Asbestos Exposure: Risks Involved And Solutions - Other

Cause of Mesothelioma Cancers

Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma cancer, a life threatening disease. Asbestos exposure is so dangerous that even a short-term exposure or a minute exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma cancer. Only a doctor or a specialist in occupational medicine can tell you about the possibility of developing mesothelioma cancer after making queries about what kind of jobs you have worked on in the past and for how long. The doctors do this making assessment of your asbestos exposure and then evaluating your possibility of contacting asbestos related disease.

Who Are At Risk for Asbestos Exposure?

Chances of asbestos exposure are more if you have worked in companies dealing in building and insulation materials, fireproofing, cement, pipe covering, refractory materials, gaskets, floor tiles and joint compounds. Auto mechanics particularly those who repair brake or clutch are also at the risk of asbestos exposure.

When Asbestos Exposure Becomes Harmful

There is no proven test to determine whether a material contains the asbestos or not. Manufacturers do not label the materials containing asbestos. In old materials, it becomes more difficult to confirm whether it poses the risk of asbestos exposure from the manufacturer because we do not know its source. When you have no other option, it is always better and safer to assume that material contains asbestos.

Keep it in mind that asbestos fibers released in the air are responsible for asbestos exposure. Asbestos in intact condition is not a health hazard. If asbestos-containing material is friable i.e. if it crumbles easily then chances of asbestos exposure increases, particularly if it is dry and damaged. If we try to sand, saw, hammer, drill, pull apart or disturb in any other way then even non-friable material may start releasing fibers in the air.

Finding the Substitute

Government banned the use of asbestos due to increasing awareness about harmful effects of asbestos exposure. Scientists are trying to develop new materials as a substitute to asbestos. Fiberglass has emerged as most popular substitute to asbestos. However, fiberglass also is not completely safe material. Exposure to airborne fiberglass or even direct contact with fiberglass may result into irritation of skin, eyes, nose and throat. Inhalation of fiberglass may lead to bronchitis. It may cause permanent damage to lungs and airways ultimately resulting in lung cancer. Nevertheless, experts still feel that fiberglass is far better than asbestos.

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Mesothelioma Risk from Limited Asbestos Exposure - Health - Cancer

Doctors have long known that asbestos exposure in the workplace significantly increases the risk for mesothelioma, but now they've discovered that even workers who have had relatively low exposure to asbestos are at increased risk for this deadly cancer, according to a study in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. The study also suggests that the man-made fibers often used to replace asbestos in manufacturing may also be increasing workers' mesothelioma risk.

Most asbestos cases including mesothelioma have been linked to occupational asbestos exposure, and particularly from exposure to the amphibole type of asbestos. Still uncertain is the risk from man-made vitreous fibers (MMVF), which are often used as a substitute for asbestos. MMVFs are similar in structure to asbestos, and some researchers have theorized that they also can cause cancer, but there hasn't been enough research done to confirm this potential risk.

"Research into the environmental or occupational causes of cancer is difficult to conduct, for various reasons, and there are too few qualified researchers in the entire area of environmental causes of disease," explains study author Jack Siemiatycki, PhD, Professor at the University of Montreal in Canada. "While many people think that there are armies of researchers investigating such questions, in fact there are only a small number throughout the world, for all environmental chemicals combined. Thus, even though asbestos is the most-studied occupational carcinogen, there still remain unanswered questions about how and under what conditions the different forms of asbestos can cause cancer (such as mesothelioma), and whether MMVF is equally dangerous."

In the 1980s and 1990s, Professor Siemiatycki and his colleagues launched two studies examining the link between occupational exposures and cancers such as mesothelioma. In these studies, mesothelioma patients were asked about their lifestyle and work histories. Their health and occupational histories were matched with those of healthy controls and other cancer patients. A team of experts then reviewed the responses and compiled a list of potential occupational exposures, including asbestos and MMVF.

