asbestosis infomation , asbestos article

Common Asbestos Fibers

2007-08-21T08:54:00.000-07:00

The most common types of asbestos fibers are Chrysotile, also known as white asbestos; Amosite, also known as brown asbestos; and Crocidolite, also known as blue asbestos. The colors refer to the minerals in their raw state.

Chrysotile is the most common type of asbestos, comprising approximately 90 to 95 percent of all asbestos found in the United States. Also known as "white asbestos", Chrysotile is made of minerals that crystallize in the serpentine pattern, which means its crystals are formed in sheets. Chrysotile has been linked with all asbestos-related diseases, including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Amosite is an Amphibole type of asbestos made of mineral fibers formed by crystals in a chain-like structure. Amosite is also called "brown asbestos" and comes from the asbestos mines of South Africa. Mesothelioma has been observed after occupational exposure to Amosite asbestos.

Crocidolite is one of the five types of Amphibole asbestos whose mineral crystals are structured like a chain. Crocidolite is often called "blue asbestos," and it is mined in Australia, South Africa, the former Soviet Union and Canada.

Asbestos Companies' Knowledge of Dangers

2007-08-21T08:52:00.001-07:00

Information concerning the health hazards of asbestos began appearing in medical and scientific literature in the early 1900s. By the late 1930s, respected medical journals already contained articles describing how asbestos could cause asbestosis and cancer, indicating that the disease took 15 years or more to develop (latency period); that the diseases were often progressive; and that asbestos disease could be fatal. In addition to the growing body of medical literature about the dangers of asbestos published throughout the early to mid-twentieth century, many asbestos companies had their own corporate memos, notes, letters, and scientific articles explaining the health dangers of asbestos exposure.

Despite this large body of knowledge, asbestos companies failed to adequately warn those who would come into contact with their products about the health hazards of such exposure. This failure to adequately warn and protect those who could be exposed or come into contact with the asbestos emitted when the asbestos products were installed and/or removed is the basis for the negligence and/or strict liability lawsuits against these companies.

Types of Asbestos

2007-08-21T08:50:00.000-07:00

The mineral group known as asbestos is comprised of two varieties: serpentine and amphibole.

More than 90% of the asbestos used in commercial products is of the serpentine variety known as chrysotile. Known for its snake-like, curly appearance, this soft, flexible serpentine type of asbestos can be mixed and woven into products that require high-tensile strength and flexibility. Chrysotile asbestos has been primarily mined in Canada and the Soviet Union but, to a lesser degree, chrysotile has also been mined in the United States .

A second form of commercial asbestos, the amphiboles, have a needle-like shape and harder composition. These were used less frequently than chrysotile, but present a great threat of harm to individuals. Tremolite, another type of amphibole, is often found as a contaminant of chrysotile, increasing the danger of that type of asbestos. Amosite was often blended with chrysotile in thermal insulation products such as asbestos. While amosite is mined primarily in South Africa, crocidolite is mined in both Australia and South Africa.

What is Asbestos?

2007-08-21T08:49:00.001-07:00

Asbestos is the name for a group of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals that have excellent heat-resistant properties and high tensile strength. Because of its unusual physical and chemical properties, asbestos has been used in products dating back almost 4,500 years.

During the 20th century, asbestos was heavily used in products such as thermal insulation, cements, textiles, floor tiles, wallboard, gaskets, ropes, fireproof clothing, brakes and other products.

The inhalation of asbestos fiber has been associated with many types of cancer, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, colon cancer, esophageal cancer, other cancers associated with exposure to asbestos, as well as chronic and deadly fibrotic lung diseases. Because asbestos fibers are invisible, tasteless, odorless, and indestructible, many people have been, and continue to be, unknowingly exposed to this material with devastating results. Since it can take years after exposure for effects to show, this condition continues to affect new individuals and their families every year. If you suspect you've been exposed to asbestos, talk to us. We know how to protect your rights as well as the rights of your loved ones. To learn more about asbestos

Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma

2007-08-21T08:44:00.000-07:00

Exposure to asbestos is the single biggest risk factor for mesothelioma cancer. Exposure to carcinogens like asbestos amongst other is causative in abnormal cell multiplication leading to formation of tumor. Mesothelioma occurrence is possible even if the level of exposure to asbestos particles is very low and cancer can occur several years later. It is now becoming clear that exposure is the responsible reason for this deadly disease.

In fact there are several possibilities for all those with little or no evidential exposure to asbestos. Most of the documented cases occur in those that have occupational exposure to asbestos, however, several instances are also reported where the patient is the spouse of a worker dealing with asbestos, and carrying the fibers home; this type of exposure is called as second-hand exposure. There are some scarce cases with the patient having no apparent exposure to asbestos. In addition to mesothelioma, cancer, asbestos exposure also has a record for increasing the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis which is non-malignant, and other chronic respiratory illnesses.

The trouble is it is not still determined how much of exposure to asbestos can be dangerous so as to cause MC; it could be so small that would never be detected, perhaps. However, as statistics show, an exposure of a couple of months may result in mesothelioma, say 20 or 40 years later. But as it goes, it also takes a genetic component for the maturation of the disease, which runs in families. Another point of equal importance is only a very small percentage of people exposed to asbestos will develop mesothelioma and not all.

Health Dangers Of Asbestos

2007-08-11T09:36:00.000-07:00

By Jennefer Poultson
Mesothelioma and asbestosis are the long term result of prior exposure to asbestos. You have undoubtedly heard of asbestos, and are probably aware of its dangers. But many people are not aware as to exactly what it is and where it can still be found in the environment in which we live.

Asbestos is a type of mineral fiber that used to be utilized in many products for the purpose of making them more resistant to the extremes of heat and cold. For many years asbestos was used widely by the building industry, before it was known that this material releases particles which produce mesothelioma - an aggressive form of lung cancer - when they are inhaled. Asbestos is no longer used, for this reason.

There is also active controversy that some sectors of the building industry continued to exposure their workers to asbestos, with the attendant risks of asbestosis and mesothelioma long after the building industry was in possession of compelling evidence of the dangers of asbestos use.

One issue many people may not realise is that asbestos use was not limited to commercial buildings - it was commonly used in the building of homes, and yours could be one of them. The fibers of asbestos are in some roofs and tiles built up with asbestos cement. They also can be found in paintings and substances to cover holes in walls or ceilings. Some old hot water pipes might be covered with asbestos too. Ask a professional to take a look to your house in order to ascertain if you and your family are in risk.

Certainly, if you are considering demolishing any walls, or renovating or remodelling your home, it is imperative that you have an asbestos expert determine whether or not there is asbestos present in your home. Indeed, it is illegal to demolish or otherwise interfere with any structure containing with asbestos. It is necessary to have the asbestos professionally removed by people who know exactly what precautions to take to remove asbestos containing structures, and how to safely dispose of the asbestos so as not to cause any inadvertent exposure to asbestos, which could well cause the development of mesothelioma some years later.

Jennefer Poultson writes on health implications of exposure to asbestos. For more information on mesosthelioma - the primary cancer caused by exposure to asbestos - Click Here

Asbestos Health Risks And Litigation

2007-08-11T09:34:00.000-07:00

By Frank
Asbestos is a naturally-occuring fibrous mineral of metamorpic hydrous magnesium silicate. The term "metamorphic" is used to describe a process of extreme heat and pressure which creates specific secondary patterns of minerals with new chemical and/or physical properties. As the primary rock is heated and recooled, silicate crystals align in long rows of mineral fibers, which easily separate into tiny shards thinner than a human hair. Asbestos fibers are not a health risk as long as they are undisturbed. However, when asbestos is undergoes natural weathering, or is mined and processed, the microscopic particles waft into the air and cause disease if they are inhaled.

