Risk factors of Mesothelioma : Part-1

Asbestos exposure:

Asbestos exposure is the primary risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos is a group of minerals once used in industrial and construction materials, but is now produced in small quantities. Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma.

Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, (The occupations most associated with mesothelioma are shipyard workers, electricians, plumbers, construction industry workers, pipefitters, boilermakers, and anyone subject to heavy exposure to dangerous asbestos and airborne asbestos fibers) or they have been exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in other ways.

An abundance of cases have also demonstrated that mesothelioma can develop among people who lived in communities where asbestos factories or mines were located. In some instances, entire towns have been adversely affected by the presence of asbestos fibers in the air.

Asbestos is also fire-retardant and was used in many fire-protective materials. Unfortunately, because of its fibrous nature (and because of the brittle nature of these fibres) asbestos particles are readily released into the air (most especially during the manufacturing process) and these are readily inhaled or swallowed. Being needle-like these can stick into and irritate the pleural membranes of the lungs and the peritoneum of the abdomen. Continuous irritation can lead to inflammation and ultimately to cancer.
In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.

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