Exposed participants were divided into two groups: Substantial exposure included participants who had been exposed to medium or high concentrations of asbestos for more than 5% of their work week for five years or more. Participants who were exposed to lower concentrations of asbestos for a shorter period of time were considered to have had nonsubstantial exposure.

In this study population, the workers most likely to be exposed to both asbestos and MMVF were plumbers and pipe fitters; whereas mechanics were the most likely to be exposed to asbestos alone.

The authors discovered a significantly increased risk of mesothelioma among participants who had occupational exposure to asbestos, and particularly among those who were exposed to the amphibole form of asbestos. However, even workers with nonsubstantial exposure were at higher risk for mesothelioma, which hadn't been found in previous studies. This discovery suggests that more needs to be done to protect workers from on-the-job asbestos exposures. "As with any other potentially harmful exposure, workers' exposures should be minimized to the extent that technology and finances permit," Professor Siemiatycki says.

Another unexpected finding of the study was that participants who were exposed to both asbestos and MMVF were at higher risk for mesothelioma than those exposed to asbestos alone. This suggests that the two substances might work synergistically to increase mesothelioma risk, although the authors say more research is needed to confirm this theory.

"Because of the increasing use of and exposure to MMVF, and the lingering exposure to asbestos, it is important to pursue research to better understand how exposure to these various fibers, alone and in combination act to influence risk of mesothelioma," the authors wrote.

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Mesothelioma Risk from Limited Asbestos Exposure - Health - Cancer

Doctors have long known that asbestos exposure in the workplace significantly increases the risk for mesothelioma, but now they've discovered that even workers who have had relatively low exposure to asbestos are at increased risk for this deadly cancer, according to a study in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. The study also suggests that the man-made fibers often used to replace asbestos in manufacturing may also be increasing workers' mesothelioma risk.

Most asbestos cases including mesothelioma have been linked to occupational asbestos exposure, and particularly from exposure to the amphibole type of asbestos. Still uncertain is the risk from man-made vitreous fibers (MMVF), which are often used as a substitute for asbestos. MMVFs are similar in structure to asbestos, and some researchers have theorized that they also can cause cancer, but there hasn't been enough research done to confirm this potential risk.

"Research into the environmental or occupational causes of cancer is difficult to conduct, for various reasons, and there are too few qualified researchers in the entire area of environmental causes of disease," explains study author Jack Siemiatycki, PhD, Professor at the University of Montreal in Canada. "While many people think that there are armies of researchers investigating such questions, in fact there are only a small number throughout the world, for all environmental chemicals combined. Thus, even though asbestos is the most-studied occupational carcinogen, there still remain unanswered questions about how and under what conditions the different forms of asbestos can cause cancer (such as mesothelioma), and whether MMVF is equally dangerous."

In the 1980s and 1990s, Professor Siemiatycki and his colleagues launched two studies examining the link between occupational exposures and cancers such as mesothelioma. In these studies, mesothelioma patients were asked about their lifestyle and work histories. Their health and occupational histories were matched with those of healthy controls and other cancer patients. A team of experts then reviewed the responses and compiled a list of potential occupational exposures, including asbestos and MMVF.

Exposed participants were divided into two groups: Substantial exposure included participants who had been exposed to medium or high concentrations of asbestos for more than 5% of their work week for five years or more. Participants who were exposed to lower concentrations of asbestos for a shorter period of time were considered to have had nonsubstantial exposure.

In this study population, the workers most likely to be exposed to both asbestos and MMVF were plumbers and pipe fitters; whereas mechanics were the most likely to be exposed to asbestos alone.

The authors discovered a significantly increased risk of mesothelioma among participants who had occupational exposure to asbestos, and particularly among those who were exposed to the amphibole form of asbestos. However, even workers with nonsubstantial exposure were at higher risk for mesothelioma, which hadn't been found in previous studies. This discovery suggests that more needs to be done to protect workers from on-the-job asbestos exposures. "As with any other potentially harmful exposure, workers' exposures should be minimized to the extent that technology and finances permit," Professor Siemiatycki says.

