Mesothelioma In Alaska - Facts, Figures And Lawyers
Alaska has one of the lowest death rates from mesothelioma in the continental United States; however this does not mean that this state is free from this disease. What one has to keep in mind is that while the death rate maybe low, there can sill be plenty of people who may suffer from this disease but not even know it because the symptoms of this dangerous cancer have yet to appear. The worst thing about mesothelioma is that since its symptoms take over 30 years to appear it gives people a false notion of security that they do not have this very lethal disease.
A very aggressive form of cancer that affects the pleura or the lining of the lungs, mesothelioma is also known to affect the lining of the stomach known as the peritoneum as well. This cancer is only caused by being exposed to asbestos and asbestos particles. No longer a rare form of cancer, mesothelioma is not easy to diagnose and does not respond well to therapy, which means that most people who develop this disease eventually die from it. So how does one develop this deadly disease? The answer is simply asbestos.
During the construction boom in the US, i.e. the period from the 1960 to 1980, many construction workers were exposed to asbestos, as it was found in many of the materials formerly used in construction. However, it was in 1989 that the Environmental Protection Agency slapped a ban on asbestos usage. They also developed standards, but the problem was that the products containing asbestos in the market were retained. Other occupations which had and which still have a high asbestos exposure risk include; the ship building industry, foundries, dockyards, car mechanics, power plants, factories, and asbestos mining companies. Asbestos was also used in insulation as well as in fire retardant materials, vinyl floor tiles, heating ducts, chalkboards, thermal paper products and many other every day items.
Mesothelioma in Alaska
As mentioned earlier mesothelioma has only caused a few deaths in the state of Alaska. However this does not mean that Alaskans have nothing to worry about it. While the death rate maybe low, the number of people having this disease is difficult to ascertain. It is only in light of recent multimillion dollar law suits that people have become aware of asbestos related illness such as mesothelioma. Currently there is no cure for this disease and treatment is the only option available.
While it is known that prolonged exposure to asbestos and asbestos particles causes mesothelioma, families and loved ones are also at risk for developing this cancer because asbestos particles can be brought home on shoes, clothing, hair, etc. and these particles can then be inhaled. Thankfully the government has initiated asbestos regulations with respect to protecting people's health however this has come too late for many people, as a link between asbestos and mesothelioma was discovered way back in the 1930s.
Below are the figures for the number of deaths, mortality rates (per million population), and years of potential life lost (YPLL) in Alaska State in the year 1999, in residents age 15 and over.
State
No of deaths Ranks
Crude Mortality
Rate Rank
Age-Adjusted Mortality
Rate Rank
VYLL to life Expectancy
Total Rank VYLL/death Rank
Alaska
8
45
17.53 5 32.81 1 132 44 16.5 4
Victims of mesothelioma and their families are entitled to receive compensation from various asbestos manufacturers, producers and users as these companies knowingly endangered people's lives by not providing them with even simple protective gear such as a face mask. As a result of this failure to warn people thousands have developed mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases over the past century, with many people losing their lives.
Mwsothelioma In Alaska | Disease