Who Is At Risk?
How great is the risk?
The National Institute of Cancer has revealed that more than 80% of mesothelioma cases are caused due to asbestos exposure. Research on the disease has shown that an exposure to asbestos for as little as two months is often enough to cause mesothelioma. These statistics are enough to alarm one and coupled with the fact that mesothelioma symptoms often surface after twenty to thirty years of the actual exposure, there is no reason why one should not take the threat seriously.
But one should also remember that asbestos bonded in finished products is not lethal. It is only when asbestos fibers are set free and they enter the body tissues, there is a risk of mesothelioma. Asbestos fibers are indestructible and once they enter the body, they stay there forever.
Which are the ‘high-risk' professions?
A list of asbestos containing products has been given the previous section. All those who face frequent or prolonged exposure to these products are at risk.
The high-risk professions are-
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Ship-building
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Asbestos mining and manufacturing
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Insulation work
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Refinery workers
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Construction and demolition works
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Family members of workers heavily exposed to asbestos
Does it matter if I smoke?
Every cigarette packet tells you that smoking is injurious to health. Smokers are ten times more likely to have cancer than non-smokers. However, a combination of asbestos exposure and smoking increases this threat manifold. Smokers who face asbestos exposure are ninety times more likely to have lung cancer than non-smokers who do not face asbestos exposure. That's reason away to get rid of the drag, isn't it?
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