Asbestos and Your Health – What You Need to Know

Asbestos and Your Health – What You Need to Know

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral once widely used in construction, insulation, and many household products. While its heat-resistant properties made it a popular material, asbestos exposure is now recognized as a serious health hazard.

What Is Asbestos?

Asbestos refers to a group of minerals made of microscopic fibers. When disturbed, these fibers can become airborne and easily inhaled, posing significant health risks.

Health Risks of Asbestos

Exposure to asbestos fibers can lead to several dangerous health conditions, including:

• Asbestosis: A chronic lung disease that causes scarring of lung tissue and difficulty breathing.

• Mesothelioma: A rare and aggressive cancer affecting the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart.

• Lung Cancer: The risk of lung cancer increases significantly for those exposed to asbestos, especially smokers.

• Other Cancers: Asbestos exposure has also been linked to cancers of the larynx, ovary, and gastrointestinal tract.
  
  

Who Is at Risk?

People working in construction, shipyards, or industries using asbestos-containing materials are at the highest risk. However, anyone living or working in a building with aging asbestos materials can be exposed, especially during renovations or demolitions.

Prevention and Safety

• Do Not Disturb: Never try to remove asbestos-containing materials yourself. Always hire licensed professionals.

• Regular Inspections: If your home or workplace was built before the 1980s, consider having it inspected for asbestos.

• Protective Gear: Workers dealing with asbestos must use proper protective equipment and follow safety regulations.

Conclusion

Asbestos is a hidden danger that can have life-threatening consequences. Awareness, prevention, and professional handling are essential to protect yourself and your loved ones.

5 Hidden Sources of Asbestos in Everyday Life

Introduction

Asbestos is a word that often brings to mind old buildings or construction sites, but did you know it can still be found in unexpected places today? While many countries have banned or restricted the use of asbestos, millions of people worldwide are still exposed to this hazardous material without realizing it. Here are five hidden sources of asbestos you might encounter in daily life.

1. Vintage Household Items

Many household products manufactured before the 1980s contained asbestos for its heat-resistant properties. Old ironing boards, hairdryers, and even oven mitts may contain asbestos fibers. If you enjoy collecting or using vintage items, be cautious and research before using them.

2. Automobile Parts

Brakes, clutches, and gaskets in older vehicles are common sources of asbestos exposure. Even today, some imported parts may still contain asbestos. Mechanics and car enthusiasts should always wear protective gear and work in well-ventilated areas when handling old car parts.

3. Textured Paints and Popcorn Ceilings

Textured paints, ceiling tiles, and popcorn ceilings installed before the 1990s often included asbestos for fireproofing and durability. Renovating or removing these materials without proper safety measures can release harmful fibers into the air.

4. Construction Materials

Insulation, floor tiles, roofing materials, and cement pipes made before asbestos bans are still present in many homes and public buildings. If your property was built before 1990, consider professional asbestos testing before starting any renovations.

5. Talcum Powder and Cosmetic Products

Surprisingly, asbestos can be found in some talc-based products, including baby powder and cosmetics. This happens when talc is mined near asbestos deposits. Always check product safety certifications and opt for brands that test for asbestos contamination.

Conclusion

Awareness is the first step in protecting yourself and your loved ones from the dangers of asbestos. If you suspect your home or products may contain asbestos, consult a certified professional for testing and removal.
Stay informed and stay safe!

Asbestos in Taconite Mining

Taconite is a very hard rock that is found in several different regions across the United States, especially Minnesota. It is a sedimentary rock that is layered with quartz, carbonate, and other materials, including iron. In fact, taconite consists of over 15% iron, which now makes it appealing to mining companies and steel manufacturers. However, scientists are investigating taconite due to the presence of fibrous materials like asbestos.

Once, the hard taconite rock was considered waste in the pursuit of iron ore. However, with the high-grade iron ore sources becoming depleted, it is now financially viable to extract iron from taconite. There are several different steps that plants use to turn taconite into iron:

Blast the taconite into small piecesTransport it to the processing plantCrush and grind the taconite until it is powderyUse magnets to pick up iron from the taconite powderGet rid of extra rock fragments that did not contain ironRoll the iron and taconite powder into pelletsShip the pellets to steel mills for steel production

Now, studies have shown that taconite exposure can cause or worsen conditions like mesothelioma and asbestosis, two diseases associated with asbestos exposure. However, researchers are not yet sure whether the taconite itself contains asbestos or if there are other steps of the mining process that expose people to dangerous asbestos fibers.

Taconite mining and processing once used asbestos fibers, and there are also asbestos-like fibers present in the taconite itself. The blasting, crushing, and grinding parts of iron ore production can release these fibers into the atmosphere, where they can be inhaled or ingested. In fact, mesothelioma cases in the Iron Range of Minnesota occur at twice the normal rate.

Asbestos is a human carcinogen that causes mesothelioma, lung cancer, and gastrointestinal cancers. If you think that you have been exposed to asbestos through taconite mining or other processes, you should seek more information regarding your health risks and other dangers. For more information, please visit the Mesothelioma Resource Center today.

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The Sumner Simpson Papers - Secret Information That the Asbestos Industry Didn't Want You to Know

There is incontrovertible evidence that exposure to asbestos cause asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other life threatening diseases. There is also irrefutable evidence that since the early part of the 20th century the asbestos industry has been fully aware that there is a definite link between asbestos and cancer.

