If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may have a legal claim for damages as it relates to asbestos exposure. The main risk factor for developing diseases like mesothelioma is exposure in the work place. Most attorneys will investigate these cases free of charge, and if they accept the case they typically do so on a contingency fee basis. This means that there are no legal fees unless a monetary recovery is made.

Increased public awareness is needed for a number of reasons. People that have been exposed to asbestos and developed one of these deadly diseases must make their claims before any statute of limitations expires. Additionally, more public dollars need to go into research to fight this deadly disease.

There has been some excellent work done so far. One interesting study is called, "High resolution computed tomography and lung function in asbestos-exposed workers with normal chest radiographs." By Staples CA, Gamsu G, Ray CS, Webb WR. - Department of Radiology, University of California Medical Center, San Francisco 94143-0628.

Am Rev Respir Dis. 1989 Jun;139(6):1502-8. Here is an excerpt: " Asbestos-exposed persons with normal chest radiographs can demonstrate parenchymal abnormalities on high resolution computed tomography (HRCT). We reviewed the HRCT, clinical presentation, and results of pulmonary function tests in 169 asbestos-exposed workers with normal chest radiographs (ILO less than 1/0). The HRCT was normal or near normal in 76 subjects (Group 1), abnormal but indeterminate for asbestosis in 36, and abnormal and suggestive of asbestosis in 57 (Group 2). The indeterminate subjects were excluded from further analysis. The subjects in Groups 1 and 2 were not significantly different in their duration of asbestos exposure, latency, smoking history, or in measurements of airflow obstruction (FEV1/FVC% and %FEV1). Both the vital capacity percent predicted and diffusing capacity percent predicted were significantly lower in the abnormal subjects (Group 2) than in the normal subjects (Group 1) (79.0 versus 86.2, p = 0.005; 78.2 versus 87.1, p = 0.024; independent t test). We conclude that in asbestos-exposed subjects with normal chest radiographs, HRCT can identify a group of subjects with significantly reduced lung function indicative of restrictive lung disease when compared with a group with normal or near-normal HRCT."

Another fine study is called, "Acute injury and regeneration of the mesothelium in response to asbestos fibers" – by PA Moalli, JL MacDonald, LA Goodglick and AB Kane - American Journal of Pathology, Vol 128, 426-445, American Society for Investigative Pathology. Here is an excerpt: "The mesothelium is a target of the toxic and carcinogenic effects of asbestos fibers. Fibers greater than 8 mu in length and less than 0.25 mu in diameter have been found to be highly tumorigenic in rodents, while shorter asbestos fibers or spherical mineral particles have not been shown to produce mesotheliomas. For investigation of early mesothelial reactions associated with the development of mesotheliomas, C57BL/6 mice were given intraperitoneal injections of 200 micrograms of short or long crocidolite asbestos fibers, toxic silica particles, or nontoxic titanium dioxide particles. At intervals between 3 hours and 21 days after a single injection, the mesothelial surface of the diaphragm was examined by stereomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and autoradiography. Within 6 hours after injection of asbestos fibers, mesothelial cells in the lacunar regions of the diaphragm retracted opening stomata 10.7 +/- 2.3 mu in diameter leading to the submesothelial lymphatic plexus."

If you found either of these excerpts helpful, you should read the studies in their entirety. This article should not be construed as medical or legal advice.