Another unexpected finding of the study was that participants who were exposed to both asbestos and MMVF were at higher risk for mesothelioma than those exposed to asbestos alone. This suggests that the two substances might work synergistically to increase mesothelioma risk, although the authors say more research is needed to confirm this theory.

"Because of the increasing use of and exposure to MMVF, and the lingering exposure to asbestos, it is important to pursue research to better understand how exposure to these various fibers, alone and in combination act to influence risk of mesothelioma," the authors wrote.

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Mesothelioma Risk from Limited Asbestos Exposure - Health - Cancer

Doctors have long known that asbestos exposure in the workplace significantly increases the risk for mesothelioma, but now they've discovered that even workers who have had relatively low exposure to asbestos are at increased risk for this deadly cancer, according to a study in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. The study also suggests that the man-made fibers often used to replace asbestos in manufacturing may also be increasing workers' mesothelioma risk.

Most asbestos cases including mesothelioma have been linked to occupational asbestos exposure, and particularly from exposure to the amphibole type of asbestos. Still uncertain is the risk from man-made vitreous fibers (MMVF), which are often used as a substitute for asbestos. MMVFs are similar in structure to asbestos, and some researchers have theorized that they also can cause cancer, but there hasn't been enough research done to confirm this potential risk.

"Research into the environmental or occupational causes of cancer is difficult to conduct, for various reasons, and there are too few qualified researchers in the entire area of environmental causes of disease," explains study author Jack Siemiatycki, PhD, Professor at the University of Montreal in Canada. "While many people think that there are armies of researchers investigating such questions, in fact there are only a small number throughout the world, for all environmental chemicals combined. Thus, even though asbestos is the most-studied occupational carcinogen, there still remain unanswered questions about how and under what conditions the different forms of asbestos can cause cancer (such as mesothelioma), and whether MMVF is equally dangerous."

In the 1980s and 1990s, Professor Siemiatycki and his colleagues launched two studies examining the link between occupational exposures and cancers such as mesothelioma. In these studies, mesothelioma patients were asked about their lifestyle and work histories. Their health and occupational histories were matched with those of healthy controls and other cancer patients. A team of experts then reviewed the responses and compiled a list of potential occupational exposures, including asbestos and MMVF.

Exposed participants were divided into two groups: Substantial exposure included participants who had been exposed to medium or high concentrations of asbestos for more than 5% of their work week for five years or more. Participants who were exposed to lower concentrations of asbestos for a shorter period of time were considered to have had nonsubstantial exposure.

In this study population, the workers most likely to be exposed to both asbestos and MMVF were plumbers and pipe fitters; whereas mechanics were the most likely to be exposed to asbestos alone.

The authors discovered a significantly increased risk of mesothelioma among participants who had occupational exposure to asbestos, and particularly among those who were exposed to the amphibole form of asbestos. However, even workers with nonsubstantial exposure were at higher risk for mesothelioma, which hadn't been found in previous studies. This discovery suggests that more needs to be done to protect workers from on-the-job asbestos exposures. "As with any other potentially harmful exposure, workers' exposures should be minimized to the extent that technology and finances permit," Professor Siemiatycki says.

Another unexpected finding of the study was that participants who were exposed to both asbestos and MMVF were at higher risk for mesothelioma than those exposed to asbestos alone. This suggests that the two substances might work synergistically to increase mesothelioma risk, although the authors say more research is needed to confirm this theory.

"Because of the increasing use of and exposure to MMVF, and the lingering exposure to asbestos, it is important to pursue research to better understand how exposure to these various fibers, alone and in combination act to influence risk of mesothelioma," the authors wrote.

