Asbestos and Mesothelioma

Asbestos and Mesothelioma While the incidence of mesothelioma in the United States remains low, there is a significant increase in mesothelioma diagnosis among males between 1970 and 1984, who had occupations that came in direct contact with asbestos. Many of these jobs included asbestos product plants and shipbuilding facilities. There are many class actions suits taking place on behalf of these individuals. The main cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. The fibers of the asbestos material is inhaled, and they travel to the ends of small air passages and reach the pleura. Here, they cause physical damage to the mesothelium cells, which may result in asbestos mesothelioma cancer. These asbestos fibers can also be swallowed, where they can reach the abdominal cavity. In this case, the victim may develop peritoneal mesothelioma. Though most exposure cases to asbestos are occupational, there are also cases in which there is family exposure through either building materials or through a parent exposing the remainder of the family.