Asbestosis occurs when an inhaled asbestos particle irritates the body's natural defence mechanisms, causing inflammation and scarring which eventually restricts lung function. Mesothelioma is a malignant tumor of the membranes surrounding the heart, lungs and abdominal cavity. Asbestos can also cause cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, larynx, stomach, lung and lymphoid tissue.

Asbestos exposure can also cause non-fatal illnesses such as asbestos warts, caused when asbestos fibers are lodged in the skin, causing lumps of scar tissue to form around the irritant in the same manner as they do in the lungs to cause asbestosis; pleural plaques, discrete, sometimes calcified fibrous lesions which can be seen on X-rays but are too small to cause breathing impairment; and diffuse pleural thickening, which can cause breathing impairment if it is extensive.

Due to its fire resistant properties, asbestos has been used historically for household and industrial purposes. It has been found woven into burial cloths in ancient Egypt, and Charlemagne reportedly had a tablecloth made of asbestos which he would throw into a fire to clean.

In World War II asbestos was considered so important by the War Department that it was considered a strategic material, and many American workers were exposed in the World War II boom in shipbuilding. After the war, it was widely used in the construction industry.

In modern Western society, it was used for such diverse purposes as lamp wicks, brake shoes, oven insulation, electrical hotplate wiring and home insulation, roofing and flooring. For instance, some kinds of vermiculite used in home insulation into the 1970s contained asbestos. The EPA banned this product in 1977.

When a home owner discovers asbestos in an old home, it should not be a cause for immediate panic. If the asbestos looks intact and is not pulverized, it is best to leave it alone. However, because of legal liability, schools and businesses containing asbestos usually must undergo a costly removal process, hazardous in itself because disturbing the stable asbestos product causes fibers to fill the air. Special equipment must be used to insure that the removal process does not cause health problems where non existed before.

Most industrialized nations have reduced or banned the use of asbestos for at least 30 years and now use fiberglass or woven ceramic fiber as a substitute, but since asbestos-caused disease has a latency period of up to 50 years, patients are still presenting with these illness today. Every year in America, approximately 3000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed, and 550 deaths occurs due to asbestosis. According to the March 1991 Report of the Judicial Conference Ad Hoc Committee on Asbestos Litigation, asbestos exposure has caused the deaths of approximately 200,000 to 265,000 Americans.

Asbestos use peaked in the United States in 1973, when 1 million tons of the material were used. The EPA attempted to institute a complete legal ban on the use of asbestos products in 1989; however, this ban was largely eviscerated by the US 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in 1991, and some restricted use of asbestos, albeit in fewer products than than before, resumed. Therefor, even today some workers are being exposed to this toxic material.

Asbestos is a serious continuing concern to the Environmental Protection Agency, and their website has detailed information on asbestos and its removal.

Concerns about the health risks of asbestos exposure date back to 1898, when the Chief Inspector of Factories of the United Kingdom reported to Parliament in his Annual Report about the "evil effects of asbestos dust". He noted that the "sharp, glass like nature of the particles" when allowed to remain suspended in the air, "have been found to be injurious, as might have been expected". In 1906 a British Parliamentary Commission confirmed the first cases of asbestos-related deaths in Bristish factories and called for improved ventilation and other safety measures. In 1918 an American insurance company produced a study showing premature deaths in the asbestos industry in the United States and in 1926 the Massachusetts Industrial Accidents Board processed the first successful compensation claim by a sick asbestos worker.

Today, lawsuits claiming compensation for asbestos-related illnesses are a growth industry in the legal profession. An internet search of "mesothelioma lawyer" yields 1,910,000 results. The original manufacturers of asbestos products have long since been driven into Chapter 11 bankruptcy; plaintiffs have now turned to suing corporations with peripheral connections to asbestos products. More than 70 American corporations have filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in due to asbestos liability claims.

Since the 1970's, approximateley 6% of all lawsuits filed in American courts have been asbestos-related. The lawsuits now facing the courts have been described as "an elephantine mass" by the US Supreme Court, and are expected to cost between 200 to 275 billion dollars to settle. Asbestos liability is one of the largest issues facing the global insurance industry today.

Most epidemiological studies expected the number of lawsuits to peak in the 1990s, but this has not occurred, either because of the long latency period of asbestos-related diseases, or because legal action is becoming more popular among asbestos-exposed members of the public due to high-profile legal cases and widespread advertising by attorneys who specialize in such cases.

Many complaints have been made by representatives of industries facing lawsuits and the insurance companies who will be expected to pay them that the asbestos-lawsuit industry is rife with fraud, with less that half of all payouts reaching the plaintiffs. Aggressive, ambulance-chasing lawyers are said to exaggerate medical disability and coach clients on their testimony.

The group of plaintiffs includes not only ill people, but also those who have merely have a history of asbestos exposure and want compensation for potential future health risks. According to the American Academy of Acturaries Mass Tort Work Group, more than 100 million Americans have been exposed to asbestos in their workplace during the past century.

Article Source: http://www.article-outlet.com/

Is Asbestos Exposure A Sleeping Dragon?

2007-08-11T09:31:00.001-07:00

By Dr. Phil Hariram
Asbestos is a substance found naturally. It is made of strong flexible fibres. It was used extensively in industry because the fibres are not affected by heat or chemicals and a poor conductor of electricity. It is estimated that over 5,000 products have or had asbestos in them.

Of the six types of asbestos, only four are used commercially. These are chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite and anthrophyllite. Of these, crysotile or white asbestos accounts for 99% used in USA. In it natural state or well contained and maintained in products, asbestos do not pose a real hazard. It is when asbestos is broken down and fibres are released that there is concern.

Asbestos fibres are very thin and sharp. The fibre is 2,000 times thinner than a human hair. It measures under 0.3 microns or one millionth of a millimetre in diameter and five microns in length. It is not visible with the naked eye or through a microscope.
When released, the fibres remain in the atmosphere for a long time and can be carried great distances. When the fibres are inhaled, they stick to the lung tissue and are not expelled by breathing out or coughing. Some remain in the lungs, others gravitate into the pleural lining.

Asbestos exposure can lead to disease and develops over a long period of time. Asbestos related diseases are asbestosis, pleural plaques and lung cancers. The lung cancer can be either cancer of the lung itself or mesothelioma, a cancer of the lung lining. These cancers can take between 20 and 50 years to develop.
A recent article in a UK Newspaper highlighted the case of a Hospital Consultant who developed mesothelioma. He cannot recall any exposure to asbestos. It may well be that he was inadvertently exposed to asbestos without his knowledge i.e. such as living in the vicinity of a factory that leaked asbestos into the atmosphere.

Professor Peto has shown that new cases of mesothelioma will continue to increase in the early part of the twenty first century. He also said, “Every single person in the UK has asbestos in their lungs. It is the level of exposure that is important.”

We also know that people who has a history of asbestos exposure has a greater risk of lung cancer if they smoked. In a survey in 1992, 2602 individuals with lung cancer were interviewed. One in eight was exposed to asbestos and of these a third still smoked. A US study suggested that non-smokers exposed to asbestos have a five times greater risk of lung cancer. If they smoked, then the risk increased by a factor of 11. Smoking and asbestos exposure increases the risk of developing lung cancer to 52 times that of the general population.

At present no one knows how many lung cancers are due to asbestos exposure because of the long latency period and that cigarette smoking remains the major cause. Mesothelioma, however, is caused by asbestos exposure and this has been the basis of numerous high value legal claims.

As for the future, in the USA and Europe, asbestos related diseases will gradually increase to a peak. Of concern, however, are areas of conflict. In the Middle East, when a building was bombed, or when numerous buildings were bombed during the invasion of Iraq, do we have any idea how much asbestos was released into the atmosphere?

