One of the country's most famous environmental activists lends her voice -- and her feet -- to fighting one of the most common forms of lung cancer. NY1's Kristen Shaughnessy has the story. 

Erin Brockovich made her name as a single mom who helped to build a landmark case against a major California polluter in the early 1990's, winning hundreds of millions of dollars in damages.

Now, she is raising awareness about the dangers of Asbestos.

Exposure can cause Mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer that can ravage the lungs, heart and stomach.

Diagnosis is almost always a death sentence.

"Asbestos is very frightening, that it's still in our market place today, that it has such a long latency period, that it only takes one fiber, one fiber into your lung can set this disease into motion," Brockovich said.

Brockovich took part in a Mesothelioma Walk on Tuesday in Manhattan along with Al Wassell of Local 12, the local union that routinely handled materials containing Asbestos. he says it was used in insulation, cement, ceiling and wall tiles for years and now we are paying the price. 

"2,500 people a year are passing away from Asbestos related Mesothelioma. 4,800 cases are diagnosed each year," Wassell said. "Asbestos takes 20 to 50 years to incubate so people don't realize they have it. Symptoms are chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and it attacks the lining of your lungs, your heart and your abdomen."

Wassell said that time frame means the health aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks is about to get even worse.

"Asbestos was in cement and, just in the cement alone, when the builidings collapsed how much asbestos could have been in those," Wassell said.

Brockovich and Wassell want Asbestos banned and urged people to demand politicians take action, but Brockovich warned the chemical industry has a strong lobby.

"Other countries have gotten rid of it. Why we're last to do it, I'm not really sure," Brockovich said. "It's a political issue which frustrates me. I'm certain that for money and greed over health and prosperity of the American people is actually what happens."

"There is no cure. The prevention is not to use it," Wassell said.

If you missed the Mesothelioma Walk, you can still help by taking part in a virtual walk. For more information, Go to iwalk4meso.org.