Archive for the tag 'insulation'

What is Peritoneal Mesothelioma?

by James F. Howell

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a disease that affects the lining of the abdomen, or peritoneum. Like the other types of mesothelioma, it is caused by exposure to asbestos, which has been widely used in many industrial products, such as cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation.

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a relatively uncommon form of mesothelioma cancer that accounts for less than a quarter of all mesothelioma cases. Peritoneal mesothelioma, like other forms of mesothelioma, is inconspicuous until decades after asbestos exposure.
While peritoneal mesotheliomas are less common than pleural mesotheliomas, they tend to be more invasive, and thus often result in a shorter life expectancy for the patient. An early diagnosis of the disease is important. The relief and treatment of people with peritoneal mesothelioma improves dramatically the earlier it is detected. Unfortunately, it often goes undiagnosed until it is quite advanced.

The first step towards detecting peritoneal mesothelioma involves X-rays and CT scans, but a definitive diagnosis is only achieved through a biopsy, which usually involves removing a tiny piece of tissue for analysis. At this time, even though there are various treatment options available, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, there is no known cure for peritoneal mesothelioma.

Typical symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include abdominal pains, weakness, weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, and abdominal swelling. Because these symptoms are so common, and may be attributed to numerous ailments other than mesothelioma, diagnosis is often delayed until it is too late for treatment to do much more than help the patient feel more comfortable.

About the Author
James Howell is a freelance writer and researcher. Find out more about Peritoneal Mesothelioma. Or learn more about Mesothelioma.

Study Finds Increased Mesothelioma Death Rates In A Group Of Shipyard Workers

by Sam Gurgis

A recent study conducted on workers in a US Coast Guard shipyard has found a significantly greater mortality rate associated with lung cancer and mesothelioma compared to the general population. The study also found an increased general mortality rate.

The study followed 4702 (4413 men and 289 women) civilian workers who were employed at the shipyard between January 1950 and December 1964. The study then measured the number of deaths and their causes through 31 December 2001.

The study was conducted by S Krstev, P Stewart, J Rusiecki, A Blair and was published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine. The original study publication is available at http://oem.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/64/10/651.

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is usually associated with exposure to asbestos. The majority of individuals who are diagnosed with mesothelioma have a history of exposure to asbestos particles at work or home. Family members of workers have also been affected. Renovators of homes containing asbestos cement material are accounting for an increasing number of diagnosed sufferers. Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear for decades after the exposure to asbestos. Symptoms include abdominal pain and weight loss. Diagnosis of mesothelioma can be difficult due to the fact that the symptoms are similar to other respiratory diseases.

Since mesothelioma is primarily caused by exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma can be best be prevented by avoiding or limiting exposure to asbestos in homes, public buildings, and at work. Workers that may be at risk include miners, factory workers, insulation manufacturers, railroad workers, ship builders, contractors and construction workers, particularly those involved with insulation. If there is a possibility of exposure (such as when renovating old buildings) protective equipment should be used and safety procedures should be applied. Asbestos was commonly used in building materials due to its durability and fire-resistant properties. In addition to buildings, asbestos was used in the manufacture of cars and ships and many other products.

About the Author
Sam Gurgis is a scientific writer and the webmaster at mesotheliomawise.org and sam-gurgis.com

Not Only Asbestos Causes Mesothelioma Lung Cancer

Mesothelioma lung cancer is usually associated with asbestos exposure. In fact there are many other risk factors that cause mesothelioma cancer. One of them is the erionite. Erionite is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that belongs to a group of minerals called zeolites. Zeolites are hydrated aluminosilicates of the alkaline and alkaline-earth metals.
Erionite was used in the past as a noble metal-impregnated catalyst in a hydrocarbon-cracking process. It was studied for use in fertilizers and to control odors in livestock production, because of its ability to selectively adsorb molecules from air or liquids. In many countries erionite blocks were used (and may be are still used) as building material or in stucco pastes and whitewash.
Erionite was mentioned for the first time as a mesothelioma lung cancer risk factor in 1975, when Turkish government presented a study that uncovered a high incidence of a rare malignant mesothelioma in lung tissues of people in certain small villages in the Cappadocia area in Turkey’s central mountainous region. In two small villages the mesothelioma lung cancer accounted for 43% of the deaths during 23 years period of study. Erionite fibers were found in biopsies of lungs of the mesothelioma cancer afflicted people. Comparing this to a 9.7% rate of death from this disease among asbestos insulation installers shows how anomalous this condition was.
Further studies showed erionite causes similar diseases in laboratory animals. When researchers at Mt. Sinai Hospital injected rats with the same dosage of erionite that they used for asbestos, the rats didn’t live long enough to get mesothelioma cancer. At a much-reduced dose, the rats did get cancer. Erionite is probably the most toxic known mineral - a milligram of fibers in the lungs is lethal.
Today erionite is considered so hazardous that the EPA requires any one who intends to manufacture, import or process any article containing erionite to notify the E.P.A. 90 days in advance. This gives the EPA a chance to review, limit or prohibit that activity. Read the rest of article here..