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Asbestos Exposure and Smoking Cigarettes-A Double-Dip - Health - Quit Smoking

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by a prolonged exposure to asbestos. Early diagnosis of /">mesothelioma cancer increases the amount of effective treatments. Unfortunately, due to the way it forms, the cancer may not manifest until anywhere between 20 to 50 years after an asbestos exposure, which often limits the types of treatments available. Asbestos is a kind of fiber present in a lot of the insulating and building substances which are naked to the human eye.

Smoking Cigarettes

Cigarette smoking is an unhealthy habit, which most Americans would like to break, but unfortunately find it hard due to the addicting substances cigarettes are made with. There are various warnings and advertisings encouraging individuals to quit. The nicotine and tar, as well as many other chemicals found in cigarettes, negatively affects the lungs. Cigarette smoking decreases lung function and may even lead to cancer of the lungs, esophagus, tongue, mouth.

Does Smoking Cigarettes Cause Mesothelioma?

Cigarettes do not cause mesothelioma as the cancer is almost always caused by an asbestos exposure. There is a well known-link between asbestos and lung cancer as well as cigarettes and lung cancer. Often if you have develop lung cancer, have smoked, and also had an asbestos exposure, your doctor will probably tell you both were contributing factors. Both smoking cigarettes and mesothelioma decrease the functioning of the lungs. Although smoking cigarettes does not cause mesothelioma it does have a multiplying affect on the risk of getting cancer from asbestos. This effect is similar to the mixing of sleeping pills and alcohol-meaning they are both potentially deadly combinations.

Asbestos in Cigarettes

Mesothelioma is not caused by directly smoking cigarettes unless asbestos was used in the manufacturing of the cigarette. This was reportedly the case with Kent cigarettes. Many people who developed mesothelioma were current smokers or had smoked. This lead researchers to question the correlation. What they found was that in the 1950s the P. Lorillard Company was using deadly crocidolite fibers in its Kent brand of cigarettes. Crocidolite fiber is known to cause cancer more effectively than any other asbestos type. The United States Government declared that if a pack of Kent brand cigarettes were smoked a day between 1952 and 1966 then that individual may be exposed to as much as 131 million crocidolite structures in a single year. The Kent cigarettes used asbestos in the cigarette filters because of its strong resistance to heat. The paper would burn slower making the cigarette last longer, often used in their advertising. Asbestos were also used in loose leaf tobacco in pipe smoking for the same reason.

Why Smoking Cigarettes and Mesothelioma Do Not Mix

Individuals who smoke cigarettes may have a decrease in their lung function. If that individual also has an asbestos-related diseasesuch as mesotheliomatheir lung function is further decreased. Simply put, smoking further complicates and often accelerates the devastating effect of mesothelioma. Smoking cigarettes also may increase the risk of getting mesothelioma from an asbestos exposure.

If you have had an asbestos exposure or have already been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma, this may just be the excuse you've been looking for. You've known for a while that is was time to quit, this could be that proverbial straw that broke the camel's back.

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How to Just take Your Initially Phase In the direction of Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit Settlement - Health

