Mesothelioma in Missouri

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mesothelioma


Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the mesothelial cells of the human body. These cells form the mesothelium, the protective layers around the lungs, heart, and stomach that cushion the organs, prevent friction, and allow for free movement.


When a tumor forms in the mesothelium, it may be either benign or malignant. Malignant tumors are cancer-causing, and while these types of tumors were once relatively rare, about 2000 new cases of malignant mesothelioma are currently being diagnosed in the United States each year.


Exposure to asbestos dust is the main cause of mesothelioma, and millions of workers in the U.S., including Missouri, have been exposed to asbestos dust since the 1940s. The recent increase of mesothelioma is thought to be the result of the slow incubation period of this type of cancer, which may manifest itself approximately 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Those currently suffering from malignant mesothelioma are thought to have been exposed to asbestos during the 1960s and 1970s, before the hazards of asbestos were known. Those who worked in the shipbuilding, mining, and construction industries are considered to be the most at-risk.


Mesothelioma is considered a deadly form of cancer because most people who are diagnosed with the disease die within two years. Those who have worked around asbestos are encouraged to seek the advice of a physician, since early diagnosis may slow or even stop the spread of mesothelioma. Some common treatments for mesothelioma include surgery to remove the affected area, radiation, and chemotherapy.


According to Mesothelioma.com, asbestos sites in Missouri include two power generation plants, two chemical companies, a motor vehicle assembly plant and a university, where asbestos was discovered during renovation. Workers at the Mack Truck assembly plant in Joplin have run an elevated risk of asbestos disease due to the asbestos-containing materials used in gasket materials and brake linings. Missouri's power generation plants are also sources of asbestos exposure. W.R. Grace & company operated a zonolite plant in St. Louis, processing almost 105,000 tons of vermiculite ore from its mining operations in Libby, Montana over its years of operation. While vermiculite itself is relatively harmless, it is often contaminated with tremolite, a type of amphibole asbestos. During processing, these fibers are released into the air, exposing not only workers at the plant, but those living and working in the vicinity as well.


The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) recommends certain practices to reduce the likelihood of asbestos exposure at home:



  • Shower and change clothes before you leave work

  • Wash hands and face regularly, especially before meals

  • Regularly clean up dust and soil brought into the home

  • Use door mats to catch soil from shoes and remove shoes before entering the house so as not to track dirt possibly containing fibers into the house

People from Missouri who are suffering from mesothelioma have the option of filing a lawsuit against their employers to compensate them for their medical expenses, pain and suffering due to the disease.