Asbestos/Mesothelioma

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Asbestos is a mineral that was widely used in many mainstream industries. The largest risk of asbestos-related disease occurs when asbestos fibers are released into the air and inhaled, or ingested. The most severe asbestos-related diseases are Mesothelioma, Asbestosis and lung cancer.

Successful treatment, like most diseases, lies in early detection. The most common treatments for asbestos-related illnesses are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In addition, some experimental treatments are becoming more widely used. The most popular experimental treatments are photodynamic therapy, gene therapy and immunotherapy. At best, however, these treatments only prolong life. There is no known cure.

What is Asbestos?
What does Asbestos Do?
How is Asbestos Used and Who is at Risk?
What are the Health Hazards of Exposure to Asbestos?
How great is the risk?
Who needs to be examined?
Individuals Exposed to Asbestos Should

What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a silent killing mineral that is used throughout many mainstream commercial industries. The commercial use of asbestos grew rapidly after World War II because asbestos fibers are resistant to heat, chemicals and do not conduct electricity. Asbestos fibers have a tendency to break easily into a dust of tiny particles that float in the air and can attach to clothing, allowing the particles to be inhaled and/or ingested.

What Does Asbestos Do?
If inhaled, asbestos fibers can settle in the air passageway and the lungs. While most of these fibers are removed by coughing within a few hours of entry into the body, some make their way into the deepest layers of the lung. In this part of the lung, asbestos fibers can remain for many years, or permanently. This is the cause for the majority of asbestos-related illnesses: pneumonia, lung cancer, asbestosis and Mesothelioma.

How is Asbestos Used and Who is at Risk?
Asbestos has been mined and used commercially in North America since 1880. Asbestos was used in many industries throughout the past four decades. For example, the building and construction industry used asbestos for strengthening cement and plastics as well as for heat insulation, fireproofing and sound absorption. The shipbuilding industry has used asbestos to insulate boilers, steam pipes, hot water pipes and nuclear reactors in ships. Because of its good friction and wear characteristics, asbestos is a component of the brake shoes and clutch pads in cars and trucks. It is estimated that patents have been issued for more than 5,000 different asbestos-containing products.
The following list includes some of the products that now contain or have contained asbestos:

Pipe Insulation
Block Insulation
Refractory Cements
Insulation Cement Sheets
Millboard Plaster Cement
Roofing Products
Floor Tile
Gaskets
Packing
Caulk
Heat Resistant Clothing
Brakes
Clutches

Those at the highest risk are people who work or have worked in:

Ship Building Trades
Asbestos Mining and Manufacturing
Refineries
Foundries
Automotive Break Repair
Construction including Insulation and demolition work, drywall removers, other building trades
Electricians
Power Plant Workers and Inspectors
Pipefitters
Bricklayers

Also at risk of asbestos disease are the family members of people who have worked in these trades. Exposure can occur by coming in contact with clothing or equipment that has been exposed to asbestos on the worksite.

What are the Health Hazards of Exposure to Asbestos?
Those exposed to asbestos often show the following symptoms:

Shortness of breath
Chronic and persistent cough with a presence of blood
Nausea
Pain in the chest or abdomen
Difficulty swallowing or prolonged hoarseness
Unexplained weight loss
Swelling of the face or neck
Sudden fever and night sweats

Many of the these symptoms can take from 5-30 years to develop. Asbestosis and Mesothelioma may take up to 45 years to develop after the initial exposure.

These symptoms could develop into the following:

Asbestosis – a chronic lung ailment that can produce shortness of breath, permanent lung damage and increased risk of dangerous lung infections.
Lung Cancer – Asbestos-related lung cancer usually begins in the living of the lungs but may also begin in the trachea, bronchioles or aveoli (lung air sacks). The early stages of asbestos-related lung cancer may be asymptomatic.
Mesothelioma – a rare form of lung cancer of the thin membrane lining of the chest and abdomen. In the early stages of Mesothelioma, the cancer is found in the lining of the chest cavity near the lung and heart or in the diaphragm. In the advanced stages, Mesothelioma can spread beyond the lining of the chest to lymph nodes. Mesothelioma may continue to spread into the chest wall, center of the chest, heart, through the diaphragm or abdominal lining.

How great is the risk?
Not everyone exposed to asbestos will develop a disease or suffer any ill effects related to their contact with the mineral. Asbestos bonded in finished products is not a risk to health, as long as the product is not damaged or disturbed in such a way that fibers are released into the air. Since asbestos fibers are nearly indestructible, a risk exists if the particles are inhaled. Once the asbestos particles work their way into the body tissues, they tend to stay there indefinitely.

Who needs to be examined?
Individuals who have been exposed, or suspect they have been exposed, to asbestos dust on the job, or at home through a family member, should inform their physician of their work history and any symptoms. A thorough physical examination, including a chest x-ray and lung function tests, may be recommended. Interpretation of the chest x-ray may require the help of a specialist who is experienced in reading x-rays for asbestos-related diseases. Other tests also may be necessary. The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases may not become apparent for many decades after exposure.

Individuals Exposed to Asbestos Should:

Stop Smoking. Many studies have shown that the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure is particularly hazardous. While asbestos exposure itself can increase the risk of developing lung cancer, asbestos and cigarette smoking together may increase the risk of lung cancer. Smokers who are also heavily exposed to asbestos have been shown to be up to 90 times more likely to develop lung cancer than non-exposed individuals who do not smoke.
Get regular health checkups. Successful treatment, like most diseases, lies in early detection.
Get prompt medical attention for any respiratory illness.
Take preventative measures when working around asbestos. Be sure to use all protective equipment and follow all safe work practices and procedures.

If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos, please contact us to discuss your potential case.

Asbestos/Mesothelioma

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