Number One Mesothelioma Cancer Source: Your Workplace

If you ask whether mesothelioma cancer could infect you easily in your workplace I could answer yes right now. Maybe you should already knew what mesothelioma is by reading this article. But if you didn’t I will give you quick brief now.

Mesothelioma is uncommon form of cancer, usually attack the pleura (the lining of the lung and chest cavity) or the peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen). Mesothelioma cancer caused by prolonged or persistent exposure to asbestos.

Unbelievably but true, recent studies showed that It is believed that even insignificant exposure to asbestos in environments such as asbestos mills, mines, shipping yards, some older Navy ships or even patient’s homes can result in mesothelioma cancer.

Now you know that the main reason for mesothelioma cancer is asbestos. Asbestos is the single biggest work place killer today. People who have worked with the material are at serious risk from developing lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma, fatal respiratory illnesses that debilitate their victims.

Most people who suffer mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles. You should be extra careful if you are: miners, factory workers, insulation manufacturers, railroad workers, ship builders, gas mask manufacturers, and construction workers, particularly those involved with installing insulation.

Not only you could be infected but your family too. Several studies have shown that family members of people exposed to asbestos at work have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, because asbestos fibers are carried home on your clothes.

Read the rest of article here..

Start Beating Mesothelioma Cancer Today Through Awareness and Understanding

Mesothelioma is a serious and very aggressive form of cancer.

People who have mined asbestos, manufactured asbestos products, installed asbestos insulation, or removed asbestos may be at risk for developing mesothelioma. In addition, family members of those who have worked with asbestos, people who have lived near asbestos mines or processing plants, or anyone who has inhaled asbestos fibers may also be at risk for developing mesothelioma.

There are a range of tests and procedures used to diagnose mesothelioma. X-rays, CT scans, and/or MRI scans are performed to determine the presence of mesothelioma. If there is a positive indication of mesothelioma, or if further testing is still needed to determine the presence of mesothelioma, the scans are followed-up with a needle biopsy or an open biopsy.

Treatment options for mesothelioma vary according to age, overall health, location of the disease, and extent of the disease. Surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, alone or in combination, are standard treatment options for mesothelioma. Experimental treatments, such as those used in clinical trials, may also be an option.

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that could have been prevented and is not the fault of the victim, but the fault of the companies that did not protect workers or others against the hazards of asbestos. Financial security for victims and their families, including compensation of medical expenses, pain and suffering, burial expenses, and after-death stability for families afflicted, may, therefore, be accessible through the law.

There are many different types of support groups, as well, available to mesothelioma patients and their families including formal groups that focus on learning about mesothelioma or dealing with feelings, informal groups, social groups, groups only for those with mesothelioma, and groups for those with mesothelioma including family members and friends. Hospitals, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers have, or can obtain, a listing of such groups within your local area.

For additional information regarding mesothelioma cancer including mesothelioma symptoms, diagnosis, specialist care, treatment options, lawyer assistance, and support, go to: http://www.BeatingMesothelioma.com/

Author: Rae Rand


Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_68779_27.html

Not Only Asbestos Causes Mesothelioma Lung Cancer

Mesothelioma lung cancer is usually associated with asbestos exposure. In fact there are many other risk factors that cause mesothelioma cancer. One of them is the erionite. Erionite is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that belongs to a group of minerals called zeolites. Zeolites are hydrated aluminosilicates of the alkaline and alkaline-earth metals.

