about asbestos cancer

step children added in a wrongful death suite from asbestos cancer

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:20:00 +0000

as a former asbestos handler you must understand that asbestos has far reaching effects. it takes years for symtoms to appear and then your life quickly deterorates. medical bills will be out of sight and they will most probaly walk around with oxygen tank the rest of their life. i saw lots of guys who worked me end this way.

Asbestos cause lung cancer

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:18:00 +0000

The carcinogenic nature of asbestos (chrysotile) has been related to the shape of the particles more than their composition. In other words, the substance itself is not carcinogenic - the shape is!

Chrysotile produces very thin fibers that can be many times longer than they are wide. When these become embedded in the lungs, larger particles can be coughed out but smaller particles need to be carried out by a type of white blood cell called a macrophage. Unfortunately, small asbestos fibers tend to be so long relative to their width that they tend to be actually longer than the macrophages. When the macrophages try to engulf them, the cells puncture and the macrophages die before they can do their job.

The EPA has targeted asbestos fibers over 8 micrometers in length as being the bad actors in causing mesothelioma (asbestos-related cancer), and claims that particles shorter than about 4 micrometers are not harmful (although this point is still being argued). Theoretically, the macrophages can successfully engulf shorter particles and get rid of them.

So why the cancer? There have been various theories about the mechanism. One theory is that the constant release of biochemical "distress signals" given off by the dying macrophages are the actual cause of the cancer. Another theory is that the asbestos particles have active surface sites for the generation of free radicals from oxygen, and that the free radicals are capable of reacting with and damaging the surrounding cells.

It's an interesting story. The link below has everything that you need (it is basically a list of resource papers and articles) although you will have to do some work to sift through the material.

The summary I wrote here is just from memory. When I was in university many moons ago this was one of the hot research topics in our department, so I got to see a lot of presentations on the subject although it was not an area in which I was personally working.

Does asbestos cause cancer?

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:16:00 +0000

Asbestos dust is extrememly dangerous, it gets into your lungs, and causes a very nasty form of lung cancer.
However solid asbestos in houses is fine, as long as you don't cut into it or grind it down or something.
Heaps of old houses have asbestos, so don't worry too much, but if they start doing renovations stay away.

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The History of Asbestos

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 03:34:00 +0000

Asbestos is not a miracle of modern times but rather a mineral that has been in use for centuries and has long been recognized for its useful properties, such as the ability to resist heat and provide insulation.

In fact, the word “asbestos” dates back to ancient Greece and is thought to have derived from a Greek word meaning indestructible or inextinguishable. The first asbestos quarry was believed to have been located on the Greek isle of Evvoia as early as the first century A.D.

Written information documents the use of asbestos as early as during the years of the Roman Empire, though many experts indicate that it may have been used long before that - perhaps as early as 3000 BC - as is evidenced by archaeological digs in areas of Scandinavia where asbestos was found in pottery and similar objects.

Early society found many uses for asbestos, thanks to what they often referred to as its “miraculous” qualities. Building materials usually contained asbestos as did cloth and women’s clothing. There is documentation that Romans used tablecloths made of asbestos in their restaurants and homes, due to the fact that they could be thrown into the fire in order to remove food and other crumbs or debris that may have adhered to the cloth. When they were removed, of course, the tablecloths were unscathed and rumored to be whiter than ever!

History shows that the ancient Egyptians embalmed their pharaohs with asbestos and other civilizations wrapped or “mummified” their dead in materials that contained this substance. Later, it was used to insulate suits of armor. At one point, asbestos was made into crosses and due to its weathered, wood-like appearance, many deceived the public by stating that the crosses were made from the wood of the cross on which Christ was crucified.

The Industrial Revolution brought about even more widespread use of asbestos. In the late 1800s, in the early years of commercial asbestos mines, the U.S. found that the mineral was perfect for insulating pipes, boilers, and fireboxes in steam locomotives, a burgeoning mode of transportation in North America. Refrigeration units, boxcars, and cabooses were also lined with asbestos insulation and the use of the material continued even after diesel railroads were introduced.

Trains weren’t the only form of transportation that made use of this incredible insulating material. Shipyards were full of asbestos and shipbuilders used the mineral to insulate steam pipes, boilers, hot water pipes, and incinerators, not unlike the railroad industry. Many who built ships, especially during World War II, were exposed to this dangerous material.

The automotive industry made extensive use of asbestos as well. Clutch and brake linings usually contained asbestos and many cars on the road today still contain parts made with this dangerous substance.

The industry that boasted the most widespread use of asbestos was, by far, the building and construction industry. Its insulating and flame-retardant properties made asbestos the perfect material for keeping buildings warm and safe. Not only was asbestos used for insulation in walls but also in such materials as siding, floor and ceiling tiles, roofing tars and shingles, cement pipes, gutters and rainwater pipes, mud and texture coats like stucco, plaster, putty, caulk, and even stage curtains in theaters and schools.

The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that, in all, as many as 3,000 products may, at one time or another, have contained asbestos, including a number of household items that would otherwise seem innocuous, such as hand-held hairdryers, coffee pots, toasters, irons, ironing board covers, electric blankets, and burner pads.

Because asbestos is often found in mined talc and vermiculite, products containing those two substances may contain asbestos as well. Talc-containing products might include cosmetics, baby powder, and feminine hygiene products. Trace amounts of asbestos have also been found in fertilizers, pesticides, potting mixes, and composts, which often employ the use of vermiculite, due to its drainage and aeration properties.

Sadly, the recognition of the dangerous properties of asbestos goes back to the Roman Empire when concerned citizens and doctors noticed that those who worked in asbestos mines were dying very early or becoming quite ill with lung-related diseases. Records show that by the turn of the 20th century, insurance companies were already charging higher premiums or refusing coverage to those who had jobs that exposed them to asbestos.

It wasn’t until the 1970s, unfortunately, that government agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) began to regulate asbestos and its uses. By that time, many had been exposed to asbestos and asbestos-containing products for a vast number of years.

Did you or a loved one work in an industry that used products or processes that involved asbestos? Have you or someone you know been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease like Mesothelioma? If so, perhaps we can help. Be sure to sign up for your free packet of information at this site to learn more about the history of asbestos and those industries that put workers at high risk for asbestos-related illnesses.

Asbestosis

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 03:32:00 +0000

Simply put, asbestosis is a breathing disorder caused by inhaling high levels of asbestos. The accumulation of these fibers in the lungs causes scarring of lung tissue and makes it difficult to breathe.

