Even when men and women are exposed to the same amount of asbestos, men are more likely to develop mesothelioma, according to a recent Australian study.

Head researcher Alison Reid said that she and her colleagues are studying both males and females who have been exposed to asbestos in Wittenoom, Western Australia.

“This was an asbestos mining and milling town that closed in 1966 but still provides us with a legacy of asbestos-related diseases,” said Reid.

Reid and her colleagues looked at 4700 former Wittenoom residents who were not employed in the mining or milling industry, but were exposed to the mineral anyway.

Study Results

The researchers found that the death rates were higher for those who had lived in the town longer, and it found that the death rates for men were consistently higher than those for women.

Even after accounting for age and cumulative asbestos exposure, men were four times more likely to develop mesothelioma than women.

The study also found that people who were 15 years old or older when they were first exposed to asbestos were 2.4-times more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who were first exposed to it when they were younger.

“The asbestos epidemic is almost past its peak in the developed world,” said Reid. “But elsewhere it will just be starting. It is still being used in many developing countries – where they have little or no regulation about its use, worker protection or means of treatment.”

Harmed by Asbestos?

If you or a loved one has developed an asbestos-related disease, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical expenses, pain, suffering, loss of life, and more. Please contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced and caring asbestos exposure attorney. We can examine your case thoroughly, inform you of your legal rights, options, and help you plan the best course of action.