Erionite was used in the past as a noble metal-impregnated catalyst in a hydrocarbon-cracking process. It was studied for use in fertilizers and to control odors in livestock production, because of its ability to selectively adsorb molecules from air or liquids. In many countries erionite blocks were used (and may be are still used) as building material or in stucco pastes and whitewash.
Erionite was mentioned for the first time as a mesothelioma lung cancer risk factor in 1975, when Turkish government presented a study that uncovered a high incidence of a rare malignant mesothelioma in lung tissues of people in certain small villages in the Cappadocia area in Turkey’s central mountainous region. In two small villages the mesothelioma lung cancer accounted for 43% of the deaths during 23 years period of study. Erionite fibers were found in biopsies of lungs of the mesothelioma cancer afflicted people. Comparing this to a 9.7% rate of death from this disease among asbestos insulation installers shows how anomalous this condition was.

Further studies showed erionite causes similar diseases in laboratory animals. When researchers at Mt. Sinai Hospital injected rats with the same dosage of erionite that they used for asbestos, the rats didn’t live long enough to get mesothelioma cancer. At a much-reduced dose, the rats did get cancer. Erionite is probably the most toxic known mineral - a milligram of fibers in the lungs is lethal.

Today erionite is considered so hazardous that the EPA requires any one who intends to manufacture, import or process any article containing erionite to notify the E.P.A. 90 days in advance. This gives the EPA a chance to review, limit or prohibit that activity.

Erionite is no longer mined or marketed for commercial purposes. Although other natural zeolites have many commercial uses (pet litter, soil conditioners, animal feed, waste-water treatment, gas absorbents, etc.) So potential occupational exposure to erionite occurs during the production and mining of other zeolites.

And there are questions:

Are there other mineralogical hazards like erionite and asbestos?

Should we expected mesothelioma lung cancer increases not only from asbestos exposure after another 20 - 30 years?

Read the rest of article here…

Mesothelioma - Cause and Effect of Mesothelioma

Almost all Mesothelioma cancer cases are due to asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma affects the protective lining of the body’s internal organs known as the Mesothelium. When you inhale air containing asbestos particles, the air directly affects the Mesothelium lining of the body. In most cases, the lungs and abdomen are affected the most.

Asbestos fibers are very fine and tiny and when they come into contact with the lungs of anyone who is exposed, it causes inflammation and the formation of scar tissue. This may then lead to Mesothelioma. The fibers become imbedded into the lungs and works through the membrane around it causing this type of cancer.

Asbestos is made of minerals with long thin fibrous crystals and it is flexible, strong and highly durable. Asbestos as also widely used in insulation because of its resistance to heat, electricity and chemical damage. Because it had so many good properties and was cheap to produce, it was used virtually everywhere and was in almost all buildings and houses. It was only until the 1960s that the link between Asbestos and Mesothelioma was discovered.

Abdominal Mesothelioma is caused when the fine Asbestos fibers find their way into the digestive system when swallowed. Again, this will affect the protective lining of the abdominal passage and may cause this type of cancer. Besides that, exposure to Asbestos may also cause person to suffer from chronic lung disease and respiratory problems.

People who are exposed to Asbestos on a daily basis like construction workers, factory workers or even those who live near asbestos factories are most likely to develop Mesothelioma. Since the link between this deadly cancer and asbestos was discovered, this material is no longer widely used. However, Mesothelioma may not surface for as long as 60 years after exposure. Therefore, anyone who came into contact with this material should be regularly checked for this cancer.

In some very rare cases, Mesothelioma does develop even if a person is not exposed to asbestos. The exact cause for this is still unknown and it may be due to genetics or family history. Since the link between asbestos and this cancer was discovered, home and buildings that used this material for insulation and building materials were removed. As there is a proven direct linkage between this material and Mesothelioma, we should all take extra precaution if were to come into contact with this deadly material. It is best to avoid being exposed to this harmful material at all cost.


Find out more on Malignant Mesothelioma by visiting http://raysinfo.info, a popular information website that specializes in offering the latest information on health, wealth, wisdom and also about pleural mesothelioma

Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos exposure is the only known cause for malignant mesothelioma and asbestosis. Asbestos has been mined, processed and used to manufacture goods for over 6000 years. However, the more recent heavy use of asbestos, from the late 1880s to the 1960s, caused laborers to be exposed to it in such quantities that asbestos exposure became a deadly curse.