It often takes years of exposure for asbestosis to surface but it can quickly worsen, especially if exposure continues.

Who Gets Asbestosis?

Asbestosis is almost always job-related and many of the victims are older individuals who were exposed to asbestos at work before the United States began to regulate its use in the mid-1970s. This naturally-mined material was used extensively in the construction and manufacturing businesses, especially as pipe insulation, in fire-retardant materials, as floor and ceiling tiles, and in brake and clutch linings.

Those at the highest risk for developing the disorder probably worked with asbestos or asbestos-containing products on a daily basis for at least 8 to 10 years. Miners may develop the disorder in less time.

Symptoms

When damage and scarring caused by inhaled asbestos fibers lead to stiffness in your lung tissue so that your lungs can't contract and expand normally, you will start experience symptoms of the disorder, which may include:

* Shortness of breath
* Decreased tolerance for physical activity
* Coughing
* Chest pain
* Finger clubbing, in some cases

Diagnosis
When considering a diagnosis of asbestosis, your doctor will probably inquire as to your exposure to asbestos. He/she may also ask whether any fellow employees have been affected by the disease. Your doctor may then order tests to confirm the diagnosis, including pulmonary function tests, CT scans, and chest x-rays.

Treatment
The affects of asbestosis cannot be reversed but progression can be halted and symptoms treated. Above all us, further exposure to the toxic material should be eliminated. If you smoke, it’s necessary to stop immediately. Doctors may also treat you with medications that expand or relax blood vessels, and/or blood-thinners that prevent blood clots from forming and obstructing narrowed ves

Asbestos: What is Asbestos Anyway?

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 03:27:00 +0000

Asbestos, believe it or not, is actually a naturally occurring, crystallized mineral. Asbestos crystals form long thin fibers that are remarkably strong and resistant to a wide variety of extremes including heat, cold, electricity, acids, alkalis, brine, dust, vibration, corrosion and more! Incredible, eh? As you might have guessed, these properties of asbestos made it a very popular substance used in many different industries throughout the industrialized world.

There are 4 distinct forms of asbestos that have been used in commercial and industrial applications:

* Crocidolite (blue asbestos)
* Amosite (brown asbestos)
* Chrysotile (white asbestos)
* Anthophyllite (gray asbestos)

Amosite and crocidolite are considered to be the most dangerous forms of asbestos.

Exposure to the volcanic, non-asbestos fiber erionite can also cause malignant mesothelioma (click here for more reading about erionite.)

Besides causing mesothelioma, inhaled asbestos can also cause asbestosis (fibrosis or scarring of the lungs.) Just a single asbestos fiber lodged in a human lung can cause mesothelioma.

The dangers of asbestos were not understood for many years. As a result, many buildings -- including homes, schools, offices and apartment complexes -- were constructed with asbestos used for insulation, etc. So if you take anything from this website, take this: if you live in a building that was constructed over 30 years ago, make sure that the building has been tested for asbestos, especially if you have young children. Your health and the health of your children may depend on your actions. There are many inexpensive asbestos test kits available. Isn't your peace of mind worth $10?
In the past few years, as many as two to three thousand (2000 to 3000) cases of mesothelioma lung cancer have been diagnosed each year.

How to Research Your Condition?

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 05:25:00 +0000

1) Keep up an open dialogue with your doctor
It is natural to want to understand as much as possible about a disease and its treatments, particularly when the disease is as rare as malignant mesothelioma. The Internet has opened up a wealth of information on mesothelioma, however, it is still important to keep in mind that your doctor is your FIRST and (hopefully) BEST resource for understanding and dealing with this disease.

This does not mean that you shouldn't explore resources and treatments on your own; a good doctor wants informed patients who are interested in discussing every available option. Only a trained physician, however, can help you understand each treatment and evaluate how it fits in with your particular circumstances, including the stage of your disease.

There are valuable research and support resources available via the Internet which can assist you in your efforts to gain medical knowlege as you begin your interaction with your doctor. To begin, there is an online resource that tutors on how to use the Internet to research a lung cancer diagnosis. This tutorial also cautions you as a researcher to be mindful of the limitations of Internet-based research and to learn how to evaluate the information that you do find. Another useful tool to assist in being an informed patient is The Cancer Patient's Workbook: Everything You Need to Stay Organized and Informed, (DK Books, 2001). This workbook hopes to help the patient better understand their situation so they may deal with and fight their disease from an informed position. This interactive guide helps patients cope and also explains how to receive the best treatment possible.

2) Explore the American Cancer Society's Cancer Resource Center

This community-based organization claims its mission is "eliminating cancer as a major health problem...through research, education, advocacy, and service." As a non-governmental organization, the American Cancer Society is the largest source of private funds earmarked for cancer research. The ACS website is a very good place for you to investigate ongoing research and treatment options, as well as find extensive links to help further direct your medical research.

If you suspect that you might have mesothelioma, there are several methods which can help to detect the presence of this disease.

While you may find some answers on this particular site, the ACS advises you to remember that as you cope with cancer and cancer treatment, you need to have honest, open discussions with your doctor. You should feel free to ask any question that's on your mind, no matter how small it might seem.

3) Explore the National Cancer Institute's PDQ

The National Cancer Institute provides a computer service called PDQ to give up-to-date information on cancer issues for patients, their families, doctors, and other healthcare professionals. Detailed information on detection, diagnosis, treatment, support groups, clinical trials and treatments is reviewed and updated each month by oncology experts. Each topic is discussed in two tracks, one for patients and one for healthcare professionals.

You might want to visit the information written for patients first, in order to get a clear understanding of the issues discussed in layman's terms. For more detailed information, you can then explore the physician's track.

By going to NCI's CancerNet, you can research the PDQ informational summaries for malignant mesothelioma; these summaries are written for both patient or professional readers. You will also find a useful overview on researching, treating, and coping with malignant mesothelioma.

You will find links to other treatment specific PDQ pages throughout this website.

4) Explore MEDLINE

Published by the National Library of Medicine, MEDLINE is a comprehensive index of medical citations and abstracts dating back to 1966. In the past, this database was available only to students, doctors or by subscription. However, there are now several Internet resources which offer free MEDLINE access, including PubMed and MedlinePlus. Use of both services is free, although you must initially fill out a member registration form.

