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MESOTHELIOMA is a rare cancer, where malignant cells grow in the mesothelium, the membrane that forms the lining of several body cavities, including the thoracal cavity, the abdominal cavity, and the heart sac (pericardium). In more than 90% of mesothelioma cases, the cancer develops as a result of a person's exposure to asbestos. The cancer cells divide and become abnormal, eventually spreading to other organs.

WHAT IS ASBESTOS?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fiber, which was once thought to be a "miracle mineral." Asbestos, which has been mined for hundreds of years, includes six minerals: chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, anthophyllite and actinolite. The word "asbestos" comes from a Greek adjective that means "inextinguishable."

In the nineteenth century, asbestos became extremely popular in manufacturing and building. The material was flame retardant and absorbed heat. It was used for electric wiring insulation, and was very often mixed with cement or woven into fabric or mats.

Asbestos is now known to be highly toxic. In 1906, the first death related to asbestos was recorded. In the early 20th century, scientific research noticed a trend of a large number of deaths and serious lung problems in various asbestos mining towns.

ASBESTOS RELATED DISEASES

Serious diseases related to asbestos include asbestosis, restrictive lung disease, lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancers and mesothelioma. Other diseases include asbestos warts, pleural plaques, and diffuse pleural thickening.

Mesothelioma was once thought to be very rare, but is increasingly becoming more prevalent as people exposed to asbestos get older. There is a latency period of 15-50 years for developing mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has estimated that by the year 2020, there will be hundred of thousands more cases of mesothelioma diagnosed.

WHO ARE THE PLAINTIFFS IN ASBESTOS RELATED CASES?

More than 20 million workers have had asbestos exposure in their place of work in the past 50 years. These plaintiffs include refinery and power plant workers, those working at construction sites where fireproofing sprays and drywall products existed or presently exist.

Anybody exposed to Asbestos could become a potential plaintiff, including textile workers (asbestos was woven into gloves and clothing), automobile production workers and mechanics, electricians, shipyard workers, and demolition workers. Essentially all trades of construction workers are at some risk

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