It was in the 1960s that the connection between mesothelioma and asbestos was established. Asbestos is a naturally occurring product that has been put to use widely in ship building industries and cement manufacturing units. Millions of people all over the world are involved in its extraction, processing and industrial activities. Though its use increased steadily in the 1940s, no one suspected any side effects and no precautions were taken to protect the employees from inhaling or ingesting the fibers floating in the air.

The health of the workers was in peril since they were inhaling asbestos particles. Not only that the family members were also infected through the dangerous particles carried home through their dress or hair. This happened since the workers went back home without a shower or changing of cloths. As soon as the connection between mesothelioma and asbestos was established, restrictions were put forth by the governments regarding the use of asbestos. Some countries even banned the use of the product. But it was too late since many were already infected as there exited no precautionary measures earlier.

Asbestos particles, once in through the air we inhale, get deposited in the protective lining of the lungs and other vital organs and set off chemical reactions which results in abnormal and uncontrolled dividing of mesothelium cells. Long years of this activity result in the infection spreading and appearance of cancer symptoms. This is why mesothelioma and asbestos are always spelt in the same breath.

Asbestos can cause a series of other ailments like the lung cancer, but mesothelioma is the most dangerous of all. Precautionary measures like wearing protective masks, showering and changing cloths etc have made work with asbestos somewhat less risk prone. But mesothelioma cases still appear here and there. Every year at least 3000 people get diagnosed to be carrying this disease in the United States alone and the number around the world must be many times than that. It should also be mentioned here that some countries have no such asbestos laws and people are exposed unscrupulously by greedy employees to asbestos exposure and its aftereffects.

Most of the governments have been sympathetic towards the plight of victims considering the connection between mesothelioma and asbestos. Laws are formulated to help the victims to claim money from the employers which can assist them in the financial crisis occurred due to the disease.