How Much Asbestos Exposure Causes Mesothelioma?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral with a long history of use in various industries due to its heat resistance and durability. Countless people have experienced asbestos exposure, which can lead to the development of a rare and aggressive form of cancer known as mesothelioma.
Brendan Little, Partner, Bergman Oslund Udo Little Last Updated: November 15, 2024
It can be difficult to predict exactly how much asbestos exposure causes mesothelioma, as any amount has the potential to be harmful. There is no known safe level of asbestos exposure that has been identified. At Bergman Oslund Udo Little, we have recovered compensation on behalf of mesothelioma patients with varying degrees of asbestos exposure.
Is There a Safe Level of Asbestos Exposure?
There is no safe level of asbestos exposure. Most people who develop mesothelioma have had significant, prolonged, and repeated exposure to asbestos fibers. However, some have received a mesothelioma diagnosis years after having just a few days of asbestos exposure.
Each instance of asbestos exposure increases a person’s risk of getting an asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a cumulative dose disease. This means that the greater an individual’s exposure to asbestos, the greater the risk of contracting the disease. Since there is no known safe level of asbestos exposure, it is critical that controls be put in place to reduce the exposure to the lowest level possible.
We have represented clients where it has been difficult to pinpoint precisely where they were exposed to asbestos. It is critical to obtain a thorough occupational and paraoccupational history to evaluate potential asbestos exposures. For example, a person diagnosed with mesothelioma might work in a white-collar job but a parent worked in a trade where they were exposed to asbestos on the job and unknowingly brought it home on their clothing and person exposing family members.
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Asbestos Exposure & Mesothelioma
Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma. Up to 80 percent of mesothelioma cases result from direct physical exposure to asbestos fibers.
Mesothelioma has a long latency period, meaning it can take 20–50 years for symptoms to appear after a patient’s first asbestos exposure. When a person inhales or ingests asbestos fibers, the fibers travel to the lining of the lungs, heart, or abdomen and become embedded in the tissue. The resulting reaction inflames the cells and creates scar tissue, which can eventually progress to mesothelioma.
A similar process can cause other asbestos-related diseases, such as lung cancer, asbestosis, and pleural effusion. Asbestos exposure causes these diseases more commonly than it causes mesothelioma. However, mesothelioma is the most lethal of all asbestos-related diseases, with a five-year survival rate of just 10 percent.
How Does Asbestos Exposure Happen?
There are a few different ways that people can experience asbestos exposure:
- Occupational exposure: Certain occupations, such as construction, shipbuilding, and manufacturing, have a higher risk for asbestos exposure due to the prevalence of asbestos in these industries’ materials. While performing their daily job duties, workers often disturb asbestos-containing materials, which causes the fibers to become airborne.
- Legacy exposure: Buildings built throughout the 20th century contained asbestos. In addition, many products manufactured often contain the substance. Thus, people who come into contact with these older buildings and products are still at risk for exposure today.
- Secondary exposure: People who directly work with asbestos can bring home the fibers on their clothing, hair, and skin. Thus, the workers’ family members, such as spouses and children, are at risk for secondary exposure.
If You Were Diagnosed With Cancer After Exposure to Asbestos, You Might Be Entitled to Compensation
While there is no clear answer to the question of how much asbestos exposure causes cancer, it’s clear that people exposed to asbestos at any level are at risk for developing deadly diseases.
If you or a loved one has developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease from asbestos exposure, you may be eligible for compensation. Bergman Oslund Udo Little can advise you about your mesothelioma compensation options and help you pursue a claim against the parties responsible for your illness.
For a free consultation with a skilled and experienced mesothelioma attorney, contact our Seattle office at 206-957-9510 or our Portland office at 503-447-6230.
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