Asbestos undoubtedly is the most sought after material in the building and construction industry.  It is sturdy and is corrosion free.  Asbestos is one of the components of the silicate family and this is the reason for its high resistance to electricity, chemicals and biodegradation.  Moreover, it is a good insulator and is burn resistant too.  Asbestos is the only material which has all these qualities and hence it is so popular.  However, asbestos can be quite hazardous and has proved to be fatal for people dealing or who are in regular contact with it.  They are made of microscopic fibers which are in bunch.  These fibers get separated when asbestos get damaged and the harmful substances percolate in the air.  They get into your lungs and affect the respiratory organs.  It could lead to serious illnesses. One of the most common diseases which affect people working in construction sites is that of asbestos cancer. (more…)

Many statistical models have been developed over the years to help with research regarding mortality rates resulting from asbestos exposure.  One interesting study worth reading is called, “Exposures and mortality among chrysotile asbestos workers. Part I: Exposure estimates” by John M. Dement, PhD, Robert L. Harris Jr., PhD, Michael J. Symons, PhD, Dr PH Carl M. Shy, MD – University of North Carolina, School of Public Health, Chapel Hill – American Journal of Industrial Medicine – Volume 4 Issue 3, Pages 399 – 419 23 Jan 2007.  Here is an excerpt:  “Abstract – A detailed study of plant processes and dust control methods over the period 1930-1975 was conducted in an asbestos textile plant processing chrysotile. Linear statistical models for reconstructing historic dust exposure levels, taking into account textile processes, dust control measures, and job assignments, were developed. Parameters of these statistical models were estimated using 5,952 industrial hygiene sampling measurements covering the period 1930-1975. For most textile operations, exposure levels were significantly reduced by about 1940, when most engineering dust control measures were in place.

Results of the exposure estimates indicated precontrol exposure levels to range from 3 to 78 fibers/cc with typical levels well above 10 fibers/cc. After textile operations were provided with dust control measures, estimated exposure levels ranged from 3 to 17 fibers/cc and were usually in the range of 5 to 10 fibers/cc. These exposure estimates were combined with an assessment of mortality among workers at this plant to investigate exposure-response relationships. Exposure-response results are presented in the companion manuscript in this volume.” (more…)

Health is wealth – this saying is so true. But many times, we find that we tend to take our health for granted and pay a heavy price in the long run. Knowing how many grave problems asbestos can cause itself is enough to ensure that we take possible preventative measures.

Mesothelioma is a cancerous condition wherein the serous membrane is affected. Mesothelium engulfs the main body organs. It is caused due to inhalation of asbestos fibers. One may not even be aware that he or she is suffering from this health condition, till detected. The disease takes twenty to thirty years till the person actually comes to know about it. Some of the symptoms of mesothelioma cancer are very similar to the normal symptoms of other health condition. Moreover, diagnosing the disease in the early stages is not quite possible as the symptoms resemble any other normal health condition.

Some of the common problems people suffering from Mesothelioma face are difficulty in breathing due to accumulation of phlegm in the chest well. This is referred to as pleural effusion. As the fluid clogs the walls of the chest, the lung capacity to expand is reduced and this is the reason why people experience breathing problems. (more…)

Asbestos dust exposure can result in the development of disease.  This fact has been a strong impetus for research.  One interesting study involving the disease development in the lungs of rats is called, “Hydroxyl radicals are formed in the rat lung after asbestos instillation in vivo.” By Schapira RM, Ghio AJ, Effros RM, Morrisey J, Dawson CA, Hacker AD – Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee – Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 1994 May;10(5):573-9.  Here is an excerpt: “The hydroxyl radical (.OH) has been implicated as a cause of lung injury following asbestos exposure. However, despite in vitro evidence associating asbestos with .OH production, there has been no demonstration of such generation in vivo. (more…)

Many years will pass between exposure to asbestos and the development of mesothelioma, as the disease typically has a long latency period. In fact, mesothelioma patients generally do not develop symptoms until several decades after the initial asbestos exposure. Because mesothelioma symptoms mimic those of less serious conditions, many patients who develop mesothelioma are unaware of their potentially life-threatening cancer.

