Most people today are reasonably health conscious and even those who don't give it too much consideration are more informed about health issues than previous generations. This is due in large part, to the wealth of information available today on all things health related - both online and in the printed press.

People are now more likely to be aware of the surrounding environment in which they live or work in, but in these heavily industrialized times there are hidden dangers and unseen risks in even the most innocent looking buildings.

Asbestos is one such hidden danger and exposure to it can have serious consequences. Little was known about it in the early 60s and unfortunately, the lack of knowledge resulted in a lack of precautions that many regret today.

Asbestos was commonly used in boilers, building & fireproofing material, insulation and soundproofing products as well as in the production of slates and tile roofing. The use of this hazardous substance is now very carefully monitored internationally after some retired workers began to develop respiratory problems resulting from exposure to toxic fibres within asbestos. It has been banned for use in Britain since 1969.

People who have worked in places where they regularly inhaled asbestos particles have sometimes developed Mesothelioma, a form of cancer that can take between 20 and 40 years to develop after exposure to asbestos dust. Shortness of breath and chest pains are among the most common symptoms.

Builders, electricians, plumbers, factory workers and their immediate families (asbestos particles can be brought into the home via clothing) are most at risk, but recent reports suggest that teachers, children and nurses are also believed to have been put in danger since asbestos was used in the construction of many schools and hospitals.

Asbestos fibres, when released into the air and inhaled can have very serious effects on health and this topic made the news again after the events of 9/11 when it became known that this is one of the problems which survivors of the attack on New York's World Trade Centre, as well as hundreds of workers involved in the rescue operation, may eventually face.

Unsurprisingly, the consequences of exposure to asbestos has caused a surge in mesothelioma and asbestos claims, mostly from those employed in the construction and manufacturing industries, but also from family members who had secondary contact with asbestos particles.

Claims can be placed many years after a person has left the employment of the related industry as symptoms can take long periods to develop. This has now become a significant issue within the insurance industry as many people who were exposed feel their employers simply did not do enough in terms of providing information and protecting them from the risks involved.



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Often, the exposure to asbestos will cause harm to the lining of the lungs, called pleura. Calcium deposits in the scars caused by asbestos fibers will go through 'calcification' which cause it to harden.

Fluid effusion may be accumulated around the lung. This condition do not present any immediate harm and will dissolve by itself and subsequently return later. This repeated fluid accumulation gradually cause 'diffuse pleural thickening', which is the thickening of the entire pleura. This thickening process may end up as scar tissue and even make it difficult for the lungs to expand.

Malignant Mesothelioma Lung Cancer

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that affects the pleura or the abdomen (peritonuem) and it is caused only by asbestos exposure. There are two types of mesothelioma cells - epithelial and sarcomatoid.

Even a relatively short amount of exposure to asbestos (one month or two) can manifest itself into mesothelioma cancer or even lung cancer 20, 30, 50, or even 70 years later.

Like most disease, early detection and treatment can significantly increase recovery chance. Unfortunately, mesothelioma lung cancer is often asymptomatic and treatments are often too late when a patient is diagnosed. Many will die from the disease in the following 12 months of diagnosis, and most will not survive more than 18 months.

Therefore, some treatments for mesothelioma is aim to to relieve symptoms rather than to cure the disease. If your doctor recommends palliative (comfort) treatments, he/she is fore seeing that your illness cannot be cured. In this scenario, get a second opinion or check out what alternative treatment have to offer.



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Mesothelioma is a cancer in the lining of the lung, called the pleura as a result of significant asbestos exposure. It is a silent killer that only produce symptoms 20 to 40 years from the initial exposure when it is often too late for curative treatments.

Because most patients have only months to live after diagnosis, you need to know what to do right from the very beginning to safeguard your survival and the welfare of your family member.

Step #1
Seek a second opinion. One doctor can put you strictly on palliative (comfort) treatment while others will give you treatments to kill cancer cells. Get your doctor to run through each treatment review to see which one is applicable to you.

Step #2
Engage a mesothelioma lawyer to represent you in filing for compensation. Mesothelioma is predominantly caused by asbestos, a known cancer-causing agent that kept on being used for more than 50 years despite its hazardous nature. A good mesothelioma lawyer not will ensure you get in the justice you deserve in financial compensation to pay for medical fees and other expenses. Note that certain states have a time restriction in filing for a claim, so make sure you do this soon.

Step #3
Do not stop at conventional treatment at the doctor's office. Seek out alternative mesothelioma cancer treatment such as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Brandt grape therapy, Bill Henderson's protocol, Simoncini baking soda treatments and other alternative can reportedly reverse the effect of cancer.

Step#4
Change your lifestyle and diet. Needless to say, you must absolutely stop smoking. Stay away from smoke-filled environment and inhaling second-hand smoke. Detox your body regularly and adopt a mainly vegan diet. Exercise at least half an hour a day everyday to keep you active.

