Mesothelioma Diagnosis

The diagnosis of mesothelioma typically occurs within six months after a patient first visits his doctor with breathing difficulties or pain in the chest or abdomen. The initial step is to furnish an accurate and complete history of all medical problems, including current health issues, past problems, and a detailed description of your current symptoms. At this stage, it is critical that you mention any asbestos exposure you may have experienced in the past. If your doctor is aware that such exposure has occurred, he or she can be sure to consider the possibility of a disease related to asbestos, which can expedite a diagnosis.

The doctor will perform a physical examination to search for potential explanations for the symptoms you are experiencing. Because many symptoms of mesothelioma can also indicate other diseases, all possibilities must be considered. Unless a definite diagnosis can be made, he will order further tests.
Diagnostic Tests for Mesothelioma

If mesothelioma is suspected, your doctor will want to confirm that the disease is present, where it is located, determine the type and size of the cancer, and discover whether the disease has spread. There are several tests she can order to help answer these questions.
Imaging Tests

Chest X-ray: This is typically the first imaging test your doctor will order. It is often inadequate to provide a proper prognosis, and so additional tests may be ordered.

CT Scan: Sometimes referred to as a CAT scan, this is similar to an X-ray but produces multiple images that are then assimilated by a computer to allow viewing of the tissue in greater detail. Patients receiving a CT scan are sometimes injected with a dye that will create greater contrast, thus providing greater detail.

PET Scan: Cancerous cells use and absorb sugars differently than healthy cells. This allows a PET scan to be an efficient method of detecting them. You will be given an injection of glucose and then a scanner will be used to identify any cells that are absorbing the glucose abnormally.

MRI: An MRI creates highly detailed images in three dimensions that allow a trained radiologist to identify any suspicious areas. The procedure uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce the images.
Tissue and Fluid Tests

Your doctor may want to perform a biopsy of the suspicious area. This involves retrieving a sample of the tissue or fluid and then testing the sample for cancerous cells. There are four main types of biopsies your doctor may choose to order.

Fine Needle Aspiration: Mesothelioma typically leads to a build-up of fluids in the area afflicted, such as the mesothelium, or lining, in the chest cavity. To perform a fine needle aspiration, the doctor uses an extremely thin, long needle to extract a fluid sample.

Thoracoscopy: If the doctor wishes to confirm or eliminate pericardial or pleural mesothelioma, he may order a thoracoscopy. This involves a tiny incision in the chest wall to obtain a tissue sample.

Laparoscopy or Bronchoscopy: These two procedures are conducted on different areas of the body. A bronchoscopy may be ordered to check the airway and trachea. A laparoscopy involves the removal of a sample from of the tissue from the peritoneal area.

Mediastinoscopy: This test is used to examine the lymph nodes located in the neck and chest to see if the cancer has spread from its initial site.
Diagnosis Codes for Mesothelioma

Standardized codes have been assigned to the various types of mesothelioma. You may not encounter their use, but it is helpful to have them available should your doctor refer to them or should you encounter them while performing research.

    * ICD-9 code 163: Pleural mesothelioma
    * ICD-9 code 158: Peritoneal mesothelioma
    * ICD-9 code 164: Pericardial mesothelioma

patient diagnosisAfter Mesothelioma is Confirmed

Your primary care physician, if he has not already done so, will likely refer you to an oncologist, or a doctor who specializes in cancer, who has experience treating mesothelioma. The oncologist will help you to determine which treatment options are best for you. You should also perform your own research, educating yourself on the various options available so that you can better discuss them with your physician. You might also wish to locate any available sources for support during this difficult time.

Read More

Asbestos in Chemical Plants

A naturally occurring mineral, asbestos has been in use since ancient times. Thought at one point to be a miracle material, its heat-resistant, non-conductive characteristics led to its use in millions of machines and appliances throughout the modern age.

However, studies have shown that in spite of its practical applications, asbestos is also extremely hazardous to living organisms. Part of group of minerals known as silicates, the body is incapable of breaking these substances down. While the body's defenses can subdue viruses, bacteria, and other organic dust particles, silicates remain in the system, causing irreparable damage.
Regulation

Unfortunately, the EPA reports one study estimated that asbestos was used in 3,000 different kinds of commercial products, with a variation in the material’s concentration from one to 100 percent. Furthermore, despite its ban for industrial use, asbestos remained legal in the United States for use in everyday chemical products into the 21st century.  Long term exposure to the mineral can result in devastating illness such as asbestosis, a severe scarring of the lung tissue, or malignant mesothelioma, a rare and lethal form of cancer. Many of those afflicted with these diseases worked in chemical plants prior to the implement of federal safety regulations.
Uses

Since asbestos is resistant to reactive chemicals, chrysotile asbestos was commonly used in laboratories, coating materials, equipment and counter-tops. Even protective clothing may have been coated with asbestos. Even when the public began to learn of the dangers of asbestos, companies often insisted that chrysotile was environmentally safe, calling it the "good asbestos," despite scientific evidence refuting these claims.