Thousands of cases of mesothelioma and asbestosis have occurred since the 1930s, and medical specialists expect this epidemic to continue for 20 years. The lag time between initial asbestos exposure and the onset of these deadly diseases is typically 30 to 40 years and has been as long as 60 years.
Inhalation of Asbestos
Inhalation of asbestos dust poses the highest risk during asbestos exposure. The asbestos fibers are so tiny that they are able to bypass the natural filtration system of the human lungs. Once inside the most sensitive areas of the lungs, these fibers become embedded in the lung tissue. The durability and tensile strength of these fibers are why asbestos was so widely used as a fire retardant and as a construction component. However, these same characteristics allow asbestos fibers to stay embedded in lung tissue for many years without being destroyed by the body’s natural defense mechanisms. When mesothelioma erupts in the lung tissue, it is called pleural mesothelioma. Asbestosis also occurs due to the embedding of asbestos fibers in the lungs.

Pleural Mesothelioma
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma, and it has occurred in a wide range of different laborers exposed to asbestos. Laborers in the Navy shipyards during and after World War II received heavy doses of asbestos exposure while they used asbestos to insulate piping, boiler rooms and other areas of high heat. In many cases the air was filled with asbestos dust and without proper respiration systems, these workers inhaled the asbestos particles day after day.
Those who mined asbestos were exposed to heavy doses during the mining process. In mining towns, such as Libby, Montana, asbestos dust filled the air in not only the mines and processing facilities, but also in the town square. This asbestos exposure has lead many laborers and towns people to develop asbestos lung cancer.
Construction workers who installed asbestos insulation were also exposed. Asbestos was widely used in car brake linings; therefore, laborers involved in the automotive manufacturing process were placed in work environments where asbestos fibers were inhaled, potentially leading to pleural mesothelioma.
Other Asbestos Exposure
Pericardial and peritoneal mesothelioma are also thought to be caused by asbestos exposure. Pericardial mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the heart and peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the abdomen. How the asbestos fibers become imbedded in the lining of these other organs is not well understood. For those laborers who contracted these diseases, food could have become contaminated due to asbestos exposure, leading to asbestos fibers invading the abdominal lining. Asbestos fibers could also have gotten into the blood stream, either through food or inhalation, due to asbestos exposure. Once in the blood stream, these fibers could become lodged virtually anywhere in the body.
Asbestos Removal
The use of asbestos has mainly been halted, and the potential for exposure to asbestos has fallen dramatically. However, a number of older buildings still include insulation and floor/ceiling tiles that contain asbestos. Great care should be taken to limit exposure to asbestos during demolition work in older buildings. Respirators should be used to filter the air, and the demolition areas should be sealed so that asbestos dust is not released from the demolition area. For construction sites, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has established extensive guidelines to protect construction workers involved in the demolition of buildings containing asbestos.
It is also common for floor tile in older homes to contain asbestos. When remodeling, it is recommended that these asbestos floor coverings not be disturbed and the new floor coverings be placed on top of the older ones. For homeowners, several websites provide information outlining safe removal procedures in order to limit asbestos exposure.

Causes of Mesothelioma

Asbestos exposure is by far one of the most common causes of mesothelioma. Over 50% of the patients have a history of asbestos exposure. This exposure could occur while directly handling the fibrous material, or it could occur through just environmental exposure.
There are numerous documented cases where patients contracted the disease due to living close to the asbestos mines or by coming in contact with asbestos when some of the fibers became airborne. Persons most commonly afflicted include shipyard workers, construction workers, automobile mechanics (particularly those working on brake linings), insulation workers, pipe and heater installation and flooring workers and roofers.

Also, for those who have had asbestos exposure and who smoke, the risk becomes exaggerated. Studies show that asbestos workers who also smoke are 55 times more likely to die of mesothelioma than nonsmokers without asbestos exposure.
Erionite
Erionite is a mineral that has a long, thin rod-like amphiboles structure. Exposure to this mineral has been associated with increased incidence of mesothelioma. Erionite exposure has a high mortality rate due to mesothelioma in Anatolia, Turkey.
Exposure to asbestos is the primary cause for malignant mesothelioma in most patients. If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos, then you are at risk. There is no minimum level of exposure that is deemed safe. Insure that during your routine health care, you advise your doctor of previous asbestos exposure, particularly if you experience any chest pressure, shortness of breath, chest pain or coughing. While these symptoms do not indicate the presence of the disease, they are the most common symptoms and should be further investigated if you have had asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma - early to prevent big trouble

The Mesothelioma is a relatively rare form of cancer, where the cancer cells grow in the mésothélium - a bag protection, the majority of the organs of the body. As with most cancers, early detection of Mesothelioms increases the chances for the disease to beat.

