People in Louisiana who work in occupations where they face a high risk of exposure to asbestos may wonder how much exposure it takes to develop mesothelioma. One study claims that any amount of exposure can lead to the fatal illness.
Is there any safe amount of asbestos exposure?
The more asbestos a person inhales, the more the substance can penetrate cell walls lining the lung cavity, chest wall and peritoneum, causing mesothelioma. One study found that even the inhalation of one particle of asbestos dust can cause a person to fall ill with mesothelioma. However, mesothelioma may only be diagnosed long after exposure because mesothelioma has a latency period of anywhere from 20 to 50 years.
Who is likely to be exposed to asbestos?
It is important to be aware that the most common way a person could be exposed to asbestos and thus contract mesothelioma is through their job. Specifically, those who work in the construction industry, those who handle insulation materials containing asbestos, electricians and automobile mechanics are at high risk of asbestos exposure. People in other occupations that could lead to asbestos exposure include bakers, boiler workers and plumbers.
Treatment often leads to unmanageable medical debt
Mesothelioma treatment can be very costly, often resulting in medical debt. Even once the mesothelioma victim dies, their loved ones still must contend with bills related to the treatment of the fatal illness. For some, this means hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical expenses that they cannot afford. When this happens, they may want to pursue mesothelioma litigation as a means of seeking the compensation they so desperately need.