As a result, chrysotile was used into the 1970s, with many patients only now discovering the full effect of the disease. Many chemical plants also used an asbestos solvent that could be sprayed onto pipes, ducts, insulation linings and valves. Afterward, the material was molded into the surfaces and sealed with laminate.
Consequences

As long as the asbestos remained intact, it posed no health risk to workers. However, as the material ages, the asbestos is more and more likely to crumble, which releases its deadly silicate fibers into the air. This friable form of asbestos can flake off and crumble at the slightest amount of pressure or strain, making chemical plant workers highly susceptible to the mineral. As the symptoms often fail to arise for decades, any individual who has spent time working in a chemical plant should contact their physician for a thorough examination.

Read More

Asbestos Abatement

Numerous buildings contain a hazardous material known as asbestos, which has been used as a flame retardant as well as a thermal insulator commonly found in ceilings. The substance has also been found inside ducts, false ceilings and other spaces where access is difficult and removal is challenging.

Within homes, asbestos was commonly used as a form of ceiling known as “popcorn” or “cottage cheese” ceiling, until the product was banned in 1978. Despite this ban, houses built as recently as 1986 have been found to contain the material. The only way to ensure whether or not a home contains asbestos is by removing a suspected section and testing the material in a laboratory that specializes in the analysis of asbestos.
Risks

Depending upon the manner which the material was applied with, it is possible that the risk the asbestos poses is minimal. If the fibers are unable to become airborne, they cannot be inhaled, meaning they pose no threat.

However, if the asbestos is “flocked,” the fibers are able to drop from the ceiling into the air throughout the building. Because of this, asbestos is hazardous to people dwelling in the building as well as personnel who have damaged walls and ceilings that contain the material.
Removal Procedures

If removal is necessary when people are within the building, relocation is usually also necessary. Generally, the area from which the asbestos is being removed is sealed from the rest of the building. Sealing is typically done with duct tape, negative air pressure machines with HEPA filters and polyethylene film. This will ensure that fresh air is pulled from the room instead of the fibers being allowed to leave the contained area.

The vacuum that is used to remove asbestos must be one that is specifically designed to remove asbestos. An ordinary cleaner will not work because they would expel the fibers into the rest of the room.
Other Procedures

Fortunately, asbestos removal is not the only means by which asbestos can be abated. Materials containing asbestos as well as the material itself can be “encapsulated” in order to prevent the occupants of the building from being exposed to the fibers.

Even a building which is planned for demolition and contains asbestos may need to be sealed to prevent the release of fibers. This will allow for the safe removal of asbestos before demolition occurs.

Read More

Asbestos Use in Shipyards

During the 1940's, when the United States entered World War II, the demand for ships increased tremendously as the American fleet expanded. In 1939, the American fleet had 394 ships and grew to 6,768 ships by 1945. During that time, over 4 million workers that built and repaired the ships were exposed to asbestos. The workers had little knowledge of the health risk associated with this material. Asbestos is a mineral that can be found on every continent and has been used for various things throughout history. Since it could take years for the symptoms of asbestos-related diseases – such as mesothelioma – to arise because of exposure, the risk wasn't fully known until people began to die.
shipyardUse of Asbestos

Asbestos was a very common and valued material used in the process of building ships. Companies could purchase asbestos in large quantities for less money than the other similar materials would cost. This material was good to use to line the boilers, turbines, engines, and other components because it could withstand high temperatures and corrosion. Due to the increased usage of the material, many men were being exposed to the material as they were being carried overseas by ship.
Knowledge of Health Dangers

It was during that time of military mobilization for World War II when the Navy first began to learn of the dangers associated with this material from health reports in Europe. The reports stated that workers exposed to asbestos by inhalation of the material were getting sick and then dying of asbestosis and mesothelioma. The U.S. later took action and started the process of passing regulations that would protect workers of the shipyards or other occupations from the asbestos clouds that surrounded the work environment.
Regulation's Minor Impact

Even though these regulations were passed, workers were still regularly exposed to asbestos clouds. There was a high demand for ships because of wartime, and the regulations that were put in place were rarely enforced because of the added pressures of war. It would take at least 30 years before the dangers of asbestos were fully released to the workers within the shipyards and other places where asbestos was used. The government then decided to take the necessary steps to aid the workers that were exposed to asbestos.