We are, however, certain that during the 9/11 disaster, asbestos fibres were released. When the Twin Tower collapsed, there were 400 tons of asbestos in the structure. The toxic cloud that hung over Manhattan, contained high level of asbestos. It is estimated that over 100,000 people suffered asbestos exposure. The greatest exposure was amongst first responders. Deborah Reeve was the first to die from asbestos related disease after 9/11. She was a first responder and paramedic. She died in March 2005 from mesothelioma. This concerned experts because mesothelioma takes a very long time to develop. They concluded that her exposure must have been excessive.

A study result showed that 70% of recovery and rescue workers who were active during and after the World Trade Centre collapse had some form of respiratory problem. A six year follow up study showed that sufferers with respiratory problems continue to have the same ailments.
“In the six years since the attacks,” Nadler said, “We have accumulated a mountain of evidence that thousands of those exposed are suffering from chronic respiratory disease and, increasingly, a variety of rare cancers.”

Hopefully, as experts predict, within the next few years asbestos related diseases will peak and the annual new cases will drop. If not, could it be a sleeping dragon about to wake up?

Mesothelioma is a devastating disease. Early recognition improves long term survival rate. Visit Dr. Phil Hariram's website: www.themesothelioma-info.com and read quality info. and the latest global news releases.

Asbestos Exposure Risk Factors

2007-08-11T09:29:00.001-07:00

Asbestos Exposure Risk Factors
By Roberto Bell
Asbestos is a generic name given to six fibrous minerals that have been used in commercial products. It is mined in various parts of the world, especially in South Africa and Canada. Natural asbestos is found in two varieties: serpentine asbestos and amphibole asbestos. Asbestos it is usually mixed with other materials to actually form the products such as building materials and vehicle brakes.

Asbestos is very well known for its unusual qualities as an insulating material that is heat and fire resistant. It is widely used as a binder in cement, as insulation, and in anti-fire walls. Asbestos is found in many workplaces and homes, though is a serious health risk.

Asbestos is addressed in specific standards for the general industry, shipyard employment, and the construction industry. Asbestos is still being used in manufacture of products and is known as the greatest single cause of work-related deaths.

Asbestos is far more common than most of us realize. The truth is that it is highly toxic and exposure to high levels of asbestos for a long time can cause very serious health problems, a wide range of lung diseases that are slow to develop but deadly in many cases. However, there are many cases of people who developed asbestos lung cancer though they had very little exposure or have been exposed indirectly, asbestos dust brought into the home on the shoes, clothing, skin, and hair of workers.

The primary effects from exposure to asbestos are to the respiratory system. Asbestos can cause deadly diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Exposure most often occurs on the job and health effects from exposure have a delay or latency period. Working with asbestos is one of the major risk factor causing cancer and other respiratory diseases.

Mesothelioma is a unique form of cancer, decades might pass between the asbestos exposure and appearance of symptoms. Generally, the probability of developing this form of cancer is in accordance with the length of time you are exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos dust is breathed into the lungs and lodges in the lining.

The people most at risk from being carriers of this cancer are those have worked with asbestos over the past thirty to fifty years. Our study showed a high incidence of mesothelioma and a high ratio of mesothelioma to lung cancer among asbestos-cement workers. Many reports say that mesothelioma is a formerly rare cancer that is almost always caused by asbestos exposure, with 85% of cases in men.

Asbestos Mesothelioma Info provides valuable free information about Mesothelioma Diagnosis, Mesothelioma Treatments, how to get Mesothelioma Help, and also legal and Mesothelioma Lawyers facts.

Asbestos – Related Diseases

2007-08-11T09:27:00.000-07:00

Asbestos – Related Diseases
Asbestos is a family of crystalline hydrated silicates that form fibers. Based on epidemiologic studies, occupational exposure to asbestos is linked to

Localized fibrous plaques or , rarely, diffuse pleural fibrosis
Pleural effusions
Parenchymal interstitial fibrosis ( asbestosis)
Bronchogenic carcinoma
Mesotheliomas
Laryngeal and perhaps other extrapulmonary neoplasms including colon carcinomas.

An increased incidence of asbestosis- related cancer in family members of asbestos workers has alerted the general public to the potential hazards of asbestos in the environment. The proper public health policy toward lo-level exposures that might be encountered in old buildings or schools is controversial, with some experts questioning the wisdom of expensive asbestos abatement programs for environments with airborne fiber counts that are up to 100 fold lower than allowed by occupational standards.Visit for Medical help

Pathogenesis. Concentration, size , shape, and solubility of the different forms of asbestos dictate, whether disease cocurs. There are two distinct geometric forms of asbestos: sepentine (curly and flexible fibers) and amphibole (stright, stiff, and brittle fibers) The serpentine chrysotile chemical form accounts for most of the asbestos used in industry. Amphiboles include crocidolite, amosite, tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolyte. This confusing array of terms is important because amphiboles, even though less prevalent, are more pathogenic than chrysotiles, particularly with respect to induction of malignant pleural tumers ( mesotheliomas). Some studies of mesotheliomas have shown the link is almost always to amphibole exposure. The relatively few cases of mesotheliomas arising in chrysotile workers are in all likelihood due to contamination of chrysotile with the amphibole tremolite.

The greater pathogenicity of straight and stiff amphiboles is apparently related to their aerodynamic properties and solubility. Chrysotiles, with their more flexible, curled structure, are likely to become impacted in the upper respiratory passages and removed by the mucociliary elevator. Furthermore, once trapped in the lungs, crysotiles are gradually leached from the tissues because they are more soluble than amphiboles. In contrast, the straight , stiff amphiboles may align themselves in the airsteam and thus be delivered deeper into the lungs, where they can penetrate epithelial cells and reach the interstitium. The length of amphibole fibers also plays a role in pathogenicity, those longer than 8 mm and thinner than 0.5 mm being more injurious than shorter, thicker ones. Nevertheless, both amphiboles and serpentines are fibrogenic, and increasing doses are associated with a higher incidence of all asbestos related disease except that only amphibold exposure correlates with mesothelioma. In contrast to other inorganic dusts, asbestos can also act as both a tumor initiator and a tumor promoter. Potentially toxic chemicals absorbed onto the asbestos fibers however undoubtedly contribut to the oncogenicity of the fibers. For example, the adsorption of carcinogens in tobacco smoke on to asbestos fibers may well be important in the remarkable synergy between tobacco smoking and the development of bronchogenic carcinoma in asbestos workers. One study of asbestos workers found a 5 fold increase of bronchogenic carcinoma for asbestos exposure alone, while asbestos exposure and smoking together led to a 55 fold increase in the risk of lung cancer.

Asbestosis, similar to the other pnumoconioses, depends on the interaction of inhaled fibers with lung macrophages and other parenchymal cells. The initial injury occurs at bifurcations of small airways and ducts, where the stiff fibers land and penetrate. Macrophages both alveolar and interstitial attempt to ingest and clear the fibers and are activated to release chemotactic factors and fibrogenic mediators that amplify the response. Chronic deposition of fibers and persistent release of mediators eventually leads to generalized interstitial pulmonary inflammation and interstitial fibrosis. It is not completely understood why silicosis is a nodular fibrosing disease and asbestosis a difuse interstitial process. The more diffuse distribution may be related to the ability of asbestos to reach alveoli more consistently or its ability to penetrate epithelial cells, or to both.

For more information visit www.medicalhealthcenter.net

asbestos disposal

2007-08-11T09:26:00.001-07:00

Advice On Asbestos Disposal
By Kirsten Hawkins
Did William Daniel have proper advice on asbestos disposal? This resident of Ohio was fined $22,600, ordered to perform 208 hours of community service and was sentenced to 13 months imprisonment on 21 Feb 2002 for violating the Clean Air Act. Daniel had improperly disposed 469 bags of asbestos waste thereby causing a grave danger to public health.

