‘asbestosis’ Tagged Posts

Asbestos And Related Illness

Contact with Asbestos in some industries in years gone by was seen as just 'part of the job'. For many people, predominantly males, handling Asbesto...

 

Contact with Asbestos in some industries in years gone by was seen as just ‘part of the job’. For many people, predominantly males, handling Asbestos was a common occurrence with workers regularly using the material without ever knowing that one day the material would be regarded as dangerous to human health.

Asbestos is derived from a natural material also commonly used in the production of glass and chips used in our everyday computers and laptops. There are three main varieties of Asbestos materials; white Asbestos (Chrysotile), brown Asbestos (Amosite) and blue Asbestos (Crocidolite). All three known types of Asbestos are now considered a danger to human health and well being, and are associated with many types of lung complaint.

Lung disease from exposure to asbestos can be divided into three main types:

Pleura, hardens the lung and ‘calcifies’ or thickens the lungs lining tissue.

Lung Cancer, this is the most common disease associated with the inhalation and exposure to Asbestos related materials.

Pleura, this is the hardening of the lung or calcification and thickening of the lungs lining tissues.

Asbestos related illnesses have occurred at alarmingly high rates towards the end of the 20th century, the patients were predominantly retired or of retiring age and had been exposed decades earlier when working in conditions where they were repeatedly exposed to Asbestos, such as mines, mills, factories or construction and plumbing.

Today, exposure to the material continues, ironically the very people tasked with the safe removal of the material are subjected to harmful exposure. The number of deaths related to this illness has continued to increase over the past two decades, but this is believed to have hit a plateau, partly due to increased levels of awareness surrounding the subject.

Patients with Asbestosis are at a higher risk of serious infection, low oxygen levels in the blood and eventually heart failure.

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Whose At Risk From Asbestos

 

Asbestos is a combination of six naturally occurring silicon based minerals which are combined in order to exploit the valuable characteristics of each. The material is made up of heat resistant crystals, which are thin and fibrous, are resistant to chemicals and have immense strength and flexibility.

The reason asbestos is hazardous is because inhaling the fibres can lead to severe health problems such as lung cancer, Asbestosis and Mesothelioma, illnesses which take anywhere between twenty and fifty years to develop.

Those most at risk are those who have come into contact with the fibre as part of their job, and the second most common at risk is those who live with those who are in contact with exposure due to their job, with around 80% of cases believed to be as a direct result of occupational or para-occupational exposure.

The other people who are at risk, are at risk because of the geography of where they live. So those who live near sites such as power plants, refineries, factories, shipyards or building demolition, which are likely to have asbestos within the facility, are also at risk of asbestos related disease. This is due to the release of asbestos fibres which then contaminates the surrounding air.

The most high risk industry was asbestos product manufacturing, which is to be expected, but industries including automotive repair, construction, oil refineries, railroads, steel mills, shipyards and power plants are also high risk.

This is not a definitive guide to all those who are likely to contract an asbestos related disease, but if you or a loved one have worked in any of these industries in the past, or lived in any of the areas mentioned then it is highly recommended that you are tested for mesothelioma and the other asbestos related illnesses.

Oliver & Co have helped thousands of clients claim for asbestosis , mesothelioma and pleural thickening. Their site can help if you want to know more about lexposure to asbestos.

Alternative Treatments For Asbestos Cancer

 

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer which occurs in the cells surrounding the organs called the mesothelial cells. Mesothelioma occurs most frequently in the tissues covering the lungs and is nearly always caused by exposure to asbestos.

It is usually over 20 years before asbestos related cancer is diagnosed and the prognosis for patients is hardly ever positive. Traditional treatment include chemotherapy, but in recent years there has been more effort and time spent researching alternative treatments that will help to eradicate the disease or improve a sufferer’s quality of life.

Many of the treatments are still in research and testing stages, but a number of sufferers are willing to take the risk and undergo treatment.