Read More

Asbestos in Job Sites

Most types of construction worker are at risk of coming into contact with asbestos, especially during demolition or remodeling of older buildings and structures. Those workers considered most at risk for being exposed to the dangerous material include electricians, insulators, plumbers, pipefitters, drywall installers, and sheet metal workers. However, the list is not limited to these types of workers. Even those involved in roofing and flooring may be exposed to asbestos as well.
Electricians

Electricians risk exposure to asbestos during electrical insulation or building insulation. They may also come into contact with pipes that contain asbestos too. Asbestos exposure is especially common in older buildings, and many electricians will have to deal with the substance when remodeling or doing maintenance work on such buildings.
Insulators

Since insulators typically work indoors they can be heavily exposed to asbestos particles. An insulator's job is often very dusty and dirty, and it is not hard for particles to touch the skin of an insulator. It is also very easy for particles to get into an insulator's respiratory system.

The job of insulators can be complex, as they often work to reduce energy through the insulation of the building. This may involve taping, wiring, cementing, or even spraying insulation, which often contains asbestos. Insulators also work to prevent the transfer of heat within a building, which requires the installation of materials into areas of a building often containing asbestos. Furthermore, insulators often use compressors to blow insulation into attics and walls of certain buildings, which can easily transfer asbestos particles as well.

Many insulators are responsible for removing asbestos during remodeling and demolition projects. This has proven to be a risky task, and many precautions have been put into place in order to protect workers. In addition to wearing protective gear and ventilating the area, there are specific techniques in which an insulator must use in order to safely remove asbestos.
Plumbers and Pipefitters

Plumbers work to install and repair the plumbing systems of homes and buildings. This includes working with the water and drainage systems, as well as waste disposal and gas systems. Pipefitters deal with the pipes in a building or home that work to heat and cool buildings, in addition to generating electricity. Often both plumbers and pipefitters come into contact with insulation surrounding the plumbing systems and pipes in a location. Sometimes these workers are even responsible for removing the asbestos from those areas.
Drywall Installers

Many older dry wall products including joint compound, dry wall tape, and plaster often contained asbestos. Even some types of older ceilings contain this mineral. Drywall installers often come into contact with these older products that cause dangerous exposure to the material that might result in one of several types of cancer.
Sheet Metal Workers

Sheet metal workers work in various avenues that can expose them to asbestos. Not only do they work with ducts for heating and cooling systems that can contain asbestos, but they are also involved in the roofing process, which can expose them to asbestos as well.

Read More

Asbestos Use

Asbestos is a natural mineral that has long been praised for its fire and heat resistant fibers, and its subsequent usefulness in construction and other industrial efforts. Mined for its various beneficial properties, asbestos possesses a great tensile strength, strong thermal and chemical stability, and an unmatched ability to insulate.

Asbestos comes in two forms, which are distinguished based on their crystalline structure. The first is the amphibole form which consists of thin fibers that come together to form a chain structure. There are five types of amphibole asbestos which include crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite, actinolite, and tremolite. Amosite asbestos is also known as brown asbestos and is the second most common type of asbestos present in buildings. Crocidolite, or blue, asbestos is the third most common with the rest of the forms of amphibole asbestos being very rare. The second type of asbestos is thicker, shorter, and curlier than the amphibole form and is formed in layers. The name for this type of asbestos is chrysotile and consists of somewhere between 90% and 95% of asbestos present in U.S. buildings.
asbestos restricted buildingWhy is Asbestos Hazardous?

When the fibers are disturbed, asbestos becomes airborne. Once they enter the air, they are capable of being inhaled by individuals in the area. Once they are introduced in the body, they can cause numerous health conditions as they can enter the lung tissue and the immune system is not capable of removing them.
When is Asbestos a Hazard?

Asbestos is believed to only be a significant hazard when it has become airborne. If asbestos is present, it should be monitored to ensure that the area is still safe and that the particles have not been disturbed. “Friable asbestos” is a term used to describe asbestos fibers which can be converted to dust when pressure is applied to them. Harder fibers which are not subject to pressure are known as “non-friable asbestos.” If the asbestos is “non-friable,” the mineral is not under regulation. However, these fibers are still able to be converted into “friable asbestos” through the use of grinding machines or sanding.
Comparison of Amphibole and Chrysotile Asbestos

Amphibole asbestos was widely believed to be the most dangerous as they have thin fibers which scientists believe allows them to enter the lung tissue better than the curly fibers of chrysotile asbestos. However, numerous researchers have determined that this is not the case. In fact, research has shown that chrysotile asbestos can become lodged in the lungs and is the sole cause of malignant mesothelioma cancer.
Uses of Asbestos

There are several uses of asbestos, particularly in the realm of duct and pipe insulation, insulation in buildings, as well as in ceiling and wall panels. More specifically, the fibers can be found in compounds for patching and spackling, roofing materials, brake linings and pads, cement, heating appliances in the home such as toasters, flooring tiles, and furnaces.

Because of these common asbestos uses, the most common victims of these diseases are mechanics, construction workers, and those who have worked in shipyards. In 1973, aerosols containing asbestos were prohibited. In the mid 1970s, additional materials containing asbestos were banned.
Who is at Risk for Asbestos Related Diseases?