Condition of Asbestos is a Major Factor in its Disposal:

Depending on condition, we can divide asbestos into two major groups.

Friable – that which can crumble by hand pressure such as insulation

Non-friable – that which will not crumble under hand pressure such as asbestos sheets in good condition.

If the asbestos is in a non-friable condition, we can leave it as it is. Safety will further improve by painting the surface and edges with a sealing paint that will not allow fibers to escape. Smoothening the edges or surface will release fibers and is dangerous. Friable asbestos has significant risk of breaking up during handling and needs special care. You should seek adequate advice on asbestos disposal before disposing this dangerous contaminant.

General Advice on Asbestos Disposal:

If you are unsure whether your appliance contains asbestos, it is best to contact the manufacturer directly and ask. Giving the model and year of manufacture would help. Ask for specialist advice on asbestos disposal if your appliances contain asbestos. You can use the yellow pages to locate manufacturers and people offering asbestos disposal services and advice.

Disposing small quantities of household asbestos is straight forward, but if quantities are large then consult professional disposal agents. They will observe all laws and will dispose the asbestos in authorized sites only.

The key element of the disposal process lies in ensuring that fibers do not separate and fly into the air. Towards this end, experts advise that we dispose asbestos on a humid and a calm day and reduce the numbers of people involved to the bare minimum. Any dismantling of structures would provide opportunity for the fiber to separate and fly. While dismantling, keep the asbestos sheet wet with soap water to reduce dust and fiber.

After separating the asbestos, you should pack it in heavy gauge plastic sheets. Smaller pieces can be stored in two layers of polythene bags. Any residual dust or small pieces can be picked up using a wet cloth and stored in double plastic packets. You should use similar disposal method for clothes used in the asbestos removal process.

As we said above, so long as we observe common sense precautions in accordance with advice on asbestos disposal and ensure that fibers do not contaminate surroundings and the quantities involved are small, there is no danger of running foul of the Law. However, it is essential that we are aware of the “Clean Air Act” and similar laws before disposing of large quantities of asbestos. William Daniel may have served out his sentence, but the next judge may well be stricter.

Kirsten Hawkins is a asbestos and mesothelioma specialist from Nashville, TN. Visit www.asbestosblog.org/ for information on asbestos reform, mesothelioma lawsuit news, and more.

asbestos bill

2007-08-11T09:24:00.000-07:00

The Dangers From Asbestos
By Joseph Amainte
Asbestos is composed of fibers that can cause life threatening illness, such as mesothelioma (a cancer), among others. Many companies are being proactive and having asbestos removed before it can harm someone. It can live safely behind walls or ceilings, but as soon as any fibers escape, people may inhale them and become ill. It only takes a tiny amount ingested into the lungs. Unfortunately, the symptoms may not be visible for as long as 40 years, so it’s difficult to prevent getting sick from an unknown source.

In general people come into contact with asbestos where they are employed or live. There are other dangerous places, however. Anyone living or working near a shipyard, steel mill, power plant, or refinery is at risk for asbestos exposure. Once again, the asbestos fibers break loose from where they’ve been hidden, and since they are airborne, they easily travel to neighborhoods that are close by. Other industrial sites that often have asbestos on site are maritime, building, car repair, especially brake or clutch work, roofing and railways.

Just as asbestos can be a serious problem for some types of businesses, it can also exist in many homes and schools. Prior to the 1970s, some materials used for building structures contained asbestos. In fact, an estimated 30 million tons of asbestos fiber was used just in the U.S. during this time, with some winding up in homes and schools.

Now that you’ve seen this alarming news, how can you ensure that you’re safe? For one thing, not all houses built before 1970 used any asbestos. Secondly, the chief places where people are exposed to asbestos are industrial sites. Not only that, but more people that were exposed did not get sick as opposed to those who did.

If you have any fear at all that you may have asbestos in your home, call the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They will tell you how to find qualified technicians to come and examine your house. In the case that asbestos is found, they will help you get rid of it. The EPA will also have you get a separate risk assessment to confirm or dispute their finding.

Then, if you are thinking about building a home, unless the material is clearly labeled, you should assume it could have some level of asbestos in it. Therefore, until you can verify that the product is safe, you should contact the manufacturer to find out exactly what is contained in each type of material.

If you plan on purchasing a home, the law dictates that the seller must acknowledge any hazardous materials on-site, including asbestos. If you rent an apartment built before 1970, chances are good that there is some asbestos somewhere. Remember though, that it’s only dangerous if the fibers are released into the air. As long as it stays inside the wall, you will be fine.

As of 1995, OSHA issued standards that require testing, maintenance, and disclosure of asbestos for the workplace. Rental property also falls under this ruling, meaning that property owners are required to disclose the presence of any existing asbestos to potential renters. Armed with that information, you can quickly decide whether to live there or look for other rental properly.

Joseph Amiante provides a range of resources at his web site: Asbestos Pain, where you will find information that will help you on many asbestos related issues. Why not take a look: www.asbestospain.com

asbestos settlement

2007-08-11T09:23:00.000-07:00

Asbestos Roof Tile: Steps To Avoid Health Hazards
By Kirsten Hawkins
Introduction:

Asbestos rooftile is basically an Asbstos contaminated roofing material. It is made up of natural minerals that are fiberous in nature.Fiberous quality of Asbestos was considered useful in various building materials. For example—Pipe insulation,floortile, and fireproofing. Other roofing products such as shingles,tars,pitch and roof tiles were also prepared with the help of asbestos.

Dangers of Asbestos Roof Tile:

Asbestos roof tile are hazardous for health because asbestos particles released from the tiles could cause respiratory health hazards.These health hazards occur when respirable fibres are released into the air and then inhaled in your body. Materials that contains Asbestos are divided into two categories— Friable (able to be reduced to a powder by hand pressure) and non-friable . Usage of Non–Friable asbestos containing materials is not that harmful because , they do not release dangerous asbetos fiber into the air. This class of materials does not relase fibers unless you impact them mechanically with the help of tools, drills and saws.

Protection Steps:

Five steps of protection are helpful to prevent asbestos fiber release during removal of asbestos roof tile. At the first step, roofing materials must be mixed with non-friable

materials (tar, pitch, asphalt). This mixing hardens the asbestos fibers, prevents their release, and avoids inhalation. The second step includes the safe methods of removal wherein only hand made tools like shovels and hammers are used to strip the roofing material from the building. Third step recommends that asbestos should be made wet before disturbing it. Fourth step of protection covers how the materials are handled during and after removal. Fifth step says that workers removing the roofing materials should be trained and certified in accordance with an EPA recognized training program.

Regulations for Asbestos Roof tile Removal:

According to OSHA regulations all persons working with asbestos containing materials should wear respiratory and other personal protection equipment during the removal process. There are diffrent state and even federal regulations that regulate the removal of asbetsos roof tiles and other asbestops containing materials.

Kirsten Hawkins is a asbestos and mesothelioma specialist from Nashville, TN. Visit www.asbestosblog.org/ for information on asbestos reform, mesothelioma lawsuit news, and more.

maryland asbestos lawyer

2007-08-11T09:21:00.000-07:00

Is Asbestos Exposure A Sleeping Dragon?
By Dr. Phil Hariram
Asbestos is a substance found naturally. It is made of strong flexible fibres. It was used extensively in industry because the fibres are not affected by heat or chemicals and a poor conductor of electricity. It is estimated that over 5,000 products have or had asbestos in them.

Of the six types of asbestos, only four are used commercially. These are chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite and anthrophyllite. Of these, crysotile or white asbestos accounts for 99% used in USA. In it natural state or well contained and maintained in products, asbestos do not pose a real hazard. It is when asbestos is broken down and fibres are released that there is concern.