An additional benefit of these services is access to full-text versions of many of the articles. PubMed publishes a list of MEDLINE journals with links to publisher web sites at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed/fulltext.html. Access to these articles may require user registration or a small fee, but recent issues are often available free of charge.

These publications and abstracts are not written for the layperson, so make sure you discuss any literature you read with your doctor before making any decisions about them.

Although MEDLINE is the most comprehensive database of medical literatere, the National Cancer Institute also has a free database of cancer-specific abstracts and literature.

5) Contact the Cancer Information Service

The National Cancer Institute offers an informational and educational service known as the Cancer Information Toll-Free Telephone Service (CIS). Information is available in Spanish and English, and is up-to-date and easy to understand. You can get information about recent scientific advances, cancer programs, prevention, early detection, and other topics.

Contact the CIS, toll-free in the United States and Puerto Rico, at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237), Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., your time.

6) Explore OncoLink

The University of Pennsylvania maintains OncoLink, an outstanding resource on the web for information about all types of cancer and related topics. The homepage is http://www.oncolink.com and has information about clinical trials, symptom management, cancer support services, financial issues, book reviews, and many other topics. OncoLink has mesothelioma patient information found under Patient Statement: Malignant Mesothelioma. For a more personal perspective, there is also an article entitled "Thoughts from a Mesothelioma Patient".

Lastly, for a broad resource on the cancer topic and links to specific web sites, consult the Lung Cancer Resources Directory.

If you have questions, need more information, or experience difficulty accessing these sites, please feel free to contact us and we will do our best to help.

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Lancet, England's premier medical journal and one of the world's leading sources for current medical information in a 7.30 review article on mesothelioma praises our website and says asbestos lawyers Kazan Law 'provide useful info for patients and relativ

What happens when asbestos is in the air we breathe?

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 05:15:00 +0000

Asbestos fibers enter the body in the air we breathe. Most of the asbestos fibers we breathe - like other dust particles - are stopped long before they enter the small airways of the lungs. For example, when we enter a dusty room or sprinkle powder, we sometimes choke. We literally cough up the mucus that contains most of the irritating substances. However, because asbestos fibers are so small and thin, many of them pass all the way down to the small airways and alveoli (or air sacs.)
Once the fibers are inside the lungs, the body's defense mechanisms try to break them down and remove them. Despite these attempts, many fibers remain in the body and are potential disease-causing agents. Each fiber is a foreign body, rather like a splinter in a finger. Inflammations develop as the body tries to neutralize, break down or move the sharp, irritating fibers. These processes lead to the development of the various kinds of asbestos-caused diseases.

The body's defenses often coat these fibers with a layer of protein and they are then called "asbestos bodies." If a piece of lung tissue is stained with an iron stain these asbestos bodies become readily visible under a microscope. Finding enough of these asbestos bodies in lung tissue proves prior occupational exposure to asbestos, but it does not in itself prove that the person has an asbestos disease. (Also, not finding asbestos bodies does not prove that there was no prior exposure to asbestos.)

Click on A, B and C to see three microscopic slides of asbestos fibers lodged in the lungs.

Although all of the different kinds of asbestos fibers can be inhaled and become lodged in the lungs, some fibers (amphiboles, like amosite and crocidolite) seem to accumulate to a greater extent than others (such as chrysotile.) This might be because some chrysotile fibers, being long and curly, get stuck higher up in the lungs rather than transported all the way into the small airways. Or it might be because chrysotile fibers, being fragile and unstable, break up in the body within a few months and are transported away from the lungs into the pleura or lymph system.

Once fibers are inside the body, they can move around. How this happens is not fully understood. It might be because they are thin and sharp. The fibers can move from the lungs into the pleura and into the lymph nodes, and this means that they can move into other parts of the body.

Finally, asbestos can be swallowed (ingested) as well as inhaled. For example, when mucus and sputum that contain a lot of fibers are swallowed, some of those fibers can stick in the intestinal tract and from there they can move into the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum.)

Top Asbestos Attorneys

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 09:09:00 +0000

Asbestos is a mineral made of tough, supple, and flexible fiber. Neither chemicals nor heat have any effect on asbestos. It is widely used in many industries. However, this fiber can be easily inhaled or swallowed. Exposure to asbestos can cause various ailments such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma, and cancer of the larynx, oropharynx, gastrointestinal tract, and kidney. Top attorneys have joined hands with workers, to fight for the safety of workers and against the disastrous effects of asbestos.

Numerous health provisions were incorporated for people affected by the hazards of asbestos. Asbestos is not banned, but laws have been framed to protect workers exposed to the effects of asbestos. Asbestos attorneys protect the rights and provide compensation to the afflicted individuals. The hazardous effects of asbestos have created awareness amongst many citizens.

Asbestos attorneys include a team of specialized and qualified attorneys who represent the applicant. When considering a lawsuit, people need to find a topmost attorney who can handle the case well because they are mostly filed against established companies. These companies may use tactics to deceive the court or cover up some vital information. As the law has included provisions that define the adverse effects of asbestos-related sicknesses, the patient can prove his or her case with the help of medical reports and employment terms and conditions with the defaulting company. The asbestos attorneys help the workers in the recovery of compensation related to medical expenses, loss of job, financial crunches and after effects of the disease.

Top asbestos attorneys have developed the most original, insistent, and dynamic strategies in the nation to protect their client's rights. These attorneys prepare every case for trial rather than rushing to an appeal haggle. This broad preparation and exceptional courtroom reputation actually keeps most cases from trial and produce better results.

Many online sites provide information about asbestos attorneys.

Asbestos Attorneys provides detailed information on Asbestos Attorneys, Asbestos Cancer Attorneys, Asbestos Litigation Attourneys, Asbestos Mesothelioma Attorneys and more. Asbestos Attorneys is affiliated with Asbestos Trial Lawyers.

By Eddie Tobey
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eddie_Tobey

Asbestos Lawyers And Cancer Laws

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 09:07:00 +0000

Asbestos is believed to be responsible for many diseases including the lung fibrosis disease, which has been named asbestosis. Prolonged exposure to asbestos is also believed to cause an extremely potent form of cancer, in the chest and abdominal cavities, called mesothelioma. This is because of the nature of asbestos, which becomes carcinogenic when inhaled.

Asbestos litigations and lawsuits of the 1980's and 90's forced many state governments to pass amendments and reform bills. For instance, under a reform bill in Texas, it is mandatory for asbestos cases to get neutral medical tests, while Georgia puts the onus on the plaintiff to provide prima facie evidence of the injuries having been caused by asbestos itself through a reform bill.