Those who undergo exposure to asbestos are all at risk for asbestos-related conditions such as malignant mesothelioma. In fact, a large number of those persons with mesothelioma never experienced direct exposure to the asbestos mineral fibers. Individuals who are simply exposed to the clothes of those who work frequently with the mineral are also largely at risk for being diagnosed with this condition.

Read More

Crocidolite Asbestos

Crocidolite asbestos, also referred to as riebeckite or “blue” asbestos, is a form of the material that has been used widely throughout the last 120 years. This form of asbestos has been mined primarily within Bolivia, Australia, and southern Africa. Today, the material is no longer excavated, mostly due to the fact that this form of asbestos is less resistant to heat than other forms of the mineral, which include:

    * Anthophyllite
    * Tremolite
    * Chrysotile
    * Amosite
    * Actinolite

Risks of Crocidolite

Although crocidolite asbestos has been the least-used form of the mineral, it is certainly the most dangerous. The death rate due to mesothelioma among those who have mined for crocidolite stands at approximately 18%.

Crocidolite asbestos has limited applications, although it was used widely in products that were used to manufacture asbestos cement. It is also not the most flexible of asbestos types. Chrysotile asbestos is considered the most versatile and is the form of the mineral most commonly used. It is present in about 95% of products which contain asbestos and is the hardest of the minerals in its group.
Uses of Crocidolite

Asbestos cement was developed in the beginning of the 20th century. During this time period, it was widely believed to be safe and was valued for its flame and friction resistance. During this period, cement was reinforced with fibers of asbestos and was appropriately known as asbestos cement. This was a common type of asbestos building material. However, it has since proved highly hazardous. When the bricks of asbestos cement and other asbestos-containing products are chipped or cracked, the fibers or crocidolite are able to become airborne and, therefore, inhaled by victims. 
Safety of Crocidolite

The asbestos fibers present in crocidolite or other forms of asbestos are able to become lodged within the lungs, as well as other parts of the body. It is at this stage that the fibers can cause scarring and initiate the onset of asbestos-related diseases such as lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. If an individual believes that they have been exposed to crocidolite asbestos to seek a thorough medical examination, whether or not they display symptoms of disease.

Read More

Chrysotile Asbestos

Also referred to as white asbestos, chrysotile is the most prevalent type of asbestos. Between 90 and 95% of all asbestos used throughout the world consists of chrysotile. This fibrous mineral has been used for commercial applications since the early 1900s. Popular for its insulating and fire retardant properties, it was commonly used for thermal insulation, electrical purposes, fireproofing and in the manufacture of concrete, paper and roofing materials.
Today’s Chrysotile

At the moment, chrysotile is still used, but it is controlled by strict standards. As a result of this regulation, it is now only allowed in the manufacturing of high-density materials and products, which it is claimed poses a reduced health risk. To create these products, chrysotile asbestos is combined with another substance such as cement, resin or plastic. This secures the chrysotile fibers and prevents them from becoming airborne as easily. Many old products that contained asbestos were far more brittle or fragile because they were constructed without these bonding agents. When handled incorrectly, these products would release dust and asbestos particles into the air where they could be inhaled or ingested.  Nevertheless, any product containing asbestos poses a cancer risk, as these fibers can never be encapsulated to the point where the mesothelioma risk is totally eliminated.
Chrysotile Products

Chrysotile asbestos is still used in the manufacture of a wide variety of products. To increase heat resistance, a number of household appliances, including toasters, ovens, irons and refrigerators, may contain the substance. Insulating materials, such as ceilings and pipe coverings, may also be composed of chrysotile asbestos. Cement products account for the majority of manufactured goods that contain asbestos. In addition, this mineral can be present in brakes for automobiles or elevators, disk pads, roof sealants, caulking and military or nuclear components. These products are both less expensive and more durable when compared to similar goods that do not contain chrysotile.
Safety of Chrysotile

After recent research, even extremely low levels of asbestos have been deemed unsafe. It has been proven that excessive, prolonged exposure to the substance leads to mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis and other illnesses and conditions related to asbestos exposure. People who live near chrysotile mining areas also experience an unusually high rate of asbestos-related illnesses. Even modern asbestos-containing products degrade and break down over time, and it is possible that the dangerous material can be released when this occurs. While a number of countries continue to export this mineral to third world nations for huge profits, other nations oppose this act and are campaigning to have chrysotile labeled as a toxic substance.

