According to a new study from a team of French scientist at the University of Bordeaux, those who are exposed to an insulation material called refractory ceramic fiber (RCF) as well as asbestos, are more than four times as likely to develop pleural mesothelioma as those who were exposed to asbestos alone.
It has been known for years that exposure to asbestos increases the risk of developing mesothelioma, but RCF is also used for insulation, although studies found no increase in lung cancer or mesothelioma in those exposed to RCF alone.
However, in this latest study, the researchers wanted to discover if workers were exposed to both asbestos and RCF, did the incidence of mesothelioma increase. They reported in the European Respiratory Journal that the risk of developing the disease was significantly higher for those who had been exposed to both substances.
Mesothelioma is an aggressive and usually lethal cancer of the membranes surrounding internal organs and was used from the 1930s to around the 1980s. RCFs were launched on the European market in the 1960s. Although asbestos is now banned or restricted in most developed countries, workers may still encounter asbestos containing materials and refractory ceramic fibers together during demolition or remodeling projects.
If you or someone you know is suffering from an asbestos related disease, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, or lung cancer, contact the Law Office of Brayton Purcell, LLP at (800) 598-0314 immediately, or contact us online for a free consultation.
