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==[[keyword:=What Is Mesothelioma|What Is Mesothelioma?]]==

==[[keyword:=What Is Mesothelioma|What Is Mesothelioma?]]==

'''Mesothelioma''' is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos.<ref name="dhs">United States Department of Health and Human Services.</ref> In this disease, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs. Its most common site is the [[pleura]] (outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity), but it may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity) or the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart).<p>

'''Mesothelioma''' is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos.<ref name="dhs">United States Department of Health and Human Services.</ref> In this disease, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs. Its most common site is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity), but it may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity) or the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart).<p>

Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or have been exposed to asbestos dust and fibre in other ways, such as by washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos, or by home renovation using asbestos cement products.  There is no association between mesothelioma and smoking.<ref name="muscat">"Cigarette smoking, asbestos exposure, and malignant mesothelioma" by Muscat JE, Wynder EL in ''Cancer Research'' (1991) volume 51 pages 2263-7 {{Entrez Pubmed|2015590|}}.</ref>

Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or have been exposed to asbestos dust and fibre in other ways, such as by washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos, or by home renovation using asbestos cement products.  There is no association between mesothelioma and smoking.<ref name="muscat">"Cigarette smoking, asbestos exposure, and malignant mesothelioma" by Muscat JE, Wynder EL in ''Cancer Research'' (1991) volume 51 pages 2263-7 {{Entrez Pubmed|2015590|}}.</ref>

==[[keyword:=history of mesothelioma|Legal History]]==

==[[keyword:=history of mesothelioma|Legal History]]==

The first lawsuit against asbestos manufacturers was brought in 1929.  The parties settled that lawsuit, and as part of the agreement, the attorneys agreed not to pursue further cases.  It was not until 1960 that an article published by Wagner et al first officially established mesothelioma as a disease arising from exposure to crocidolite asbestos<ref name="marchand">"Diffuse pleural mesothelioma and asbestos exposure in the North Western Cape Province" by J. C. Wagner, C. A. Sleggs and P. Marchand in ''Br J Ind Med.'' (1960) volume 17, pages 260-271 {{Entrez Pubmed|13782506}}.</ref>. The article referred to over 30 case studies of people who had suffered from mesothelioma in South Africa. Some exposures were transient and some were mine workers.  In 1962 McNulty reported the first diagnosed case of malignant mesothelioma in an [[Australia]]n asbestos worker<ref name="mcnulty">"Malignant pleural mesothelioma in an asbestos worker" by J. C. McNulty in ''Med J Aust'' (1962) volume 49, pages 953-954 {{Entrez Pubmed|13932248}}.</ref>. The worker had worked in the mill at the asbestos mine in Wittenoom from 1948 to 1950.  

The first lawsuit against asbestos manufacturers was brought in 1929.  The parties settled that lawsuit, and as part of the agreement, the attorneys agreed not to pursue further cases.  It was not until 1960 that an article published by Wagner et al first officially established mesothelioma as a disease arising from exposure to crocidolite asbestos<ref name="marchand">"Diffuse pleural mesothelioma and asbestos exposure in the North Western Cape Province" by J. C. Wagner, C. A. Sleggs and P. Marchand in ''Br J Ind Med.'' (1960) volume 17, pages 260-271 {{Entrez Pubmed|13782506}}.</ref>. The article referred to over 30 case studies of people who had suffered from mesothelioma in South Africa. Some exposures were transient and some were mine workers.  In 1962 McNulty reported the first diagnosed case of malignant mesothelioma in an Australian asbestos worker<ref name="mcnulty">"Malignant pleural mesothelioma in an asbestos worker" by J. C. McNulty in ''Med J Aust'' (1962) volume 49, pages 953-954 {{Entrez Pubmed|13932248}}.</ref>. The worker had worked in the mill at the asbestos mine in Wittenoom from 1948 to 1950.  

In the town of Wittenoom, asbestos-containing mine waste was used to cover schoolyards and playgrounds. In 1965 an article in the British Journal of Industrial Medicine established that people who lived in the neighbourhoods of asbestos factories and mines, but did not work in them, had contracted mesothelioma.  

In the town of Wittenoom, asbestos-containing mine waste was used to cover schoolyards and playgrounds. In 1965 an article in the British Journal of Industrial Medicine established that people who lived in the neighbourhoods of asbestos factories and mines, but did not work in them, had contracted mesothelioma.  

Despite proof that the dust associated with asbestos mining and milling causes asbestos related disease, mining began at Wittenoom in 1943 and continued until 1966.  In 1974 the first public warnings of the dangers of blue asbestos were published in a cover story called "Is this Killer in Your Home?" in Australia's ''Bulletin'' magazine. In 1978 the [[Western Australia]]n Government decided to phase out the town of Wittenoom, following the publication of a Health Dept. booklet, "The Health Hazard at Wittenoom", containing the results of air sampling and an appraisal of worldwide medical information.  

Despite proof that the dust associated with asbestos mining and milling causes asbestos related disease, mining began at Wittenoom in 1943 and continued until 1966.  In 1974 the first public warnings of the dangers of blue asbestos were published in a cover story called "Is this Killer in Your Home?" in Australia's ''Bulletin'' magazine. In 1978 the Western Australian Government decided to phase out the town of Wittenoom, following the publication of a Health Dept. booklet, "The Health Hazard at Wittenoom", containing the results of air sampling and an appraisal of worldwide medical information.  

By 1979 the first writs for negligence related to Wittenoom were issued against CSR and its subsidiary ABA, and the Asbestos Diseases Society was formed to represent the Wittenoom victims.

By 1979 the first writs for negligence related to Wittenoom were issued against CSR and its subsidiary ABA, and the Asbestos Diseases Society was formed to represent the Wittenoom victims.

[[Category:Legal Services]]

[[Category:Legal Services]]

[[Category:Lawyer Central Division]]

[[Category:Lawyer Central Division]]