Read More

Amosite Asbestos

Amosite asbestos is a form of asbestos also referred to as grunerite, or brown asbestos. Amosite is a name that is derived from the name of the business known as “Asbestos Mines of South Africa,” or AMOS, which is where a large amount of amosite asbestos has been mined. The Environmental Protection Agency has reported that amosite is one of the most common forms of the asbestos mineral within the U.S., second only to chrysotile.
Cancer and Amosite

Amosite has been linked to several cancer cases, including mesothelioma, among many individuals in several nations. The majority of cases have appeared to occur near the amosite mines that are located in South Africa, which is the largest commercial mine containing amosite. The amosite miners and processors have proven to be at a particularly high risk of developing asbestos-related conditions.
Amosite within the United States

The majority of amosite asbestos that was used in the United States was most likely mined in South Africa. This form of asbestos was commonly used in thermal insulation and other products found in buildings, including:

    * Roof tiles
    * Ceiling tiles
    * Floor tiles
    * Insulation board
    * Plumbing insulation
    * Gaskets
    * Sheets of cement
    * Chemical Insulation
    * Telecommunication and Electrical Insulation

Inhalation of Amosite

Amosite fibers are thin and long and have the ability to be broken down into needle-thin particles. Fragments of these fibers have been found within many building materials. Like other asbestos forms, amosite poses less of a risk when contained in a secure area or product. During the process of installation, however, it is possible for the fibers to become loose and released into the air. This may also occur when the fibers are manipulated, removed, damaged, or deteriorate over time. It is at this point that the fibers are able to be inhaled, risking the health of the building’s workers or occupants.

Read More

Types of Asbestos

Widely used in manufacturing and industry in the 20th century, members of the asbestos family of fibrous minerals are implicated in various diseases including an aggressive form of cancer, mesothelioma, firmly linked to asbestos exposure. This naturally occurring group of minerals consists of six members divided into two categories. Serpentine asbestos has curled fibers in contrast to the straight, narrow fibers of amphibole asbestos minerals. Members of the amphibole group constitute the most dangerous type of asbestos due to the needle-like fibers that become lodged in the tissues of the body.
Crocidolite

Crocidolite asbestos, called blue asbestos due to its coloration, is no longer mined and played a relatively minor role in asbestos use in the United States. Its heat resistant properties are inferior to other forms, and it was mainly used in the manufacture of asbestos-cement. This member of the amphibole group has long hair-like fibers that penetrate the body’s tissues. Researchers have confirmed that approximately 18% of miners of crocidolite have succumbed to mesothelioma.
Amosite

Brown asbestos, amosite, is another of the amphibole group. It is the second most dangerous of the asbestos minerals due to the long, straight fibers that the body can’t expel. Like blue asbestos, this variety has caused the death and illness of vast numbers of miners in South Africa. This form of asbestos made up about 5% of all industrially-used asbestos. Although it has been banned in many countries, amosite products are still in existence in buildings and can pose a hazard when fibers become airborne.
Chrysotile

The most frequently used form of asbestos is chrysotile, a member of the curly-fibered serpentine group. With a long history of use spanning over two centuries, chrysotile was first used for its heat resistant properties in textiles and lamp wicks. Mined in Canada, Russia, Italy and elsewhere, this mineral is at the center of much debate concerning safety.

Although recent attempts are routinely made to decrease the friability (crumbliness) of this mineral’s products, large quantities of material put in place before asbestos warnings and bans are still in existence and present a serious health hazard. These were primarily used to produce asbestos-cement but also used in brake shoes and pads, plastics, roof sealants, and road asphalt.

Despite the industry’s attempts to stabilize the mineral, health professionals agree that there is no safe level of exposure to this carcinogenic material. Producing countries have blocked attempts to have it classified as a toxic substance.

Read More

Mesothelioma Mortality Rates

While mesothelioma is a relatively rare form of cancer, it is also severe and aggressive with a high mortality rate.  Between 1999 and 2005, the Center for Disease Control conducted a broad study to calculate the rates of death by malignant mesothelioma in the United States.  During the time of the study, a total of 18,068 people died of this disease, for a rate of 13.8 people per million.  This rate was further broken down by gender, race, age, and geographical location.
Deaths by Gender and Race

Men accounted for 80.8% of the total number of deaths from mesothelioma.  The vast majority of those who died of the disease were white (95.1%). 3.9% were black and approximately 1% came from other races.
Deaths by Age

Since the latency period for mesothelioma tends ranges from 20 to 50 years and mortality naturally increases with age, it is people who are in their sixties or seventies who were hit the hardest. 67% of those who died were between the ages of 65 and 84.  Only 7% were below the age of 55.  The average age of death from this disease was 74.
Deaths by State

Twenty-six states had a death rate that was higher than the national average:

New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maryland, Virginia, Florida, Louisiana, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Idaho all reported between 14.0 and 17.4 deaths per million people.

New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Montana, Wyoming, Oregon, and Washington reported greater than 17.5 deaths per million people.

For six states, the death rate exceeded 20 deaths per million people.  Maine had the highest rate, reporting 173 total deaths for a rate of 27.5.  Wyoming followed that with a rate of 22.2 deaths per million.  West Virginia reported 21.0 deaths of malignant mesothelioma per million, followed by Pennsylvania with a rate of 20.8.  New Jersey and Washington had rates of 20.2 and 20.1, respectively.