Step#5
Maintain a positive attitude in fighting mesothelioma. Read up on it, understand it and you will know how to contain it. New drugs and treatments are found all the time so be sure to keep yourself informed.

Patients are usually too devastated to realize that there are 101 things they can do to change or improvised the situation they are in, upon learning about their illness. When they do eventually see the whole picture, it's too late to act. Do not make the same mistake, with a little knowledge and guidance, you can beat mesothelioma.



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What are the asbestos risk factors? Mesothelioma cancer statistics indicate that specific environments, industries and jobs have a higher mesothelioma risk. The risk of getting cancer from asbestos is very real.

A risk factor is anything that increases your chance of getting the diagnosis: malignant mesothelioma. But having a risk factor, or even several asbestos disease risk factors, does not mean that you will develop mesothelioma lung cancer.

Exposure to asbestos is the main risk factor for developing mesothelioma injury. This injury could develop into full fledged mesothelioma lung cancer.

So, what are the risk asbestos factors? And how do we manage the risk of asbestos exposure?

Mesothelioma Statistics

Mesothelioma statistics reveal that 2,000 to 3,000 new mesothelioma cases annually receive the diagnosis: malignant mesothelioma. Approximately 70 to 80 percent of all cases of mesothelioma are found to be the direct result of asbestos exposure.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as many as a three quarter million schools and public buildings in the country today contain asbestos insulation. These were built before new asbestos mesothelioma law started to constrain the use of asbestos early in the 1970s. Asbestos insulation may be found in as many as 10% to 15% of schools in the United States.

Industrial Risk

What is the industrial asbestos risk of your work place? The mesothelioma risk attached to various industries can be plotted on a continuum: from high industrial risk - to the least risk.

Firstly, you must identify asbestos content inherent to your building, equipment, raw materials or products. Then compare this information with mesothelioma statistics for your industry.

Environmental Risk

What is the asbestos risk of your environment? Asbestos minerals are widespread in the global environment.

Asbestos risk may occur in large natural deposits, or as contaminants in other minerals and products. If you are exposed to asbestos, many factors determine asbestos exposure risk and potential asbestos related diseases.

These factors include the how much, how long, the mineral form and size distribution, and how you come in contact with it. Studies have shown that smokers are more prone to asbestos disease than non-smokers.

Does the Silent Killer stalk your work place? The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations (CAWR) place the duty on employers to identify and assess occupational asbestos risk.

Asbestos Disease Risk

Asbestos disease risk, is the risk of serious disease after inhaling asbestos dust. In industry, they separate and process asbestos fibers into new compounds and textures, forming a microscopic dust.

If inhaled, it can collect in the lungs, stomach or other organs and eventually lead to the development of serious, life threatening asbestos diseases. A mesothelioma prognosis is almost never favourable.

Asbestos Products Risk

Asbestos products risk? The Silent Killer Stalking? The risk of mesothelioma lung cancer from asbestos insulation, asbestos siding, asbestos tile, asbestos flooring, and a host of other products exist everywhere around us.

Asbestos was not only cheap to buy, but it is also pliable and sometimes, soft like cotton. Some forms of asbestos fibers have cloth-like qualities.

Asbestos fibers can therefore be easily woven into fireproof protection apparel for rescue officials and firefighters. Items for other professionals and workers, who are exposed to high heat, are also manufactured, creating asbestos products risk.

Its industrial properties was in strong demand during the industrial revolution. An estimated 4,000 products made during the 1900s contained asbestos fibers

Asbestos Risk Assessment

You need specialist advisors to perform an asbestos risk assessment in managing and preventing mesothelioma injury. Their asbestos testing protocol and results are also invaluable for mesothelioma research projects.

All entries in a company's asbestos register become vital in the event that you receive a call from an asbestos lawyer who works on a mesothelioma claim.

City and town management are increasingly being held responsible for asbestos exposure in the areas under their management.

It is expected that the focus in this regard will soon expand to seaside venues. Asbestos used to be the building material of choice close to the oceans.

Asbestos Risk Management

Asbestos risk management is the legal responsibility of every manager or owner of a business, or landlord. Asbestos mesothelioma law is clear i.t.o. management's responsibility.

There is an increased global effort to minimise asbestos exposure, cut down on mesothelioma injury and asbestosis mesothelioma.

This was driven in part by the large asbestos settlements granted in mesothelioma lawsuits.

Early in the 1970s we saw the first drafts of mesothelioma cancer law accepted by various regulating bodies of developed countries internationally.

However in a country like South Africa, laws were only made in 2008 to finally control the mining and manufacturing of asbestos products.

Most asbestos products are reasonably safe if it is kept undisturbed, painted and well maintained. However, most people will be surprised to notice the large number of asbestos products in their living and work environments, that are poorly maintained.

Pieter Pepler is a management consultant to small and medium enterpises. He has a keen interest in in health aspects and spends much of his time researching and writing about the causes and alternative treatment options for the natural treatment of various chronic diseases.

His work on asbestos mesothelioma risk and related research is published on his Mesothelioma-Junction.com website.



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