Asbestos fibres are very thin and sharp. The fibre is 2,000 times thinner than a human hair. It measures under 0.3 microns or one millionth of a millimetre in diameter and five microns in length. It is not visible with the naked eye or through a microscope.
When released, the fibres remain in the atmosphere for a long time and can be carried great distances. When the fibres are inhaled, they stick to the lung tissue and are not expelled by breathing out or coughing. Some remain in the lungs, others gravitate into the pleural lining.

Asbestos exposure can lead to disease and develops over a long period of time. Asbestos related diseases are asbestosis, pleural plaques and lung cancers. The lung cancer can be either cancer of the lung itself or mesothelioma, a cancer of the lung lining. These cancers can take between 20 and 50 years to develop.
A recent article in a UK Newspaper highlighted the case of a Hospital Consultant who developed mesothelioma. He cannot recall any exposure to asbestos. It may well be that he was inadvertently exposed to asbestos without his knowledge i.e. such as living in the vicinity of a factory that leaked asbestos into the atmosphere.

Professor Peto has shown that new cases of mesothelioma will continue to increase in the early part of the twenty first century. He also said, “Every single person in the UK has asbestos in their lungs. It is the level of exposure that is important.”

We also know that people who has a history of asbestos exposure has a greater risk of lung cancer if they smoked. In a survey in 1992, 2602 individuals with lung cancer were interviewed. One in eight was exposed to asbestos and of these a third still smoked. A US study suggested that non-smokers exposed to asbestos have a five times greater risk of lung cancer. If they smoked, then

the risk increased by a factor of 11. Smoking and asbestos exposure increases the risk of developing lung cancer to 52 times that of the general population.

At present no one knows how many lung cancers are due to asbestos exposure because of the long latency period and that cigarette smoking remains the major cause. Mesothelioma, however, is caused by asbestos exposure and this has been the basis of numerous high value legal claims.

As for the future, in the USA and Europe, asbestos related diseases will gradually increase to a peak. Of concern, however, are areas of conflict. In the Middle East, when a building was bombed, or when numerous buildings were bombed during the invasion of Iraq, do we have any idea how much asbestos was released into the atmosphere?

We are, however, certain that during the 9/11 disaster, asbestos fibres were released. When the Twin Tower collapsed, there were 400 tons of asbestos in the structure. The toxic cloud that hung over Manhattan, contained high level of asbestos. It is estimated that over 100,000 people suffered asbestos exposure. The greatest exposure was amongst first responders. Deborah Reeve was the first to die from asbestos related disease after 9/11. She was a first responder and paramedic. She died in March 2005 from mesothelioma. This concerned experts because mesothelioma takes a very long time to develop. They concluded that her exposure must have been excessive.

A study result showed that 70% of recovery and rescue workers who were active during and after the World Trade Centre collapse had some form of respiratory problem. A six year follow up study showed that sufferers with respiratory problems continue to have the same ailments.
“In the six years since the attacks,” Nadler said, “We have accumulated a mountain of evidence that thousands of those exposed are suffering from chronic respiratory disease and, increasingly, a variety of rare cancers.”

Hopefully, as experts predict, within the next few years asbestos related diseases will peak and the annual new cases will drop. If not, could it be a sleeping dragon about to wake up?

Mesothelioma is a devastating disease. Early recognition improves long term survival rate. Visit Dr. Phil Hariram's website: www.themesothelioma-info.com and read quality info. and the latest global news releases.

new york asbestos lawyer

2007-08-11T09:18:00.000-07:00

Asbestos Exposure Risk Factors
By Roberto Bell
Asbestos is a generic name given to six fibrous minerals that have been used in commercial products. It is mined in various parts of the world, especially in South Africa and Canada. Natural asbestos is found in two varieties: serpentine asbestos and amphibole asbestos. Asbestos it is usually mixed with other materials to actually form the products such as building materials and vehicle brakes.

Asbestos is very well known for its unusual qualities as an insulating material that is heat and fire resistant. It is widely used as a binder in cement, as insulation, and in anti-fire walls. Asbestos is found in many workplaces and homes, though is a serious health risk.

Asbestos is addressed in specific standards for the general industry, shipyard employment, and the construction industry. Asbestos is still being used in manufacture of products and is known as the greatest single cause of work-related deaths.

Asbestos is far more common than most of us realize. The truth is that it is highly toxic and exposure to high levels of asbestos for a long time can cause very serious health problems, a wide range of lung diseases that are slow to develop but deadly in many cases. However, there are many cases of people who developed asbestos lung cancer though they had very little exposure or have been exposed indirectly, asbestos dust brought into the home on the shoes, clothing, skin, and hair of workers.

The primary effects from exposure to asbestos are to the respiratory system. Asbestos can cause deadly diseases like

mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Exposure most often occurs on the job and health effects from exposure have a delay or latency period. Working with asbestos is one of the major risk factor causing cancer and other respiratory diseases.

Mesothelioma is a unique form of cancer, decades might pass between the asbestos exposure and appearance of symptoms. Generally, the probability of developing this form of cancer is in accordance with the length of time you are exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos dust is breathed into the lungs and lodges in the lining.

The people most at risk from being carriers of this cancer are those have worked with asbestos over the past thirty to fifty years. Our study showed a high incidence of mesothelioma and a high ratio of mesothelioma to lung cancer among asbestos-cement workers. Many reports say that mesothelioma is a formerly rare cancer that is almost always caused by asbestos exposure, with 85% of cases in men.

Asbestos Mesothelioma Info provides valuable free information about Mesothelioma Diagnosis, Mesothelioma Treatments, how to get Mesothelioma Help, and also legal and Mesothelioma Lawyers facts.

Asbestos - The Silent Killer

2007-08-11T09:14:00.001-07:00

Emperors have cherished it. Egyptians made their burial clothes from it. Royals made their prized covers and napkins from it.For all its glory Asbestos has one huge downfall. It was killing people and they did not even know it.

Emperors have cherished it. Egyptians had their burial clothes from it. Royals made their prized covers and napkins from it. It was indestructible material and valued as such. Throughout history asbestos has been used and in some empires valued more than gold itself. For all its glory it has one huge downfall. It was killing people and they did not even know it.

Asbestos is a common name describing a group of fibrous metamorphic minerals composed of hydrous-magnesium-silicate groups. Its unique chemical composition makes it an excellent insulator, flame retardant, high tensile strength and resistance to chemicals. Put it simply it was the material of choice with all around purpose.

There are several main groups of asbestos.
Chrysotile, also known as White Asbestos, is obtained from serpentine rocks. Its chemical composition is Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4. This form of asbestos is less friable, making it the least dangerous of all.
Amosite, also known as Brown Asbestos and Grunerite, is an amphibole from South Africa and its chemical composition is Fe7Si8O22(OH). Its harsh, spiky fibers have good tensile strength and resistance to heat.
Riebeckite, also known as Blue Asbestos and Crocidolite, is an amphibole from Africa and Australia. Its chemical composition is Na2Fe2+3Fe3+2Si8O22(OH)2. The needle-like fibers are the strongest of all asbestos fibers and have a high resistance to acids. This is the most dangerous type of asbestos due to its fibrous structure and composition.

Why is asbestos so dangerous?

To answer this question lets look at the formation and decomposition of asbestos.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral. Upon crystallization the molecules bind by linear polymerization producing oriented crystalline structure. This three dimensional crystalline structure is very similar to other crystals and gemstones. What makes asbestos different is that two of the planes of this molecular arrangement are much weaker than the third one. Once sufficient force is applied the crystalline structure breaks along its plane with linear fragmentation, producing fibrous material. This breakdown will continue to the molecular level. The average size of respirable asbestos is 3-20 microns and can be as thin as 0.01 microns. To make things worse this small size being airborne is easily dispersed making it that more difficult to contain. With such as small size we can not see it or taste it yet we are breathing it and accumulating it in our lungs.

