Exposure to asbestos is one of the most common causes of mesothelioma. More than 50% of mesothelioma patients have a history of asbestos exposure. This exposure can occur directly during the handling of the fiber material or it can occur through environmental exposure.

There are many documented cases in which patients with the disease lived near asbestos or came into contact with asbestos when some of the fibers became airborne. Those most affected are boat builders, construction workers, auto mechanics (particularly brake lining jobs), insulation workers, pipe and radiator locksmiths, and ground and ground workers. Roofer.

Also, for those who were exposed to asbestos and also smoking, the risk is exaggerated. Studies show that asbestos workers who also smoke are 55 times more likely to die from mesothelioma than non-smokers without asbestos exposure.

Erionite

Erionite is a mineral that has a long, thin structure, like a rod amphibole. Exposure to this mineral is associated with a higher incidence of mesothelioma. Many cases of mesothelioma have been diagnosed due to exposure to erionite in the central anatolia region of Turkey.

Erionite is a brittle fibrous mineral found in areas where the volcano and ash were exposed to the elements, generally alkaline. It is shiny or white, and erionite looks like wool or glass.

As a mineral asbestos, erionite can be extremely dangerous if disturbed and released into the air. Also, like asbestos fibers, tiny microscopic erionite fibers can be inhaled and enter the lungs.

Once inhaled, their size can undermine the lungs’ natural filtration system and deposit on the mesothelium, a protective lining that surrounds vital organs. This, in turn, can lead to a rare form of cancer called mesothelioma. Exposure to erionite is most closely related to mesothelioma of the abdomen (lining of the stomach) and pleura (lining of the lung). It also appears to be related to fibrotic lung diseases and lung cancer.

Erionite is not regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), although it shares many properties with asbestos and poses risks.

Asbestos is the leading cause of malignant mesothelioma in most patients. If you or a loved one is exposed to asbestos, you are in danger.

There is no such safe minimum level of exposure. Make sure that during your health care routine, you inform your doctor about previous asbestos exposure, especially if you have a sensation of shortness of breath, dyspnea, chest pain, or a cough. Although these symptoms do not indicate the presence of a disease, they are the most common symptoms and should be investigated further when exposed to asbestos.