In addition, there is incontestable evidence that the asbestos industry chose to protect their profits rather than make this information known to the general public. Some of this evidence can be found in what has come to be known as "The Sumner Simpson Papers."

Saranac Laboratory is Hired to Research the Effects of Asbestos Dust

The Saranac Laboratory, located in the Adirondack Mountain region of upstate New York, had been doing research on dusts since the early 1920s. In 1936 a number of asbestos companies jointly funded Saranac to do research for them. They subsequently renewed their annual contract with Saranac Laboratory for the next ten years.

Part of what Saranac found was that there was a link between being exposed to asbestos and cancer.

In January 1947 the companies that funded the Saranac research met.

It has been discerned that the companies decided that "there would be no publication of the research of experiments without consent," and that anything that would be published "would not include any objectionable material." They specifically referred to, "any relation between asbestos and cancer."

The conglomerate that funded Saranac agreed that "the reference to cancer and tumors should be deleted" from the report. Consequently, when Saranac's report about their dust experiments was published, evidence that linked asbestos exposure to cancer was suppressed.

The Sumner Simpson Papers

From the 1930s through the 1940s Sumner Simpson was president of Raybestos-Manhattan, Inc.

In 1935, in correspondence to an attorney for Johns-Manville Corporation, Vandiver Brown, Simpson, when commenting on the asbestos industry, wrote "the less said about asbestos, the better off we are."

Simpson also pressured trade industry publications to follow the dictates of the asbestos industry's decisions. The publisher of Asbestos Magazine wrote Simpson a letter in 1939 which, when referring to asbestosis, said, "Always you have requested that for certain obvious reasons we publish nothing, and naturally, your wishes have been respected."

In 1941 Vandiver Brown, who had become a corporate officer of Johns-Manville Corporation, wrote, "I felt there was considerable likelihood that a number of subscribers would dislike an article on this subject in the trade magazine of the asbestos industry. I had in mind the ostrich-like attitude which has been evidenced from time to time by members of the industry."

The corporate cover up continued for decades.

How Did the Asbestos Industry Feel About Its Workers?

How the industry felt about its workers was probably best summed up in a document in 1966 written by the Director of Purchases for Bendix Corporation, E.A. Martin. In it he said:

"My answer to the problem is: if you have enjoyed a good life while working with asbestos products why not die from it. There's got to be some cause."

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Asbestos - When Did We See The Light And Put A Stop To It?

Many people find solace in the fact asbestos is now banned. There was a great cheer the year it happened, but the ban has so many holes in it that it isn't much of a ban to speak of.

The manufacturers of asbestos products didn't make a lot of money on the products. No, they made absolutely huge amounts of money. As you can imagine, they were not particularly interested in giving up their cash cow. No, they fought like mad to keep the products going out and the revenues coming in. While they were unable to stop the assault on their products, they were able to delay banning of asbestos for nearly two decades.

Asbestos was eventually banned on July 12, 1989. At least that is the accepted date. Unfortunately, it is a red herring of sorts. The problem is the manufacturers didn't stop fighting. They challenged the ban in court. In 1991, they eventually convinced an appellate court to partially overturn the ban and things have remained the same to this day.

So, what is banned and what is not? Well, let's start with the easy part of the issue. Any "new uses" of asbestos are banned. This means that the material cannot be used in products or manners that it historically has not been used. For instance, it could not be used in an iPad.

What about past uses? Ah, that is a disturbing subject. Essentially, asbestos manufacturers can continue to use it in all products in the market prior to 1989 with certain exceptions. They are flooring felt, rollboard, and corrugated, commercial, or specialty paper. That is it. Asbestos can still be used in other construction material, clothing and whatever. In short, we are talking about a very weak ban indeed.

So, is asbestos included in a lot of products today? Some, but not very many. The problem is not the ban. Instead, it is simply very difficult to sell products that have asbestos in them. Would you buy one? I wouldn't! Where the asbestos ban of 1989 has proved fairly impotent, the reaction of consumers has made more of an impact. At least in the United States.

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Do You Have Asbestos Cancer Or Mesothelioma? What It Means For You And Possible Treatments

If you have been diagnosed with asbestos cancer, or by its clinical term, mesothelioma, it means you have a form of cancer that damages the mesothelium which is a membrane that encases our lungs, chest, abdomen and heart. The heart is protected by mesothelial tissue that surrounds it and is dubbed the pericardium. The lungs and chest cavity is covered by the pleural mesothlium membrane, and the peritoneum is what covers the abdominal cavity using mesothelial tissue. Asbestos damages every one of these membranous cells, however the most typical is pleural mesothelioma, usually in the advanced stages of this disease the cancer spreads and attacks other areas of the body.

The main reason behind people contracting asbestos cancer or mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, but it can be brought on by other things, such as exposure to zeolite, which is a chemical also found in asbestos. The worrying thing is how prevalent asbestos is in many materials that around us every day, including cement, roof shingles, flooring, textiles, brake linings and insulation. The asbestos inserts itself via our respiratory system and settles within, making carcinogenic tumors. Individuals in the construction industry need to be especially careful about fighting asbestos, asbestos mine workers, workers at shipyards and mills are the most susceptible to asbestos cancer, thanks to continual exposure to it. It might take as long as 50 years for symptoms to display themselves, but unfortunately once mesothelioma is located the common person will have 1 - 2 years left to live, this is why early detection is important for any hope of treatment.

