Can malignant mesothelioma be prevented?

Can malignant mesothelioma be prevented?

Being exposed to asbestos is by far the biggest risk factor for mesothelioma, so the best

way to reduce your risk is to limit your exposure to asbestos in homes, in public

buildings, and at work.

People who might be exposed to high levels of asbestos at work include some miners,

factory workers, insulation manufacturers and installers, railroad and automotive workers, ship builders, gas mask manufacturers, and construction workers. If there is a

chance of on-the-job exposure, such as during the renovation of old buildings, then you

should use all protective equipment, work practices, and safety procedures designed for

working around asbestos.

Older homes may have asbestos-containing insulation or other materials. A

knowledgeable expert can check your home to find out if there is any asbestos and

whether it poses any risk of exposure. This may mean testing the air for asbestos levels.

Just because asbestos exists in a home does not necessarily mean that it needs to be

removed. As long as the material is not damaged or disturbed, for example by drilling or

remodeling, the fibers are not released into the air. If asbestos needs to be removed from

your home, you should hire a qualified contractor to perform this job to avoid

contaminating your home or causing any exposure to your family or to the workers. You

should not attempt to remove asbestos-containing material yourself.

Asbestos can also be found in some commercial and public buildings (including some

schools), where the same basic principles apply. Intact, undisturbed asbestos-containing

materials generally do not pose a health risk. They may pose a risk if they are damaged,

are disturbed in some way, or deteriorate over time and release asbestos fibers into the

air. By federal law, all schools are required to inspect asbestos-containing materials

regularly and to have a plan in place for managing them.