What causes Mesothelioma?

Asbestos occurs naturally in the environment and this very low level exposure will not cause illness.  It is when someone is exposed to a high level of asbestos fibres that diseases such as Mesothelioma occur.

Asbestos was first used in industry because of its fire-retardant, insulating and corrosion protection properties.  Eventually people began to link the use of asbestos with a number of diseases, some of them, like Mesothelioma, fatal.

It is now recognized that continuous exposure to high levels of asbestos fibres, either at work, or in the home, does indeed have health dangers associated with it and many people who have been diagnosed with an asbestos related disease are able to claim compensation.

There are three main kinds of asbestos fibres:

• Chrysotile - white
• Crocidolite - blue
• Amosite - brown

It is the thin fibres of each of these types of asbestos that are inhaled when disturbed and work their way into the body.  

Luckily, not everyone who is exposed to asbestos will become ill, indeed the majority will suffer no adverse affects at all.  However there are a number of diseases that can occur: pleural plaques, pleural thickening, asbestosis, lung cancer and Mesothelioma.

If you have been diagnosed with any of these illnesses speak to one of our expert asbestos solicitors about whether you are able to bring a claim for compensation