First, let's be clear about what mesothelioma is before identifying which geographic locations are most likely to be affected by this debilitating, dangerous, and life-threatening condition. This disease (a cancer that affects areas lining the lungs and abdomen) is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. Other conditions that can be caused by asbestos exposure include scarring of the lungs (asbestosis), lung cancer, and general malaise.

Areas Of The United States Recording The Highest Rates Of Cases

Below, we address the environmental issues that are leading factors of asbestos exposure that results in higher rates of this disease and asbestosis. Of course, that is a direct determinant to where there are the highest rates of asbestos-related diseases.

You cannot point a finger at a particular state or community that is responsible for this dangerous disease until you examine and identify which locations have a cluster of cases of mesothelioma or other asbestos-related problems. Once identified, you will invariably find this area with victims is a high source of asbestos exposure.

Let's start by looking at one highly visible case as a recent example of a town that had a high incidence of this disease. This case has been well documented in print and on TV. Rates of mesothelioma have been very high in Libby, Montana. Without fear of repercussion in this article because they have already publicly admitted their responsibility, W.R. Grace's vermiculite mine caused human casualties due to their neglect to consider the risks of asbestos exposure. The human casualties are truly a shame.

Generally, both the East and West Coasts of America are locations where governments and medical communities should be educated and concerned about their citizens who may contract mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases because industries including shipbuilding are congregated on the coasts. For example, in North Carolina high rates of diseases due to asbestos exposure are evident, even if they are no longer active in shipbuilding and textile industries because this insidious disease can sometimes wait 20 to 30 years to manifest after exposure.

Environmental Factors Leading Residents And Workers In These Areas To Suffer This Disease

Each year, approximately 2,000 to 3,000 folks in the United States are diagnosed with mesothelioma. The Asbestos Information Association identifies 3,000 uses of asbestos in trades and job sites across the country. Exposure to workers include industries related to construction, mining, milling, shipbuilding, and manufacturing as well as many other industries concerned with fire prevention, which is historically a primary use for asbestos. Mechanics who work on cars are also at risk since they may repair brakes or clutches with asbestos to prevent fire and friction.

First-responders who are called upon to put out fires in older buildings riddled with asbestos are especially put at a high risk of exposure. This includes firefighters, police, and EMS personnel who may all be vulnerable to fumes as buildings burn.

Residents who live near burning buildings or near older construction sites being razed are also at risk. Studies have estimated that the airborne release of asbestos at older construction sites can be as high as one-hundred times the environmental levels compared to natural sites.

Navy personnel may be victims of asbestos when they repair old ships. All current military personnel or veterans who now work or have worked overseas are also vulnerable to asbestos if they served in countries that do not regulate asbestos exposure as we have tried to do in America.

As far as environmental factors in reference to asbestos that may possibly lead to contracting this disease, asbestosis, or other lung-related cancers, OSHA distinguishes between construction jobs and the "general industry." People with construction jobs may have torn down or renovated older buildings before asbestos laws and mesothelioma legislation went into effect, making them more vulnerable to the risks of exposure.

Governmental Actions And Legislation Taken To Prevent This Disease

Mesothelioma legislation to limit the spread of this disease, asbestosis, or any other diseases related to asbestos exposure is extremely important to fight these asbestos-related diseases. On a federal level, a bill that supports mesothelioma legislation passed in March 2009. The U.S. Senate passed a bill called ALERT, which included prevention of cancer caused by environmental and occupational exposure to carcinogens. This included asbestos. Since the late 1970s and early 1980s, OSHA, a governmental agency, has regulated exposure to asbestos.