The high rate of mesothelioma deaths in Maine is believed to result from a combination of old homes and naturally-occurring asbestos deposits, as well as paper, chemical, and shipping companies who used asbestos in the past.

Read More

Smoking and Mesothelioma

There has been a lot of confusion about the relationship between smoking and mesothelioma. This confusion often stems from the fact that smoking can lead to lung cancer. However, mesothelioma, while also a cancer that attacks the lungs, is a completely separate condition.
Differences

Unlike lung cancer, mesothelioma is not caused by smoking. Mesothelioma is a very specific kind of cancer that usually only results from an exposure to asbestos. Like smoking-related illnesses, it can severely impact the health of the lungs. However, this cancer can also attack the heart and the abdomen as well.

In addition, mesothelioma cannot be the cause of lung cancer. Lung cancer is a kind of cancer that is most commonly the result of repeated exposure to firsthand or secondhand cigarette smoke. In other, less common cases, exposure to carcinogens in the air or radiation may lead to lung cancer. Asbestos exposure and the subsequent development of mesothelioma, however, are not known to cause this disease.
Links

Even though mesothelioma is not directly caused by smoking, there may indeed be some links between smoking and the development of this kind of cancer, although these links are not direct. An indirect link exists because smoking can severely debilitate the normal functioning of the lungs. In this unhealthy state, lungs may be more susceptible to developing a condition known as asbestosis.

Asbestosis is a disease that affects the lungs and is caused by the scarring asbestos fibers cause. Asbestosis is not the same condition as mesothelioma. However, the existence of asbestosis in the lungs can, over time, lead to the development of mesothelioma cancer.
Health Risks

Still, a direct causal link between smoking and mesothelioma has yet to be discovered. Smoking, on the other hand, can certainly lead to other very serious health conditions that affect the lungs. People who smoke, for example, have a fifty percent higher likelihood of developing lung cancer. It is for this reason that mesothelioma patients are instructed to quit smoking. The development of smoking-related conditions in addition to mesothelioma can lead to rapid health degeneration.

It is also important to note that there are many similarities between the development of mesothelioma and lung cancer. Both conditions are very hard to detect at an early stage of development. Telltale symptoms may not appear until much later for both illnesses.

This is why it is extremely important for all smokers and people who have been exposed to asbestos to receive routine check-ups. If conditions such as mesothelioma and lung cancer are detected early enough, more treatment options exist and their success rates remain higher.

Read More

Indirect Asbestos Exposure

Most people diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma have been in some way exposed directly to asbestos. They may have been involved in either the mining or transportation of the dangerous mineral or in the production of the main products that contain asbestos. They may also have been exposed through its many uses in such industries as shipbuilding, construction, or engineering.

It is also possible to develop malignant mesothelioma through indirect contact while working with asbestos workers or from being in contact with friends or family members who have been exposed. In fact, there are several ways that people can be indirectly exposed to asbestos.
Bystander Exposure

This is also referred to as indirect occupation exposure. This type of exposure can happen when working close to people who have been using asbestos, like insulators or those people whose job it was to mix asbestos. Bystander exposure can affect carpenters, plumbers, scrap metal workers, electricians, welders, and boiler makers.
Domestic Exposure

asbestosAsbestos dust would commonly settle on the clothing of men who worked with the toxic substance. Since these companies generally did not provide a place on site for these men to launder their clothing, this dust was carried home with them so that it could get into upholstery, drapes, and carpet. Women who did the laundry for their husband handled these clothes that were thick with asbestos dust.

Because of this, family members were at risk of developing malignant mesothelioma. In fact, according to one study this domestic exposure accounts for nearly 15 percent of all mesothelioma cases. Another study shows this number to be as high as 26 percent.
Environmental Exposure

This type of exposure occurs in the areas around facilities that mill or manufacture asbestos. An example of this is the town of Libby, Montana that at one time mined vermiculite. It was discovered later that the vermiculite was contaminated with asbestos. Children who used to play in the slag heaps around this town have since developed mesothelioma and other diseases related to asbestos. There are 28 sites around the world that used most of the vermiculite from those mines in Montana.

There are also cases of non-industrial environmental exposure to asbestos involving soil contaminated with asbestos fibers or certain types of fibrous rocks containing asbestos being used in buildings.
Passive Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos use was extremely widespread in the decades before the 1970s, but especially during that decade. It was used in the building of innumerable commercial, residential, and public buildings. It has been estimated that there were at one time 720,000 public buildings that contained asbestos. As a result, millions of people have been exposed passively to asbestos.

The risk is much less for developing mesothelioma and other conditions relating to asbestos when exposure is passive rather than direct, with the possible exception of those in custodial functions. However, in one study done on deaths due to mesothelioma, 50 percent of the most common occupations did not involve industries most commonly linked to asbestos exposure.

