St. Louis, MO (April2014) –When asbestos fibers are breathed in, they may get trapped in the lungs where they may remain for a long period of time. A recent study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (JOEM) in January 2014, reported that even small amounts of asbestos can remain in the body and cause a number of serious health conditions. The most serious is mesothelioma, which is a cancer of the thin membranes that line the abdomen and chest.
This study was one of the largest in history that focused on asbestos exposure and included 58,279 subjects aged 55 to 69 years. The subjects—all male, were monitored for 17.3 years. At the end of the follow-up period, more than 2,600 pleural mesothelioma, lung cancer, and laryngeal cancer cases were recorded. The breakdown is as follows:
- 132 Pleural Mesothelioma Case
- 166 Laryngeal Cases
- 2,324 Lung Cancer Cases
The researchers concluded that asbestos levels encountered even at the lower end of the exposure distribution may be associated with an increased risk of pleural mesothelioma, lung cancer, and laryngeal cancer.
“This groundbreaking study proves what we see with our clients on a daily basis, that exposure in even the smallest amounts can have major health implications years later,” said Neil Maune, partner of MRHFM. “We work with clients that range from those directly exposed to asbestos on job sites to secondary exposure incidents where a person never even thought they were at any risk.”
Classified as a human carcinogen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), asbestos (exposure) can also lead to lung cancer, asbestosis, and pleural effusion. The study also suggests that exposure to asbestos may lead to gastrointestinal and colorectal cancers, and it may increase the risk of cancers of the throat, kidney, esophagus, and gallbladder.
The EPA has always maintained that any level of asbestos exposure is dangerous and around 55 counties have banned all forms of asbestos. Although the agency continues its fight for a total ban on asbestos in the U.S., the mineral is still legal and it can be found in more than 3,000 products on the U.S. Market.
For more information about asbestos-related disease, request a free copy of 100 Questions & Answers About Mesothelioma at www.mesotheliomabook.com. Or for a free consultation with an experienced mesothelioma attorney, contact the legal team at MRHFM today. MRHFM is the largest firm exclusively devoted to helping mesothelioma victims and their families.
About Maune Raichle Hartley French & Mudd, LLC
Maune Raichle Hartley French & Mudd, LLC is a mesothelioma law firm based in St. Louis, MO. With offices across the country, their size and exclusive focus on mesothelioma cases allows them to represent clients through the process as quickly as possible and maximize their clients’ recovery. The attorneys at MRHFM have represented thousands of victims exposed to asbestos. The firm has 29 attorneys across the country, 16 investigators, 7 client service managers, and additional support staff including paralegals and legal assistants. For more information about Maune Raichle Hartley French & Mudd, LLC, visit http://www.mesotheliomabook.com.