There are rules established by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) as to the legal amounts of asbestos that can be allowed in the workplace. Anybody who deals with the substance is forced to adhere to strict guidelines and wear protective equipment. Asbestos carried home on clothing has also been shown to affect family members of workers, therefore showers and a change out of protective clothing is demanded before workers can leave the workplace.

Successful treatments of mesothelioma differ greatly depending on many factors, the patient, when it is diagnosed, where it is located and the health of the patient. Quite a few patients will undergo surgery, and then chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Surgery will excise tumors but the normal health of the patient decides how effective this will be. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are both efficient strategies to fight the symptoms, however he side effects from these treatments can cause issues themselves. Anybody who thinks they might have been exposed to asbestos for a long period of time should go in for regular check ups and look out for symptoms that could demonstrate the surfacing of mesothelioma, because remember if you catch the disease early your chances of survival increase dramatically.

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Mesothelioma - The Legacy of Asbestos Use In The Industrial Revolution

Which came first? The chicken or the egg? Well, the same might be said about Mesothelioma and asbestos. In this case, however, the answer is very clear.

The relationship between Mesothelioma and asbestos was only established in the last 100 years or so. This is rather odd because asbestos has been used by human beings for thousands of years. Kings have used it as table clothes. They've dressed slaves in it in ancient times and so on.

In truth, asbestos is a wonder material. It is a naturally occurring substance that is extremely heat and fire retardant. As you can imagine, this makes it perfect for a myriad of uses. So, why was there never a correlation between asbestos and Mesothelioma in the past? The answer is simple. Mesothelioma has a long latency period and can take 40 years or more before it manifests and is diagnosed. In the ancient past, most people didn't live long enough for the cancer to appear. That is no longer the case.

Modern human beings have a much longer lifespan than our ancestors. On average, men and women live into their 70s. This means there is plenty of time for asbestos exposure to result in a Mesothelioma diagnosis. Given this, we have learned slowly and painfully that the wonder material of asbestos may be incredibly heat and fire resistant, but the fibers that make up its core can do massive damage to the human body, often fatally so.

Asbestos comes in different colors, but often has the texture of dirt in its natural form. This is misleading. It is actually a collection of fibers. When these fibers get into the air, they tend to stay aloof for a very long time. Those working around the area inhale the fibers and the health problems start. One can be diagnosed with asbestosis which is a scarring of the lungs. As if that isn't bad enough, once can also eventually develop one of the many kinds of Mesothelioma that are terminal in the vast majority of cases. It is not a good situation.

The relationship between Mesothelioma and asbestos is one that has haunted hundreds of thousands of people who have died as well as their family. Join us in calling for a permanent and total ban of asbestos use throughout the world today.

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HSG 264 Asbestos Surveys, Taking Us To New Places?

The new survey guidance has been around for six or seven months now and I would like to ask where is it taking us?

We are all aware of the changes:
New Survey types, Management, Demolition/Refurbishment replacing the Types 1,2 and 3. The clarification of the survey types will assist the clients in ensuring the appropriate survey is carried out.

Quality and Competence:
Client has a responsibility to ensure the competence of the surveyor, recommended minimum of training and experience of surveyors.

Report production and presentation:
To ensure reports are produced and presented so that duty holders can utilise the information effectively.

Pre Survey Planning:
Planning prior to survey to enable appropriate survey and production of relevant information.

Survey reports should form part of an asbestos management plan and are not the management plan in itself.

In the main the changes are good for both client and surveyor. There is a requirement to produce useful factual reports by competent and experienced surveyors. The client has a duty to employ and instruct suitably qualified individuals or companies. Will this lead to the duty holders considering that the cheapest surveying quote is not always the best? Will the client focus on who exactly is to carry out the survey rather than how much it will cost? If there was an increased level of awareness among clients of their duties and responsibilities I would say that this is possible. The sad fact is that despite the best efforts of the HSE and other like minded bodies there is still a huge gulf in asbestos awareness. It seems that only those companies that regularly engage in asbestos management; (property surveyors and management companies for example) are aware of the duties and responsibilities. Considering the high profile nature of asbestos, there is still a lot of news coverage, and a massive amount of information on the internet, it is surprising to find that duty holders or interested parties are unaware they have a responsibility to manage their asbestos risk.
In future the hope is that this changes and the duty holder is more asbestos aware.

I would like to spotlight an issue that may have arisen as a result of the way demolition/refurbishment surveys are carried out. This issue, I feel, has an impact across a huge sector of the construction market. Namely the market in home improvements. This sector ranges from new kitchens, double glazing, conservatories, central heating and electrical installation. I am as yet unaware of any large home improvement company that carries out asbestos surveys prior to the commencement of works in a domestic property. Is this because CAR 2006 specifically excludes domestic properties? Recent figures suggest that up to 2.4 million homes contain asbestos products in the UK. There are a large number of tradesmen involved in the installation of home improvements who may be exposed to asbestos during the course of their everyday work. Thanks to the clarification of survey types in HSG264, it is clear that a part survey of a limited area can easily be carried out. The ideal application of such localised area surveys would be a pre refurbishment survey in a domestic setting. This would address the problem of potential exposure during localised works such as kitchen and bathroom refits. For many years PA Group has been carrying out full and part property surveys in domestic properties for social landlords to locate asbestos prior to such refurbishment programmes. It is clear that this approach urgently needs to be rolled out to privately owned domestic properties.

