Risk Factors for Mesothelioma . Mesothelioma is a rare but deadly cancer that affects the linings of various organs. Asbestos ex...
Risk Factors for Mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a rare but deadly cancer that affects the linings of various organs.
Asbestos exposure is
the No. 1 risk factor for mesothelioma, but other risk factors also have been
identified. Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer that affects the mesothelium. The
mesothelium is the membrane, like a net, that covers many organs in the body,
such as the lungs and the heart. It has two layers: One covers the organ, the other
acts like a sac, letting the organ move, if necessary. People who develop
mesothelioma have usually been exposed to a substance that infiltrated the
mesothelium.
Mesothelioma Risk Factors:2; Long-Term Asbestos Exposure
Among the risk factors for mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos dust is by far
the most important. About 70 percent to 80 percent of mesothelioma patients
report a history of asbestos exposure at work. And because asbestos was widely
used in industry, car manufacturing, and construction until just a few decades
ago, millions of U.S. workers had long-term exposure to asbestos and still are
at risk for the disease. Leading the list are Asbestos miners Shipyard workers Makers
of asbestos products and textiles Workers in the heating and construction
industries.
Mesothelioma Risk
Factors:3; Short-Term Asbestos Exposure Many more people with shorter or less
intensive exposure to asbestos face reduced but still real risks. For instance,
demolition workers, firefighters, drywall removers, asbestos removal workers,
and automobile workers may also be exposed to asbestos fibers. Even family
members of asbestos workers may be exposed to asbestos dust because the workers
bring it home on their clothing. One particular group that may be at elevated risk
are the crews involved in the cleanup of the World Trade Center in New York
City after 9/11. Asbestos was used in the construction of the North Tower and
it is estimated that hundreds of tons of asbestos were among the debris. The
risks posed by asbestos exposure can be hard to quantify, but in general risk
depends on The quantity of asbestos the person was exposed to The length of
time the person was exposed The size, shape, and chemistry of the asbestos fibers
Personal risk factors, such as smoking There are two main forms of asbestos,
amphibole (straight fibers) and chrysotile (curly fibers). Although all
asbestos is dangerous, recent studies suggest that exposure to amphibole
asbestos may pose a greater risk of mesothelioma than chrysotile asbestos
because amphibole fibers remain in the lungs longer.
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