prior to the 1970s. |
| Delayed Diagnosis Due To Long Dormancy Period | | | | Other people at risk for getting mesothelioma are the |
| Workers may have been exposed to asbestos in the | | | | families of people who worked with asbestos |
| 1970s, but may only just now be developing the tell-tale | | | | because the dust may have settled in the employee's |
| symptoms of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is slow to | | | | hair or clothing. |
| appear which causes doctors to have a hard time | | | | Legal Options |
| diagnosing and treating patients with the disease in | | | | Because of the huge number of potentially affected |
| time. Because symptoms of mesothelioma don't show | | | | workers, there has been a significant amount of |
| up for many years after exposure and are similar to | | | | litigation against companies who irresponsibly used |
| symptoms for other diseases, workers with | | | | asbestos, exposing their workers to the threat of |
| mesothelioma might be misdiagnosed during the early | | | | mesothelioma and other life-threatening |
| stages of the disease. | | | | asbestos-related illnesses. It is essential to consult your |
| Symptoms of mesothelioma include: | | | | doctor to discuss a treatment plan if you are suffering |
| * shortness of breath; | | | | from exposure to asbestos. Then contact an |
| * abdominal swelling; | | | | asbestos attorney who is experienced in |
| * pain of the abdomen; | | | | mesothelioma litigation. A competent asbestos lawyer |
| * blood clotting problems; | | | | may be able to help you recover damages for the |
| * chest pain; | | | | pain and suffering incurred through asbestos exposure |
| * chronic cough; | | | | and mesothelioma, defray the costs of treatment, and |
| * heart palpitations; | | | | provide for your children if you die of the disease. |
| * fever; | | | | |