Mesothelioma cancer originates in the mesothelium which is a two-layer membrane covering some of the body’s most vital organs. Pleural mesothelioma can develop in a person’s lungs, peritoneal mesothelioma develops in a patient’s abdominal cavity, and pericardial mesothelioma develops in the mesothelium that surrounds the heart. On very rare occasions, mesothelioma can develop in the reproductive organs.

Mesothelioma is linked to asbestos exposure. People who worked around the material, even as long as fifty years ago, can still develop this rare and aggressive cancer. Even if they did not have direct contact with asbestos, they may have lived with a family member who worked around it and brought asbestos dust home on their clothes or in their hair. If you worked around the substance long ago, you may be unable to prevent mesothelioma from occurring as the asbestos fibers may already be in your body. Once the fibers are in your body, they cannot dissipate and remain in the body causing inflammation. In the past, occupations such as pipe fitters, steam fitters, shipyard workers and elementary school teachers had higher incidence rates of mesothelioma due to their increased risks of asbestos exposure. However, learning how to prevent mesothelioma may lessen your chances of developing this serious cancer in the future.

In order to prevent any type of disease or illness such as mesothelioma, it is important to learn as much about it as you can. Since mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure, learn about this hazardous material. Asbestos comes in two forms amphibole and chrysotile. Amphibole fibers may stay in the lungs longer than chrysotile which may mean that amphibole is more toxic.

Asbestos products have been installed in hundreds of millions of buildings up until the 1970s. This includes residential homes and commercial office buildings. The hazards of asbestos became known in the 1960s; however, only in 1970 did federal laws start limiting the use of asbestos products. Some products that contained asbestos were stucco, brick and mortar and asbestos siding on building exteriors. Insulation block, insulating cements, and spray insulation used in homes have also contained asbestos. Some types of flooring and wall material may have also contained asbestos and some older homes may still have asbestos-containing products.

Even though people are exposed to low levels of asbestos every day, this substance becomes harmful when the levels of exposure are concentrated. The problem with asbestos fibers is that they do not break down in the air, water or soil.

Asbestos in older homes that may have gone undisturbed is not thought to be harmful. The problem with asbestos occurs when it is disturbed such as when home renovations take place. Then the asbestos fibers are released into the air and inhaled by the occupants. This is especially harmful if the asbestos removal is occurring in a contained environment such as an attic or otherwise enclosed space.

Because asbestos-containing products were used when building or remodeling homes, many older homes may still have asbestos in them. This may cause problems for the inhabitants. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, asbestos may still be found in products such as some insulation materials, resilient floor tiles, vinyl floor tiles with asbestos backing, soundproofing, door gaskets in furnaces, patching and joint compounds and some textured paints. Some automobile parts may also such as brake pads and linings may also contain asbestos. http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/ashome.html

If you live in an older home and think you may have asbestos exposure, contact an asbestos removal company who can send a representative out to consult with you. You can find asbestos removal organizations in the phone book or on the web.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that more than 500,000 employees work with asbestos-containing products. Many more work in areas where asbestos products are used. Manufacturing sites, construction sites and renovation sites are places where exposure to asbestos may occur. Communication workers who work around or in older office buildings also may be exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is extremely dangerous when it is disturbed and fibers are then released into the air and inhaled by nearby individuals. http://www.cwa-union.org/issues/osh/articles/asbestos-the-workplace.html

There are OSHA standards that cover employees who work around asbestos. Standards cover construction work including demolition, repairs and renovations, shipyards and general industry such as brake and clutch repair, custodial work and the manufacturing of asbestos-containing products. One way to prevent mesothelioma is to make sure your business adheres specifically to the OSHA standards relating to asbestos in the workplace. In some cases, the workplace must be monitored and controlled zones created where asbestos may be found and signs may need to be posted warning others about asbestos. Employees should wear the required personal protective equipment when working around the hazardous substance. Do not eat or drink in the controlled areas where asbestos might be contained. http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_AsbestosFacts/asbestos-factsheet.pdf