Individuals who were exposed to asbestos should schedule an appointment with their doctors to screen for asbestos-related diseases. Because mesothelioma does not present early symptoms, individuals who were in contact with asbestos should inform their physician of their exposure. Patients who have a history of asbestos exposure but are not exhibiting signs of the disease should receive pulmonary function tests or chest x-rays to screen for any indications of asbestos-related diseases. (more…)

In the fight against asbestos mesothelioma cancer, cutting sugar out of your diet is critical in aiding your immune system. When you eat sugar, a chain of events occurs starting with your insulin level increasing dramatically. With the increased insulin levels, growth hormone levels are also reduced which then suppresses your immune system.

When your insulin level increases, any excess sugar is stored as fat cells. And of course, more fat cells in your body means that you put greater pressure on your heart to pump more oxygenated blood to the fat cells, which leaves less oxygen to combat the asbestos mesothelioma cancer cells.

According to one study, eating just 1/2 a cup of sugar or two cans of pop, can suppress 91% of your immune system for up to 6 hours. (more…)

The history of asbestos dates back to around 2000 thousands years ago. However, it may surprise you to know that the dangers of asbestos have been known as far back as the Roman empire, when it was linked to lung disease in the slaves that were forced to mine the mineral for commercial use.

In more recent history, in 1918, the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics published a report that linked the deaths of asbestos workers to the inhalation of asbestos.

Then in 1924, a 33 year old woman named Nellie Kershaw died from the world’s first diagnosis of asbestosis in the UK.  She worked in an asbestos plant for the world’s largest asbestos conglomerate named Turner & Newall (T&N).  T&N denied any responsibility or compensation. Decades later, documents at the Manchester Metropolitan University exposed the scandalous fact that T&N had known all along that asbestos was a lethal carcinogen. (more…)

So what is the cancer industry worth? A study funded by the Lance Armstrong Foundation, estimated that the global cancer industry is worth $305 billion in 2009, with an estimated 12.9 million new cases of cancer. That’s equivalent to all the exports of Russia in 2009. It is estimated that the industry could be worth $638 billion by 2030.

There is a collusion that centers around the lobbying industry. Lobbying is the process by which representatives of corporations approach the policy makers in Washington to enact or change legislation to benefit their corporate profits. In return the government policy makers receive various forms of payments – either legal donations , promises of future benefits or illegal bribes (as has been shown by previous congressional scandals).

Former corporate health care executives, are often hired by the U.S. government as health care advisors to create national health care policies and after a few years they are rehired back by the same corporations to only repeat the cycle years later. Liz Fowler, of the Wellpoint health care corporation, is one such person that has rotated through two cycles, and each time she helps to formulate national health care policies that are beneficial to Wellpoint profits. (more…)

Have you ever heard of mesothelioma? If you are not aware of what exactly is mesothelioma, in this article we will tell you about this type of disease. Basically this is a rare kind of cancer which generally arises from the cells lining the sacs of the chest or the abdomen.

There are two major cell types of mesothelioma. These are the epithelial and the sarcomatoid. In some cases there is only one type of cell while in the other there can be combination of both the types of cells. The occurrence of sarcomatoid is rare. In some cases, the mesothelioma can also occur from benign and the non-malignant cells. However, this type of mesothelioma cancer can be treated surgically. (more…)

Why Opt for an Experienced Mesothelioma Attorney

There are many attorneys around today,Visit here http://mesotheliomatreatment-option.blogspot.com

some of who specialize in particular areas of law and others that deal with a wide range of legal issues. When it comes to a sensitive and often complicated area such as mesothelioma litigation, it is always advisable to go through a specialist mesothelioma attorney with experience and contacts within this field. Having an experienced mesothelioma attorney deal with your mesothelioma case can help to speed the process, and can ultimately make the difference between a successful or a failed mesothelioma compensation claim.

Trained and experienced mesothelioma attorneys will have established links and contacts with other groups and organizations within this field, which means that you will be able to get additional advice and even support as well as getting sound legal advice. A more experienced mesothelioma attorney will already have dealt with cases similar to yours, and will therefore know the pitfalls and loopholes to look out for, which could help to speed up your case and could maximizes your chances of a successful claim. (more…)