There are changes and amendments happening regularly and any good asbestos lawyer will be aware of these, as well the most important cancer laws. The most important thing about a cancer lawsuit is that one has to act quickly, because of the statute of limitation imposed by every state that restricts filing for lawsuits beyond a stipulated period.

A qualified asbestos lawyer will also be aware of the implications and know how to deal with the various parties involved, such as the guilty company and the insurance firms that may try negotiating a settlement.

Apart from the compensation for financial losses like medical expenses and loss of employment both present and future, there is also compensation for another kind of suffering. This is for the anxiety and mental stress that is caused by asbestos related diseases. An asbestos lawyer will be well aware of this.

Asbestos Lawyers provides detailed information on Asbestos Lawyers, Asbestos Mesothelioma Lawyers, Asbestos Trial Lawyers, Asbestos Lawsuits and more. Asbestos Lawyers is affiliated with Asbestos Litigation Attourneys.

By Jennifer Bailey
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Bailey

Asbestos plant - smokers charge cigarette's asbestos cigarette filter caused cancer

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 04:02:00 +0000

Asbestos in a cigarette filter? It's sounds as ludicrous as a dioxin sandwich, but between 1952 and 1956, R Lorillard Company actually produced some 12 billion Kent cigarettes with asbestos in the filters. The nation's fourth largest tobacco company was so proud of its "Micronite" filter that it took out full page ads in the Journal of the American Medical Association to tout the filter's ability to remove tars and nicotine.

The filter seemed like a great idea at the time. The asbestos used by Lorillard could be spun into extremely fine fibers, so free that they trapped hazardous smoke particles smaller than a micron. In the fifties, as the medical community reported more and more about the hazards of smoking, tobacco companies rushed to put filters on cigarettes to show that they were doing something about the problem. Despite the sensational claims of its advertising, Lorillard's Micronite filter only made the problem worse: Tiny, shard-like asbestos fibers broke loose from the filter and were sucked into Kent smokers' lungs carrying particles of tars and nicotine.

Electron microscope tests ordered by Lorillard in 1954 confirmed that Kent smokers were being exposed to asbestos. But Kent was a hot seller, so 18 months passed and 4 billion more Kents were produced before the company finally removed the asbestos. Lorillard, however, never bothered to tell anyone the truth about the Micronire filters, even though it knew that asbestos exposure was linked to various lung diseases.
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It's now known that even one exposure to asbestos increases a person's chance of developing mesothelioma, a rare and deadly cancer of the lung and abdomen caused almost exclusively by asbestos. People who smoke and are also exposed to asbestos compound their risk of developing mesothelioma many times over.

Lorillard, based in Greensboro, North Carolina, has never lost a lawsuit to a smoker who's alleged that his or her smoking led to tobacco-related lung cancer. But the Micronire filter changes the game: Future lawsuits will be about asbestos, not tobacco. Over the past 10 years, thousands of plaintiffs with work-related asbestos exposure cases have rung up a string of court victories and put the asbestos industry out of business.

Only one Micronite filter case against Lorillard has come to court thus far. Peter Ierardi, a 58-year-old Philadelphia stockbroker has only one explanation for the mesothelioma that will soon kill him: the Kents he smoked in the early fifties. Jurors in his case, however, found that Ierardi didn't prove conclusively that he smoked Kents then. Thus the jury ducked the scientific issues involved and acquitted Lorillard as well as Hollingsworth & Vose, the Massachusetts company that manufactured the Micronite filter. Lorillard still maintains that its Micronite filter is not responsible for causing mesothelioma in anyone.

Seven similar cases await trial, some more solid than others. The Greensboro News & Record reported in November that at least three former Lorillard employees have died of mesothelioma since 1989. About the only thing all three had in common was their work with the Micronite filter. Stella Manzo used to attach the filter to Kents in Lorillard's old Jersey City plant. She never smoked, but she died of mesothelioma in 1989 never knowing the filter contained asbestos.

But the two other diseased Lorillard workers knew and both won confidential out-of-court settlements prior to their deaths. Lorillard refused to comment about the settlements. The company made the workers' lawyers promise not to discuss the settlements either.

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Washington Monthly, Jan-Feb, 1993 by Justin Catanoso, Taft Wireback

Asbestos exposure and cancer mortality among petroleum refinery workers: a poisson regression analysis of updated data

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 03:50:00 +0000

WORK IN OIL REFINERIES and petrochemical plants carries with it the likelihood of exposure to various substances, most of which are considered human carcinogens. Cancer risk among oil refinery workers has, as a consequence, been the subject of a great deal of scientific literature. (1) Despite this attention, however, a thorough understanding of asbestos exposure effects on workers in this industrial sector has yet to be achieved. Although studies have long linked asbestos exposure in oil refineries and mortality for mesothelioma (which may reach 24 times above baseline, suggesting that inhalation of fibers occurred), evidence on lung cancer mortality ranges from a significant reduction in the overall population of workers (2) to a pronounced increase among blue-collar workers (3) and among maintenance workers (a large subgroup of workers involved in the use of asbestos). (4) Finally, Rosamilia et al. (5) observed nonsignificant increased odds ratios for long-term workers (25 + yr) in selected maintenance jobs (pipe, boiler).

To gain new insight into the health effects of exposure to both asbestos and other carcinogens in a recently updated Italian oil refinery cohort, we analyzed the main causes of death and adjusted the estimates for main confounding factors among three subgroups of oil refinery workers: (1) maintenance workers, (2) other blue-collar workers, and (3) white-collar workers.
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Subjects and Method

Description of the cohort. The cohort consisted of 931 male workers employed in an Italian oil refinery located in La Spezia, Italy, that shut down in 1977. Company records provided information about name, gender, place and date of birth, address, identification number, job title, date of hiring, and dismissal. In the study, we included workers hired before 1977 (see Gennaro et al. (6,7) for further cohort description); none of these subjects worked less than 1 yr. We categorized workers by job title into three subgroups: (a) a reference group of 221 white-collar workers (person-years [PY] = 7,285) and two subgroups of blue-collar workers: (b) maintenance workers (n = 357; PY = 11,016) and (c) other blue-collar workers (n = 353; PY = 11,210). Our previous study (6) conducted in the same refinery showed a relevant mortality for mesothelioma among blue-collar workers (5 cases, standardized mortality ratio [SMR] = 2.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.66-4.73, local reference; SMR = 14.35, 95% CI = 4.65-33.44, national reference). We observed all cases among maintenance workers, whereas none was seen among other blue-collar workers or white-collar workers. (6) In lieu of direct exposure data, we used job title as an asbestos exposure measure, given that asbestos materials were found during the demolition of the plant.

