Mesothelioma info

For most individuals, especially those born in the last 40 years, the mention of asbestos conjures up thoughts of a dangerous substance that’s sickened many people and caused myriad deaths around the world. That’s an accurate description.

A common misconception on the part of many individuals, however, is that asbestos is a hazardous man-made substance, conjured up in factories around the world for commercial use. The truth is, however, that asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that can be found in hundreds of countries on just about every continent. As a matter of fact, asbestos is still mined in several of these countries, including Canada and Russia.

Asbestos is a highly-fibrous mineral with long, thin, separable fibers. The thin fibers can be spun and woven together, and possess valuable heat-resistant properties that make asbestos suitable for insulation and other such products. Indeed, for decades, asbestos was the material of choice for many industries that were manufacturing products for which heat resistance, low electrical conductivity, flexibility, and high tensile strength were essential factors. Today, there are other alternatives.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8133764560566427407

There are two kinds of asbestos. The serpentine variety is curly. Chrysotile asbestos, most commonly used for industrial purposes, is from the serpentine family. Other asbestos fibers, from the amphibole family, are very straight and needle-like. Amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite are amphibole asbestos varieties.

Currently, chrysotile asbestos is the only type mined on a wide-scale though a handful of countries continue to mine other forms. However, worldwide outrage about the use of dangerous asbestos has forced many countries to reconsider their position on mining.

Why is Asbestos a Health Concern?

Studies estimate that approximately 3,000 different types of commercial products include asbestos. In and of itself, the mineral is not harmful, as long as it’s intact. However, when the asbestos in these products is damaged and the fibers become airborne, concerns begin to arise.

“Friable” asbestos - that which is dry and can be easily crumbled with the hand - is the culprit. Such asbestos is more likely to release fibers into the air. Spray-applied asbestos fireproofing, which was used in millions of buildings throughout the world, is of the friable variety. However, some non-friable asbestos can also release airborne fibers, particularly when sanded, chopped, hammered, cut, or otherwise manipulated. That’s why, when demolishing a building that contains asbestos, proper removal is essential before the building is torn down.

Why are Aiborne Fibers Dangerous?

Inhaled asbestos fibers remain in the body and cannot be expelled. Because of this, the fibers can easily penetrate body tissues and may deposit themselves in airways and in the lung tissue. The more you’re exposed, the more likely you might develop an asbestos-related disease. Most people exposed to asbestos on a very casual basis probably will not develop such a disease.

Once the fibers are lodged in the body, they will cause inflammation which may eventually result in the formation of cancerous tumors, particularly on the mesothelium - the lining of the lungs. Other affected areas may include the peritoneum - the lining of the abdomen - and the pericardium - the lining around the heart.

With some recent exceptions found in workers at the World Trade Center disaster, asbestos-related diseases usually take decades to surface. That’s why current cases of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases involve many individuals who were employed in shipyards during World War II, performing jobs that exposed them to friable asbestos on a daily basis. Shipyard workers are among those most affected by aggressive mesothelioma.

Is Asbestos Banned?

Contrary to what many people believe, asbestos is not and has never been banned in the United States. In 1976, Congress passed a law to regulate toxic substances (known as the Toxic Substances Control Act) but a total ban was not suggested. In 1989, the Environmental Protection Agency finalized regulations to ban asbestos under the aforementioned act, but two years later, a New Orleans circuit court of appeal overturned the regulation. The result was that new uses of the dangerous mineral were banned but old ones remained.

Many other industrialized nations have banned asbestos including the European Union and a handful of other countries, such as Chile, Croatia, Australia, Argentina, and Saudi Arabia. Several countries, especially those who continue to make money from the mining of asbestos, consistently fight against asbestos bans.

A few current U.S. senators, with the assistance of asbestos watchdog groups, hope to encourage the government to reconsider a ban on all asbestos products. A new bill, called the “Ban Asbestos in America Act of 2007″ (S.742), was introduced by Senator Patty Murray on March 1, 2007.

Jobsites and asbestos

Asbestos was used for many purposes prior to its federal ban in the late 1970’s. In fact, asbestos use was incredibly widespread up until the time its relationship with cancer and respiratory illness became evident. Still, its use was so common that it remained in many of the fixtures for which it was used prior to the ban. Today, those exposed to asbestos are most likely to encounter in older fixtures, such as insulation, plumbing, or electrical fittings.

The conditions under which most asbestos exposures occur are occupational, or workplace encounters with the toxin. Some jobsites are more prone to asbestos exposure than others. Those who worked in construction, shipyards, railroads, or power plants are generally most at risk, but exposure is not limited to these professions. Asbestos was used mainly for its ability to insulate and prevent heat transfer. Therefore any profession which engaged materials that required this quality is potentially an at-risk occupation.

Of particular risk are those who worked with older fixtures and structures, especially those built prior to 1980. Recent studies have shown that nearly 80% of all structures built prior to 1980 contain some degree of asbestos in their construction. In terms of vessel-construction, asbestos was one of the most commonly used materials in shipyards for its ability to protect the integrity of the ship’s construction against temperature extremes. For this reason, shipyard exposures are extremely common.

Jobsites may also be related to natural disasters and terrorist attacks, such as those of Hurricane Katrina and the World Trade Center site following September 11th. The force of these events left many at risk of asbestos exposure. In fact it is said that the World Trade Center Twin Towers contained as much as 300 tons of asbestos, nearly all of which was released among the dust when the towers fell. Those who were present during either of these events, or have worked within recovery efforts could also have been potentially exposed to asbestos.

As said above though, there are very few professions which are said to be asbestos exposure-immune. Simply by inhabiting an older building, exposure is possible under the right conditions. It is important to recognize if you may have been exposed and seek further information. If you are presently, or were once employed at a an-asbestos prone category of jobsites, it is important you closely monitor your personal health and seek a physician’s guidance.

Today ’s Exposure

Thankfully, due to bans and warnings placed on asbestos products during the last 30 years, exposure to asbestos fibers is not as commonplace and, eventually, fewer cases of asbestos-related diseases will be reported on an annual basis.

Nevertheless, there are plenty of asbestos hazards still present. You’ll find them in places like old buildings and imported automobile brakes manufactured in countries where asbestos is not banned. Unfortunately, many individuals continue to be at risk for asbestos exposure.

Those who were involved in the rescue, recovery, and clean-up efforts at the World Trade Center after September 11th, 2001 represent a new breed of individuals at high risk for asbestos-related diseases. Some have already been diagnosed with lung cancers, asbestosis, and mesothelioma, and a handful have already succumbed to the diseases. Their illnesses have also demonstrated that in cases of intense exposure, asbestos can attack sooner rather than later.