Is Your Child At Risk For Mesothelioma Cancer?

Although Mesothelioma is a term that is often heard broadcast over the television airways by soliciting attorneys it is nonetheless a condition which is not
well understood by the general public.

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that can affect individuals who either work or have worked in asbestos manufacturing plants, automotive shops, mining, ship yards and constructions industries.

Mesothelioma Cancer is caused from exposure to the fibrous material strands known as asbestos. These fibers are resistant to heat and chemicals which makes it an ideal substance for such applications as roofs, home insulation, cement, etc. However, these same properties make it very difficult for the human body to get rid of them.

Mesothelioma has no gender or age barriers. Given the right set of circumstances children are at equal risk for developing this life-threatening disease.

Although it is true that children do not usually work with or around asbestos they may however, frequent older public buildings or schools where the asbestos material used in the ceilings and flooring has started to deteriorate, releasing small asbestos particles into the air. These particles can then be breathed into the lungs causing tissue scaring, excess fluid accumulation and breathing difficulties.

Children whose parents work with or around asbestos are at greater risk of developing asbestos-related diseases (asbestosis or mesothelioma) due to second-hand exposure (asbestos particles transported from work to home via clothing or hair.

One might ask, if it is true that children can develop asbestos-related conditions, why don’t we hear about them?

The reason is simple. Mesothelioma has a 30-50 year incubation period (time from exposure to the onset of the first major symptoms). A child that is exposed at age six will quite possibly not have significant symptoms until he/she becomes an adult of age 36.

This might explain why experts say that it is possible for some people to develop Mesothelioma even when there has been no known asbestos exposure.

Is it possible that this now adult individual had been exposed repeatedly as a child? This might also explain why there are so many children suffering with respiratory ailments today!

Although the United States government has established laws governing exposure limits, not all facilities comply. Abestos is still alive and well but there are things that can be done to reduce exposure risk:

1. When possible avoid old buildings that are in disrepair.

2. Check with school officials regarding asbestos safety implementation programs.

3. Be sure that anyone who lives in your home and works with or around asbestos strictly adheres to the OSHA safety rules regarding work clothes, showering before leaving the work place, etc.

4. Contact your doctor at the first sign of illness or to discuss any health concerns you might have.

Mesothelioma Treatment varies depending upon its location,stage and patient's overall health.