“Have you or a family member ever been diagnosed with mesothelioma?...”

Every once in a while you see a television commercial paid for by a law firm asking victims of mesothelioma to call a toll free number to participate in a class action law suit. This practice, more prevalent in the 1980s and 90s, is an unintentional consequence of the pioneering work of a Mount Sinai doctor, Irving J. Selikoff. Forty-five years ago he co-authored the paper, “Asbestos Exposure and Neoplasia,” along with his associates E. Cuyler Hammond and Jacob Churg. Eventually, Selikoff and his colleagues linked asbestos exposure to mesothelioma and other diseases. In addition to his research Dr. Selikoff also educated workers and other members of the public to the dangers of asbestos and other environmental hazards. His influence was great. Selikoff’s testimony helped lay the foundation for the establishment of the 1970s Occupational Safety and Health Act, Workers' Compensation reforms, the 1989 Environmental Protection Agency limitations on asbestos use, and inspired investigation into the ill effects of other commonplace environmental and industrial hazards. Due to legislation, litigation, and abatement, asbestos disease is less common in the United States today. Unfortunately, asbestos products are still widespread in developing countries and the treatment of asbestos-related disease will continue to be relevant outside of the United States for years to come. - E. Du Rocher