Once in our system our body can not get rid of it. Our defense systems will fight it and try to get rid of it causing several types of diseases. Two predominant types are Asbestosis and Mesothelioma. The dormancy period for Asbestosis can be as much as 20 years and for Mesothelioma as much as 50 years.

One of the first recorded reports of asbestos dangers was back in 1898.
Chief Inspector of Factories of the United Kingdom reported to Parliament in his Annual Report about the "evil effects of asbestos dust". In 1918 US government report stating that it was the practice of American and Canadian life insurance companies not to sell coverage to asbestos workers due to the assumed injurious health consequences. In 1926 the Massachusetts Industrial Accidents Board approved the first successful compensation claim by asbestos worker. Since then there are numerous reports of the danger of asbestos yet the big companies continued to use asbestos to great extent. The heydays for asbestos were during the 1940s and 1950s. The profits were much more important than the human lives.

If you suspect that you have asbestos in your surrounding do not try to remove it yourself. Call the appropriate authorities and they will handle it. They are properly equipped to safely dispose it.

Article Source: http://www.article-outlet.com/

asbestos testing kit

2007-08-11T09:01:00.001-07:00

Residential Asbestos Abatement- Reducing The Risk Of Asbestos Diseases
By Kirsten Hawkins
The Firms and Cost Incurred in Asbestos Abatement
Residential asbestos abatement is the process to determine if a material is asbestos containing and to take necessary steps removal of asbestos containing materials from the residential buildings. During residential abatement processes you have to ensure that the material is sampled and analyzed by an analytical laboratory.

Laboratories that are accredited by the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) through the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program or which successfully participate in the asbestos bulk-analysis program of the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) can only be relied in determining the presence of asbestos.

There are certified asbestos inspectors who collect the bulk samples for determining asbestos content during the residential asbestos abatement process. These are certified asbestos inspectors and can be hired through a consulting firm. These consulting firms are registered in the yellow pages under asbestos or environmental consultants. You can also look for them under the head of residential asbestos abatement.

The asbestos inspections are conducted on a random basis, cost incurred depends on the amount of material being removed, and which method is adapted for the abatement. The residential asbestos abatement can cost from $500 to $2000.

Precautions required to be taken in Residential Asbestos Abatement

Process
Any asbestos removal includes the use of engineering controls to reduce the release of fibers in the environment. This is to make sure that the residential asbestos abatement process is safe and do not pose any health hazards. Engineering controls include the use of water during removal, filtered ventilation systems, and plastic barriers for isolating the work area.

Though there are no immediate health symptoms from asbestos exposure, but when getting a residential asbestos abatement program done, you should observe that containment constructed of polythene sheeting is surrounding the component(s) from which asbestos is to be removed. In cases where there is a small quantity of asbestos to be removed, you should use a glove bag.

You are entitled to request for a copy of the contractor’s license, project/program work plan, the original results before the program, air-monitoring results from the analytical laboratory and a copy of the waste manifest for the disposal of the asbestos. The whole procedure of residential asbestos abatement would take a full day or possibly two days for completion.

Kirsten Hawkins is a asbestos and mesothelioma specialist from Nashville, TN. Visit www.asbestosblog.org/ for information on asbestos reform, mesothelioma lawsuit news, and more.

asbestos law

2007-08-11T09:00:00.001-07:00

Health Dangers Of Asbestos
By Jennefer Poultson
Mesothelioma and asbestosis are the long term result of prior exposure to asbestos. You have undoubtedly heard of asbestos, and are probably aware of its dangers. But many people are not aware as to exactly what it is and where it can still be found in the environment in which we live.

Asbestos is a type of mineral fiber that used to be utilized in many products for the purpose of making them more resistant to the extremes of heat and cold. For many years asbestos was used widely by the building industry, before it was known that this material releases particles which produce mesothelioma - an aggressive form of lung cancer - when they are inhaled. Asbestos is no longer used, for this reason.

There is also active controversy that some sectors of the building industry continued to exposure their workers to asbestos, with the attendant risks of asbestosis and mesothelioma long after the building industry was in possession of compelling evidence of the dangers of asbestos use.

One issue many people may not realise is that asbestos use was not limited to commercial buildings - it was commonly used in the building of homes, and yours could be one of them. The fibers of asbestos are in some roofs and tiles built up with asbestos cement. They also can be found

in paintings and substances to cover holes in walls or ceilings. Some old hot water pipes might be covered with asbestos too. Ask a professional to take a look to your house in order to ascertain if you and your family are in risk.

Certainly, if you are considering demolishing any walls, or renovating or remodelling your home, it is imperative that you have an asbestos expert determine whether or not there is asbestos present in your home. Indeed, it is illegal to demolish or otherwise interfere with any structure containing with asbestos. It is necessary to have the asbestos professionally removed by people who know exactly what precautions to take to remove asbestos containing structures, and how to safely dispose of the asbestos so as not to cause any inadvertent exposure to asbestos, which could well cause the development of mesothelioma some years later.

Jennefer Poultson writes on health implications of exposure to asbestos. For more information on mesosthelioma - the primary cancer caused by exposure to asbestos -

dallas asbestos lawyer

2007-08-11T08:58:00.000-07:00

Asbestos Home Testing- Prevention Is Better Than Cure
By Kirsten Hawkins
Asbestos home testing is a process of testing the presence of asbestos in homes in general and building materials in particular. Asbestos is a mineral fiber resistant to heat, chemicals, and electricity. Building and insulation industries made widespread use of asbestos in their operations. Asbestos is commonly used in your homes in one form or the other. Some building materials that may contain asbestos materials are vinyl floor tiles; patching compounds textured paints, furnace and stovepipe, insulation, stove door gaskets, roofing shingles, cement, and siding material.

Asbestos was most commonly used until early 1970s in various home appliances, such as toasters, clothes dryers, and hair dryers. Now, government has laid norms for the use of asbestos and its exposure. Asbestos home testing is essential because exposure to and inhalation of Asbestos fibers is dangerous to health. Friable asbestos materials in homes, industries and appliances could lead to serious asbestos related diseases. Following people are more vulnerable to Asbestos-related diseases:

 Works in industries and mines
 Construct Buildings
 Make ceilings
 Perform Ceiling insulation

Apart from these persons all other persons who live in houses having asbestos contaminated building material or are involved in use or repair of appliances and products that contain asbestos can also contact asbestos diseases. This makes asbestos home testing a necessary process for all homes that are built before 1980s and all the people who are using appliances and or products that could contain asbestos materials.

Health Hazards Of Asbestos

Undamaged Asbestos cannot cause any health hazards. When asbestos is exposed to hitting, rubbing, or extreme vibration, its wear and tear occurs and shows signs of abrasion. Asbestos is only harmful, when damaged, and its fiber gets mixed with air. You can determine the status and stability of asbestos products by asbestos home testing. Asbestos home testing is compulsory because asbestos exposure could lead to fatal diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma cancers. Asbestos may harm you only if you inhale asbestos fiber. There are no safe levels of asbestos exposure and even short-term exposure to asbestos creates a possibility of your catching any disease caused by asbestos.

Removing Asbestos From Home

It is not possible to perform asbestos testing in home. You need qualified professional to test the presence of asbestos in your home. Asbestos abatement is the process of determining the status of asbestos material and taking corrective measures for preventing risk of asbestos exposure. It is not necessary that you have to remove all the asbestos material from your home. You can also opt for economic measures such as enclosures and encapsulation for preventing the risk of asbestos exposure even without removing the Asbestos Containing Materials.

