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Working with
asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos
exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases.
However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known
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. If tiny asbestos
particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they
may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems. In addition
to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer,
asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as
those of the larynx and kidney.
Smoking does not
appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the combination of smoking
and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person's risk of developing
cancer of the air passageways in the lung.
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