But early detection is difficult, with mesothelioma because it is a long period of rest of 30 or 40 years ago, in which the cancer is relatively inactive and barely caused symptoms. If the disease is in its active phase, it can rapidly in the inner organs such as the lung, heart and abdominal organs. In its active phase, it is very difficult to deal with success, because it is growing and so fast.

The causes of Mesothelioms

Mesothelioma was hardly in the public eye, until a few years ago. She has a very accurate - the asbestos exposure. And the dangers of asbestos exposure can not do much in the years 1970 and 80, when the severe impact on health no longer be ignored.

How often this happens in cases where commercial products with harmful side effects, there was great resistance to the recognition of its dangers. In the case of asbestos, it is a product that is very important properties that are an ideal tool for applications in isolation.

In the first half of the last century until the middle of 1970, asbestos was used as standard material to delays in the transfer of heat in buildings, machinery and heavy equipment, and a wide range of commercial applications. There was abundant and cheap to my, asbestos was often used in building materials such as the House of insulation, flooring, ceilings and tiles. He was also often used in commercial products such as brake linings and insulation of pipes.

This meant that millions of people have been in contact with asbestos on a daily basis. And because the effects of exposure to asbestos fibers often not shown for 30 or 40 years after a long, it often seems there is not the immediate threat to health.

It was particularly important for the workers who are out of the treaty and asbestos. Although the workers regularly sick and had often premature, painful death, the long period of calm mesothelioma, it was difficult to connect with asbestos.

Even short-term, the exposure to asbestos causes mesothelioma

In general, the probability of developing this type of cancer is directly related to the length of time that the asbestos. The danger for the health also increases with the intensity of exposure to asbestos.

However, an exhibition of only one or two months, a mesothelioma 30 or 40 years later. At the age of 48 years, a member of the Canadian Parliament, Chuck Beam, recently received a diagnosis of mesothelioma and up to the tracks back in the development of the pad on the hardware forestry companies after his Secondary. Ray, the case is a good example that the mesothelioma has a latency period of 20 to 50 years. Like thousands of others, he has the disease of time after exposure to asbestos.

The symptoms of Mesothelioms

Because of its long dormancy, the mesothelioma is often not detected until it from his active aggressive. Mesothelioma pleural mesothelioma - cancer in the mucosal pulmonary - because of chronic cough or breathlessness. Unfortunately, these symptoms can easily be confused with a cold or allergies.

Indeed pleural mesothelioma is often discovered by chance, when the patients who believe that more than one of these diseases. The other symptoms of pleural mesothelioma can be pain in the chest, chronic cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, shortness of breath, hoarseness, weight loss, or blood in the lungs of cough with phlegm.

Mesothelioma peritoneal influenced the wall to the stomach and intestinal complaints, and is usually just as dangerous. Mesothelioma peritoneal symptoms of pain or swelling in the abdomen, weight loss, bowel obstruction, anemia and fever.

Treatment of Mesothelioms

Unfortunately, at the moment, where most of those infected are aware that mesothelioma, he no longer sleep and is very aggressive. Once it is no longer sleeping in this type of cancer can quickly move, and it is almost impossible to stop.

Although there are treatments that are available for the convenience of patients, there is currently no solution for mesothelioma, and not less than 75% of those who lose their lives disease in a year. The rest can be up to six months.

Among the treatments that are used to reduce the effects of the disease are oxygen, drainage and analgesics. A wide range of approaches to treatment are being tested for the attempt to strengthen the body of the natural immune system in gene therapy, which attempts to address the problem at the level of DNA. Homeopathy, acupuncture and herbs are also used. But it was still a very effective when the disease reaches the stage, aggressive.

Given the poor prognosis for people who do not like it, the disease in time, early detection is the best defence against mesothelioma. If you worked in an industry such as construction or suspect that you could have been, the asbestos to be vigilant and the symptoms, contact your doctor. Like all other forms of cancer, mesothelioma detect as early as possible, it increases your chances to survive.

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