If you suffer from mesothelioma, which is an asbestos related condition, you should contact a Missouri mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible to help you file a case against the companies that exposed you to asbestos. Asbestos fibers are the only known cause for the development of malignant mesothelioma, and if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with this fatal condition, an experienced Missouri mesothelioma attorney can help you make your case and file for retribution.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral whose exposure is known to cause lung diseases [1]. According to research and statistical findings, it has been concluded that the urban area of Missouri is more prone to asbestos exposure and its consequences that any other part of the state. This is because Missouri is home to numerous buildings which were constructed a very long time ago, and asbestos exposure is most likely to occur if these buildings undergo any renovation or demolition [2]. The demolition or renovation of these structures can cause the release of asbestos fibers, which are very fine and minute, into the atmosphere causing asbestos contamination. These fibers are very small, and hence can easily be inhaled or ingested by a person, and can lead to the development of asbestos related conditions which include lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. Asbestos contamination occurring from various construction projects across the state is the leading cause of mesothelioma development in Missouri today.

Mesothelioma and asbestos exposure:

Mesothelioma is considered highly dangerous because the diagnosis of this particular condition is very difficult. Various features of the disease usually cause a major delay in the diagnosis of the condition, as it remains dormant for decades after the initial exposure to asbestos, and finally surfaces in its final stages. Another factor that hinders early diagnosis is the fact that the symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to those of many other respiratory conditions. Instead of growing in lumps, like other tumors, this particular cancer grows and expands in a sheet like manner which adds difficulty to the diagnostic process. It is for this reason that it is highly critical for all workers and residents living in areas listed for confirmed asbestos exposure and contamination to acquire medical attention by mesothelioma specialists. If you or a loved one in Missouri has acquired mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure, you should contact a Missouri mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible and file a case against the companies that used asbestos in their work environment. Thousands of employees were exposed to asbestos this way by companies who used it as an insulation material.

Naturally occurring asbestos in Missouri

Apart from the asbestos exposure caused in Missouri industrially, there are two sites where natural deposits of the mineral are found. Naturally occurring asbestos in the state can be found in the Ozark Mountains and at a site located southwest of the Poplar Bluff, and close to the town of Advance. In the same area, serpentine deposits of the mineral can also be found. There was an asbestos mining project located in this area at one point in time. One of the greatest consequences of naturally occurring deposits of asbestos is the fact that asbestos fibers can remain air borne for a long period of time and can easily be ingested or inhaled by a person simply through the wind [3]. These sites can also be exposed as a result of landscaping projects. All people residing in areas with elevated levels of naturally occurring asbestos must acquire medical attention to remain cautious of any disease developing as a result of asbestos exposure in the area.

Job sites in Missouri with known asbestos contamination:

Here are some job sites in the state of Missouri where known asbestos contamination has occurred, these include the Anheuser-Busch Brewery, located in St. Louis, the Armaco Steel company in Kansas City, the Asbury power plant in Asbury, the Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, the Bedford Construction Company, and BOP both in Kansas City, Carondelet Foundry in St. Louis, Clinton Generating Plant in Clinton, the Chrysler plant in St. Louis, the Celanese Fiber Plant in Amecelle and the Crown center Hotel in Kansas City. These are just a few among many asbestos contaminated locations in the state of Missouri.

Missouri Mesothelioma Mortality

According to surveys, 624 people in Missouri have lost their lives as a result of diseases occurring due to asbestos exposure in the past two decades. Out of these 624, around 388 fatalities resulted from malignant mesothelioma, making mesothelioma the leading cause of deaths in Missouri from asbestos exposure. People in Missouri may develop asbestos related diseases either by exposure related to industrial worksites, or that via naturally occurring deposits of the mineral in the state. 20 cities across Missouri have been confirmed for causing asbestos exposure and contamination, and the figure may rise with time. The city with the greatest percentage of asbestos exposure is St. Louis, which alone is home to 24 sites contaminated by the mineral. If you or a loved one has contracted mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure in the work place you should contact a Missouri mesothelioma lawyer and file a case to claim retribution for your pain and suffering and for the negligence of the company that used asbestos.