In general, most cases of mesothelioma are related to exposure to asbestos, or more commonly working with asbestos. However, other risk factors of mesothelioma do exist including secondary asbestos exposure, tobacco use, zeolites, radiation exposure, Simian virus 40 (SV40), and even your own genetics.
Mesothelioma and Asbestos
In the late 19thcentury, many manufacturers and builders became very interested in a long, thin fibrous crystal known as asbestos. They began mining it and using it for electrical insulation in hotplate wiring and building insulation. One of six naturally occurring silicate minerals, asbestos is resistant to heat, fire, electrical and chemical damage. Often, manufacturers would mix it with cement or weave it into fabrics and mats.
Unfortunately, during the manufacturing process, the thin fibers could be released into the air and be either ingested or inhaled, causing serious health problems including mesothelioma, pneumonia, and various respiratory infections.
It is believed that approximately 70-80% of all mesothelioma cases are linked to working with asbestos. For the family members of workers, they are at an increased risk of developing respiratory problems and mesothelioma as well from exposure to the dust and particles that remain on the clothing they bring home from the work environment.
Some occupations that were involved in asbestos mining or use of asbestos include automotive mechanics (asbestos was used for brake linings), railroad workers, shipbuilding, oil refining, power generation, construction/demolition. In addition, in the paper and pulp mills asbestos was used in the drying felt. Moreover, in our military, naval vessels were made containing asbestos.
Even those who did not work in asbestos mines, or live with someone working in an asbestos mines can be at an increased risk by living near an asbestos mine. During the mining process, particles can be released into the air, and you may have ingested or inhaled them during that time, unknowingly.
Although commercial use of asbestos was outlawed in the late 1980s and 1990s, there are still many buildings and homes in the United States containing asbestos products such as cement and insulation. You may consider getting your house tested for asbestos and replacing, if possible, the products that contain asbestos in order to protect your family from possible exposure.
Mesothelioma and Tobacco Use
The use of tobacco alone has not been associated as a risk factor for mesothelioma. However, tobacco use and the exposure to asbestos have an increased risk of developing lung cancer. This risk is reported to be as high as 90% over those not exposed to asbestos and those who do not smoke.
Mesothelioma and Zeolites
Zeolites are minerals chemically related to asbestos. They are erionite minerals, which are naturally occurring volcanic minerals. In the United States, zeolites are found mostly in the west in states such as Oregon, Arizona, Nevada, California, Wyoming, North Dakota and Utah.
Different from asbestos, zeolites are not manufactured, because they do not have the same commercial applications as asbestos. Small amounts of erionite have been found in other zeolite merchandise such water purification systems, but most exposure comes from natural environmental exposure.
The highest known rate of mesothelioma, possibly due to zeolites, is in Turkey where they have an abundant concentration of zeolites in the soil, and can result in inhalation of dust particles. In Turkey, there is an alarmingly rate of mesothelioma related deaths – nearly 70 times the average yearly deaths.
Mesothelioma and Radiation
Prior to the 1950s, in this country in order to develop an X-ray of the chest or abdomen, some doctors would give an injection prior to the X-ray. This injection known as Thorotrast contained a chemical called thorium dioxide, which is radioactive. Thorium dioxide has a molecular structure that is similar to asbestos. It is believed that this chemical, and/or a combination of high doses of radiation from the X-rays may be linked to an increased risk of developing mesothelioma.
Aside from X-rays, people working in atomic energy plants were also exposed to radiation, and there seems to be a link to this type of exposure and an increased risk of developing mesothelioma. Instead of high doses of radiation, however, this was a prolonged exposure to low levels of radiation.
Mesothelioma and Simian Virus 40 (SV40)
Simian virus 40 (SV40) was found to cause kidney disease and certain cancers. It also attacks a particular tumor gene and interrupts cell death. All of these tests were being done on a monkey species known as the rhesus monkey.
Unfortunately, these same monkey kidney cells were being used in the manufacturing of polio vaccinations that were given to approximately 30 million American between the late 1950s and early 1960s.Tested in lab animals, this virus is a risk factor for developing mesothelioma.
However, because the symptoms of mesothelioma do not usually present until a person reaches the age of 50, it will be a few more years until exposure to the contaminated vaccines can be listed as a definite risk factor. In addition, scientists have found that the exposure to asbestos and SV40 gives patients an increased risk for developing mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma and Genetics
Some scientists believe that even our own genetics can put us at an increased risk for developing mesothelioma. They found that in South Africa only 5% of the people who were exposed to asbestos, same as the Americans were, developed mesothelioma. They concluded that genetic predisposition plays a role in our risk for developing the disease – some genetics prevent or protect us more than others.
