With all of the information about asbestos that has been circulating within the past few decades, many people have been led to believe that this substance has been banned outright by the United States government. Unfortunately, even though it has been proven to lead directly to deadly diseases, such as the rare and aggressive cancer called mesothelioma, asbestos is still found in a wide range of products in the United States and around the world, and the Environmental Protection Agency has never issued a general ban on the use of asbestos.

Sixty countries worldwide have banned the use of asbestos, either in whole or in part. Beginning in the early 1970s, and continuing until the early 1990s, both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have issued standards regulating the permissible levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace. Yet the material was one of the first hazardous air pollutants to be regulated under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act of 1970, which is also known as the NESHAP, or National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants. A number of applications of asbestos have also been forbidden by the Toxic Substances Control Act, as well. Most developed nations also regulate or ban both the mining and importation of raw asbestos material.  

Nevertheless, most of these regulations and standards do not address the fact that asbestos remains in a number of existing structures and products. Although there is a general consensus that asbestos most likely remains safe when it is intact, it does have a tendency to become “friable,” or easily broken or damaged, as it ages. When this occurs, even a slight impact—such as being struck by a tennis ball or a human hand—can release the microscopic asbestos fibers into the surrounding air, where they can be breathed in.

What exactly is asbestos? A naturally occurring durable mineral with long, thin fibrous crystals, asbestos is found in some rock formations and is also mined in open pits. Most of the asbestos used in the United States has been brought in from Canada. Asbestos has a number of extremely useful properties, which have been recognized—and prized—for centuries. It is not only extremely lightweight, durable and flexible, but it can also withstand heat, flame, electrical conductivity, corrosion, and other biological and chemical processes. Moreover, it can be mixed with building materials such as cement, concrete, metals and plastics, and can even be woven into cloth or spun into yarn. It versatility and abundance made it a valuable product in the construction, milling, shipbuilding and commercial products industries, especially throughout the twentieth century.

Asbestos is made up of long, thin fibers, some of which are soft and curly, others of which are thin, needle-like and sharp. The first category of fibers are more easily expelled from the body, but the needle-like fibers, which help provide the durability and strength for which asbestos is valued, can become embedded in the body’s soft tissues and remain there for years. Once inhaled, these fibers tend to target the mesothelium, which is a protective lining, composed of both inner and outer layers, that surround the body’s internal organs and line the thoracic and abdominal cavities. The mesothelial cells in these layers produce a type of lubricating liquid that is released in between the two layers. This liquid allows organs that move and expand, such as the lungs when a breath is taken, to do so easily and without causing friction when they contact other organs, such as the heart. Mesothelioma is a cancer of these mesothelial cells, usually located around the lungs, in which cells become abnormal and divide uncontrollably. They may then begin to spread and cause damage to the nearby organs, and eventually the lymph system.

It’s estimated that 90 percent of all mesothelioma cases can be directly traced back to asbestos exposure, and that the remaining 10 percent, although there is no direct link, are most likely also due to asbestos inhalation. Although there is no level of exposure which is considered safe, most experts agree that prolonged or repeated exposure, which increases the amount of asbestos particulate accumulating in the body, is more likely to lead to asbestos diseases such as mesothelioma cancer and asbestosis. It’s even possible to transmit the fibers from one person to another, since they can become trapped in fabrics such as clothing. This means that even those who had no direct contact to the material, but merely shared a home with an asbestos worker, may nevertheless be at risk for contracting this devastating disease.

After the diagnosis of this cancer, the patient will work with an oncologist to determine the proper treatment steps to take. Some of the more standard types of treatment include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. There are also other treatments available such as clinical trials, which may include natural supplements, and alternative therapies such as acupuncture, hypnosis and massage. Because of delays in diagnosing this cancer, some patients can only be given options to help control the pain and keep them as comfortable as possible.

Unfortunately, asbestos remains a danger in the United States and around the world. This once-ubiquitous building material is in countless homes, office buildings, schools, hospitals, factories and other locations. It may also exist in numerous consumer products in those homes, as well as in cars and ships. Every day, new reports come out about asbestos posing a hazard. If you or someone you love has worked in a trade where asbestos may have been widely used, or if you have had any known contact with an asbestos-containing consumer product, it’s important to make your health care provider aware of this fact, and closely monitor your own health. Some of the symptoms of mesothelioma include such non-specific issues such as coughing, persistent or bloody cough, back or chest pain, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss. If you have a history of asbestos exposure and any of these symptoms, see your doctor immediately. Like many cancers, mesothelioma can be treated if it is caught early enough.

Mesothelioma surgery does not cure mesothelioma and is not even suitable for everyone. The main focus of mesothelioma surgery is on keeping the illness limited, under control and prolonging good health. Usually mesothelioma surgery is not done alone but is a part of a combination followed or led by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. According to the researchers, this is the best way of limiting mesothelioma.

The reason why mesothelioma surgery is not solely effective is because mesothelioma is diagnosed very late usually. If pleural mesothelioma is diagnosed in its early stages then the patient can opt for an extrapleural pneumonectomy. However, if the cancer has only spread, which is usually the case, then a pleurecomy can be helpful to control the symptoms. However, this treatment would not cure your mesothelioma and will not prolong your life under mesotheliomic conditions.

Mesothelioma surgery is helpful for people with peritoneal mesothelioma only if the cancer is diagnosed at its early stages.

There are various types of mesothelioma surgeries related to the different types of mesothelioma.

