Construction workers are particularly vulnerable with lung dust in a mesothelioma cancer, in an age of about 70 years. This makes the lung doctors of the German Society for Pneumology and respiratory medicine (DGP) carefully, relying on the results of a study in England (see British Journal of Cancer (2009), volume 100, and page 11751183), in which over 600 mesothelioma patients and 1400 Healthy participated.

A mesothelioma is a form of lung cancer, the pleura surrounding the lungs infects and in most cases by the inhalation of asbestos dust or fibers of glass, and effects of smoking is caused Professor Dieter Koehler explained by the Scientific Advisory Board of the DGP and Director of the Pulmonary Specialist Kloster Grafschaft in Schmallenberg Sauerland. . Today, asbestos is no current threat long gone, because we are now about the health risks posed by asbestos fibers inspired, to know, for example, when renovation work safe working arrangements. This study shows in England but, inter alia, on the basis of the professions during the 60s and 70s, widespread asbestos work with a particularly high risk for the disease in a mesothelioma are linked.

Particularly vulnerable occupations

Like the British study showed that men have, in particular rooms of the 40s vintages a strongly increased risk during their lifetime in a mesothelioma cancer, followed by professionals such as plumbers, electricians and painters. If the parties concerned before they were 30 years old, which were exposed to asbestos dust, the risk is particularly high, says Koehler. This is due to the fact that the first protective asbestos in the course of the’70s have been developed so that the largest exposure in the 60s and 70s should have taken place. At the time, were very popular with asbestos insulation renovation purposes mainly by carpenters cut or torn. As the other professions mentioned often at the same time on the site were, they were also often exposed to asbestos dust and are therefore also affected. Is also theoretically possible that the dust the workers in their work clothes home with transports. This would then mean that their former housemates a dual Mesotheliomrisiko have increased. At least this was so, the study determined.

Precaution, the lung doctor on possible exposure indicates

For people who assume that they in the 60s and 70s were exposed to asbestos fibers, it is advisable to a lung specialist on these suspicions, and to him, to question whether an increased risk. In fact, inspired only by asbestos fibers from a risk, but also by the respective total exposure duration and quantity of asbestos depends on the years, explains Kohler. Most are composed of asbestos particles, depending on the size of the room after about 5-10 minutes from the air onto the ground from where they can no longer be inhaled – unless they are raised again, as for example, by sawing or grinding. To that extent the risk always depends also on the works made from each. The British study suggests that, for example, residents of asbestos or asbestos-contaminated construction sites factories no increased risk of cancer. Nevertheless, it is important, an existing suspicion of asbestos exposure at the doctor visits them, and if indeed an increased risk should be, then also lungenfachärztlich investigate it. Because the earlier mesothelioma is diagnosed and treated, the better are the chances of survival for the patient.