Alabama Mesothelioma Lawyers Asbestos Exposure Complications
Mesothelioma is an extremely deadly cancer of the membrane that
lines the abdominal cavity and internal organs. There is no
cure, and the only known cause is exposure to asbestos. The
cancer occurs most often in the pleura (membrane between the
lungs and the ribs), but it can spread or occur locally in the
lining of abdominal organs or heart, as well. It has a long
latency or "incubation" period, sometimes as much as 20 to 40
years. Workers exposed to airborne asbestos fibers before the
dangers were well-publicized and better regulated (before the
late 1970s) are still being diagnosed with this disease. Between
2,500 and 4,000 Americans are diagnosed annually with
mesothelioma. How is mesothelioma acquired? When asbestos is
mined, or when certain asbestos containing materials (ACMs) are
processed, asbestos is sometimes released into the air in dust-
sized fibers. Asbestos fibers can be airborne in a processing
plant, in the environment nearby, or eve