WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Each year more than 3,000 people die from mesothelioma, a rare and deadly cancer caused by asbestos exposure.
So what is asbestos – and why are people dying? Asbestos is a mineral fiber widely used for decades in thousands of products – particularly construction materials – due to its insulating and fire-resisting properties. But its tiny, inhalable fibers are what make asbestos so dangerous to human health. If those microscopic fibers become airborne during demolition, remodeling, or any activity that disturbs asbestos-containing materials, they can be inhaled into the lungs where they can trigger life-threatening illnesses such as mesothelioma.
Most people who suffer from mesothelioma experienced frequent exposure to asbestos, usually due to their occupation and work history. They may have handled this deadly substance directly or were in an environment with a high concentration of asbestos fibers in the air.
Shockingly, no asbestos legislation exists to ban the use of this known carcinogen in the U.S. Asbestos remains a very real threat to public health. How can you protect yourself and your loved ones? Start by knowing the facts about asbestos and the symptoms of mesothelioma.
"The best defense to any cancer is making sure you're armed with the facts. Mesothelioma is dangerous because its latency period can run anywhere from 40-50 years and you may mistake its symptoms for some minor ailment," says Amy Fair, Registered Nurse. Nurse Fair adds, "Symptoms will also vary from person to person depending upon how long they were exposed to asbestos. They could include wheezing, fatigue, unexplained weight loss or shortness of breath."
Nurse Fair goes on to say that some individuals who were exposed for long periods of time to high concentrations of asbestos may experience the production of sputum, mucus that is coughed up from the lungs.
If an individual exhibits any of these symptoms they should see a doctor right away. The doctor will conduct a physical examination and may order a chest X-ray or other tests. Using a combination of medical, work and military history, symptoms, and test results, a doctor will be able to identify signs of an asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma.
For more information on the dangers of asbestos, visit www.mesotheliomahelpnow.com, a resource site that is continually expanding to better provide information to those currently living with or caring for a victim of mesothelioma.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you can contact an asbestos attorney to learn more about your legal options.
For more information contact:
Dian Dulberger
Sokolove Law
781-489-2608
ddulberger@sokolovelaw.com
About Sokolove Law
Sokolove Law, LLC provides quality legal services that help people obtain access to the civil justice system. With over 30 years of service, Sokolove Law has helped thousands of injured parties obtain the compensation they deserved from their legal claims. The cases include birth injury, mesothelioma, cerebral palsy, nursing home abuse, dangerous drugs, disability insurance denial, and medical malpractice. Sokolove Law is nationwide, with local offices in 47 states.
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