Without asbestos there would most probably be no such thing as mesothelioma.

So then what is this thing that can lead to one of the deadliest cancers ever known to man ? Asbestos is a naturally occurring silicate mineral that can only be seen under a microscope. It can be separated into fibres, which are very strong, flexible, highly-resistant, and have a high tensile strength too. Due to these properties asbestos has been extensively mined for use in the building industry, as well as the manufacture of thousands of consumer products.

During the 20th century an estimated 30 tons of asbestos were used on building sites in the United States. Some finished products that contain asbestos are insulating cement, packing materials, celing tiles, and adhesives, amongst others.

There are three types of asbestos fibres;

Chrystolite - this is whitish in color, and is found mainly in Canada.

Crocidolite - this type is blue and is found in southern Africa & Australia.

Amosite - this type is also found in southern Africa. It is brown in color.

It is possible that people in southern Africa may contract, or already have contracted, mesothelioma. Unfortunately they may not have similar access to mesothelioma attorneys such as people in the US.

Asbestos is still a problem in the US because many products that contain asbestos can still be found in buildings and industrial facilities. The asbestos fibres can still become airborne and be inhaled, eventually leading to mesothelioma. During a survey that was conducted in the mid-1980's, it was found that about 20% of all buildings in the US still contained asbestos.

Products that contain this highly dangerous mineral are still being imported and sold in the US. The majority of them come from Canada and Mexico. This dispels the myth that asbestos was banned. The sad fact is that it is still around and will continue to pose a serious health hazard. Mesothelioma may be here for many more years to come.