A particular heavy user of asbestos was, in fact, the US government — specifically the US military. United States military institutions heavily incorporated the use of asbestos products, especially the US Navy, which had used them aboard nearly all of their battleships. During World War II, the US Navy built warships by the hundreds in an effort to serve the needs of the war.

Asbestos Use by the Navy

Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral, had many important properties and characteristics that made it an effective choice by the US Navy. Not only was asbestos extremely fireproof, it also was highly resilient to extreme temperatures. To top it all off, asbestos was also extremely cheap and economical, thus further encouraging is usage.

As a result, the US Navy used asbestos extensively in boiler rooms and engine rooms that were deep below deck, areas that typically lacked proper ventilation. Also, because these boiler room and engine rooms were relatively small and confined spaces, the Navy officers and sailors that spent hours upon hours in those rooms were constantly exposed to asbestos and breathing in the dust and debris. Even areas outside of the engineering spaces, such as navigation rooms, eating areas and sleeping areas also frequently contained asbestos.

Navy Mesothelioma Sufferers

People who have served in the US Navy or naval personnel who worked in ship yards and ship boiler rooms, as a result of the high level of usage of asbestos in those environments, now have a higher frequency of developing asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma.

Navy Mesothelioma Research

Mount Sinai School of Medicine, in a study it conducted, found that 86% of of ship yard workers with a long history of experience developed asbestos-related lung diseases. Additionally, it is a tragic fact that more than 30% of mesothelioma cancer victims in the United States had had their exposure to asbestos while serving in the military, particularly in the Navy.

Mesothelioma Settlement Amounts

Mesothelioma settlement amounts vary widely and can range from thousands of dollars to even several million in awards to the plaintiff. Each case is invariably unique and compensation for mesothelioma victims depend upon a wide variety of factors. In addition to differences from state to state and the political climates within each region, some of the key determinants to the amount of settlements include the degree and extent of damages suffered by the plaintiff, the degree and extent of negligence and culpability by the defendant, as well as the historical results and trial decisions of prior mesothelioma cases. In general, personal injury mesothelioma settlements are generally smaller than for settlements involving wrongful death. The latter types of cases usually incorporate additional compensation on account of the loss of life and the surviving family members’ suffering and emotional distress caused by the death.

Largest Mesothelioma Settlements

• $250 million awarded to a retired US Steel worker that was diagnosed with mesothelioma
• $34 million awarded to a former Shell Oil Company refinery worker that suffered from pleural mesothelioma
• $34 million awarded to a Navy electrician that developed mesothelioma
• $12 million awarded to an insulator who died of mesothelioma
• $3 million awarded to a pipe worker who was exposed to asbestos and developed mesothelioma

Conclusion

A mesothelioma settlement will not bring back a life taken away by mesothelioma cancer, nor will it erase the pain and suffering by victims of asbestos disease. However, it helps provide the financial means to pay for medical bills and compensates for lost wages due to a sufferer’s death or his or her inability to work. Lastly, it ensures that in the future, companies and employers will take the utmost care in manufacturing safe products and offering safe working environments for employees.

Even a short period of asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma decades into the future. There have been documented cases of mesothelioma sufferers who had been exposed to asbestos for only one to three months. Latency is particularly prolonged in mesothelioma, where in other words the time between initial contact with asbestos and when symptoms of the disease start to become apparent may usually be around thirty years.

Occupational Asbestos Exposure

Since the early part of the twentieth century, asbestos exposure has been recognized as an occupation hazard. The federal government, through the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration, has enforced acceptable limits of exposure to asbestos in the workplace, including creating guidelines for use of protective gear and equipment, best practices in the workplace, warning labels and signs, as well as periodic medical examinations. Various studies have reported the association between exposure to asbestos in the workplace with pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma.

Secondary Asbestos Exposure

A number of studies have reported that family members and others living in close quarters with workers dealing with asbestos products have a higher risk of contracting mesothelioma and related illnesses. This is thought to be due to small asbestos fibers and dust that contaminate homes as they are brought back on the clothing worn by employees at the workplace. Asbestos workers are now typically required to shower and change their clothes before leaving work.

Asbestos Exposure from Houses and Buildings

Some materials used in housing and building construction contain asbestos. Care should be taken when renovating these buildings to prevent exposure to asbestos dust. The US Environmental Protection Agency has set guidelines for asbestos removal as well as for the safe disposal of asbestos waste. What is important during the removal process is to limit dust and debris from becoming airborne and sealing off the work area to prevent asbestos exposure to the rest of the building.

