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In
the 1960s, workers began receiving news about the dangers of working around
asbestos and the devastating cancer called Mesothelioma that it can produced
in the lungs and other internal organs. This cancer of the cells most
frequently found along the lining of the lungs is still extremely deadly
today. Also, in spite efforts by law enforcers, workers are not always
notified of their potential exposure to free-flying or contained asbestos at
the workplace.
The average
person may be aware of only a few products that contain asbestos and these
occur primarily in industrial settings. Asbestos has excellent thermal
properties and is frequently used in pipe coverings and ceiling tiles. What
most people don't realize is that since asbestos does have such wonderful
insulating properties, it is sometimes woven into fabrics to provide extra
insulation. It is this fiber form of asbestos that is the most dangerous
because it can become airborne and be inhaled. Other products that contain
hazardous forms of asbestos are roofing felt, pipe wrap, vinyl-asbestos
floor tile and millboard.
The United
States is actively working to reduce exposure to airborne asbestos in the
workplace. However, other countries continue to use hazardous forms of
asbestos in products that are imported into this country. Compounding the
problems of asbestos is the fact that asbestos-containing building materials
were used extensively in the 1960's and 1970's. Many homes and schools that
were built during that time period show high levels of airborne asbestos.
It is the
airborne form of asbestos that is the most likely to cause Mesothelioma or
other asbestos-related disease. Like many other cancers, Mesothelioma may
not appear until
decades after chronic exposure to airborne asbestos. This cancer attacks the
mesothelium, which is a protective sac or membrane that protects the
exterior of various organs in the body. The cancer is most likely to attack
the mesothelium of the lungs, followed by the mesothelium of the stomach.
Mesothelioma
typically strikes its victims 30 to 50 years after significant exposure to
airborne asbestos. Unfortunately the early symptoms of Mesothelioma blend
well with other ailments. Typical symptoms include persistent coughing,
blocked bowels, or fever. Depending the type of Mesothelioma, other symptoms
may include shortness of breath, weight loss, chest pain, blood clotting,
stomach pain and swelling, and heart palpitations.
Mesothelioma
comes in three common forms: peritoneal (affecting the stomach first),
pleural (affecting the lungs first), and pericardial (affecting the heart
area). Treatment of each type of Mesothelioma depends on the stage of the
cancer and condition of the patient.
Treatment
commonly involves the removal the diseased portion of the organ and killing
off remaining cancerous cells. Outside of surgery, other treatment options
include chemotherapy or radiation. It is critical for the patient to remain
active with any Mesothelioma treatment since many victims of this disease
without follow-up treatment die within six months of the diagnosis.
For additional
information about Mesothelioma or asbestos exposure, consult the following
web sites: http://www.mesolink.org or http://www.mesotheliomaweb.org/
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