Recent studies show that mesothelioma is a worldwide concern. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 90,000 people die each year from mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer directly caused from exposure to asbestos. As recent studies show, many countries such as China and South Africa are facing growing concerns over increasing statistics for asbestos-related diseases.
China has long been the world’s top manufacturer of the most common form of asbestos, chrysotile. Disconcertingly, researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong found that the country does not have standard safety regulations in place to protect Chinese workers from asbestos-related diseases including mesothelioma. Scientists are calling for increased awareness and education, which they hope will reduce the future threat of mesothelioma to Chinese asbestos workers.
Researchers also cited problems diagnosing the disease, and estimated that there are many more cases of mesothelioma than have actually been reported. Mesothelioma symptoms are difficult to diagnose in the disease’s early phase, and researchers suspect that they may often be misdiagnosed as lung cancer. Statistically, China’s asbestos miners were four times more likely to die from lung cancer than projected, whereas there were relatively few reported cases of mesothelioma.
South Africa’s National Institute for Occupational Health in conjunction with the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg conducted a study of the environmental effects of abandoned asbestos mines. South Africa was once a leading exporter of asbestos, but the asbestos mines are no longer operational because of the risk of serious asbestos-related diseases including mesothelioma. However, research data shows that the vacated asbestos mines continue to pose environmental risks to the South African people in their homes and neighborhoods.
Disturbingly, scientists found that residents diagnosed with mesothelioma, the deadliest form of any asbestos-related disease, were often not financially compensated. The study shows that South Africa offers little assistance to citizens getting sick from the environment as a result of abandoned asbestos mines in their neighborhoods. Researchers hope that the study will highlight the need for the South African government to secure the asbestos mines and ensure the safety of the environment in order to prevent future asbestos-related diseases.
If you or someone you love may has been exposed to asbestos in the workplace or within your community and is now suffering from lung cancer, mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illness, contact the asbestos trial attorneys at Brookman, Rosenberg, Brown & Sandler. Our attorneys are compassionate and caring professionals who understand the sensitive and emotional issue of asbestos-related diseases. We will fight diligently to recover the compensation you and your family deserve. Our Philadelphia mesothelioma attorneys handle asbestos cases throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Call us today at 800-369-0899 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation at a location convenient to you.