Asbestos Exposure from the Environment

Since asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, populations living in communities where asbestos mines and processing plants are closeby often have a greater risk of mesothelioma. This was much more dangerous when the risks of asbestos exposure were unknown, and contamination of the nearby environment was almost a daily occurrence, which caused entire communities to become ill.

X-Ray Mesothelioma Diagnostics

Taking a chest x-ray is usually one of the first mesothelioma diagnosis procedures undertaken. An x-ray will usually reveal whether there is any buildup of fluid in the mesothelium, called pleural effusion. A chest x-ray may also reveal the location of any tumors, if present, and whether any masses have spread to other nearby areas of the body. Other diseases, including lung cancer and pneumonia can also be brought to light by taking an x-ray.

CT/MRI Mesothelioma Diagnostics

X-rays are typically followed up with a CT Scan (Computed Tomography) or MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). CT scans utilize x-rays as well, but take multiple images to produce a three dimensional result of the part being scanned. In some CT scan procedures, dyes are injected intravenously to help improve the contrast of the imaging. MRI technology uses magnets and radio waves to generate internal images of the body. MRI’s typically take longer than CT Scans but produce much higher detail for soft tissue. They are also typically superior to CT Scans when it comes to identifying and detecting tumors.

Pleural Mesothelioma Diagnosis by Thoracoscopy

If the possibility of pleural mesothelioma is suspected from initial scans, thoracoscopy is usually performed. Thoracoscopy is a surgical procedure involving the use of a thoracoscope, a special viewing instrument, that is inserted into the chest through the ribs that allows a surgeon to visually inspect the pleural cavity. If any tumors or other abnormal growths are discovered, the surgeon will remove, or biopsy, a sample of the tissue for further examination under a microscope.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Diagnosis by Peritoneoscopy

In situations of suspected peritoneal mesothelioma, surgeons may perform a procedure similar to thoracoscopy but instead examine the abdominal cavity through the use of a peritoneoscope. This procedure is called peritoneoscopy. A sample is also collected through a biopsy for further examination. If there is a buildup of fluid, surgeons can drain the excess accumulation and will also analyze the fluid for abnormal cells and properties.

Mesothelioma Diagnosis by Pathology

After tissue samples are collected from other thoracoscopy or peritoneoscopy through biopsy, pathologists will examine the tissue to determine whether the cells are benign or malignant. Cells are observed for their shape and other characteristics of their appearance. Staining and other chemical tests may also be used to help with mesothelioma diagnosis.

Malignant mesothelioma can affect different areas of the body, and there are various types:

Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma of the pleura is cancer that develops in the protective lining of the chest organs. Asbestos fibers inhaled via the lungs pass into the body and become embedded within the inner and outer layers of the mesothelium, where they cause abnormal buildup of fluids and thickening of the lining. As the lining expands, the pressure against the lungs begin to cause breathing-related symptoms, including shortness of breath, persistent dry coughing, pain in the chest area and lumps under the skin. Other symptoms include coughing blood, difficulty swallowing, tiredness and weight loss.

Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma

The second most common form of malignant mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma is the cancer of the peritoneum, or the protective membrane that lines the abdominal organs. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, asbestos dust and fibers that enter into the body become trapped within the inner and outer layers of the peritoneum. The toxicity of the asbestos leads to thickening of the mesothelium, buildup of fluid, and eventually the development of cancerous tumors and growths. The expansion of the lining puts pressure against the abdominal organs, which leads to pain in the abdominal area, swelling, irregular bowel movements, nausea and tiredness.

Malignant Pericardial Mesothelioma

Accounting for a much smaller proportion of malignant mesothelioma cases, pericardial mesothelioma affects the protective lining surrounding the heart. These rarer cases are usually caused by an extended degree of exposure to asbestos dust and fibers, which get into the pericardium, causing tissue scaring, thickening of the lining and eventually the development of cancer cells that divide uncontrollably and spread throughout the body. The symptoms of malignant pericardial mesothelioma typically resemble other cardiovascular diseases, such as chest pain, coughing, chest palpitations and irregular heart beats.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Malignant Mesothelioma

Diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma starts with determining whether there has been a history of asbestos exposure. More often than not, the exposure usually takes place at the workplace and certain occupations have higher risk of exposure than others. Patients suspected of having malignant mesothelioma are given x-rays, CT scans or MRI’s, followed by surgical procedures depending upon various factors. These surgical procedures usually involve collecting internal tissue samples of abnormal growths that are then examined in further for diagnosis. Treatment options include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and immunotherapy.