The follow-up of workers employed in another local oil refinery (Genoa, Italy), which was included in previous analyses, (6) was not updated, given that the specific classification of their job titles was not available. Thus, we excluded this refinery from the present analysis, even if both asbestos materials and mesothelioma deaths had been detected among blue-collar workers. (6-8)

We updated the present follow-up to June 30, 1999, and the observed PY now totaled 29,511; we found 118 new deaths, and 1.5% of subjects were lost to follow-up. We ascertained the causes of death through death certificates and coded them according to the ninth revision of International Classification of Diseases. (9)

Statistical analysis. We conducted an internal comparison using white-collar workers as a reference group by using a Poisson regression model for main causes of death and for a selection of asbestos-related causes of death.

We performed Poisson regression analysis by adjusting for age (5-yr classes, 25-75+ yr), calendar period (5-yr periods, 1955-1995), age at hire (two levels: 0-24 yr, 25+ yr), length of exposure (i.e., duration of employment; three levels: 0-9 yr; 10-19 yr; 20+ yr), and latency (i.e., time since first employment; two levels: 0-19 yr; 20+ yr). We grouped data into cells according to the level of the explanatory variables.

The model was

ln([O.sub.k]) = ln([E.sub.k]) + [alpha] + [[beta].sub.i][X.sub.i] + [[epsilon].sub.k]

where [O.sub.k] are the observed deaths for a specific cause in the kth cell, and [E.sub.k] are the expected deaths in the kth cell according to age, calendar year, and cause-specific mortality rates of the Italian male population [ln() are their natural logarithms]; exp([alpha]) is the SMR with respect to Italy for persons falling in the baseline category (i.e., with all the variables set at the reference level); [X.sub.i] is a matrix of indicator variables that specify the levels of the explanatory variables defining each cell; exp([[beta].sub.i]) is a vector of unknown parameters to be estimated from the data that represent the SMR ratios related to each explanatory variable with respect to its own reference level; and [[epsilon].sub.k] is the random error. This means that the risk effects of asbestos exposure for maintenance workers and other blue-collar workers can be expressed in terms of relative risk estimates (RRs) for each cause with reference to the SMR estimated for white-collar workers. We estimated the vector of parameters and its variance-covariance matrix by using the maximum-likelihood estimation method. To fit the algorithm to the data, we set the parameters of the first level of each variable to 1.
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Archives of Environmental Health, April, 2004 by Fabio Montanaro, Marcello Ceppi, Riccardo Puntoni, Stefania Silvano, Valerio Gennaro

Protecting your patients after asbestos exposure - natural detoxification methods to protect against cancer - Brief Article - Editorial

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 03:31:00 +0000

In the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States, both Americans and many people abroad have searched their hearts and minds for ways they can help in the healing process. As our society grapples with recovering from the initial trauma, the news from ground zero in New York City, the site of the World Trade Center, is disturbing. As Peter Chowka writes in the September 15th issue of NaturalHealthLine, "The destruction of the World Trade Center killed thousands of people outright but the danger may not be over for additional numbers of people because of exposure to tons of asbestos and other toxic substances that the buildings' collapse released into the environment."

While the full extent of the environmental impacts of the NYC attack may not be apparent for some time to come, early reports on air quality at ground zero were not reassuring. Among the toxins identified in the air near the World Trade Center site is asbestos, one of the most toxic and carcinogenic substances. Although reports differ about the actual extent of asbestos contamination in the air, it should be noted that even minute amounts of asbestos can result in problems ranging from acute effects of asbestosis to more long-term consequences including heightened risk of lung, esophagus, stomach, and colon cancers. At greatest risk are the thousands of rescue workers on the scene. But lower levels of toxins may be dangerous, as well, for people further from the site or to families of rescue workers whose clothing is contaminated.

As health care practitioners, we can play an important role in helping to prevent some of these potentially dangerous health consequences for people who survived the attacks and who live in the area. While most of us do not have patients in lower Manhattan, most of us probably know people who either live or work in New York City and the surrounding suburbs.
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A MEDLINE search for information regarding potential preventive measures yielded some encouraging results. While the only primary prevention is avoidance or use of proper protective masks and clothing, nutritional and herbal supplementation may provide a secondary level of prevention by decreasing the carcinogenic potential of inhaled asbestos. While the pathogenesis of asbestos toxicity is not fully understood, it appears that reactive oxygen and nitrogen species generated by the fibers is a factor and that the endogenous antioxidant, glutathione, plays a key role in decreasing the carcinogenic potential of asbestos. Inhalation of asbestos as well as other fibers has been found to significantly decrease glutathione and its associated enzymes, as well as vitamin C, in the lung lining fluid. (1,2) In a study, N-acetylcysteine was found to protect animals from asbestos-induced oxidative damage and increase depleted glutathione levels. (3) Another animal study found vitamin C, added to drinking water, significantly inhibited the development of mesothelial and pleural tumors induced by asbestos exposure. (4) It is possible that other nutrients that increase glutathione levels such as lipoic acid, glutamine, and vitamin E might also provide a benefit. Because the primary site of inflammation is the lungs, a nebulized form of glutathione may also be beneficial.

Green tea may also offer some protection. Both in vitro (5) and animal studies (6) have found green tea may provide protective effects from asbestos toxicity. In the animal study, asbestos-exposed rats given two-percent green tea in drinking water had a 16-percent decreased risk of developing lung cancer, and survival time was longer in the rats that did develop cancer. The researchers wrote that the free radical scavenging and metal chelating effects of green tea catechins were responsible for the beneficial effects.

Lifestyle factors may play an important role, as well. Cigarette smoke appears to potentiate the effects of asbestos, at least in part by enhancing the binding of fibers to epithelial surfaces. (7) On the flip side, epidemiological studies suggest that diets high in the carotene-containing foods carrots and tomatoes appear to decrease the risk for mesothelioma, the primary type of lung cancer associated with asbestos exposure. (8)

While the environmental impacts represent only a small part of this unprecedented tragedy, helping to prevent the potential sequelae by arming our friends, family, and patients with information is something that we as health care practitioners can do.

