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In an important study conducted by renowned mesothelioma expert Dr. Albert Miller, families of workers who were regularly exposed to asbestos over a prolonged period of time were found to be ten times more likely to develop the disease than other families. According to Dr. Miller, family members can be exposed to asbestos when workers bring fibers home on their hair, clothing and personal effects.
In 1965, Dr. Muriel Newhouse was the first to discover a link between asbestos workers’ homes and family members contracting the disease. Dr. Newhouse was a professor at the London School of Hygiene and a leading international researcher on occupational diseases.
In Dr. Miller’s more recent study, he evaluated 32 household-exposure mesothelioma cases, including wives, daughters, sons, one sister-in-law, one niece and one in-home boarder. These individuals lived with people who worked in the following industries: shipyard, insulation, railroad, asbestos manufacturing, steel mill, refinery, pipe fitting, bricklaying and construction. Dr. Miller reported that the family member subjects were not exposed to asbestos other than being in the same household as someone who worked with asbestos.
The results of Dr. Miller’s study establish that people who live with asbestos workers are more than ten times as likely to develop mesothelioma as those who do not live with an asbestos worker. The average latency period from when one is exposed to asbestos to when the symptoms manifest and are diagnosed is approximately 38 to 59 years.
If you have ever lived with someone who worked with asbestos, what does this study mean for you? Mesothelioma is an extremely rare form of cancer. The odds of developing mesothelioma are very slim. However, if you know that you were exposed on a regular, prolonged basis because of a family member’s work-related exposure, these statistics become a bit more significant.
Make sure that your physician is aware of any previous or current household members that are suffering from mesothelioma. Alert them to the fact that you may have been exposed to asbestos. This is critical, because mesothelioma is very often misdiagnosed. The rarity of the condition can make an accurate diagnosis difficult.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, our Philadelphia asbestos lawyers at Brookman, Rosenberg, Brown & Sandler can help you get answers as to how this happened to your family. We are prepared to pursue the compensation you deserve to cover medical expenses and provide financial security for your loved ones. With offices conveniently located in Philadelphia, we represent clients in Delaware County, Chester County, Philadelphia County and New Jersey. To discuss your case, call us at 800-369-0899 or contact us online today.