In a northwest corner of Montana, in the rural community of Libby, the Center for Asbestos Related Disease (CARD) has emerged as a national center of excellence in addressing healthcare issues associated with Libby amphibole asbestos. The CARD is a not-for-profit clinic governed by a volunteer community board that developed the vision of Caring Pathways to Treatment. The CARD is devoted to healthcare, outreach, and research to benefit all people impacted by exposure to Libby amphibole asbestos.
Libby amphibole asbestos has been recognized to be very unique as it is both chemically and structurally different from chrysotile, the commercial asbestos most common around the country. Asbestos related diseases associated with Libby amphibole asbestos have presented in a way that does not fit the typical pattern associated with commercial asbestos exposure, also known as chrysotile asbestos. The key features include a higher incidence of diseases predominately involving the pleural surface of the chest cavity (lining surrounding the lungs). Furthermore, there’s an appearance of a higher toxicity of fibers based on the lower level exposures which have lead to significant lung disease.
This has been observed clinically as well as recognized through ongoing research activities conducted at The University of Cincinnati on workers exposed to Libby vermiculite in Ohio. Another observation over time has taught us a pleural plaque (scarring on the lung lining) can not be assumed to be a benign problem. Because of the increased frequency of health impacts, prolonged latency, and uncertain prognosis, ongoing specialty care and research is essential.
source: libbyasbestos
Monday, March 31, 2008
Symptoms of Asbestos
Asbestos symptoms are indicators of the serious adverse health problems that are caused by dangerous levels of asbestos exposure . Over one million people are exposed to the dangerous of asbestos exposure every year in the work place and should be aware of asbestos symptoms that may indicate serious underlying health problems. People who work, or have worked, in the shipyard, factory, railroad, construction, automobile, and building industries in the last 60 years may be susceptible to developing asbestos symptoms.
Most deadly diseases that are caused by asbestos exposure lie dormant for years, so it is possible to suffer from the ill effects of asbestos disease without any noticeable asbestos symptoms. Because of disease latency, asbestos symptoms might appear years - even decades - after initial asbestos exposure.
There are various types of asbestos-related conditions . The most common include asbestosis and mesothelioma.
Asbestosis is a non-cancerous progressive disease that may lack asbestos symptoms for 15 to 30 years. Asbestosis causes scar tissue to build up in the lower half of the lungs, which impedes normal lung functioning. Asbestos symptoms of this disease might include: Shortness of breath, Chronic cough, Chest pain, Difficulty breathing...
Malignant mesothelioma may lack any noticeable asbestos symptoms for up to fifty years. This cancer primarily affects the pleural lining of the lungs and the peritoneal lining of the organs in the abdominal cavity. It may also affect the pericardial lining of the heart. Depending on the type of mesothelioma, symptoms may include: Shortness of breath, Chest pain, Persistent cough, Swelling, Weight loss, Obstructed bowels, Anemia, Fever and/or night sweats...
source: asbestosnews
Most deadly diseases that are caused by asbestos exposure lie dormant for years, so it is possible to suffer from the ill effects of asbestos disease without any noticeable asbestos symptoms. Because of disease latency, asbestos symptoms might appear years - even decades - after initial asbestos exposure.
There are various types of asbestos-related conditions . The most common include asbestosis and mesothelioma.
Asbestosis is a non-cancerous progressive disease that may lack asbestos symptoms for 15 to 30 years. Asbestosis causes scar tissue to build up in the lower half of the lungs, which impedes normal lung functioning. Asbestos symptoms of this disease might include: Shortness of breath, Chronic cough, Chest pain, Difficulty breathing...
Malignant mesothelioma may lack any noticeable asbestos symptoms for up to fifty years. This cancer primarily affects the pleural lining of the lungs and the peritoneal lining of the organs in the abdominal cavity. It may also affect the pericardial lining of the heart. Depending on the type of mesothelioma, symptoms may include: Shortness of breath, Chest pain, Persistent cough, Swelling, Weight loss, Obstructed bowels, Anemia, Fever and/or night sweats...
source: asbestosnews
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Asbestos Containing Material
Asbestos-containing material became a high profile public concern after federal legislation known as AHERA (Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act) was enacted in 1987. AHERA requires that all schools be inspected for asbestos-containing building materials, and that appropriate management plans be developed.
It is known that asbestos fibers increase the risk of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. If the asbestos-containing material is damaged and friable (meaning it crumbles under hand pressure) then it is advisable to have the asbestos-containing material abated. If the asbestos-containing material is not friable (for example, vinyl asbestos floor tiles or asbestos shingle siding) or is friable but undamaged, then the EPA currently recommends that you leave the asbestos-containing material alone.