Kirsten Hawkins is a asbestos and mesothelioma specialist from Nashville, TN. Visit www.asbestosblog.org/ for information on asbestos reform, mesothelioma lawsuit news, and more.

asbestos jobs

2007-08-11T08:57:00.000-07:00

Found Asbestos At Work - What Next?
By Loreno Lepe
Asbestos starts life as a mineral found in certain rocks, mainly in South America. It is fibrous in nature and has fire retardant properties. Asbestos has been widely used as a building material for over 100 years. It can be found in cement pipes and sheets as a reinforcing agent. These asbestos cement products can be found in many schools, factories and homes. Asbestos was also used to make floor tiles and as insulation lagging on hot water pipes.

Over the past 20 -30 years researchers and medical opinion has united against any asbestos use at all. Asbestos containing materials let asbestos fibers off into the air. These fibers lodge in the lungs of people working and living in the building and cause a disease called asbestosis, or mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is an incurable cancer of the lung. It only takes one asbestos fiber in the lung to cause asbestosis. Asbestos workers are the people most affected by asbestosis and mesothelioma. People who worked in construction and ship building in the 1950s and 1960s are also commonly affected.

The detection and removal of asbestos from buildings is a specialized task, which must only be carried out by licensed contractors.

The untrained individual may have suspicions whether or not asbestos is present in a material, but laboratory analysis is the only way to be certain. This is expensive, and many employers will have to be cajoled into having an asbestos survey carried out.

If asbestos is found then the removal is very expensive. Employers sometimes employ non-specialists to rip out the offending material, before even testing for asbestos. The old floor tiles or pipes can then just be dumped, without the extra expense of taking it to a licensed asbestos disposal site. While all this is happening, if asbestos is present, the air in the building is full of tiny asbestos fibers, all getting into the lungs of people working there.

There are regulations governing what kind of bags can be used to dispose of asbestos waste and where those bags are taken. All workers must be fully protected from asbestos fibers while working. The affected parts of the building will be sealed while the work is in progress.

Asbestos has been replaced as a building material, and as a filler or reinforcing agent, by glass fiber and rock wool. Both materials have many of the properties asbestos has, but are generally considered less harmful.

Loreno Lepe has a background in the chemical and construction industries. For more chemical engineering related information check out Asbestos or Effluent Control

attorney austin asbestos mesothelioma

2007-08-11T08:55:00.000-07:00

Asbestos: Cause Of Deadly Mesothelioma
By Kirsten Hawkins
A View of Mesothelioma

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. 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. The fibers are insoluble. The exposure of asbestos causes fibers to be inhaled and fine dust deposited in the alveoli inside the lungs consequently causing a type of cancer called Mesothelioma (a deadly tumor) involving Mesothelial tissues or usually cells of lungs or stomach and abdominal organs.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer of the Pleura (lung cancer) and Peritoneum (abdomen cancer). Mesothelioma has been shown to have a strong association with the crocidolite variety of asbestos. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common manifestation of asbestos exposure, is well-circumscribed plaques of dense collagen, often containing calcium. Peritoneum Mesothelioma may or may not contain asbestos bodies and rarely do they occur in persons who have no history or evidence of asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma not only occurs in people who are exposed the asbestos, but also to them who had been living in vicinity to asbestos manufacturing process or those staying in asbestos contaminated buildings. In Great Britain, an association was reported between Mesothelioma and people living within 1 kilometer of an asbestos factory.

The risk of Mesothelioma is reported to be high in those cases where occupational exposure to asbestos is combined with cigarette smoking. Mesothelioma usually does not appear until after 5 to 10 years of exposure. Mesothelioma causes mechanical irritation and in the advanced cases, there may be symptoms of clubbing of fingers, and cardiac distress. The survival time of Mesothelioma patients is generally ranges from 12 months to 2 years of diagnosis and very few survive longer than 2 years.

The following measures can be useful in preventing occurrences of Mesothelioma:

• Use of safer types of asbestos (chrysolite and amosite)
• Substitution of other insulators such as glass fiber, mineral wool, calcium silicate plastic foams
• Rigorous dust control
• Periodic examination of workers such as biological monitoring (clinical, X-ray, lung function)

The government should take adequate steps and make appropriate legislation to stop or minimize the case of asbestos exposure Mesothelioma. If you or any one of your families or friends is suffering from Mesothelioma, you have the legal right to file lawsuits for getting compensation for the medical facilities, loss of income and pain. You can consult a qualified attorney for filing a Mesothelioma lawsuit for comensation.

Kirsten Hawkins is a asbestos and mesothelioma specialist from Nashville, TN. Visit www.asbestosblog.org/ for information on asbestos reform, mesothelioma lawsuit news, and more.

asbestos inspection services

2007-08-11T08:52:00.000-07:00

Asbestos Disposal: Make It A Safe Procedure
By Kirsten Hawkins
Asbestos disposal refers to the process of getting rid of asbestos or other asbestos containing items in a safe way. Asbestos is natural fibrous mineral. Many corporations used it for building and insulation materials. Asbestos was also used widely in fireproofing, pipe covering, cement, refractory materials, gaskets, floor tiles and joint compounds between 1890 and 1970. Exposure to asbestos particles is the reason behind many diseases including life-threatening cancer called mesothelioma. Looking at the harmful effects of asbestos exposure, no one can underestimate the importance of safe removal and disposal of asbestos.

It is better to dispose off some asbestos containing appliances such as oven rather than trying to separate the asbestos from it for disposal because separation of asbestos may prove to be very expensive and it can be hazardous. In some cases instead of complete removal of asbestos, we can seal the exposed insulation. Sealing minimizes the further risk of formation of airborne particles. Experts believe that Inhalation of asbestos fibers is much more likely when the asbestos is fragmented and airborne. Therefore, only a specialist should handle the process of asbestos disposal.

If you are planning the asbestos disposal process, then you should read the detailed instructions called Asbestos Removal Procedures for Home Owners of Utah State Department of Environmental Quality. Following are some recommendations to make asbestos disposal safe.

1. You must wet the friable asbestos containing material and place it in properly labeled leak-tight containers before shipping.

2. Only certified asbestos personnel must handle the regulated asbestos containing material.

3. You should not carry on the process of asbestos disposal during the periods of high wind.

4. Entry of unauthorized personnel must be strictly prohibited during the asbestos disposal process.

5. Friable asbestos and Category II non- friable asbestos-containing material should be covered by the end of each operating day with at least six inches of non- asbestos containing material such as soil. Category 1 non- friable asbestos containing material may be spread prior to being covered, but shall be covered by the end of each operating day with at least six inches of compacted non-asbestos containing material such as soil

6. You must maintain the records and file them to notify future landowners or interested parties, the locations and quantities of the asbestos waste buried at the site. A notice on the deed to the property must state that the site is subject to regulation and should include precautions against any attempt to disturb that area.

Kirsten Hawkins is a asbestos and mesothelioma specialist from Nashville, TN. Visit www.asbestosblog.org/ for information on asbestos reform, mesothelioma lawsuit news, and more.

asbestos disease

2007-08-11T08:50:00.002-07:00

Asbestos Health Concerns
By Stephen Kreutzer
Asbestos was once used widely in commercial and residential building projects. It is a strong substance that is even stronger than steel. It also is unaffected by heat, chemicals and does not conduct electricity. This all combined made asbestos a great building material. However, throughout the years many health problems have been associated with asbestos. Health problems first showed up in people that worked closely with asbestos, but it was soon realized that even those who did not work closely with it, but were exposed to it may also suffer health problems.

