| Since the late 1800's Asbestos has been mined | | | | workers who are heavily exposed develop |
| and used commercially. The use of Asbestos | | | | asbestos-related diseases. Family members and |
| dramatically increased during World War II | | | | others living with asbestos workers have an |
| and since the early 1940's millions of | | | | increased risk of developing mesothelioma, |
| Americans have been exposed to asbestos dust | | | | and possibly other asbestos-related diseases. |
| working within industries where initally the | | | | This risk may be the result of exposure to |
| risks were not known. There has been | | | | asbestos dust brought home on the clothing |
| widespread exposure to Asbestos by workers | | | | and hair of asbestos workers.To reduce the |
| within shipyards, mines and mills, producers | | | | chance of exposing family members to asbestos |
| of asbestos products, workers in the heating | | | | fibers, asbestos workers are usually required |
| and construction industries, and other | | | | to shower and change their clothing before |
| tradespeople and an increase risk of | | | | leaving the workplace.The combination of |
| deveolping mesothelioma has been the result. | | | | smoking and asbestos exposure significantly |
| .Today, the U.S. Occupational Safety and | | | | increases a person's risk of developing |
| Health Administration (OSHA) sets limits for | | | | cancer of the air passageways in the lung. |
| acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the | | | | The Kent brand of cigarettes used asbestos in |
| workplace. By contrast, the British | | | | its filters for the first few years of |
| Government's Health and Safety executive | | | | production in the 1950s and some cases of |
| (HSE) states formally that any threshold for | | | | mesothelioma have resulted. Smoking current |
| mesothelioma must be at a very low level and | | | | cigarettes does not appear to increase the |
| it is widely agreed that if any such | | | | risk of mesothelioma.There is no curative |
| threshold does exists at all, then it cannot | | | | treatment. Close monitoring (routine X-rays |
| currently be quantified. For practical | | | | or even pleural biopsy) for mesothelioma is |
| purposes, therefore, HSE does not assume that | | | | mandated. Oxygen therapy at home is often |
| any such threshold exists. People who work | | | | necessary to relieve the shortness of breath. |
| with asbestos wear personal protective | | | | Supportive treatment of symptoms includes |
| equipment to lower their risk of exposure.The | | | | respiratory treatments to remove secretions |
| risk of asbestos-related disease increases | | | | from the lungs by postural drainage, chest |
| with heavier exposure to asbestos and longer | | | | percussion, and vibration. Aerosol |
| exposure time. However, some individuals with | | | | medications to thin secretions may be |
| only brief exposures have developed | | | | prescribedLooking for information about |
| mesothelioma. On the other hand, not all | | | | Mesothelioma? |