- Mesothelioma in the USA
Mesothelioma in the United States
Ten thousand Americans die each year as a result of asbestos related diseases. Men are primarily the ones affected by asbestos-related diseases, and 1 out of every 125 men over the age of 50 who die will pass on as the result of asbestos exposure. NIOSH databases reveal that some 80% of deaths are in men. Most were exposed to asbestos, unaware of its dangers, in the workplace, as they processed asbestos or manufactured or utilized products that contained asbestos.
US Mesothelioma & Asbestosis Deaths
| Gender | 1999 | 2000 |
|---|---|---|
| Male | 1,995 | 2,043 |
| Female | 490 | 488 |
| Sub Totals | 2,485 | 2,531 |
| Gender | 1999 | 2000 |
|---|---|---|
| Male | 1,225 | 1,439 |
| Female | 40 | 54 |
| Sub Totals | 1,265 | 1,493 |
Malignant mesothelioma and asbestosis (a non-cancerous, chronic respiratory disease) are two of the most familiar diseases attributed to asbestos exposure. The risk of lung cancer is also increased by exposure to asbestos and when coupled with cigarette smoking, dramatically increases the risk of lung cancer. The following charts outline deaths from asbestos-related diseases.
| Disease | Number of deaths per year |
|---|---|
| Mesothelioma | 2,509 |
| Asbestosis | 1,398 |
| Lung Cancer | 4,800 |
| Gastrointestinal cancer | 1,200 |
| Total | 9,907 |
The incidence of mesothelioma in the United States is not supposed to peak until 2015, a direct result of high asbestos exposure levels in the 1970s. Interestingly, although, the asbestos industry had finally accepted asbestos' danger the decade before (despite having been aware of its risks since the 30s), it was not until the early 80s that safety precautions of any merit were put in place.
Who is at increased risk for developing mesothelioma?