All types of asbestos are carcinogenic, the blue and brown fibers are the most toxic
Despite the permissible limit of 0.1 fiber per cubic centimeter of air set by OSHA, there is no safe level of asbestos. Anyone who has been in contact with this toxic mineral is at risk, to a lesser or greater extent. Nevertheless, there are multiple factors that might make a person more prone to developing a severe disease like mesothelioma.
The following factors have been suggested to increase the risk of being diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease considerably:
- the dose of asbestos fibers – exposure to a high concentration of airborne asbestos has been correlated with a greater risk of developing a disease
- the duration of exposure – prolonged or frequent contact with asbestos has also been demonstrated to increase the chances of suffering from mesothelioma or lung cancer several decades after the first exposure
- age – asbestos-related diseases rarely occur in people under 45, as they entail a latency period of 20 to 50 years, during which inflammation and tissue scarring gradually occur until cancer develops
- consumption – smokers with a history of asbestos exposure are between 50 and 90 times more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer
- the type of asbestos fibers – all six types of asbestos are classified as known human carcinogens, but some studies suggest that chrysotile (blue asbestos) and amosite (brown asbestos) may be more dangerous
- the source of exposure – occupational exposure is responsible for the majority of asbestos-related diseases, with people who worked in the following industries being at high risk: automotive, construction, shipbuilding, oil refining, asbestos mining, chemical, steel and iron, electric power, paper, and textile
- preexistent lung disease – if you suffer from lung disease, you are more susceptible to developing lung cancer or pleural mesothelioma, as the functioning of your lungs is already affected
If you or a loved one is struggling with mesothelioma or lung cancer, please contact our office. Our diligent lawyers will dedicate their time to providing you with quality legal representation and recovering just compensation for your injury. So far, Environmental Litigation Group, P.C. has recovered $2 billion for asbestos victims. If you are a veteran whose health was affected by military asbestos exposure and would like to file a claim, you will need to provide our attorneys with your military records, which you must retrieve, and your medical records.