- Extrapleural pneumonecomy (EPP):
This one is a major mesothelioma surgery in which the affected side of the lung is removed. Also, some other areas namely the pleura, diaphragm and covering of the heart are also eliminated.

This type of mesothelioma surgery is not suitable for everyone. As it is a major surgery, therefore it requires proper health conditions determined and certified by a physician.

Pleurectomy:
Pleurectomy is another form of mesothelioma surgery which is meant to control symptoms. It helps control the fluid build up and can relieve chest pain.

Mesothelioma surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma:
mesothelioma surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma is not possible for everyone. There are a number of factors such as the age, health and others that determine whether or not a person is fit for operation. In this mesothelioma surgery, the lining of the peritoneum is removed.

Any building constructed before 2000 is thought to contain an ACM (Asbestos Containing Material) of one type or another. They are found in schools, hospitals, factories, public buildings even domestic properties, so asbestos has woven itself into our lives, but largely unseen.

The properties and versatility of asbestos made it an excellent building material. As a good thermal insulator it has been used to lag pipes and protect structural steelwork. It is also an excellent electrical insulating material and its high tensile strength has been used to give that strength to a wide range of other products such as gaskets. The long flexible fibres have been woven into cloth and rope used for fire protection and sealing of joints.

Add to all this the fact that it is highly resilient and does not degrade; it is not surprising it was used so widely. However, unfortunately it can also be deadly! Large numbers of people are now dying from past exposure to asbestos and will continue to do so unless action is taken.

If you own, occupy, manage or have responsibilities for non-domestic premises which may contain asbestos you have a legal duty to manage the risk from this material.

There are three main types of asbestos still found in premises today. These are commonly called ‘blue asbestos’ (crocidolite), ‘brown asbestos’ (amosite) and ‘white asbestos’ (chrysotile). All of them are dangerous, but blue and brown asbestos’ are more hazardous than white, but unfortunately you cannot identify them by their colour.

Although it is now illegal to use asbestos in the construction or refurbishment of any premises, many thousands of tonnes of it were used in the past and much of it is still in place. As long as it is in good condition and is not being or going to be disturbed or damaged there is no risk. But if it is disturbed or damaged, it can become a danger to health, because asbestos fibres are released into the air and people can breathe them in.

Up to 1,500,000 commercial, industrial and public buildings in the UK are likely to contain asbestos materials. Unless this material is properly managed anyone who has access to the buildings, including employees, the public and building/maintenance workers is at risk from breathing in the life-threatening fibres of asbestos.

An asbestos survey is now required due to new law legislation and is highly advisable for the health and safety of a workforce, friends or family.

Mesothelioma Treatment – Chemotherapy

Mesothelioma is a cancerous disease that affects the serous linings of various internal organs in the human body.Visit here http://mesotheliomatreatment-option.blogspot.com

 Among them, the lungs, heart and the stomach are the mostly affected.

It is estimated that each year, 2,000 new cases of Mesothelioma are reported. The patients suffering from this cancerous disease have had prior exposure to asbestos, which is considered to be the only known cause of Mesothelioma. Mesotheliomic patients are often told of the short survival duration of 6 – 12 months. But doctors specialized in treating malignant Mesothelioma at leading cancer centers expect better survival rates. Though Mesothelioma causes immense pain and suffering to the victim along with short life expectancy, certain treatments have resulted in the successful reduction and removal of the cancerous tumors of Mesothelioma.

Treatment of Mesothelioma depends on many factors, including the stage of the cancer, the circulation of the malignant cells, pathology reports determining the nature of the cancer cells and patient’s age and health. Following is a detail description of the options for Mesothelioma Treatment.

CHEMOTHERAPY: Chemotherapy is a “systematic treatment” of Mesothelioma that uses drugs, chemicals and medicines in an efficient manner to kill cancer cells. It is given to patients in either pills form or is injected directly into the body. In some cases, the medicines are directly inserted into the chest, known as intrapleural chemotherapy, or into the abdomen, known as intra peritoneal chemotherapy, to destroy the growth of cancerous cells. It is also given to patients before and after a surgery to limit the growth of Mesothelioma cancer.Visit here http://mesotheliomatreatment-option.blogspot.com

Russia, the world’s leading producer of asbestos, protested as an international forum in Moscow urged a global ban on the use of the material because of health risks.

“It’s just a PR campaign when they say that asbestos can kill,” said Viktor Ivanov, head of the Chrysotile Association, an industry group based in the Russian town of Asbestos in the Ural mountains region.

Yevgeny Kovalevsky, a forum delegate from the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, said: “For the general population, there aren’t significant risks… I haven’t seen a single scientific study that shows the need for a ban.”

Meanwhile, international public health experts at the first World Social Security Forum in the Russian capital urged a global ban, saying that up to 100,000 people die every year of asbestos-related diseases.

This issue is a commentary by Russian Chrysotile Association to the XVIII World Congress on Safety and Health at Work and the International Safety and Health Exhibition (KISS-2008) held in Seoul, South Korea, on June 29 – July 02, 2008.

The Russian chrysotile industry continues the information campaign “A Big Lie of “Ban Asbestos”, which goal is to inform the public about true reasons of the anti-asbestos campaign, about the falsity of objectives of its promoters.
The information campaign is usually in the form of answers to your questions, but this issue is a commentary to the XVIII World Congress on Safety and Health at Work and the International Safety and Health Exhibition (KISS-2008) held in Seoul, South Korea, on June 29 – July 02, 2008.
read more details

LINKS:
Mesothelioma Cancer Org