An understanding of asbestos is necessary before we try to understand mesothelioma lung cancer. Asbestos, a natural fibrous mineral, used commonly in construction process and manufacturing industries is detrimental to human health. Continuous inhalation of its fibers enhances the susceptibility to respiratory disorders and can lead to many dangerous diseases. A leading example of such dangerous disease is Mesothelioma lung cancer.
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that has only been linked to asbestos exposure. It is a cancer of the cells that line the peritoneum (area surrounding the abdominal organs) and the pleura (area outside of the lungs and inside of the ribs).
The exposure of asbestos causes fibers to be inhaled and fine dust deposited in the alveoli inside the lungs consequently causing Mesothelioma Cancer (a deadly tumor) involving Mesothelial tissues or usually cells of lungs or stomach and abdominal organs.
Asbestos is the commercial name given to certain types of fibrous materials. They are silicates of varying compositions; the silica combined with such bases as Magnesium, Iron, Calcium, sodium and Aluminum.
“Are asbestos fibers visible to the eye”? Generally asbestos fibers are too small to be seen by the naked eye.
Asbestos fibers are usually from 20 to 500 in length and 0.5 to 50 in diameter. Asbestos bodies appear as golden brown or beaded rods with a translucent center.
Some types of asbestos are thought to be more dangerous than others but all types of asbestos exposure should be avoided. Actinolite, amosite, anthophyllite, crocidolite, chrysotile (white asbestos), and tremolite are all types of asbestos.
The asbestos fibers have high tensile strength, and chemical, electrical and heat resistance properties and so are extremely useful as a building/insulation material. Asbestos has been used extensively all over the world.
Although Asbestos is a hazardous material, it poses a health risk only if the Asbestos fibers become airborne and subsequently inhaled. Therefore, most Asbestos materials pose little health risk unless they are disturbed in a way that allows the fibers to be released into the atmosphere.
Asbestos becomes dangerous when it has broken down into small fibers and is inhaled. It is nearly impossible to detect the presence of asbestos without taking the material to a lab for testing.
Asbestos fibers are not visible to the eye. If you feel you may have been exposed to asbestos, the most common method for testing is a chest x-ray. The x-ray will not show the asbestos fibers but it can spot early signs of lung disease. There is no known cure for asbestos related diseases.
Other Related Diseases:
Asbestosis occurs when asbestos fibers enter the lungs. The body will naturally produce an acid to combat the fibers. However, this acid can cause scarring in the tissue of the lungs and in advanced stages breathing becomes more difficult and painful. Asbestosis was first documented in shipyard workers.
Asbestos can also cause lung cancer. If a person smokes and is exposed to asbestos, they have a much greater chance of developing lung cancer.
The victims of all these asbestos related diseases are eligible to file lawsuits for compensation against the persons and organizations responsible for causing asbestos exposure. They can take the help of mesothelioma and asbestos attorneys to fight their compensation claims.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Are asbestos fibers visible to the eye?
If you are in the construction business or employed by an industry that uses products containing asbestos, you may wonder “Are asbestos fibers visible to the eye”? Generally asbestos fibers are too small to be seen by the naked eye. Asbestos becomes dangerous when it has broken down into small fibers and is inhaled. It is nearly impossible to detect the presence of asbestos without taking the material to a lab for testing. A lab technician will put the material under a microscope to search for asbestos fibers. Asbestos does not cause an immediate reaction. It will not cause you to cough, sneeze, or your eyes to water. You cannot see, smell, or taste asbestos. If you skin becomes contaminated with asbestos it will not burn or itch.
Asbestos related diseases have a very long latency period. This is the time frame from when you are first exposed to asbestos until you become ill. Most persons do not become ill for at least ten years after exposure and some not until over forty years later. Asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma are all asbestos related diseases. Asbestosis occurs when asbestos fibers enter the lungs. The body will naturally produce an acid to combat the fibers. However, this acid can cause scarring in the tissue of the lungs and in advanced stages breathing becomes more difficult and painful. Asbestosis was first documented in shipyard workers. Asbestos can also cause lung cancer. If a person smokes and is exposed to asbestos, they have a much greater chance of developing lung cancer. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that has only been linked to asbestos exposure. It is a cancer of the cells that line the peritoneum (area surrounding the abdominal organs) and the pleura (area outside of the lungs and inside of the ribs).
There is a lot of debate and controversy surrounding which types of asbestos is harmful. Some types of asbestos are thought to be more dangerous than others but all types of asbestos exposure should be avoided. Actinolite, amosite, anthophyllite, crocidolite, chrysotile (white asbestos), and tremolite are all types of asbestos. Chrysotile is the type of asbestos most commonly used in manufacturing products.
Asbestos fibers are not visible to the eye. If you feel you may have been exposed to asbestos, the most common method for testing is a chest x-ray. The x-ray will not show the asbestos fibers but it can spot early signs of lung disease. There is no known cure for asbestos related diseases.
