Asbestos and Mesothelioma

Asbestos is a natural mineral made up of crystals that form long fibers. Asbestos can take two forms — Serpentine and Amphibole — which are different based on the structure of their crystals. Before the late 70s to early 80s, asbestos was often combined with other bonding agents to make products that were strong, fire-resistant and insulated from heat. These products included everything from building materials to common household appliances such as toasters.

Later, it was discovered that the mineral fibers could cause serious health problems. If airborne and inhaled, asbestos fibers' small size and thin shape allows them to defeat the body's regular protections against inhaled debris and become lodged deep into the lung. Once there, asbestos fibers cause damage to the lungs; many exposed to asbestos develop life-threatening diseases, such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, or lung cancer.