Anything that
increases the chance of getting a disease to a
person is called as risk factor. Different cancers
have different risk factors.The major risk factor
for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos.Sometimes
it may occur without any exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos is the
name of a group of minerals that occur naturally
as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can
be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos
has been widely used in many industrial products,
including cement, brake linings, roof shingles,
flooring products, textiles, and insulation.
Some of the professions
where people are more at risk are
Insulators
– These people were among the most exposed
to asbestos. They were even known as asbestos
workers.
Boilermakers
– Though the use of asbestos was banned
in many industries, these people are still at
risk because they have to maintain older boilers
that contain asbestos.
Shipfitters
- These people are at increased risk for lung
cancer mesothelioma as they often work in constricted
spaces.
Steel
Workers – Manufacturing
of steel products would have exposed them to dangerously
high levels of asbestos resulting in many of them
contracting the fatal disease of mesothelioma.
Maintenance
Workers – While performing
repair works, repair of facilities with asbestos
in place, and the material may be disturbed and
release asbestos in the air.
Pipe
Fitters
Brake
Mechanics
Another reason
was the use of Thorotrast in the use of x-rays.
Also zeolite which is a silicate mineral found
in certain parts of Turkey is believed to have
caused some mesothelioma related deaths in this
part. Though tobacco alone doesn’t induce
mesothelioma it increases the risk of this disease
for asbestos workers.
|