This brings us back to CAR2006, Reg 4 states the domestic properties are excluded. This could explain why home improvements companies do not feel there is a duty to carry out an asbestos survey. I feel that when read with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, an employer has a duty to ensure that its employee's place of work is a safe environment. This being so, it surely follows that the risks associated with a domestic should be identified as much as they would for a commercial property? If I live in a 1930's semi and I want a new kitchen with a new boiler, possibly and new circuit breaker why wouldn't I or the kitchen fitter, have an asbestos survey carried out? There may be a number of asbestos containing materials present including, textured coating on the ceiling, asbestos board in the boiler cupboard, asbestos paper behind the partition? Now that HSG264 points out that any part of a building that is to be refurbished has to have a fully intrusive survey done, why shouldn't I have one in my home, to mitigate risk to myself and the contactor? Am I the duty holder or is the company I have employed to do the work, who have a duty to their employees under H&S 1974 but are excluded from CAR2006? My guess is that, as usual, the contractor may have to take the responsibility.

In my view this industry is exposing itself to future litigation. My home can be become a place of work, albeit temporarily and therefore H&S 1974 applies. I think that the publication of HSG264 has taken us down a new road. This may not have been considered before because it was excluded, (maybe wrongly?) as domestic properties were not a place of work.

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Who Is Responsible for Asbestos Related Illnesses?

Although asbestos, which is a naturally occurring silicate mineral, is well known for its ability to resist heat, absorb sound, and resist chemical and electrical damage, the inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause many serious illnesses that include mesothelioma, malignant lung cancer, and asbestosis.

These dangers have been known by manufacturers and insurance companies for more than 100 years. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics published a report in 1910 that focused on the unusually early demise of workers in the asbestos industry.

In 1934 Aetna Insurance, in their "Attorney's Textbook of Medicine", noted that asbestosis was incurable. When writing about the course of the disease they noted that death typically followed a period of disability.

Over the ensuing decades documents from widely known companies in the asbestos industry began to surface. These documents indicated that industry was well aware that the inhalation of asbestos fibers often caused asbestosis and lung cancer. They were well aware that it was often followed by death caused by these diseases.

The US government began to get involved in the 1970s. They established guidelines and directed the public's attention to the harmful side effects related to asbestos exposure. The government started to mandate that companies in the asbestos industry provide gear that would protect their employees.

But even though there was negative press few people were paying attention. An asbestos industry expert made a prediction in 1973 that 25,000 asbestos industry workers would die of diseases related to asbestos. The expert commented that "Very few people had been paying attention."

Consequently, in 1977, the insurance industry decided to "stonewall" any charges being made against them or the companies they insured.

They denied their responsibility for paying for asbestos related illnesses.

In 1977 these companies had a meeting to discuss asbestosis. Their unanimous decision was to not admit any liability whatsoever. Events and agreements such as these were part and parcel of the insurance industry for the next twenty years.

And even today, with all the information available that incontrovertibly proves that exposure to asbestos can cause life threatening diseases, asbestos still isn't banned in the United States.

It is still used in products such as automobile brake pads and shoes, gaskets, roofing tars, countertops, joint and drywall compounds, plaster, vinyl floor tiles, adhesives, and much, much more.

Companies that produce these products can be held responsible for causing asbestos related illnesses. If you or a member of your family has been exposed to asbestos or was diagnosed with asbestosis or mesothelioma because a company disregarded employee safety then you might want them to pay for the consequences of their actions.

Mesothelioma lawsuits can result in substantial settlements that could help to cover the loss of income and the high costs of medical care of people who suffer from an asbestos related disease.

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Protecting Your Family From Asbestos Contaminated Insulation

Perhaps you have been hearing on the news about vermiculite insulation but are not sure what it is or how to protect your family from it. Vermiculite is a mineral that is naturally-occurring and has an abundance of shiny flakes. When this material heats, it expands to as much as 30 times the original size and is fire-resistant and extremely lightweight.

It was discovered in a mine close to Libby, Montana and was sold in the United States. It was initially thought to be a very good way to insulate homes and businesses. Unfortunately, the mine that produced much of this insulation contained asbestos, so the insulation that came from the mine was contained.

My Home Has the Vermiculite Insulation - is My Family at Risk?

Of course, it has been thoroughly documented that asbestos exposure can lead to a number of very serious health concerns, including mesothelioma. Just because insulation is present in your home, however, does not mean that you are at risk, even if it tests positive for asbestos. Asbestos, if not disturbed, by such actions as tearing down a wall containing asbestos can potentially be non-threatening.

Asbestos becomes toxic when it is disturbed. For example, if you find out that your home has vermiculite insulation and is contaminated with asbestos and pull out the insulation without a professionals help. This poses more of a risk than if you had just left the insulation undisturbed.

If you find that your home does have asbestos containing insulation, leave it alone. Consult a professional.

If I Go into My Attic am I at Risk?

If you must move some things about in your attic or place items in a space having asbestos-containing vermiculite insulation, the best thing to do is call an asbestos specialist to run tests. If asbestos is present he or she can help you.

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Asbestos Exposure Can Lead To Pleural Disease

If you have ever been exposed to asbestos or think that you might have been exposed, it is important to make sure that you are taking certain steps to make sure that your health is in good shape and if not, that you are doing whatever you can to be more healthy. There are a wide variety of medical problems that can result from exposure to asbestos. You want to make sure that you are as educated as possible so that you know what to expect and so that you understand what the doctor is talking about should you find out that asbestos exposure has caused you some physical harm.

