Iowa Mesothelioma Attorney, Facts and Figures

An uncommon but deadly disease, Mesothelioma is fast spreading to every part of US now, due to exposure to asbestos in the previous years. In the last 20 years, cases of Mesothelioma have cropped up very frequently and continue to rise as people realize they are suffering from this disease. However, it is relieving to know that it is a 100% preventable disease which can be avoided with lack of asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma begins in the mesothelium, the protective sac which covers most of the inner lining of the organs of the body. However, when the lining of the organs gets affected, it can cause problems and symptoms like breathing difficulty, irregular bowel movements and pain. As these symptoms are also commonly found in older people, they are often misdiagnosed or mistaken for other diseases.

Mesothelioma can either develop in the pleura or the lining of the lungs or peritoneum, the lining of the stomach. In either of the case, it can prove fatal for the patient and the patient can die within a year of diagnosis. The worst part of this disease is that you can have it for years and not even know about it as the symptoms can be latent for 25 to 50 years. It means a person can have this cancer for most of their adult life and not even know it.

Men and women are both vulnerable to this disease. However, men are more likely to get it as they work outside in the fields and industries where asbestos is handled such as dockyards, shipyards, automobile industry, insulation works, asbestos mines and mills. Women can also get asbestos by living in areas where asbestos is in the atmosphere, by inhaling the asbestos particles from the clothing, shoes and hair of asbestos workers. Thus, for these reasons, it has been made mandatory by the government that the asbestos workers wear masks and protective gear and leave their workplace clothing when going out.

Mesothelioma in Iowa

Since 1979, at least 457 people have died who were diagnosed with Mesothelioma in Iowa as recorded by the EWG (Environmental Working Group). Another reason is the 353 shipments or 13,661 tons of vermiculite which were sent to two locations in Fort Dodge, in Iowa between 1948 and 1993. Ames, Atlantic, Clive, Sperry, Des Moines and Sioux City also received these shipments of vermiculite.

In these plants, vermiculite was exfoliated that released massive amounts of asbestos dust which was inhaled by thousands of people and caused Mesothelioma. Asbestos dust is known to be extremely toxic and it can lead to this fatal cancer. If you have been a victim of any such plant or if you worked at any place where asbestos was handled without wearing any protective gear and mask, it is important for you to seek medical help and get diagnosed for Mesothelioma.