MESOTHELIOMA ASBESTOS EXPOSURE

Deaths related to asbestos exposure are at epidemic proportions in the United States, say studies.

Mesothelioma deaths from asbestos exposure are increasing in the United States, reports the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit research organization headquartered in Washington, D.C.

Similar findings are being reported by researchers at the Centers For Disease Control, which forecasts that new cases of mesothelioma are to peak this year in the United States, with approximately 3,000 individuals to be affected.

Fatal cases of another asbestos-related illness, asbestosis, appear to be rising even more rapidly. During a 22-year study period conducted by the EWG between 1979 and 2001, deaths from asbestosis rose at more than three times the rate of mesothelioma, at 7.8 percent per year, compared with 2.3 percent for mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma asbestos disease

August 19, 2010 – Ten thousand Americans and 90,000 individuals worldwide die every year from asbestos exposure-related illnesses like mesothelioma and asbestosis, says a detailed analysis by the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

The rate of annual asbestos exposure mortalities in the United States has reached epidemic proportions, says the organization, rivaled only by reported deaths from AIDS (approximately 20,000), alcoholic liver disease (12,000), and gun fire (11,500).

Asbestos exposure in the military

Incidents of asbestos exposure are concentrated among workers in the construction, automotive and heating systems industries.

Mesothelioma among military veterans is especially prevalent. Few people realize, however, that more than 30 percent of Americans diagnosed with mesothelioma experienced their asbestos exposure during military service.

Highly regarded for its intrinsic properties – which include industrial strength resistance to fire, heat and water corrosion – asbestos was used in hundreds of military products for insulation purposes.

Military veterans from all branches of the service (including Army veterans and Navy veterans), and especially those who served between 1940 and 1970, run a high risk of developing mesothelioma because of widespread use of asbestos-containing products during this period.

Historically, asbestos use in the U.S. military rises during wartime production efforts. Between 1940 and 1970 the nation was at war three times: in Europe, Korea and Vietnam.

Among all military veterans, Navy personnel and workers employed in naval shipyards face the greatest risk of developing mesothelioma and other diseases caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos was applied heavily in the Navy to help prevent fires at sea during combat missions.

The mechanics of asbestos exposure

Asbestos is a fibrous material that is very brittle and easily breaks into particles when damaged or disturbed. Renovation and demolition projects are dangerous for this very reason.

Work activities (like repairing asbestos-based steam pipe wraps, or replacing asbestos-laden gaskets and valves on boiler systems) are known to release toxic asbestos fibers into the air.

Asbestos exposure occurs when these airborne fibers (microscopic in size, with jagged contours) are inadvertently inhaled by work-site personnel and deeply embedded into the tissue lining of the lungs and other internal organs. They can fester there for decades (20 to 50 years) before the initial work-site exposure can develop into diagnosable symptoms of mesothelioma.

Law firm for financial compensation

Every Weitz & Luxenberg mesothelioma lawyer understands the emotional and financial complexities of asbestos disease in the family – and exactly what is required to secure maximum compensation for the injured worker’s loved ones.

If you decide to move forward with a mesothelioma lawsuit, please know we work on a contingency basis and are paid a percentage of the final settlement. That means there are no upfront legal fees, whatsoever. We are paid based on a percentage of the compensation award we obtain for you.

Protect your family’s future financial well-being today by obtaining a free and private case review through the communication form at left. We will address all your concerns by providing as much information and guidance that you need during this difficult and confusing time. There are no obligations for this exploratory discussion.