Another study showed that in the 1970s, somewhere between 2 and 6 million school children and 100,000 to 300,000 teachers were exposed to asbestos in their schools.
asbestosConsumer Products

Many consumer products in the past were made using asbestos and it is actually still used to some extent today. Some of the types of products that exposed people to asbestos in the past are:

    * Electric blankets
    * Curling irons and hair dryers
    * Heat guns
    * Deep fryers
    * Toasters
    * Slow cookers
    * Insulation for wrapping pipes
    * Patching material for dry wall
    * Heat proof protection for walls and floors

The consumer Products Safety Commission has banned most products that contain asbestos, but there are still some available that may have asbestos in them. This includes things like roofing products, gaskets, and friction products. These items are generally not labeled as containing asbestos.

Read More

Asbestos Handling

Decades ago, most employers knew about the dangers of exposure to asbestos. However, their employees were rarely warned of these dangers or given the appropriate gear to protect themselves.

Today there are strict regulations put in place by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as well as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Anyone who handles asbestos needs to closely follow the safety protocols put in place by these agencies to protect themselves from asbestos related diseases.
Asbestos Management

The EPA and OSHA require all workplaces that handle asbestos products to have an asbestos management program in place. Such programs identify all materials that could contain asbestos, as well as handle hazard and exposure control. Additionally, they conduct risk assessments and educate employees on the proper procedures for handling asbestos.
The Employer's Responsibilities

Employers in businesses that handle asbestos related materials have the serious responsibility of providing a number of things to their employees. These include:

    * Written health & safety policy
    * Written emergency response procedures
    * Training in asbestos handling
    * Regular inspections to ensure procedures are being followed
    * Regular contamination inspections
    * Safety equipment (masks, respirators, gloves, aprons) for safe asbestos handling
    * Regular inspections of safety equipment
    * Decontamination facilities to ensure no residual asbestos leaves the facility
    * Notification of all risk associated with asbestos handling
    * Accident investigations should contamination occur
    * A health & safety representative to address any concerns
    * Protective clothing to be worn only when handling asbestos related materials (clothing should cover the entire body and fit snugly)
      

Though the procedures for the safe handling of asbestos are fairly similar throughout the country, they can vary slightly depending on the job in question. Employees should be sure they completely understand the risks involved in any job before they accept it. It's also important to remember that when asbestos is handled properly, the risk to employees is very minimal. If an employer does not want to provide any of the above mentioned items to employees, there's a good chance that he or she is not operating in accordance with asbestos handling laws and regulations.
Asbestos in the Home

If anyone suspects asbestos exposure in their home, it is not recommended that they try to handle it themselves. Licensed asbestos abatement contractors have the training needed to safely correct the issue without harm to anyone living in the home.

Read More

Asbestos History

Asbestos was once thought of as a miracle - a natural mineral that could withstand heat, fire and had tensile strength properties, making it highly desirable. This mineral was first mined by the ancient Greeks, as the Greek word “asbestos” means “inextinguishable” or “unquenchable." Today, asbestos is known more for its hazardous nature and its ominous reputation for causing mesothelioma .
Early Uses of Asbestos

Over the centuries, asbestos has been used in building construction, clothing and even to wrap the deceased. It is believed that deceased royalty were wrapped in asbestos shrouds and burned on funeral pyres. Since their clothing remained intact, the ashes of the body could be easily collected. Tablecloths and garments made of asbestos could be cleaned by tossing them into a fire as witnessed by 13th century Italian explorer Marco Polo. For all of the miraculous properties that asbestos has previously displayed, people that mined for it and worked with it became sick and died premature deaths. There has been documented proof of people experiencing symptoms of lung problems as a result of handling asbestos, even in early times.
Use of Asbestos in Modern Times

When the Industrial Revolution began, the uses for asbestos became even more widespread. The role of the mineral continued to expand as it was being incorporated into materials for ships, refineries and for insulation in the boiler rooms of steam engine trains. Again, the health problems with asbestos did not cease. Thousands of workers, from ship yards to construction sites, were exposed, and many paid a heavy price with their lives.
Continued Use in the 20th Century

Despite the increasing knowledge of the dangers associated with asbestos, the mineral's heavy demand maintained its popularity throughout the 20th Century, with regular use peaking between World War II and the 1960s. It was being used everywhere - in homes, factories, schools, and office buildings. Asbestos was being manufactured in shingles, cement, glue, tile, drywall, plaster, and in car parts. Some cigarettes even had asbestos filters on them.

It was long suspected that asbestos was making people sick, but it was mainly anecdotal. Beginning in the early 1900s, doctors started documenting patients with lung problems as they worked around asbestos. Autopsies confirmed what many already knew - asbestos was the cause behind the chronic bronchitis and pulmonary fibrosis problems being witnessed. Eventually, lung problems associated with asbestos exposure would become known as asbestosis and mesothelioma.

However, the mounting medical evidence still did not stop the asbestos from being used. Only toward the end of the 70s did the U.S. begin to regulate the use of asbestos; although there is still not a total ban in effect. The European Union and Australia have banned the substance entirely, and many other developed nations are beginning to follow suit.