You may not notice any problems from asbestos exposure right away. This is something that may occur about many years down the road. This is probably why it is so difficult for some people to remember that the cause of their medical condition could be a result of exposure to asbestos from twenty years ago. Some people were never aware that they were exposed to asbestos. It is not until they develop asbestos-related disease and learn about the causes that they learn that they might have been exposed to asbestos.

Pleural disease is a common disease that directly results from exposure to asbestos. While pleural disease does not directly attack or infect the lungs, your ability to breath normally is affected. This is because there is a lubrication secretion change that ends up putting additional pressure on the chest cavity. This could lead to difficulty breathing, lung inflammation and other various lung issues.

There are actually four different types of pleura disease. There is pleural effusion, which is the most commonly found. This is typically characterized by a large amount of fluid build up. Then there is pneumothorax, which is a disease that allows for air to escape the lungs and enter in to the pleural space. This can result in collapsed lungs.

Pleurisy is another inflammation of the pleura. It can be caused by many things such as asbestos, pneumonia, viral infections and the presence of tumors. Symptoms of this condition include sharp pains in the chest area that might feel worse when you breathe deeply.

There is also Pleura mesothelioma, which is an asbestos-caused cancer. In all of the malignant mesothelioma cases, all but one third are caused by direct exposure to asbestos. This is the most serious of all of the different pleural diseases and is life-threatening.

It is important to make sure that you and your loved ones always remain free and clear of asbestos. If you are unsure whether a building has asbestos, you should avoid it. By taking extra precautions, you could be saving yourself from pain and suffering in the future.

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How to Recognize an Asbestos Injury - Epithelial Mesothelioma Advice

If you have worked in the past for any period of time with asbestos due to your work or occupation, then you need to know that if you haven't been protected enough you may suffer from a condition called mesothelioma. One of the rarest forms of this condition is called epithelial mesothelioma, however it is not a disease that can be passed from human to human, rather it is a disease that is contracted due to asbestos exposure.

The people working in the Kent cigarettes factory in the 50s, when the company used asbestos to manufacture the filters, have been exposed to the handling of asbestos. Incredibly, it is from there that some mesothelioma cases have been generated.

The epithelial mesothelioma condition develops more often in men than women and 3 cases out of 4 are people aged more than 65. The majority of these cases are manifested by people who used to work with asbestos material or have been exposed for a long time to its presence.

The workers who used to handle asbestos in insulation have been found to develop this condition and although it is not contagious, the family members of the workers are known to present other forms of cancer such as lung cancer, kidney or larynx.

This situation is possibly due to the fact that many fibers of this mineral are caught in the clothes and the hair of the person who works with asbestos and as such the family members can get infected by breathing these fibers.

The form of epithelial mesothelioma that was known to be very rare 20 years ago, now has increased its rate of incidence from 7 to 40 in 1 million in Western countries especially those well-developed from the industrial point of view. This increased rate will depend on how much asbestos was used in the past with people being exposed to due to their field of work.

Since this conditions development can be considered the employers' fault, many workers have resorted to law courts filing mesothelioma lawsuits against these corporations. Needless to say that the condition was in fact developing a long time after the asbestos exposure took place, because the inhaling process lead the lethal particles to various organs where they settled there for a while without manifesting sometimes for decades.

Once the disease is discovered radiotherapy is employed but mostly to bring relief to the patient's pains caused by the mesothelioma cancer condition. As has already been stated in other articles, those suffering from this condition are urged to find an asbestos cancer attorney as soon as possible in order to file the lawsuit and make the responsible ones pay for their faults which generated lethal condition of an epithelial mesothelioma.

I have set up a website specifically for those people who do not know where to start when they find out that they, or someone close to them has contracted mesothelioma. The site has all the information you need to file your case; lawyers, experts, articles by experts, but most importantly, a number of videos by an expert in the field, who will guide you through the process. You will never feel alone using this website resource. I hope that it gives some comfort to those affected. You can go directly to the site here: http://www.mesotheliomaalternatives.com/.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Arnfield

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Various Jobs With Asbestos Exposure Risks

With all the talk of asbestos and the serious health risks that it presents, it may surprise you to know that there are various jobs that have a risk of exposure to asbestos. Even though new homes today are nearly always built without the use of asbestos-containing products, there are workers that are still at risk.

Insulation

Many people are involved with the insulations of homes and businesses have an increased risk of having exposed to asbestos because many were built when asbestos was commonly used for insulation. These include:

Block insulation pipe coverings
Cement-containing asbestos
Attic and wall insulation

When these old insulation materials are moved or disturbed, the chance of exposure to the deadly toxins associated with asbestos increase.

Power Plants or Refineries

Many old power plants and refineries were built exclusively with asbestos, which means much of the asbestos still exists today. If these areas are disturbed in any way within these power plants, the risks of being exposed to asbestos rise.

Construction Industry

Those involved with construction are higher at risk because asbestos was used for both commercial and home-building materials. Some of these include:

Plaster, several patching products
Fire-proofing
Joint compounds also contained asbestos

Plumbers and pipe fitters

Many pipes and insulation products in some of the buildings were made with asbestos products. Asbestos was a very common ingredient was used because, at the time, it was thought that it was a valuable product. Few knew of the serious health risks at the time.