Abatement of asbestos-containing material means that is should be repaired, removed, enclosed, or included in an Operations and Maintenance plan. Repair, removal, or enclosure of asbestos-containing material should only be performed by trained and licensed asbestos abatement contractors. A general contractor’s license is not sufficient. Asbestos abatement contractors have to be specifically trained in asbestos handling and disposal procedures.
source: heimer.com
It is known that asbestos fibers increase the risk of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. If the asbestos-containing material is damaged and friable (meaning it crumbles under hand pressure) then it is advisable to have the asbestos-containing material abated. If the asbestos-containing material is not friable (for example, vinyl asbestos floor tiles or asbestos shingle siding) or is friable but undamaged, then the EPA currently recommends that you leave the asbestos-containing material alone.
Abatement of asbestos-containing material means that is should be repaired, removed, enclosed, or included in an Operations and Maintenance plan. Repair, removal, or enclosure of asbestos-containing material should only be performed by trained and licensed asbestos abatement contractors. A general contractor’s license is not sufficient. Asbestos abatement contractors have to be specifically trained in asbestos handling and disposal procedures.
source: heimer.com
Asbestos Exposure and Risk
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral ingredient in many building, insulation, and consumer products. People who have had significant exposure to asbestos are at risk for developing severe, debilitating diseases.
Asbestos–related diseases take decades to develop. Whether and when you get a disease depends on various asbestos risk factors such as the amount of asbestos you were exposed to and the length of your exposure. Smoking can be another risk factor because it can increase the negative effects of asbestos on your body.
If you have been exposed to asbestos, you will probably, in the short term, not show any symptoms. However, you should tell your doctor about your exposure so that your health may be carefully monitored over the years. Your doctor will look for signs of asbestos diseases and determine if specialized tests are necessary.
Asbestos becomes hazardous when it becomes airborne. This may happen through unsafe work procedures or because asbestos–containing material is deteriorated, damaged or removed, releasing asbestos fibers or dust. High exposure risk is often associated with various occupations such as construction, shipbuilding, railroad, and automotive work.
source: braytonlaw.com
Asbestos–related diseases take decades to develop. Whether and when you get a disease depends on various asbestos risk factors such as the amount of asbestos you were exposed to and the length of your exposure. Smoking can be another risk factor because it can increase the negative effects of asbestos on your body.
If you have been exposed to asbestos, you will probably, in the short term, not show any symptoms. However, you should tell your doctor about your exposure so that your health may be carefully monitored over the years. Your doctor will look for signs of asbestos diseases and determine if specialized tests are necessary.
Asbestos becomes hazardous when it becomes airborne. This may happen through unsafe work procedures or because asbestos–containing material is deteriorated, damaged or removed, releasing asbestos fibers or dust. High exposure risk is often associated with various occupations such as construction, shipbuilding, railroad, and automotive work.
source: braytonlaw.com
Asbestos Disease
The most common forms of asbestos disease are pleural plaques, asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Asbestosis is a chronic, prolonged lung disease that is caused by continuous inhalation of asbestos particles. However, asbestosis is not cancerous. The second form, mesothelioma is a cancer that attacks mesothelium and is most commonly found in the lung. Mesothelioma is rare or nonexistent in non-asbestos exposed populations but is becoming more common among asbestos-exposed individuals. In the United States, there is no other known proven cause of mesothelioma other than asbestos. Unlike other forms of lung cancer, mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lungs and not a cancer that occurs inside the lung. Mesothelioma causes the cells of the mesothelium to become abnormal and infinitely reproduce.
A normal mesothelium cell (or any cell for that matter) can only reproduce a certain amount of times. This keeps certain cells from invading other cells. Cancer occurs when those cells become mutated and their limits are removed, allowing them to reproduce uncontrollably. These abnormal cells then form a lump that is known as a tumor. In a benign tumor the abnormal cells do not spread into surrounding areas, but malignant tumors do have the ability to spread. If the tumor is left untreated then it may spread and destroy the neighboring tissue.
The asbestos disease mesothelioma has a long latency period, where it is present but not evident or active. The disease can lie dormant for ten to sixty years after being exposed to asbestos. Because of this, it is often hard to determine the cause of mesothelioma.
source: asbestosresource.com
A normal mesothelium cell (or any cell for that matter) can only reproduce a certain amount of times. This keeps certain cells from invading other cells. Cancer occurs when those cells become mutated and their limits are removed, allowing them to reproduce uncontrollably. These abnormal cells then form a lump that is known as a tumor. In a benign tumor the abnormal cells do not spread into surrounding areas, but malignant tumors do have the ability to spread. If the tumor is left untreated then it may spread and destroy the neighboring tissue.
The asbestos disease mesothelioma has a long latency period, where it is present but not evident or active. The disease can lie dormant for ten to sixty years after being exposed to asbestos. Because of this, it is often hard to determine the cause of mesothelioma.
source: asbestosresource.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)