We at Thorne Research wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the victims of the September 11th attacks on the United States.

References

(1.) Brown DM, Beswick PH, Bell KS, Donaldson K. Depletion of glutathione and ascorbate in lung lining fluid by respirable fibres. Ann Occup Hyg 2000;44:101-108.

(2.) Abidi P, Afaq F, Arif JM, et al. Chrysolite-mediated inblanace in the glutathione redox system in the development of pulmonary injury. Toxicol Lett 1999; 106:31-39.

(3.) Afaq F, Abidi P, Rahman Q. N-acetyl L-cysteine attenuates oxidant-mediated toxicity induced by chrysolite fibers. Toxicol Lett 2000; 117:53-60.

Alternative Medicine Review, Oct, 2001 by Kathi Head

Asbestos Cancer Resources

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 13:43:00 +0000

American Cancer Society
This is the official web site for the American Cancer Society, which offers resources for cancer patients and their families, survivors, health information seekers, medical professionals and ACS supporters.

American Lung Association
National web site for the American Lung Association. Visit the site for resources and information on lung health.

Asbestos Do's and Don'ts for the Homeowner
Through www.drkoop.com, the EPA and the American Lung Association, here are helpful hints on dealing with asbestos in your home.

Asbestosis Information
From the Creighton University School of Medicine, general information on asbestosis and its effects.

Association of Cancer Online Resources
This cancer information system currently offers access to 143 electronic mailing lists and a variety of unique websites.

Cancer.gov Dictionary
National Cancer Institute's extensive dictionary for cancer-related topics.

Cansearch™ Navigator
National Coalition for Cancer Survivalists' step-by-step guide to cancer resources online.

Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation
The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation is a non-profit organization that works to fund research to find a cure for asbestos-related diseases.

National Cancer Institute
This web site from the National Cancer Institute offers extensive information on cancers, research programs and funding, clinical trials and more.

National Coalition for Cancer Survivalists, Clinical Trials Resources
Recommends organizations that offer clinical trials and gives an introduction to clinical trials, and the different types available.

National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Visit the web site for the National Institute of Health's National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute for health information, scientific resources, news, and find out about studies seeking patients.

WebMD Live Chat Transcript: The Hazards of Asbestos
This Live Chat Transcript from WebMD details an online discussion of diseases associated with asbestos exposure

Risk Factors

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 13:41:00 +0000

The use of asbestos has fortunately become more and more limited, as restrictions on it have increased over the last few decades (asbestos is still not banned in the US). However, the latency period in asbestos cancers is long, sometimes decades, so workers who dealt extensively with any of the over 5,000 products that contained asbestos--including floor tile, paints, automotive brake shoes, roofing materials, and more--may still be at risk for one or more asbestos-related cancers.

While the continuous, regular exposure of these workers certainly seems to increase the risk of developing an asbestos cancer, no known level of exposure is safe. So it's not just these workers who are at risk of getting an asbestos cancer. Worker's family members, who washed the asbestos-laced clothing or hugged an asbestos-dust-covered dad just home from work, are also at risk.

Then there are those who never thought they were working around asbestos: the do-it-yourselfer whose home improvements unknowingly brought them into contact with asbestos-containing products or the studen who attended summer school 30 years ago in that old building they were renovating at the tim

Asbestos Cancer Treatment Options

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 13:40:00 +0000

Treatment for asbestos cancer is determined according to the extent and location and type of the cancer. The most common treatment options are surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. They can be performed alone, or in combination (often referred to as multi-modality), and each technique is described below.

Surgery means the doctor may remove the cancerous area and the tissue surrounding it.

Radiation therapy, or "radiotherapy", uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. This technique affects the cancer cells only in the treated area. There are two types of radiotherapy: external radiation and internal radiation therapy. The difference between them is that external radiation is generated through a machine, while internal radiation therapy is brought straight to the source of the cancer by sending radioactive materials into the body through small tubes.

Chemotherapy uses anticancer drugs to kill the cancer cells in the body. Where internal radiation therapy affects only the place where the cancer cells had been found, chemotherapy can kill cancer cells throughout the body. This is done by injection.

In addition to traditional treatments, new cancer treatments are continually being tested through medical research studies. These treatments are called clinical trials, and they help researchers determine whether new treatments are safe and effective for general use, while giving patients with few treatment options an opportunity to try new treatments.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 13:38:00 +0000

symptoms

Because asbestos fibers remain in the body so long, symptoms of asbestos-related diseases may only appear decades after the asbestos has been inhaled. Common symptoms of an asbestos-related cancer include:
Shortness of breath
A cough or a change in cough pattern
Blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up from the lungs
Pain in the chest or abdomen
Difficulty in swallowing or prolonged hoarseness
Significant weight loss

If any of these symptoms develop and you believe you may have worked with--or been around someone who has worked with--asbestos, make an appointment to see your doctor immediately.
Diagnosis

Once you have contacted your physician and explained your symptoms, the doctor may perform a complete physical examination. This may include a chest x-ray and lung function tests. While a chest x-ray cannot determine whether there are asbestos fibers in the lungs, it can help determine whether your lungs may have changed due to asbestos exposure. A x-ray specialist in asbestos-related diseases may be required to examine and interpret your x-rays.

If an abnormal area is found through the x-ray, you may need to have a biopsy to learn if that area is cancerous. In a biopsy, a surgeon or a medical oncogolgist (a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer) removes a tissue sample. Then this sample is examined under a microscope by a pathologist.

Because asbestos fibers can be found in urine, feces, mucus, or material from the lungs, you may have to undergo additional testing to determine the scope of your condition.
I have been diagnosed with an asbestos cancer, what now?

One of the first things to consider is finding a specialist to help your research and decide on treatments. Often the physician providing the diagnosis is unfamiliar with the relatively rare cancers caused by asbestos and cannot provide the hope and help that a practiced specialist who regularly treats asbestos cancer patients can. Learn more about the various treatments available for asbestos cancers.

You may also wish to contact a lawyer who specializes in asbestos lawsuits; the companies that manufactured products containing asbestos knew the dangers decades before adequately w

Who is at risk for an asbestos-related disease?

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 13:50:00 +0000

Everyone is exposed to asbestos at some time during their life. Low levels of asbestos are present in the air, water, and soil. However, most people do not become ill from their exposure. People who become ill from asbestos are usually those who are exposed to it on a regular basis, most often in a job where they work directly with the material or through substantial environmental contact.