Miners

Those miners who mine for talc and vermiculite are at a very high risk of exposure to asbestos because of the poor ventilation within the mines. Dust that continually is within the mine combined with the lack of proper breathing apparatus raises the risk. It comes as no surprise that miners of talc and vermiculite have a higher incidence of mesothelioma than other types of miners.

Automobile Mechanics

Many mechanics were exposed to asbestos due to brake pads, shoes, clutch lining and discs that were all commonly made with asbestos. Mechanics often did not wear any kind of protective gear but were constantly disturbing the asbestos, which put them in great danger of continually being exposed to the toxic fibers.

Many of the workers who became ill later became ill as a direct result of their daily exposure to asbestos. While many workers received compensation, this did not give them back the quality of life that they had before being exposed. The problem at the time was that no one truly knew the dangers of asbestos. In fact, it was a highly recognized and recommended product to use in both homes and businesses.

Final Thoughts

If you were exposed to asbestos and are now struggling with an illness directly related to asbestos exposure, you may want to contact an attorney to find out your rights.

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Covering Asbestos Contaminated Floor Tiles

If you watch the news, you may have heard talk about asbestos toxins and how asbestos is linked to various forms of cancer. Many people have filed lawsuits over their exposure to asbestos toxins. If they are suffering ill health due to exposure, however, no amount of compensation can replace their quality of life.

If you have an older home or even one that was built in the 1980's, have the floors tested for the presence of asbestos before you begin pulling up tile in your kitchen or bathrooms. What most people do not realize is that asbestos may be harmful even if not disturbed.

It is, therefore, vital that you have your home tested for asbestos because removing asbestos is difficult and dangerous.

Should I Really Cover the Tiles?
If you want to upgrade your home and the tiles on your floor test positive for asbestos and they are tightly installed, but you want to upgrade your home, the best way to do this may be to cover the tiles. Why? As soon as you begin pulling up tiles that contain asbestos, you are putting yourself and family at risk of toxic exposure. To remove and replace the tiles, you should consult a professional.

As an example, if you have a 1950's home with a basement that has tile or vinyl flooring that tests positive for asbestos, but is in good shape, you may be able to cover the tile with carpeting. If the tile has not been disturbed since it was installed, there may not be a reason to disturb it.

It is Possible to Pull up the Tile Though, Right?
You can have a professional that is licensed to work with asbestos remove the tile, but it may be expensive because of the precautions that must be taken. Many professionals who can do the job will advise you to cover the floor rather than pull it up. The risk of removing a floor, asbestos is that you can expose your home to a toxin that can harm you and your family. If the tile is peeled up and in bad condition, there may be no choice but to remove the tile, but a professional that is licensed can advise you on your options.

Final Thoughts
Some people have a tendency to assume that if their tile tests positive for asbestos, then it must be removed at once. More research, however, is finding that leaving it alone and not disturbing it is sometimes safer than the possible health risks of exposing your family to the toxins.

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Pleural Disease - A Result of Asbestos Exposure

If you have been exposed to asbestos, then you are at risk for ending up with any number of medical conditions, one of them being pleural disease. This particular disease affects the lungs and the breathing capability of a person. Even though the lungs themselves are not affected, this disease does cause harm to normal lung function. There is a change in the secretion of lubrication, which can end up leading to a change in pressure within the chest cavity. This means that you could end up with lung inflammation, difficulty breathing and other major lung problems.

Generally, with pleural disease, you will find that there is a lot of tissue scarring in the pleura. There are, in fact, four different types of pleural disease. They are pleurisy, pneumothorax, pleural mesothelioma and pleural effusions. Make sure that you are learning about the four different types of pleural disease in order to make sure that you are able and willing to take action in the event that you end up being diagnosed with one of the types. In addition, you will be able to understand the doctor much easier should you end up being diagnosed with one of them.

Pleurisy, involves the inflammation of the pleura. This can be caused by pneumonia, tumors, viral infections and lung blood clots. You might find yourself with sharp pains in the area of the chest that seem to get worse when you breath deeply. You might also experience a lot of coughing with this disease along with other various symptoms.

Pneumothorax is a condition that allows air to escape from the lung and go into the space of the pleura. When air enters this space, there is an interference with how well the function of the pleura works. This means that the lungs could collapse.

One pleural disease that you have probably heard of is pleural mesothelioma. This is a serious, life-threatening cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Out of all of the malignant mesothelioma cases, two-thirds are caused by exposure to asbestos.

Pleural effusion is the type of pleural disease that is most common. It is characterized by an abnormal amount of fluid that builds up in the cavity of the pleura.

It is important to make sure that you are doing your best to avoid any and all exposure to asbestos whenever possible. You want to make sure that you are getting regular check-ups, and, if you ever feel that you may be showing signs and symptoms of any pleural disease, visit your doctor. You want to make sure that any and all tests and scans are performed in order to make sure that you are healthy. Inform your doctor about whether you have been exposed to asbestos and what your concerns are. He or she should then determine what standard tests and scans need to be performed.

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Lung Cancer Can Be Caused By Asbestos Exposure

Many people have found that they are simply are not as aware of the complications related to asbestos exposure as they should be. Because of this, some have ended up with lung cancer only to find out later that they have been exposed to asbestos. Even if you do not currently have any medical problems, it might be a good idea to think back through the past ten or twenty years to determine whether there was a time when you may have been exposed to high levels of asbestos. If so, you will know to keep an extra close eye on your health. If you start to experience any of the signs and symptoms related to asbestos exposure visit your doctor immediately.

