Asbestos – A Hidden Danger The threat of asbestos exposure is a very real concern for many people. Most people that do not work in industries that present the most obvious threat, such as the construction industry, assume that they are not at risk. They are mistaken: homeowners, parents, and professionals that work in a variety of other industries, including firefighters and the military, are also at risk of asbestos exposure. Prior exposure to asbestos is the only conclusive cause of pleural mesothelioma, a deadly type of cancer that attacks the lungs and does not have a cure. Asbestos is present in over 35 million residences within the US. In addition, asbestos may be found in schools, hospitals, firehouses, factories, and even naval ships. Many construction materials, such as insulation and drywall, contain asbestos, which was widely implemented because of its insulating capabilities. If asbestos-containing materials are disturbed or damaged, the tiny asbestos fibers can become airborne, putting individuals at risk for inhalation. If inhaled, asbestos can situate in the lining of the lungs for decades before an individual may begin to suffer from mesotheliomarelated symptoms. A diagnosis of mesothelioma is essentially a death sentence. The survival rate associated with the disease is less than 1%, and the majority of mesothelioma sufferers will succumb to this aggressive form of cancer in less than 2 years following their diagnosis. There is no cure, but there are various mesothelioma treatment options available. The Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center is the web’s leading resource for information related to occupational asbestos exposure, mesothelioma, and more. Please visit www.maacenter.org for further information.