Since the early 1940s, millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos. Health hazards from asbestos fibers have been recognized in workers exposed in shipbuilding trades, asbestos mining and milling, manufacturing of asbestos textiles and other asbestos products, insulation work in the construction and building trades, and a variety of other trades. Demolition workers, drywall removers, asbestos removal workers, firefighters, and automobile workers also may be exposed to asbestos fibers. However, recent studies do not support an increased risk of lung cancer or mesothelioma among automobile mechanics exposed to asbestos through brake repair (10). As a result of Government regulations and improved work practices, today’s workers (those without previous exposure) are likely to face smaller risks than did those exposed in the past.

Those involved in the rescue, recovery, and cleanup at the site of the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center (WTC) in New York City are another group at risk of developing an asbestos-related disease. Because asbestos was used in the construction of the North Tower of the WTC, when the building was attacked, hundreds of tons of asbestos were released into the atmosphere. Those at greatest risk include firefighters, police officers, paramedics, construction workers, and volunteers who worked in the rubble at Ground Zero. Others at risk include residents in close proximity to the WTC towers and those who attended schools nearby. These populations will need to be followed to determine the long-term health consequences of their exposure (11).

One study found that nearly 70 percent of WTC rescue and recovery workers suffered new or worsened respiratory symptoms while performing work at the WTC site. The study describes the results of the WTC Worker and Volunteer Medical Screening Program, which was established to identify and characterize possible WTC-related health effects in responders. The study found that about 28 percent of those tested had abnormal lung function tests, and 61 percent of those without previous health problems developed respiratory symptoms (12). However, it is important to note that these symptoms may be related to exposure to debris components other than asbestos.

Although it is clear that health risks from asbestos exposure increase with heavier exposure and longer exposure time, investigators have found asbestos-related diseases in individuals with only brief exposures. Generally, those who develop asbestos-related diseases show no signs of illness for a long time after their first exposure. It can take from 10 to 40 years or more for symptoms of an asbestos-related condition to appear (2).

There is some evidence that family members of workers heavily exposed to asbestos face an increased risk of developing mesothelioma. This risk is thought to result from exposure to asbestos fibers brought into the home on the shoes, clothing, skin, and hair of workers. To decrease these exposures, Federal law regulates work practices to limit the possibility of asbestos being brought home in this way. Some employees may be required to shower and change their clothes before they leave work, store their street clothes in a separate area of the workplace, or wash their work clothes at home separately from other clothes (2).

Cases of mesothelioma have also been seen in individuals without occupational exposure, but who live close to asbestos mines or have been exposed to fibers carried home by family members working with asbestos (6).

What are the health hazards of exposure to asbestos?

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 13:49:00 +0000

People may be exposed to asbestos in their workplace, their communities, or their homes. If products containing asbestos are disturbed, tiny asbestos fibers are released into the air. When asbestos fibers are breathed in, they may get trapped in the lungs and remain there for a long time. Over time, these fibers can accumulate and cause scarring and inflammation, which can affect breathing and lead to serious health problems (6).

Asbestos has been classified as a known human carcinogen (a substance that causes cancer) by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the EPA, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (2, 3, 7, 8). Studies have shown that exposure to asbestos may increase the risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma (a relatively rare cancer of the thin membranes that line the chest and abdomen). Although rare, mesothelioma is the most common form of cancer associated with asbestos exposure. In addition to lung cancer and mesothelioma, some studies have suggested an association between asbestos exposure and gastrointestinal and colorectal cancers, as well as an elevated risk for cancers of the throat, kidney, esophagus, and gallbladder (3, 4). However, the evidence is inconclusive.

Asbestos exposure may also increase the risk of asbestosis (a chronic lung disease that can cause shortness of breath, coughing, and permanent lung damage) and other nonmalignant lung and pleural disorders, including pleural plaques (changes in the membrane surrounding the lung), pleural thickening, and pleural effusions (abnormal collections of fluid between the thin layers of tissue lining the lung and the wall of the chest cavity). Although pleural plaques are not precursors to lung cancer, evidence suggests that people with pleural disease caused by asbestos exposure may be at increased risk for lung cancer (9).

How is asbestos used?

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 13:49:00 +0000

Asbestos was mined and used commercially in North America beginning in the late 1800s. Its use increased greatly during World War II (3, 4). Since then, asbestos has been used in many industries. For example, the building and construction industry has used it for strengthening cement and plastics as well as for insulation, roofing, fireproofing, and sound absorption. The shipbuilding industry has used asbestos to insulate boilers, steampipes, and hot water pipes. The automotive industry uses asbestos in vehicle brakeshoes and clutch pads. Asbestos has also been used in ceiling and floor tile; paints, coatings, and adhesives; and plastics. In addition, asbestos has been found in vermiculite-containing consumer garden products and some talc-containing crayons.

In the late 1970s, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) banned the use of asbestos in wallboard patching compounds and gas fireplaces because the asbestos fibers in these products could be released into the environment during use. Additionally, in 1979, manufacturers of electric hairdryers voluntarily stopped using asbestos in their products. In 1989, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned all new uses of asbestos; uses established prior to 1989 are still allowed. The EPA also established regulations that require school systems to inspect for damaged asbestos and to eliminate or reduce the exposure to occupants by removing the asbestos or encasing it (2).

In June 2000, the CPSC concluded that the risk of children’s exposure to asbestos fibers in crayons was extremely low (1). However, the U.S. manufacturers of these crayons agreed to eliminate talc from their products. In August 2000, the EPA responded to reports it received about the adverse human health effects associated with exposure to asbestos-contaminated vermiculite by conducting a series of tests to evaluate the extent of the risk. The EPA investigation concluded that the potential exposure to asbestos from some vermiculite products poses only a minimal health risk to consumers. The EPA recommended that consumers reduce the low risk associated with the occasional use of vermiculite during gardening activities by limiting the amount of dust produced during use. Specifically, the EPA suggested that consumers use vermiculite outdoors or in a well-ventilated area; keep vermiculite damp while using it; avoid bringing dust from vermiculite use into the home on clothing; and use premixed potting soil, which is less likely to generate dust.

The regulations described above and other actions, coupled with widespread public concern about the health hazards of asbestos, have resulted in a significant annual decline in U.S. use of asbestos. Domestic consumption of asbestos amounted to about 803,000 metric tons in 1973, but it had dropped to about 2,400 metric tons by 2005 (3, 5).

summary

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 14:19:00 +0000

This cancer is caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos. Asbestos was a commonly used building material years ago before anyone knew how hazardous it was to their health. It is a natural fiber that is still mined all over the world today.