You might initially experience a dry cough that will not go away, and you could end up having breathing problems. Upon further testing, there is a chance that lung cancer might appear. While there is no absolute cure for cancer of any type, it is important to remember that there are treatments that can possibly send the cancer into remission. Many people have lived for years after being diagnosed with lung cancer. The determining factor is often when the cancer is caught, what treatments are performed and the mental strength of the person going through the treatments.

You will want to make sure that you are keeping yourself and your family away from asbestos when at all possible. Avoid old buildings that are in bad need of repair. Miners and workers who are responsible for removing old building materials have a high risk of being exposed to asbestos, so it is important to make sure that you are using the proper equipment, from breathing masks to whole body suits. This is the best way to make sure that you and your loved ones will not be exposed to asbestos. Remember that you can bring asbestos home on your clothes, putting your children at risk for developing lung cancer in the future.
For those who have been exposed to high levels of asbestos, it is important to make sure that you are doing what you need to do in order to stay as healthy as possible. This means that you will want to have a consultation with your doctor. Explain the history of your exposure to asbestos, including when it and what your concerns are. Explain that you want tests performed to check the condition of your lungs. Make sure that you have not developed lung cancer.

You have good reason to suspect something could be wrong and are entitled to the tests that can save your life. Ask for them. Do not hold back. Stand your ground, and insist on being scanned for lung cancer. If it turns out that you are fine, then you can rest peacefully. Make sure, however, that you go back for periodic checkups because you never know if the lung cancer will form later on.

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Protecting Yourself on the Job From Asbestos Contamination

If you work in an area in which you are tearing down old buildings or restoring them, you should know how you protect yourself from exposure to asbestos. When buildings between the 1950's and 1980's were built, the builders used asbestos because it was thought to be a great agent having long-lasting attributes and anti-fire benefits. By the 1970's when cases of mesothelioma began to be diagnosed in people who had worked in areas containing asbestos people began to express serious concern about the dangers of asbestos exposure.

Today, you may not work with new materials that contain asbestos, but if you are involved in working with old buildings or old plumbing, you risk being exposed to asbestos. A fact about asbestos that you should know is that if a building built in the 1950's and is full of asbestos remains undisturbed, meaning that no major remodeling(such as tearing down walls or ceilings) is performed, the home may be safe. On the other hand, once the restoration begins, asbestos fibers disperse and created a safety hazard.

Asbestos is particularly dangerous when it is moved, so if you are involved in restoring old homes and buildings, you are at risk and need to take precautionary measures. This includes the correct gloves, clothing to protect your skin, eyewear and breathing masks. The less you expose your skin or lungs to the disrupted asbestos, the less your chances are of suffering from asbestos-related side effects.

If you work in an area having asbestos and your employer is not providing you with the correct protective gear, you need to report this immediately. This is for your safety and your co-workers' safety. Many people are involved in the demolition of old buildings, but many of these are infested with asbestos.

As crews begin to clean and remove the debris from fallen buildings containing asbestos, the asbestos can be toxic to those who are removing the pieces. This is why it is vital, if you work in the field, that you are provided with the proper gear to protect you so that you are not exposed. Miners that work in talc mines also have a higher risk of exposure to asbestos and, therefore, a higher rate of being diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Final Thoughts

When working in areas where there is a risk of possible asbestos contamination, it can seem like a hassle to wear protective gear, but think about the alternatives. Many people today are living with cancer, heart disease and respiratory illnesses that have been linked to their exposure to asbestos.

If you have already been exposed and were not wearing the proper gear, you need to have yourself regularly screened for various diseases linked to asbestos. Catching these diseases early can help your quality of life and help you live a longer and healthier life.

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Testing for Asbestos Contaminated Floor Tiles

If you have an older home that includes certain types of flooring such as asphalt tiles, vinyl and even sheet vinyl, it may have been installed using asbestos. It may surprise many to learn that asbestos has been used for 100's of years in many cultures. It was used due to its strength, durability, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Unfortunately, during the industrial revolution, asbestos became very popular and, at the time, was thought to be a good material for use building new homes and businesses. Of course, by the 1980's, the link between asbestos and mesothelioma was no longer able to be challenged by the makers. It was clear that asbestos was not the safe, durable product that had been advertised.

Of course, the use of asbestos fell sharply, but many homes and businesses were left with asbestos walls, ceilings and flooring.

What if My Tile Floor Tests Positive for Asbestos?
Tile flooring that was installed between the 1950's and through the early 1980's may contain asbestos. If the tiles are in good shape, tightly intact and there is no reason to remove them. You cannot become contaminated by asbestos simply by walking on a tiled flooring in which asbestos was used. Generally, you cannot tell if the tile was installed using asbestos just by visually looking at it.

Asbestos becomes dangerous when you disturb it, by pulling up the tile and placing new tile or flooring. The dust and fumes can get into your lungs, and you may become sick several years later. Many people may have replaced their floor tiles without even realizing that they contained asbestos, which means that they took no precautions when replacing the flooring.

Many people who are exposed to asbestos when it is disturbed, by actions such as changing tiles, may be at risk for developing mesothelioma, a serious asbestos related cancer. Now that the health concerns regarding asbestos have been exposed, it is vital to avoid removing tile in your home if it was installed before 1980. Instead, you will want to have it tested by a professional to see if asbestos is present. If asbestos is present, then you have to decide with the help of the professional the best course of action. If the tile is loose and chipped, replacing it may be the best option.

