How Much Exposure to Asbestos Causes Mesothelioma?
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The Relationship Between Mesothelioma and Asbestos
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Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that attacks the membranes around the lungs, heart and abdominal cavity. It has a high mortality rate, and can nearly always be attributed to the inhalation of asbestos fibers used in industrial materials throughout the 20th century.
Accumulation Over Time
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It is often difficult to ascertain the exact amount of exposure someone would need to experience to develop mesothelioma, since its early symptoms are often diagnosed as other, common lung problems like chronic cough and shortness of breath. It takes years for the asbestos to damage the affected membranes.
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Chronic Environmental Exposure
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While those who worked in factories with high levels of asbestos are most directly affected, family members inhaling dust particles off clothing are a secondary population with a high mesothelioma rate, even if they have never stepped into a hazardous environment themselves.
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