Mesothelioma Claims Its Youngest Victim – Raises Concerns About Airborne Asbestos Particles

A young woman in the UK lost her battle against mesothelioma cancer and the mystery as to how she was exposed to the dangerous cancer-causing asbestos material remains. Before her death, Leigh Carlisle commented that as a youngster walking to grade school, she would sometimes cut across a field and knew that there were workers handling and cutting asbestos sheets, but she had no idea that merely walking within close proximity of these actions would cause her to inhale the asbestos materials that would ultimately lead to her decline.

Airborne Asbestos Fibers

It is known that by working within close proximity of asbestos and the ultimate inhalation of asbestos fibers is dangerous, but the mystery as to how Leigh inhaled the asbestos fibers while walking to school more than two decades ago is still a mystery. There are many documented cases in which workers developed the deadly cancer, but many of those workers were in a closed or semi-closed environment. In Leigh's case, she was outdoors walking through an open field. This brings up the question of just how far away people must be from a source of asbestos in order to avoid risk of inhalation.

Leigh’s speculation that she was exposed to the asbestos fibers while walking through a builder’s yard on her way to school has produced many renewed concerns about asbestos and the danger these fibers present to people who are within their proximity. Researchers surmise that particles from asbestos fibers can be carried by air over long distances, which causes a danger to those that live within close proximity to a factory or mill that uses asbestos for manufacture. However, researchers are not yet sure exactly how far asbestos fibers can be carried by air.

Although the exact cause of Leigh's exposure to asbestos is not yet known, some theorize that the exposure could be linked to her grade school and the composition of its building. As described by the National Union of Teachers, this issue is a “ticking time bomb”.

Mesothelioma cancer attacks a thin membrane coating within the lungs and abdomen and is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer. In most cases, it usually takes more than twenty years to develop.

Childhood Exposure to Asbestos

Leigh Carlisle was twenty-eight years old at the time of her death and is the youngest known victim of this deadly cancer. She was unaware of her disease until she began to have abdominal pains a few years ago. It is estimated that nearly two thousand people die from this cancer each year in the UK alone. And many fear that this number is set to rise further due to the fact that many were exposed to asbestos as a child without any knowledge.

Leigh's case is a stark reminder that many children could have been exposed to asbestos without any realization of the danger. And due to the fact that some schools were insulated with asbestos, schoolteachers and school administrators could have been exposed as well. The exact number of people who were exposed is not yet known.

Asbestos Used in Schools

Leigh’s somber story has highlighted the many cases of nearly two hundred school workers who have died or are suffering very serious illness as a result of asbestos that was used in schools. And the problem of possible exposure to children and school workers still exists today. Unfortunately, it is estimated that nearly thirteen thousand schools contain asbestos still.

Victims of asbestos have worked to increase awareness of its danger. Tireless work by Michael Lees, whose wife died from mesothelioma cancer after teaching at a school which contained asbestos, has highlighted the problem and made the public more aware of the severe extent of the problem. Mr. Lees works towards the goal of increased government protection for school workers, teachers and children from exposure to asbestos fibers.

What is Known About Mesothelioma Cancer?

Mesothelioma develops as a result of exposure to asbestos fibers and dust at high levels over long periods of time. And the cancerous disease usually takes nearly twenty to forty years to develop from the time of exposure.

Consult With a Professional

If you or a loved one is concerned about exposure to asbestos fibers, it is recommended that you consult with a health care professional right away.

And concern about picking a qualified attorney should not be an additional stress during a time like this. If you are considering selecting an attorney for your mesothelioma case, experience is crucial. For those that are looking for a mesothelioma attorney, contact Tom Thurlow and Associates in Houston for a free consultation.