Vitamin C was trialled as a cure at the Vale of Leven Hospital in Scotland and was reported to have ‘excellent results’. A chief surgeon administered relatively high doses to cancer patients in this study, although in other studies no efficacy has been reported.

Iscador, a natural remedy, is the trading name of Viscum album, a particular species of mistletoe, , which has been said to reduce the effects of cancer. Very few experts suggest Viscum album reduces tumour size, but stimulation of the immune system, an improved in general health well being, and a reversion of cancerous cells into less damaging forms are some of its benefits.

Astragulus is another plant based remedy, which is a native Chinese plant which has been studied as a remedy in China. One such study concluded that if chemotherapy was combined with injections of Astragulus then the development of tumours could be inhibited and the function of the immune system could be improved.

No alternative therapies have been fully endorsed as of yet, but these advancements in the way we can treat and reduce the effects of asbestos cancer suggest that experts are getting closer to finding ways of increasing life expectancy in patients, or even finding a cure.

Oliver & Co are a asbestos law solicitors practice who specialise in claims relating to asbestos. So their site can help if you want to know more about making a successfulasbestos claim.

Don’t Wait With Asbestos Testing

 

I was diagnosed with kidney cancer only a few months after my wife received her breast cancer diagnosis. Hence, we thought that there might be a common reason as to why we both got cancer.

In a first step, we decided to have our house tested for asbestos and any other potentially harmful materials. We went on the Internet to search for asbestos testing companies and we were amazed when we realized, that there a lot of them out there on the market.

Only a few days later, someone from the company showed up and took samples of drywall, the water, the siding and the soil in the backyard. He said he was going to send the samples to his asbestos testing lab. About two weeks later we received a report in the mail and it was confirmed that everything was okay with our house. Apparently, they did find a slightly elevated radon level in our basement. However, the report clearly indicated that it was still in the normal range and therefore required no corrective action. Of course, my wife and I were quite relieved.

The fact is, many people living in older houses are being exposed to asbestos without even knowing it. Because this material was very popular in the building industry until the 1980s. It was used as insulation, on wiring and plumbing and sometimes even in fireplaces.

It is advisable not to wait too long in order to have your house checked in case you have any doubts about your safety. Actually, you can also reach out to any of the local asbestos testing labs directly and arrange an appointment with them.

It is not a good idea to collect the samples yourself, but rather have the asbestos testing company doing the job for you. This is something you should not be trying to safe your money on. Leave it up to the experts, since they have the gear and the experience.

And with regard to saving money; it is without a doubt, much less costly to hire an asbestos testing company than potentially developing asbestos induced diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer or asbestosis from being exposed to this hazardous material.

So again, look on-line or in the phone book for a local asbestos testing service. Otherwise, your town’s health department might be able to point you into the right direction.

The experts say that of your house was built prior to 1975, it is likely that your house was never tested for asbestos. And just for your own peace of mind, it might be a good idea to have it done and rather sooner than later.

If the results come back okay, well, then there is another thing you can scratch off the list of “worries”.

The author of this article has website dedicated to his kidney cancer and cancers in general. He features a section on Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma and talks about the importance of hiring an Asbestos testing service rather sooner than later.

Asbestos Surveys Are Very Important

 

Asbestos exposure can be harmful to the respiratory system and can lead to fatality. An important step in protecting your health is to have asbestos surveys performed on the premises where you live or work. To protect employees, many companies will inspect the premises with an asbestos survey report. Companies are made aware of hazardous remnant that asbestos surveying uncovers.

Remaining asbestos can be removed by companies employing professionally trained personnel who are skilled at the asbestos removal procedures. An asbestos survey report will reveal asbestos that needs to be removed by these highly efficient professionals. They can remove any asbestos material that has been left behind. Trained professionals will enable you to avoid mistakes in asbestos removal.

Do not attempt to clean asbestos materials without the assistance of an expert as asbestos exposure can be life-threatening. Removal of asbestos must be done by a trained professional. An asbestos survey can uncover the fibrous silicate mineral that was used for its strength and flame-retardant properties.