There are a few different types of asbestos. Chrysotile, called white asbestos is the most common form of asbestos used in the United States. Amosite or brown asbestos is made from light gray or brown fibers. Crocidolite or blue asbestos is made of blue fibers. Chrysotile, Amosite and Crocidolite are forms of asbestos that were most commonly used to make products. Such products include building materials, sewage piping, roofing, siding, electrical wire casing, tiles, paints and other construction materials. Asbestos was also used in automobiles for clutch and brake parts. In industrial settings asbestos was used for filters in beverage machines, flooring and cigarette filters. Asbestos was used on a great level for a variety of products thus making the discovery of its health risks important for everyone.

Asbestos is dangerous when breathed in. It is very hard to determine if asbestos is present in the air as it does not cause immediate problems like coughing or itchiness. Symptoms may not appear for 10 to 40 years after being exposed. Diseases caused by asbestos are hard to treat and most often impossible to cure. Asbestosis is one common asbestos related disease. It causes an inflammation in the lungs. Mesothelioma is a rare asbestos disease that is a cancer of the outside lining of the lungs and abdomen. Asbestos has also been associated with other forms of lung cancer. Asbestos related diseases are very painful.

Asbestos is no longer used due to the health concerns surrounding it. Asbestos is most dangerous when a product made from it is bothered and the dust is released into the air. The only way to safely handle and detect asbestos is through a professional trained to work with asbestos.

Stephen Kreutzer is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides asbestos information on Asbestos Facts!

asbestos guide

2007-08-11T08:50:00.001-07:00

The History Of Asbestos-related Mesothelioma
By Ron
Asbestos is a fiber that was once used in construction as insulation and fireproofing. Asbestos fibers are small and toxic, easily entering the body through the lungs and causing a number of health problems. Exposure to asbestos can cause a variety of diseases, including lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the meosthelium or protective lining that covers the body's internal organs, most notably the lining of the lungs and chest, known as the pleura. While mesothelioma can be caused by other factors, the majority of cases are linked to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos-related mesothelioma first gained attention in 1929 when the first lawsuit against asbestos manufacturers was filed. Both sides settled and agreed to avoid pursuing similar cases in the future, and asbestos harmful effects yet again dropped off the radar.

In 1960, however, asbestos and mesothelioma were in the news again. In a paper published by Wagner et al, asbestos was declared as the official cause of mesothelioma. The paper cited more than 30 cases of mesothelioma in people who were either working in asbestos mines or spent a good deal of time in proximity to asbestos. Two years later, an Australian asbestos worker was diagnosed with the first case of malignant mesothelioma. He worked in the asbestos mines in Wittenoom, Australia for just two years before developing the disease.

Wittenoom would eventually become a mesothelioma nightmare. A mining town that revolved around the asbestos mills, the mines asbestos waste had an affect on many who lived there, whether or not they worked in the mines. Toxic levels of the mines asbestos were found on playgrounds, and cases of mesothelioma began to crop up in mine workers and non-mine workers alike. Mining in Wittenoom lasted from 1943 to 1966 despite the existence of proof that asbestos caused mesothelioma and other serious medical conditions.

The mines were owned and operated by CSR Limited, a company that produced aluminum and construction materials including asbestos insulation. The company didn't take proper safety precautions to control the exposure of individuals to asbestos from the mines.

In fact, during the period that CSR Limited Wittenoom mines were in operation, thousands of mine workers, their families, and visitors were exposed to lethal amounts of asbestos. There were regulations in place at the time as to how to control asbestos exposure for mine operators; CSR Limited simply didn't follow them.

The Western Australia Health Department issued several warnings to CSR, but they failed to make any changes to protect the miners and townspeople, even after many cases of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases began to spring up.

In the late 1970's the Western Australian government began shutting down the town of Wittenoom because it was no longer safe to live there. Asbestos levels were far too toxic, and, eventually, at least a third of those exposed to asbestos in Wittenoom would be diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

In 1979, suits were brought against CSR Limited, and they were found to have shown conscious negligence and disregard for the safety of the mine workers and the town. Even now, new cases of mesothelioma related to the Wittenoom tragedy are being diagnosed, costing CSR Limited millions of dollars in settlements.

Asbestos is still widely used in many products today, despite its toxicity. Attempts to legislate a ban on asbestos, so far, has been overturned by the courts. The EPA has resources available to provide you with information about asbestos, asbestos-related products, and how to control your asbestos exposure.

Article Source: http://www.article-outlet.com/

asbestosis x ray

2007-08-11T08:23:00.000-07:00

Asbestosis And The Legal Implications
By Lucy Bartlett
A chronic medical condition, which affects the tissue of the lungs, is known as asbestosis. Mine workers and several other professionals suffers from this disease, which occurs due to heavy exposure to asbestos over a long period. Shortness of breath is the most common complaint from those affected by asbestosis and ultimately they end with various types of cancer of the lung.

During the early part of this century, the link between cancer, exposure to asbestos and asbestosis was established and the governments enforced strict safety measures. In 1929, asbestos manufacturers faced the first lawsuit. Afterwards there was a deluge of lawsuits against employers and manufacturing for neglecting the safety regulations.

According to various allegations, training and information regarding detection, removal, diseases, dangers and other issues connected with asbestos are not provided to managers and employers. To implement the wide range of regulations properly, managers and employers are pleading for relevant information and training.

From the sheer magnitude of lawsuits and complaints by people suffering from asbestosis, the liability reached billions of dollars. Many court cases fought over the issue of method and amount of compensation and their allocation. In June 1982, James Cavett, a retired boilermaker was awarded a record compensation of 2.3 million US dollars as compensation and 1.5 million US dollars as punitive damages.

In the history of the United States, one of the most expensive and longest mass torts is asbestos litigation. Currently there are 600000 claimants and 6000 defendants

connected with asbestos litigation. According to the current trends, there will be a sizeable increase in the number of people being diagnosed with asbestosis during the next decade.

There was a heavy toll on industry and insurance due to the litigation connected with asbestosis and asbestos. Unfortunately, to obtain a just compensation against the employers and manufacturers of asbestos, litigation is the only recourse.

By employing a lawyer experienced in mesothelioma and asbestosis, substantial compensation can be obtained by individuals exposed to asbestos and subsequently suffering from asbestos related diseases.

In the United States, mesothelioma is known to be caused only by exposure to asbestos and by proving the exposure, which subsequently led to the disease, legal compensation can be easily won. At the same time, it should be noted that the asbestos industry fights these cases by engaging some of the best legal brain available. They not only try to deny compensation but also drag and delay the process of justice to the asbestosis victims.

Article Source: http://www.article-matrix.com

asbestosis guide

2007-08-11T08:21:00.000-07:00

Asbestosis' True
Asbestosis is an asbetos-related disease and may be considered as an occupational disease too since the most cases occur among people who worked with asbestos or their families, but there are cases of people who developed it, without have been in contact with this mineral at any period of their lives.

Asbestosis may be defined as a chronic inflammatory medical condition that affects the parenchymal tissue of the lungs. Experts consider asbestosis as an irreversible lung scarring that can be fatal. It occurs after a long-term and a heavy exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos are six fibrous minerals that have been used in commercial products, such as roofing products, gaskets, and friction products, due to various properties that make asbestos have high tensile strength, chemical and thermal stability, high flexibility and low electrical conductivity.

These six types of asbestos are chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite asbestos, tremolite asbestos, and actinolite asbestos. Nearly all of the asbestos produced worldwide is chrysotile.

When the person has inhaled or swallowed asbestos fibers, his body will try to remove them by the cough but the lungs will scar and get thick, what makes hard for lungs the breathing movements of expansion and contraction.

Therefore, people with Asbestosis suffer severe dyspnea or shortness of breath and have an increased risk for developing different types of lung cancer and mesothelioma. There is no cure for this pathology and either a good way to treat it. The only thing that physician can do is to reduce some of the worst symptoms of the disease.

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