Asbestos

Asbestos Disease

Mesothelioma Cancer

Cause of Mesothelioma Cancer: Asbestos

The only known cause for mesothelioma in the United States is exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a substance used for many years in insulation materials and other construction products. Asbestos is made up of clusters of fibers that break apart when damaged or disturbed. These fibers can then become airborne and are breathed in by those who work with asbestos or are exposed to the asbestos particles. Scientists are uncertain as the specific mechanism that causes asbestos disease; however, it is thought that the fibers are so small that they are not caught by the body's defense filters and can float around in the lungs for indefinite periods of time.