A bad storm in New Mexico has left the Belen Municipal Court building in a broken state. Just weeks before remodeling was scheduled to begin at the historic site, the storm has put a halt to plans. Not only did parts of the building collapse, but also asbestos was found in the wreckage afterwards.
Asbestos is known to cause severe respiratory illnesses, including rare cancer mesothelioma. Present in countless buildings and construction components after a century of heavy manufacturing use, asbestos can be found in most homes and structures built before the nineteen eighties in the US. Although relatively safe when contained inside another material, asbestos fibers pose a severe health threat when exposed.
Once inhaled, asbestos fibers can begin a mutative process in protective organ lining. Most often affecting lung lining, this mutation begins development of malignant mesothelioma tumors. Mesothelioma tumors grow in irregular patterns through the surrounding area without showing external signs and symptoms. Mesothelioma is characterized by a latency period typically ranging from twenty to fifty years.
Most mesothelioma patients have no idea they are developing the fatal disease until decades after original exposure. However, when symptoms do demonstrate, they mimic those of bronchitis or pneumonia, making mesothelioma difficult to diagnose. Following diagnosis, mesothelioma patient life expectancy is short and grim, ranging from just six months to two years.
Mesothelioma treatments include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These are considered palliative in nature—focusing on extending patient life expectancy and raising quality of life—as there is no known cure for mesothelioma.
Although insurance will cover the repairs to Belen’s buildings, asbestos abatement will not be covered. Anticipated remodel costs were budgeted between twenty-nine thousand and forty thousand dollars, but factors have unfortunately changed. Because of its unique dangers, removing asbestos can prove to be a tedious and costly project. Given the storm damage and asbestos complications, city officials are waiting to see if the building can be saved at all.
About three thousand American suffer with mesothelioma each year. An estimated twenty thousand suffer with it worldwide. World Health Organization suggests this global estimate is greatly undercut by lack of disease recognition and appropriate reporting. What is known for sure is that the mesothelioma case numbers will continue to rise as long as asbestos continues to be used.