What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a specific type of cancer that isdirectly related to asbestos. This disease develops inthe mesothelium which is the lining that encapsulesmany of the body’s organs but is the most common inthe lungs and chest cavity. Mesothelioma is hard to detect because you may nothave symptoms for many decades after you are exposedto asbestos. Some of the common symptoms are shortnessof breath, fluid surrounding the lungs, fatigue, and aharsh cough that may have blood in it. Mesothelioma also has symptoms similar to a myriad ofother conditions such as Tuberculosis and other typesof lung cancer. The only way to be sure is to haveX-rays, CT scans, or MRIs performed. Luckily, the odds of developing mesothelioma now arepretty rare as measures are being taken by mostfederal and state programs that make sure asbestosisn’t used in common building materials and olderbuildings are being thoroughly checked and rebuilt ifnecessary. Asbestos commonly was wrapped around waterpipes in old buildings and used in ceilings. Though it is naturally occurring, asbestos isrelatively hard to just stumble upon. It was used inconcrete, brake pads, and in many different fire-proofmaterials for a very long time. Miners and their families developed this disease byworking in the mines, washing miner’s clothing, andhaving a lot of it in their environment. In 1989, afull ban on asbestos was issued by the EnvironmentalProtection Agency and work began to stop producingmaterials that used it.
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