Read More

Asbestos History

Asbestos was once thought of as a miracle - a natural mineral that could withstand heat, fire and had tensile strength properties, making it highly desirable. This mineral was first mined by the ancient Greeks, as the Greek word “asbestos” means “inextinguishable” or “unquenchable." Today, asbestos is known more for its hazardous nature and its ominous reputation for causing mesothelioma .
Early Uses of Asbestos

Over the centuries, asbestos has been used in building construction, clothing and even to wrap the deceased. It is believed that deceased royalty were wrapped in asbestos shrouds and burned on funeral pyres. Since their clothing remained intact, the ashes of the body could be easily collected. Tablecloths and garments made of asbestos could be cleaned by tossing them into a fire as witnessed by 13th century Italian explorer Marco Polo. For all of the miraculous properties that asbestos has previously displayed, people that mined for it and worked with it became sick and died premature deaths. There has been documented proof of people experiencing symptoms of lung problems as a result of handling asbestos, even in early times.
Use of Asbestos in Modern Times

When the Industrial Revolution began, the uses for asbestos became even more widespread. The role of the mineral continued to expand as it was being incorporated into materials for ships, refineries and for insulation in the boiler rooms of steam engine trains. Again, the health problems with asbestos did not cease. Thousands of workers, from ship yards to construction sites, were exposed, and many paid a heavy price with their lives.
Continued Use in the 20th Century

Despite the increasing knowledge of the dangers associated with asbestos, the mineral's heavy demand maintained its popularity throughout the 20th Century, with regular use peaking between World War II and the 1960s. It was being used everywhere - in homes, factories, schools, and office buildings. Asbestos was being manufactured in shingles, cement, glue, tile, drywall, plaster, and in car parts. Some cigarettes even had asbestos filters on them.

It was long suspected that asbestos was making people sick, but it was mainly anecdotal. Beginning in the early 1900s, doctors started documenting patients with lung problems as they worked around asbestos. Autopsies confirmed what many already knew - asbestos was the cause behind the chronic bronchitis and pulmonary fibrosis problems being witnessed. Eventually, lung problems associated with asbestos exposure would become known as asbestosis and mesothelioma.

However, the mounting medical evidence still did not stop the asbestos from being used. Only toward the end of the 70s did the U.S. begin to regulate the use of asbestos; although there is still not a total ban in effect. The European Union and Australia have banned the substance entirely, and many other developed nations are beginning to follow suit.

Read More

Mesothelioma Causes

Mesothelioma is a very deadly form of cancer. There are three different types of mesothelioma. The first is pleural mesothelioma. It is a cancer that grows in the lining of the lungs. This cancer in the lungs can cause many serious side-effects. These side effects include hoarseness, a lack of breath, a buildup of fluid in the lungs, sharp chest pains, coughing up of blood, a loss of muscle function, and extreme swelling.

The two less common kinds of mesothelioma are peritoneal mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lining of the abdomen. Symptoms of this cancer include intense stomach pain, unnatural weight loss, ruptures of the abdomen, vomiting, and a build of fluid in the abdomen. Pericardial mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lining of the heart. Symptoms of this disease include a lack of breath and sharp chest pains.
Causes of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is caused by an exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a kind of material that is created through the amalgamation of several different minerals with fiber like structures. For a time, asbestos had many uses and was a very popular material in the construction of buildings and many different products. It was used because asbestos has a very strong resistance to heat.

In the 1960’s, however, the extreme negative effects that exposure to asbestos can have on an individual’s health were discovered and publicized. Of these negative side effects, occurrences of mesothelioma were certainly some of the most serious.
Exposure to Asbestos

Exactly how asbestos causes mesothelioma has yet to be fully explained. A number of competing theories have been introduced by scientists to account for this causation. One theory states that asbestos fibers may scar certain cells in the lining of organs of the body, eventually leading to cancer.

Another popular theory states that asbestos fibers have properties that can change the normal structure of cells in the body. The theory states that the fibers can corrupt the natural ability of these cells to divide at a healthy rate. This new unnatural cell division produces cancer.

What is not disputed, however, is the fact that exposure to asbestos causes every form of mesothelioma. This much has been proven scientifically by a staggering amount of evidence.
Who Is at Risk for Developing Mesothelioma?

Studies have shown that certain individuals are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma than others. One such group of people is individuals who have been exposed high amounts of radiation. Even people exposed to radiation who cannot recollect being exposed to asbestos have developed the cancer.
Tobacco Use and Mesothelioma

It has been proven that smoking does not cause mesothelioma. However, smoking can damage the lungs. When the lungs are damaged by smoking, they have less ability to stave off the negative effects of asbestos exposure including mesothelioma. For this reason, smokers also have a high risk of suffering from the cancer.

Read More