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of varying lengths of fibers. These asbestos fibers we now know is carcinogenic (cancer causing). When asbestos is disturbed, as in renovations of old houses, the asbestos dust and fibers become airborne. These airborne particles are then swallowed or inhaled and become lodged in the soft tissue of the body, usually in the lungs. The immune system kicks in and inflammation is the result. The body can’t remove foreign bodies so it attempts to break down these fibers, and scarring occurs. This stage is called asbestosis. Asbestosis is not a cancer; it is an uncomfortable lung condition that, years later can leads to the development of abnormal cells. These cells eventually develop into tumors. This is now mesothelioma. Please fill out the form below if you’d like to receive more information on this disease.

Treatment

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 14:16:00 +0000

As there is no cure for mesothelioma, all treatments are geared to prolonging the patient’s life span and or making the patient as comfortable as possible by alleviating the painful symptoms.
Surgery – some tumors may be removed. In the early stages of this disease, surgery can provide improvement in the symptoms and slow the disease’s progression. In cases where the surgery has gone beyond the chest, this treatment option is less effective. It may help advanced cases breathe easier and feel more comfortable.
Chemotherapy – used to stop the cancer cells from growing and dividing. This treatment uses very toxic drug (s) to kill the tumor cells but will also kill off many healthy cells. The newer drugs have shown fewer side effects and if some drugs are combined they can have the ability to reduce the toxic side effects.
Radiation – this treatment sends high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells in a localized area. It’s also used to shrink the size of the tumors prior to surgery and to reduce the level of discomfort. Even though radiation can more accurately target the affected area, some damage to healthy cells does occur.

As with most cancers, early detection leads to more treatment options. If the mesothelioma is not caught until it’s already in an advanced state, then the prognosis is not very good. The survival rate from the time of diagnosis is usually less than one year.

It’s natural when faced with such a difficult prognosis to look at alternative therapies not only as a potential improvement in your condition but also to improve your quality of life.

Asbestos Cancer, also called malignant mesothelioma

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 09:02:00 +0000

Malignant mesothelioma is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the sac lining the chest (the pleura) or abdomen (the peritoneum). It is a rare form of cancer. Most people with malignant mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they breathed asbestos.

You should see a doctor if you experience shortness of breath, pain in the chest, or pain or swelling in the abdomen. If there are symptoms, your doctor may order an x-ray of the chest or abdomen.

Your doctor may look inside the chest cavity with a special instrument called a thoracoscope. A cut will be made through the chest wall and the thoracoscope will be put into the chest between two ribs. This test, called thoracoscopy, is usually done in the hospital. Before the test, the patient will be given a local anesthetic (a drug that causes a loss of feeling for a short period of time). Some pressure may be felt, but usually there is no pain.

Your doctor may also look inside the abdomen (peritoneoscopy) with a special tool called a peritoneoscope. The peritoneoscope is put into an opening made in the abdomen. This test is also usually done in the hospital. Before the test is done, a local anesthetic will be given.

If tissue that is not normal is found, the doctor will need to cut out a small piece and have it looked at under a microscope to see if there are any cancer cells. This is called a biopsy. Biopsies are usually done during the thoracoscopy or peritoneoscopy.

The chance of recovery (prognosis) depends on the size of the cancer, where the cancer is, how far the cancer has spread, your age, how the cancer cells look under the microscope, how the asbestos cancer or malignant mesothelioma responds to treatment.

Asbestos Types

noreply@blogger.com (admin) — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 04:20:00 +0000

Individuals who don’t know a lot about asbestos but have heard much about its many dangers may be surprised to learn that asbestos is a natural substance, found in various places on the planet, not a man-made substance developed for commercial use. Indeed, asbestos is mined in many countries throughout the world and was, at one time, widely used in many commercial products, usually for a number of reasons including its high resistance to heat and chemicals, its low electrical conductivity, and its strength and flexibility.

This natural material was first used in 1828 as a lining material for steam engines. For many years, vinyl-asbestos tiles were used for floor coverings and automobile clutch facings and brake linings also contained asbestos. Alarmingly, asbestos was even used in toothpaste, as artificial snow for Christmas trees, and as incision thread for surgery patients.

A total of six different types of asbestos are found in the earth and they’re categorized into two separate groups: 1) serpentine, with a layered form and curly fibers, and 2) amphibole, with straight fibers and a chain-like structure. The latter has been determined to be the most dangerous type of asbestos to which human beings can be exposed.

The serpentine group has just one member…Chrysotile. This is the most common type of asbestos, still found in buildings in nearly every developed country throughout the world. As a matter of fact, figures show that between 90% and 95% of all asbestos found in buildings and other commercial products that contain asbestos is of the Chrysotile variety. Furthermore, this is the only type which is still mined, primarily in Canada, Africa, and the former Soviet Republic. Because of its rampant use, Chrysotile accounts for most asbestos-related health problems.

Chrysotile is usually white or green in color and is most often used in insulation and fireproofing products. It can also be woven into asbestos tapes and clothes and is used in the manufacture of cement in the form of sheets, shingles, and pipes. This type of asbestos is also used in a number of friction materials, largely due to its high resistance to heat. These products include automobile brake shoes, disk pads, clutches and elevator brakes. In addition, roof sealants, textiles, plastics, rubbers, door seals for furnaces, high temperature caulking, paper, and components for the nuclear industry contain Chrysotile.

Five kinds of asbestos are members of the amphibole variety. Only two of them were consistently used in commercial applications – Amosite and Crocidolite. These two forms, possessing strong and stiff fibers, are highly dangerous when airborne fibers are inhaled or ingested.

The commercial production of Amosite, also known as “brown asbestos”, was halted within the last decade. Most often used as an insulating material, the use of Amosite has been banned in most countries for several decades. However, at one time, it was the second most-commonly used type of asbestos, accounting for about 5% of the asbestos used in factories and buildings and was sometimes included for anti-condensation and acoustical purposes.

Crocidolite is a rare form of asbestos, bluish in color, and is highly resistant to chemicals. It’s believed to be the most lethal form of asbestos and was often used as a reinforcement material for plastics. In the mid-twentieth century, Crocidolite was also used in pre-formed thermal insulation and, prior to that, some yarns and rope lagging contained this form of asbestos.