Since asbestos is resistant to extremely high temperatures making it fireproof, it was extensively used in construction and renovation during the 1950s until the mid-1980s. It was also used for thermal insulation as well. Buildings constructed or renovated during the 1960s and early 1970s most likely were built with asbestos materials.

According to estimates made by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) in the UK, up to 1.5 million commercial, industrial and public constructions in the UK were built using asbestos materials. Cement is one of the many products in which asbestos can be incorporated because of its properties. Companies who install suspended ceilings and partitioning systems can be hired to aid in the removal process once you have determined asbestos contamination through the use of asbestos survey services.

The importance of asbestos surveys is paramount in today’s environment. Then can determine whether your company may be liable for prosecution for not removing asbestos in a timely manner. Owners and operators of industrial and commercial construction are mandated by law to conduct asbestos surveys of their premises in order to determine whether asbestos is present.

Only damaged asbestos products are dangerous. Exposure to asbestos fibers poses a threat. When these fibers are inhaled into the lungs, they are not broken down and the residue remains for a long time, which causes a great deal of damage. Asbestos surveying is essential in order to identify products which contain asbestos as products that contain asbestos look very similar to those which do not.

Always handle asbestos products with care!

The author of this article provides mesothelioma and asbestos information on his website and writes asbestos survey info articles.

What Determines The Mesothelioma Survival Rate?

 

Mesothelioma can be a benign or malignant tumor that affects the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a membrane that envelopes the majority of the organs in the body. In most cases, the disease starts in the lining of the lungs or the abdomen. The mesothelioma survival rate depends on several factors.

The disease is also known as fibroma. It may be named according to where it is located.

Those who suffer from the cancerous type probably had jobs where they inhaled asbestos. The non cancerous form shows no trace of being related to asbestos.

The protective sac surrounding the organs is made of two layers with a fluid in between them. The inner layer completely encompasses the organ. The second layer does the same. The fluid found in the middle allows for the organ to touch other parts.

Asbestos is the major contributing factor for developing mesothelioma. 70 – 80% of all patients with the disease had a history of working around asbestos. There are individuals who have developed the disease with no history of exposure that they know of.

Family members, who lived with the worker, are also at risk for developing the illness. It could be because of asbestos dust.

Smoking cannot be directly linked to the disease. If you combine both though, your chances of developing lung cancer increase.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is flexible and strong.

Asbestosis is a condition caused by asbestos. It is an unremitting lung disease. Cancers, including lung cancer can also be traced to asbestos.

Anyone working with asbestos at the present has to limit the possibility of exposure by wearing protective gear.

There are issues to be considered when determining the course of treatment. The area of the cancer, the stage of the disease and the patient’s health and age are taken into account.

Chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery are the treatments available. All three can be used together.

As rare as the disease is, the last 20 years has seen a boost in the number of cases. 2,000 new cases are reported every year. Men are more susceptible to the disease than women.

While some live longer, the estimated survival rate is less than a year.

Keep in mind that the symptoms of the cancer can take half a century to show. By this time, the cancer has reached its later stages.

Mesomark is a new blood test that makes it feasible to detect the disease early. Early detection gives patients a better chance at surviving the disease. It also increases opens the door to potential treatments.

Some patients have made it far beyond the one year period. Some have even been cured with no recurrence. It is unknown why some survive and some don’t.

Building up immune systems through therapies and treatments is what helped some survive the illness. Alternative therapies or clinical trials may have been what they did. It would appear that the immune system plays a vital part in survival.

It seems like the average survival rate for a person with mesothelioma is this: 1st year, 39 percent survival rate, 2nd year, 20 percent survival rate, 3rd year, 11 percent survival rate, 4th year, 10 percent survival rate and fifth year, 9 percent survival rate.

Mesothelioma affects a lot of people who’ve worked around asbestos. If you have a loved one who has contracted this, the the mesothelioma survival rate is not very high. Even though continuously medical professionals are attempting to make advances to ensure more people survive.