Document 15QwO368gz9ovR9dV1mmdaj5m

1 .is important is that asbestos, for the most part, does Page 489 2 not leave the body. 3 The asbestos fibers are durable. They stay 4 in the lungs and they continue to cause damage, even 5 if an individual does not inhale more fibers. 6 Q Now, you mentioned many years later. 7 Is that what is known as the concept of 8 latency? 9 A Yes. Latency is an important concept. 10 Mesothelioma does not arise immediately after people 11 are exposed to asbestos fibers. It takes many years 12 for all of the mutations to occur, for these cells to 13 develop into cancerous cells. 14 In general, it has been observed that 15 mesotheliomas occur 20 years or longer after the first 16 exposure to asbestos. 17 I should say that the diagnosis of 18 mesothelioma occurs 20 years or longer after the first 19 exposure to asbestos. 20 Q If you 21 A- In many individuals that is 30, 40, even 50