Asbestos exposure is the primary cause of mesothelioma. When these fibers are inhaled or ingested, they get trapped in the lungs. This leads to the development of mesothelioma, a rare and deadly cancer that attacks the pleura (lining of the lungs) or the peritoneal (lining of the stomach). There have been cases in which mesothelioma cancer spreads to the lining of the reproductive organs or heart. Like other cancers, mesothelioma can metastasize beyond the lungs and affect other parts and organs of the body.
Commercially used since the 1800s, asbestos was identified in 1956 as the primary cause of mesothelioma in a published paper by South African-born pathologist, Dr. Chris Wagner, who discovered the disease in a post-mortem case. For nearly two decades after Dr. Wagner’s discovery, asbestos manufacturers still continued to sell their products without any warning of the health hazards their products caused.
Naturally Occurring Asbestos Can Cause Mesothelioma
Asbestos can occur naturally in deposits found several feet underground. However, when not mined or disturbed by man, asbestos deposits can be relatively harmless.Naturally occurring asbestos typically can be found in the form of rocks. When these rocks are crushed or broken, asbestos fibers become airborne. In its airborne state, asbestos fibers can be inhaled by all those who pass through or live nearby. Asbestos exposure can lead to the development of mesothelioma, regardless of exposure frequency.
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