NY Mesothelioma Attorney Says New Study Shows Wide Risks Created by Workplace Asbestos Exposure

A new British study reporting that workers exposed to asbestos run a higher risk of developing life-threatening illnesses in addition to mesothelioma is a disturbing finding but not entirely a surprise, New York mesothelioma attorney Joseph W. Belluck said today.

The study, recently published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, found that workers who were exposed to asbestos between 1971 and 2005 had a significantly higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease and suffering strokes than those who were not.  

“Asbestos is already linked to mesothelioma, an incurable cancer, and several other serious lung disorders,” said Belluck, whose New York personal injury firm, Belluck & Fox, LLP, dedicates its practice to representing clients with asbestos-related diseases.

“The fact that medical researchers are correlating it with other deadly conditions only highlights its dangers and points to the need for further study of the consequences of asbestos exposure,” he said.

Asbestos is a material that was widely used in shipyards, building, construction, the automobile industry and ceiling and floor tiles. Health organizations, both in the U.S. and internationally, have recognized it as a dangerous carcinogen. Some countries have banned it.

Asbestos is the only substance known to cause mesothelioma. This aggressive cancer affects the lining of the lungs and abdomen. An estimated 2,500 to 3,000 Americans lose their lives to mesothelioma each year.

In the British study, researchers found that workers exposed to asbestos showed a higher rate of death from ischemic heart disease, which is a reduced blood supply in the heart muscle. In addition, 63 percent were more likely to die of a stroke.

Belluck said anyone exposed to asbestos that has become ill should contact an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to learn about their legal options.

“Although it is true that workers are most frequently diagnosed with mesothelioma, they are certainly not the only people who are at risk,” Belluck said. “Asbestos was used in the construction of residences, office buildings and other places where the general public may be found. Even though asbestos is not used now, there are still older structures where asbestos has not been removed, making the threat more widespread.”

Many sufferers of asbestos-related diseases will need extensive medical treatment, he said.

“A successful mesothelioma or asbestos claim can make dealing with the disease, at lease from a financial standpoint, more manageable,” Belluck said. “That leaves victims free to focus on treatment and spending time with their loved ones, which is always most important.”