Mesothelioma Exposure

Exposure to asbestos fibres has been recognised as an occupational health hazard since the early 1900s. The rate increases significantly with time from first exposure, duration of exposure and cumulative exposure.

The development of this disease has a long latency, with cases usually arising more than 10 yr after first exposure, and continues to rise exponentially with time since first exposure (5, 6).
The most significant exposure to asbestos occurr in the engine and fire rooms of ships. When ships were in drydock or at port, exposure to asbestos is especially substantial.

Exposure to asbestos has proven to result in a wide range of health conditions, including mesothelioma, a deadly cancer that attacks the lining of the lungs, heart, or abdomen.
Exposure has been assessed by a variety of methods, but all these studies reached the conclusion that the rate of mesothelioma increases as the level of exposure increases.
Exposure levels were estimated from results of periodic environmental surveys and duration of residence.

That nonoccupational or environmental exposure to asbestos, particularly the amphiboles, is associated with an increased risk of mesothelioma is no longer in doubt. The incidence of mesothelioma increased from about 210 per million person-years (pmpy) at 20-29 yr since first exposure, to over 1,600 pmpy at 40 or more years from first exposure. This is thought to be due to a much greater proportion of male cases having prior occupational exposure to asbestos than females (28) and this suggestion is confirmed here.

As a matter of fact, cases of women with mesothelioma are on the rise as doctors and others recognize that the female sex is highly susceptible to the disease, mostly through secondhand exposure; that is, exposure to a family member who worked with the toxic mineral on a daily basis. Additionally, lung cancer can be related to asbestos exposure whether or not a person also has pulmonary asbestosis or asbestos-related pleural disease. Some mesothelioma symptoms include:Shortness of breathChest pain (most common presenting symptom)A chronic cough, Weight loss, Fever.