The main characteristics of asbestos, which is the name given to a group of six different minerals-are long, strong fibers that can be separated and are flexible (can be interlaced) and resist high temperatures.

Because of these properties, asbestos was used in many construction materials:
* Tiles,
* Pipes and asbestos cement products,
* Insulation
* Friction products (automobile clutch, brake, transmission components),
* Thermo-resistant textiles, packaging, gaskets, and coatings.

Asbestos fibers remain airborne for long and are carried by the wind. Not degrade into other compounds and remain unchanged for long periods.
“The asbestos fibers remain airborne for long and are carried by the wind.”
Although since 1989 no longer manufactured products containing asbestos, people are still exposed when you shake that fiber-containing materials, for example, during demolition, to perform maintenance, repair and renovation of buildings or housing.

In general, exposure may occur only when the asbestos-containing material is shaken so as to release particles and fibers. It should be stressed that asbestos in itself is not a health hazard only if fibers shakes and enter the air. So if you are renovating your house and suspect that I have built with asbestos materials, to use a professional to perform the tasks.

The consequences of exposure to asbestos fibers has a latency period of 15 to 40 years. This means that a person who worked in a factory which used asbestos 40 years ago can now develop mesothelioma, so it is advisable to do regular checks.

Symptoms of a mesioteloma
Mesothelioma is a very aggressive tumor that spreads rapidly. The first symptom is constant pain in the chest, the patient has difficulty breathing because fluid accumulates. It also has a cough, fever, extreme fatigue and weight loss. It is diagnosed by chest radiographs.

In the first phase of the disease may be resorting to surgery. The problem is that most patients consult when their condition is already very advanced.

New medical treatments against malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM)
The drug Pemetrexed is, to date, the only pharmacological treatment that improves quality of life for patients. Despite not being a newly discovered disease of interest can be expected following the billionaire claims it causes, only this year the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved the use of Alimta (s trade name), a drug basis of pemetrexed.

The legal route
In countries like the United States, where people not afraid to sue the pulse, and where there was widespread use of asbestos, there are currently trials millionaires. In fact search for the term “asbestos lawyer”, “mesothelioma attorney” and even “mesothelioma information” or “asbestosis resources” find a directory of sites covering all information on this devastating disease, both from a medical standpoint as advice to start lawsuits.