Asbestos Health Effects

What is asbestos

Asbestos is a generic term for a number of naturally occurring minerals (silicates), which are composed of fine, microscopic fibers. Asbestos is a natural product. It is a mineral extracted in eg South America, Russia and Canada. There are a number of different asbestos minerals. Asbestos fibers are divided into two main groups:

• the spiral or serpentine-like, including chrysotile (also white asbestos)
• the straight or amfiboolachtige including crocidolite (blue asbestos), amosite (brown asbestos), anthophylliet (yellow), tremolite (gray) and actinolite (green).

Only the color of the raw asbestos can be seen to what species it is asbestos. When the material is processed, is that not possible anymore. Only laboratory analysis can that verified.
Asbestos fibers are so fine that they can not be observed with the naked eye.

Effects of asbestos on health.

As long as asbestos is in combined state, there is no danger for the health. If loose asbestos fibers are inhaled they run down the smaller airways and alveoli. There, the small fibers absorbed by macrophages (cells cleanup). Fibers that are too big for this, can migrate to (walk) in the texture. Also they can spread through the lymphatic jobs and end up in places far from the small airways. Coughing loose fibers and macrophages can be swallowed and leave the body through the tract.

Asbestos Diseases
As a result of exposure to asbestos, several asbestos diseases occur:

• asbestosis
• asbestos pleurisy
• lung cancer
• mesothelioma (pleural, peritoneum and pericardium)
• pleural thickening

Most diseases manifest themselves until decades after exposure to asbestos took place are difficult or impossible to cure. The chance of getting asbestos disease depends on the total amount of inhaled asbestos fibers. The so-called cumulative exposure, with as unit fiber years, is the product of exposure concentration (expressed in fibers per cubic centimeter) and exposure duration (work years). One fiber year is 1 fiber per ml x 1 working year. A normal working year consists of 240 days of 8 hours. As the number of fiber years increases, so does the risk of asbestos diseases to.

For the exposure levels of asbestos, which there is no increased risk of cancer or mesothelioma would occur, there is no safe level. An inhaled fiber can have already health effects, although this is a negligible risk. For getting asbestosis must there at least 5 years exposure to asbestos fibers have been. The relative risk of lung cancer after exposure to asbestos is 3.5 .

Cancer

Initially it was thought that the particular chemical composition of asbestos was responsible for cancer formation. This led to the assumption that the blue asbestos the cause was and that the white and brown asbestos due to their different chemical composition would be less dangerous. This view is reflected in the laws on this subject in some countries: use of blue asbestos is banned, there are strict rules for use of other species. Nowadays people will assume that the ‘fiber geometry ‘ (Length-diameter ratio) of asbestos fibers determines the cancer begetting power. Asbestos is not carcinogenic in the biochemical sense, cancer
promotional is a better description.

Removing Asbestos.

Before asbestos can be removed, an asbestos survey must be made. Or asbestos has to be removed depends on how the asbestos is bound in the material. Friable asbestos is usually better to remain be seated. This material does not compromise when it is in good condition and not modified. Or in the case of asbestos-free association (or non-friable asbestos) measures are needed depends on whether or not the material is shielded. Futher more plays a role in the assessment of the asbestos is in a location where people come regularly.
There are strict rules for removing asbestos. Not following the rules of asbestos removal is often more dangerous than not removal of this material.
So when you remove the asbestos, it is best that you follow the rules.

by orangedrunk

How An Asbestos Lawyer Can Help You

Many people have now started to seek the help of asbestos lawyers who can provide specialist advice and claims for victims of asbestos related illnesses. This is because they may be able to successfully recover compensation for themselves and family members who have not had direct asbestos exposure but have developed diseases through the dust on the working clothes of someone who has. They can help with things such as costs for care and loss of earnings.

Read the rest of this entry »

Question by prashant p: What is peritoneal mesothelioma?

Best answer:

Answer by lynnca1972
Peritoneal Mesothelioma is the name given to the cancer that attacks the lining of the abdomen. This type of cancer is caused by asbestos exposure, and it affects the lining that protects the contents of the abdomen and which also provides a lubricating fluid to enable the organs to move and work properly

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Question by bellaandfroggy: Can a California homeowner remove “popcorn ceilings” containing asbestos themselves?

We will dispose of it properly, and will wear protective clothing. I don’t want any problems when we sell in a few years. Also, the asbestos is listed on our contract. Can we take it off the contract if we remove the ceiling?

Best answer:

Answer by Dustin
You can remove it. The only draw back is proof. If you tell a buyer the asbestos has been removed but can’t show documentation from a reputable removal company they may not believe you and therefore not purchase the house.

Read the rest of this entry »

by Pulmonary Pathology

Causes of Mesothelioma Cancer

Mesothelioma is the growth of malignant cells in mesothelium, the thin membrane covering the body’s internal organs. This mesothelium lining covers the pleural, peritoneal and pericardial cavities. Pleura is a membrane covering the lungs and it is the most common location where mesothelioma cancer occurs also known as pleural mesothelioma. Peritoneum, the protective covering that lines the abdominal cavity may also develop malignant tumors and cause peritoneal mesothelioma.

Read the rest of this entry »