The mesothelium is a membrane that covers the internal organs; cancer develops here. Many symptoms may occur, it depends on the location but some include chest pain, fever, anemia, blood clotting, obstruction of the bowel, shortness of breath. Procedures such as taking tissue samples are taken to accurately diagnose this disease. They are sent to a pathologist for an analysis.

In reports, about 70 to 80% of mesothelioma cases are due to the exposure to asbestos. What is unfortunate is symptoms may take up to 50 years to appear and it may be too late. Under the mesothelioma law, a person can be protected if asbestos is the cause of the disease.

Family members of those working in factories where asbestos is used can increase their risk of developing mesothelioma. This is because asbestos particles will cling to the clothes and hair of an individual. If that person does not wash up or change clothes, they bring it home to their family. Other family members may be exposed when doing laundry, for example.

Before asbestos was discovered, millions of people were working in industries where asbestos was being used. During the manufacturing process, asbestos is used to make some products. Some industries include auto parts, roofing shingles, mining and insulation.

Options become limited for those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma because symptoms take years to appear. Surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are all used for treatment. Doctors will evaluate the disease, such as what stage it is in and the location of it to determine what type of treatment to give.

The cost of treatment is expensive but under the mesothelioma law, a victim has rights and can be compensated for their losses with the help of a lawyer. Lawyers can help with these types of cases since they are familiar with the mesothelioma laws in your area.

Visit http://www.mesotheliomalawadvice.org for more information about mesothelioma law.

Many schools built before 1980 were constructed with asbestos containing materials. Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was widely used in construction for insulation and fireproofing. Some common products used in schools that most likely contain asbestos are:

* Pipe and wall insulation * Insulation around boilers and water heaters * Wall paneling * Various plasters, wallboard and joint compounds * Floor and ceiling tiles * Roofing shingles and adhesives

Asbestos is made up of microscopic, invisible fibers that can cause life threatening and serious illnesses, such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and asbestos related lung cancers. When intact and contained, asbestos does not pose any hazard to health. However asbestos can become airborne and be inhaled when disturbed. If inhaled or ingested, toxic fibers enter the body and cause serous diseases.

Mesothelioma, the most serious disease, is a cancer that develops in the lining of the heart, abdomen or chest cavities years after first exposure. Mesothelioma can be very difficult to diagnose and treat because it can take decades from time of first exposure for symptoms to develop.

Occupationally, school custodial and maintenance employees are at a higher risk of contracting mesothelioma, which may not show signs until 10 to 40 years after first exposure. Repair, renovation and demolition activities to materials likely to contain asbestos all increase the risk of exposure.

One common example of this type of exposure is occurring at Charles Street School in Palmyra, Philadelphia. The school was originally built in 1949 and has been undergoing major renovations over the last summer. Initial funding was assigned for asbestos abatement, however did not include the asbestos that was discovered at Charles Street and two other schools.

After renovations were underway, asbestos was discovered in the thin coating within the plaster walls at Charles Street School. However, because a lack of financial resources and time, a decision was made to paint the walls with a thick layer of paint, thereby encapsulating any asbestos. Measures like this prevent asbestos from becoming airborne until plans for further removal in the future can be made.

The school will stay on course to open on September 14 and, in the case that the walls should need repairs, a plan has been created to protect school workers from making any asbestos containing materials friable. Asbestos is considered to be friable if, when dry, it can be easily reduced or crumbled to dust by hand pressure. Any material that contains more than 1% of asbestos that is friable must follow federal and state law regulations.

Despite wishes to be asbestos free, until time and funds are made available to make the school asbestos free, encapsulating the materials will ensure the safety of school staff and students. All contaminated areas have been cleared by certified asbestos specialists, air quality tests have come back negative, and all current employees have been offered free medical screenings. Such actions and measures should ensure the safety of all at the school until more removal can be performed next summer.