Asbestos related diseases have a very long latency period. This is the time frame from when you are first exposed to asbestos until you become ill. Most persons do not become ill for at least ten years after exposure and some not until over forty years later. Asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma are all asbestos related diseases. Asbestosis occurs when asbestos fibers enter the lungs. The body will naturally produce an acid to combat the fibers. However, this acid can cause scarring in the tissue of the lungs and in advanced stages breathing becomes more difficult and painful. Asbestosis was first documented in shipyard workers. Asbestos can also cause lung cancer. If a person smokes and is exposed to asbestos, they have a much greater chance of developing lung cancer. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that has only been linked to asbestos exposure. It is a cancer of the cells that line the peritoneum (area surrounding the abdominal organs) and the pleura (area outside of the lungs and inside of the ribs).
There is a lot of debate and controversy surrounding which types of asbestos is harmful. Some types of asbestos are thought to be more dangerous than others but all types of asbestos exposure should be avoided. Actinolite, amosite, anthophyllite, crocidolite, chrysotile (white asbestos), and tremolite are all types of asbestos. Chrysotile is the type of asbestos most commonly used in manufacturing products.
Asbestos fibers are not visible to the eye. If you feel you may have been exposed to asbestos, the most common method for testing is a chest x-ray. The x-ray will not show the asbestos fibers but it can spot early signs of lung disease. There is no known cure for asbestos related diseases.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
The greatest cause of work related deaths in UK - ASBESTOS
People have no idea about the use of this product. Surveys says we can estimate of 65 to 70 Mesothelioma cancers and 130 to 140 asbestos-related lung cancers per year.
Asbestos was used extensively as an insulation product in the 1950s, '60s and '70s and thousands of British Columbians have asbestos fibres in their lungs and don't know they've been exposed.
The family members of the deceased union members should demand an autopsy to find out for certain if they were victins of asbestos.
There is also asbestosis, as well as Mesothelioma that is misdiagnosed and other asbestos related cancers (larynx, colorectal, stomach), which could push the number of new cases up to 250 to 300 per year.
Research says Mesothelioma has a long latency period, typically taking 30 to 40 years to develop into cancer.It is often difficult to diagnose and even more difficult and
frustrating to treat.
An estimated 1.3 million employees in construction and general industry face significant asbestos exposure on the job. Heaviest exposures occur in the construction industry, particularly during the removal of asbestos during renovation or demolition. Employees are also likely to be exposed during the manufacture of asbestos products (such as textiles, friction products, insulation, and
other building materials) and during automotive brake and clutch repair work.
WHEN YOU ARE WORKING WITH ASBESTOS:
Wear suitable disposable overalls and boots
without laces or disposable boot covers.
Minimise dust by Keeping materials damp -
not wet.Use hand tools - not power tools.
Clean up as you go – use a
special (Class H) vacuum cleaner, not a brush.
Wear a properly fitted, suitable mask
(eg disposable FFP3 type).
Double-bag asbestos waste
and label the bags properly.
Don’t smoke, eat or drink
in the work area.
For more info visit Fight Against Mesothelioma
Asbestos was used extensively as an insulation product in the 1950s, '60s and '70s and thousands of British Columbians have asbestos fibres in their lungs and don't know they've been exposed.
The family members of the deceased union members should demand an autopsy to find out for certain if they were victins of asbestos.
There is also asbestosis, as well as Mesothelioma that is misdiagnosed and other asbestos related cancers (larynx, colorectal, stomach), which could push the number of new cases up to 250 to 300 per year.
Research says Mesothelioma has a long latency period, typically taking 30 to 40 years to develop into cancer.It is often difficult to diagnose and even more difficult and
frustrating to treat.
An estimated 1.3 million employees in construction and general industry face significant asbestos exposure on the job. Heaviest exposures occur in the construction industry, particularly during the removal of asbestos during renovation or demolition. Employees are also likely to be exposed during the manufacture of asbestos products (such as textiles, friction products, insulation, and
other building materials) and during automotive brake and clutch repair work.
WHEN YOU ARE WORKING WITH ASBESTOS:
Wear suitable disposable overalls and boots
without laces or disposable boot covers.
Minimise dust by Keeping materials damp -
not wet.Use hand tools - not power tools.
Clean up as you go – use a
special (Class H) vacuum cleaner, not a brush.
Wear a properly fitted, suitable mask
(eg disposable FFP3 type).
Double-bag asbestos waste
and label the bags properly.
Don’t smoke, eat or drink
in the work area.
For more info visit Fight Against Mesothelioma
Monday, March 3, 2008
What to ask intially when you contact a Mesothelioma lawyer:
√ Ask about the law firm’s experience handling and winning asbestos
lung cancer cases
√ Ask about the cost of a Mesothelioma lawsuit
√ Ask what the general status is of victims winning Mesothelioma lawsuits
√ Ask about the timeline of a case
√ Ask what kind of information they need
√ Ask how responsive they are to your questions further down the road
√ Ask what the process is to retain them
√ Ask about the law firm’s experience handling and winning asbestos
lung cancer cases
√ Ask about the cost of a Mesothelioma lawsuit
√ Ask what the general status is of victims winning Mesothelioma lawsuits
√ Ask about the timeline of a case
√ Ask what kind of information they need
√ Ask how responsive they are to your questions further down the road
√ Ask what the process is to retain them
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
About 2,000 to 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. In most of the cases, it was caused when people working in their jobs got exposed to asbestos and breathed in the fibers of asbestos. Others were exposed to asbestosis fibers in their homes, often without knowing it.
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