This is for the reason that an unsettled and prolonged litigation can lead to company massive losses.If you are taking into consideration submitting a mesothelioma lawsuit then your 1st step is the most essential 1 you will consider. And that is creating the agency judgement that you are going to stand up for your rights and maintain the provider that prompted your illness accountable for their actions.It may possibly be tough to visualize and it could possibly appear to be unbelievable, but if you have mesothelioma or one more asbestos-related disorder, and your position concerned your currently being subjected to asbestos, then the corporation that you worked for in all probability knew there was a extremely good opportunity that you and other personnel would contract an asbestos-connected disease.And even however they ended up conscious of it and could have presented protective clothing and breathing equipment, they chose not to. It apparently was more crucial to them t o increase their earnings by not investing the funds that they need to have in buy to secure you from the possible task hazards.Producers and their insurance policy companies have well-known about the hazards linked with asbestos for more than 100 years. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics printed a report in 1918 that mentioned that there had been an unusually higher percentage of fatalities of employees in the asbestos industry.And Aetna Insurance mentioned that asbestos was "incurable" in a 1934 Attorney's Textbook of Medicine. The insurance policies business went on to say that disability typically followed exposure to asbestos and that the disability was followed by death.Data about asbestos-connected illnesses started to pile up above the subsequent 40 many years Firms that have been the giants of the asbestos sector had been nicely knowledgeable that the inhalation of asbestos fibers led to asbestosis, lung cancer, and death.But, alternatively of helping thei r staff members they rather selected to "sweep this facts below the rug." They just would not commit to the further expenditures that would have been concerned with transforming their procedures and earning it safer for their employees to do their jobs.Then, in the 1970s, the United States government began to get more involved. Authorities companies attempted to teach the public about the hazards linked with asbestos. The government set up tips for providers to observe. The US government warned businesses that they ought to offer protective gear that would much better defend their workers.However these warnings, for the most piece, fell upon deaf ears.Internal correspondence, memos, and reviews from that period demonstrate that even even though some companies and organizations knew about the potential risks affiliated with inhaling and/or swallowing asbestos fibers they as an alternative selected to go on to use asbestos devoid of defending their personnel.If you have had am ple and have made a decision to stand up for your rights and hold the company that induced your illness responsible for their steps then you ought to take into account filing a mesothelioma lawsuit.If productive, you and your friends and family could get an award from the courts that could compensate you for your clinical expenditures, misplaced wages, and additional.Seeing that there is no genuine gauge for measuring the hurt that a circumstance of mesothelioma can induce a patient or his family, the volume granted as mesothelioma settlements at this time, differs vastly from one case to another, and also from a person state to another, based on their legislations and amendments.mesothelioma lawsuit settlemen

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Finding a Mesothelioma Attorney Online - Health - Cancer

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the outer membrane of internal organs. It is an aggressive cancer that spreads to vital organs of the body and may be caused by exposure to asbestos particles. People who inhale or ingest asbestos particles in the workplace where this hazardous material is used extensively, for instance in manufacturing units, may be in danger of contracting the disease. Asbestos particles may also cling to the clothes of workers proving harmful to their family as well. Too often, manufacturers failed to take the necessary safety precautions; despite being aware of the potential dangers asbestos exposure. In such cases, these victims may file a lawsuit against the manufacturer. Proving the case can be an uphill battle without the help of an experienced mesothelioma attorney.

Who are mesothelioma attorneys?

A mesothelioma attorney specializes in asbestos-related cases and asbestos law. These are veterans of all sorts of asbestos lawsuits. A mesothelioma attorney possesses strong and up to date knowledge regarding changes in laws and the statutes of limitations in different states.

To establish a valid and strong case on exposure to asbestos, the lawyer needs experience, unyielding determination, and dedication to the patient -- along with a strong work ethic, which will be necessary to prove the case in a court of law. The mesothelioma attorney is uniquely equipped and skilled in those regards.

The following are tips to help individuals locate the right mesothelioma attorney:

1. Determine how the lawyer will charge for services rendered. Some lawyers charge on a contingency basis -- which means a portion of the monetary settlement goes to the lawyer as payment at the end of lawsuit. Many times that is a better option for patients already under the financial burdens of expensive medical bills.

2. It is advised that one should contact or interact with the previous clients of the mesothelioma attorney. Online reviews and testimonials are available that can help assess the competency and skill level of a given attorney.

3. Asbestos laws are always changing. Therefore, the attorneys who are abreast of current changes are most desirable. Read the latest comments posted by other clients and look up the rate of lawsuits that resulted in patients securing compensation. Such data will indicate if the lawyer is knowledgeable and skilled enough to represent a case effectively and successfully.

4. Ensure that the mesothelioma attorney has plenty of experience in gaining compensation through negotiation in both out of court settlements as well as in trial experience. Both skills will be needed to fight a successful lawsuit and win.

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