You do not want to take on the removal process on your own. You will need to hire a professional to come in and change out the tile so that they do so without causing risk to you and your family.

Final Thoughts
Many people who have been unknowingly exposed to asbestos have become ill years later with several different kinds of cancers, breathing issues and heart problems.

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Asbestos Contaminated Insulation Revealed

Insulation in your home is something that many take for granted. Good insulation results in less energy costs. A problem is that many homes have were vermiculite insulation containing hazardous asbestos fibers.

How Do I Know if I Have Vermiculite Insulation?
Luckily, vermiculite insulation is often easy to recognize because its appearance resembles small pebbles that are grey, brown, silver or gold. It was a very popular form of insulation used in homes and buildings over the course of many years. If you look at your insulation (but do not disturb it or move it) and it appears to look like small pebbles, it may be contaminated with asbestos. Do not attempt to remove it yourself.

Asbestos is dangerous and toxic when it is disturbed, so the last thing that you want to do is head to your attic and begin pulling the insulation down as doing so will release the fibers that can put you and your family at risk for cancer, respiratory diseases and heart problems. If you see the vermiculite insulation in your attic, it may also be in your walls. Again, do not begin tearing down your walls or, in any way try removing the insulation without guidance from a professional.

Is My Family as Risk if We Just Leave the Insulation?
As long as you do not disturb the insulation you and your family may be safe. When the asbestos is moved around (disturbed) it begins releasing harmful and toxic chemicals that are dangerous when inhaled.
If you need to go into your attic, be sure to wear protective gloves and a mask just in case you accidentally move any of the insulation. If your attic has a lot of the vermiculite insulation, it is probably best not to store anything in the attic or to have it professionally cleaned by an asbestos removal professional.

What if I Want to Remodel My Home?
If you are planning to remodel, you will need to hire a professional because he or she may know how you can do the remodeling without having to move the insulation.

What if I Have Been Exposed?
If you have disturbed some of the vermiculite insulation in your home or have torn down a wall in your home, you may want to consider having the remaining insulation in your home tested for the presence of asbestos. You and your family will need to be regularly tested for asbestos-related illnesses if the insulation tests positive for asbestos.

Final Thoughts
While some people assume that it is better to remove asbestos insulation if it exists in their homes, new research has found that leaving it alone undisturbed is the best defense. Even if you have to remodel, there are ways to do so to prevent the disturbance of the asbestos contaminated insulation. Always consult a professional before making any decisions.

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Removing Asbestos Containing Floor Tiles and Mastic

Preparing the work area Restrict access - minimise the number of people present. Close doors. Use tape and notices to warn others. Ensure adequate lighting.

Equipment Warning tape and notices, Class H vacuum cleaner for large areas, sharp knife, hammer; scraper, shovel, garden-type sprayer containing wetting agent, bucket of water and rags, asbestos waste container, eg labelled polythene sack and clear polythene sack.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) Provide: disposable overalls fitted with a hood, boots without laces (laced boots are hard to decontaminate), and-respiratory protective equipment.

Procedure Can you avoid removal, eg by overlaying with non-asbestos material? Warn the building owner about the presence of asbestos material, so it can be managed properly.

Removal Place the scraper in the joint between the tiles. Lift the tile gently - try to avoid breakage. For firmly-fixed tiles, tap the scraper with the hammer. For a large tiled area, lift tiles using a shovel. This speeds up the job and avoids kneeling close to the tiles. Spray water under the tiles as they are lifted, to suppress dust and wet any asbestos paper that may be present. Wet any asbestos paper tile backing as the tiles are lifted. Gently scrape up adhering mastic. You can soften mastic with solvent, by warming with an infra-red lamp, or embrittle it with dry ice. Place debris in the waste container.

Caution: Never sand the floor. Cleaning and disposal Where you have removed only a few tiles, use damp rags to clean the floor. Clean larger areas with the Class H vacuum cleaner. Clean the equipment with damp rags. Put debris, used rags and other waste in the asbestos waste container and tape it closed. Put the asbestos waste container in a clear polythene sack and tape it closed.

Disposal Double-wrap and label asbestos waste. Standard practice is to use a red inner bag with asbestos warnings, and a clear outer bag with the CDG sign.

If you carry waste, use a sealed skip, or a vehicle with the following: -segregated compartment for asbestos; -easily cleanable; and -lockable. Otherwise, arrange for transport by a registered waste carrier. Safe disposal - at a licensed disposal site. Complete a Waste Consignment Note. Keep copies of these documents for three years.

Personal decontamination Clean your boots with damp rags - see sheet em7. Where available, clean your overalls with the brush attachment on a Class H vacuum cleaner. Vacuum off the brush Otherwise, use damp rags by a 'patting' action. Rubbing can disturb fibres.

Where there are two workers, they can help to clean each other. Peel off disposable overalls. They should be inside out. Put them in a suitable asbestos waste container. Bag up re-usable overalls for a specialist laundry. Finally, remove your disposable respirator and place it in the asbestos waste container. Tape the container closed. Can you use site washing facilities? If so, they must be for your use only. Keep other people out during personal decontamination, and until you have cleaned the facilities. Wash every time you leave the work area.

Clearance and checking off Visually inspect the area to make sure that it has been cleaned properly. Clearance air sampling is not normally required Get the premises owner, duty-holder or client to check off the job.

For further information please visit our website http://www.pagroupuk.com
Contact Keith: kk@pagroupuk.com
08454740172

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