by David S Judge
Flexibility, durability and the ability to withstand high amounts of heat made Asbestos known as the 'Miracle Mineral' in Ancient Greece. Used for a wide variety of purposes such as funeral outfits for cremation of their kings to everyday household items such as wicks for oil lamps, 'asbestos' itself was a Greek word meaning 'inextinguishable'. Even in the ancient times, this highly valuable substance came to be known as dangerous to the human lungs and was only handled in it's raw form by slaves.
Even in ancient times, the Greeks recognized that asbestos was dangerous; slaves who worked with the material experienced damage to their lungs. Over the years, asbestos was made into cloths that wowed the guests of royal Persian and Chinese households.
Beginning with the industrial revolution in the mid-nineteenth century, asbestos became a popular source of insulation due to its fire retardant properties. In 1879, the first asbestos mine opened up in the Appalachian region of Quebec. Asbestos became widely used in the twentieth century as a fire-retardant coating. It's use ranged from inside drywall, common household roofing and extended to products such as outdoor furniture.
Medical practitioners of the early twentieth century began to consider the safety implications that surrounded this commonly used substance. It wasn't until 1906 that the first asbestos related death was recorded. Unfortunately corporate business investments prevented governments to quickly react to the dangers of this substance. Even thought for decades the American government was aware of the health risks associated with the use of asbestos, it wasn't until the late 1970s that this information came to the publics attention.
What Exactly Is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a silicate mineral made up out of long, stringy crystal fibres. Asbestos fibres when inhaled can cause serious damage to the lungs and in cases, can lead to mesothelioma (a form of lung cancer that is a result from asbestos exposure), or other forms of caner of the lung, as well as a chronic inflammatory condition of the lungs called 'Asbestosis'.
Asbestos fibres are much thinner than the human hair. These fibres are highly dangerous as they can easily become airborne and find their way into the eyes, skin and lungs. Repeated, prolonged exposure to asbestos leads almost inevitably to serious illness.
Asbestos in Australia -
In Australia during the post-war period of 1945 to 1980, asbestos was used heavily in construction, shipyards, and power stations. It was also mined in Australia and exported around the world. Although the dangers of the material were already known, it took until the mid-1970s for the use of asbestos to slow down. Today, people exposed to asbestos in Australia thirty or forty years previously are suing mining companies and other industries for asbestos-related illnesses.
Asbestos Removal in Brisbane -
Asbestos removal in Brisbane is big business: several asbestos companies offering Brisbane Asbestos Removal exist to remove asbestos from homes, buildings, and especially asbestos removal from roofs, where asbestos in home construction was concentrated. Roof replacement in Brisbane should be only ever handled by a licensed, fully certified company. Consider that asbestos removal and Brisbane roofing replacement due to asbestos can put families at risk if they are not properly handled, so finding an asbestos removal Brisbane company that is qualified to do this job is of prime importance. As asbestos was a common substance used in roofing, it vital that companies chosen for all roof replacement work should he thoroughly investigated prior to hiring.
About the Author
Metal Technology Roofing (http://www.mtr.net.au ) are a fully certified in Asbestos Removal.. MTR offer specialist advice on all areas concerning Asbestos Removal Brisbane and other related areas including re-roofing and Metal Roofing.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
All About Mesothelioma
By Bhavesh LB
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is normally caused by asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is cancer that occurs in the mesothelium.
Mesothelioma:
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer affecting the cells of mesothelial lining in the chest and abdomen. Mesothelioma cancer can develop in the tissues covering the lungs or the abdomen. Mesothelioma has also been found in the stomach and other abdominal organs but it is much rarer in those areas than are both pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can also occur in the ovaries and scrotum. Mesothelioma invades the chest wall or the esophagus during the second stage.Mesothelioma also takes a long time to develop (typically 15-40 years), so patients today could have been exposed prior to the 1980s when asbestos was not highly regulated. Mesothelioma is not caused by smoking, as lung cancer so often is.
Symptoms:
Symptoms One of the most common symptoms of mesothelioma is an accumulation of fluid between the lining of the lung and the chest cavity. Symptoms include:abdominal painascites, or an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen a mass in the abdomen problems with bowel function weight loss. Symptoms such as trouble swallowing, pain, or swelling of the neck and face can be indications that the cancer has spread beyond the mesotheliom to other parts of the body. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include persistent pain in the chest and severe difficulty breathing caused by pleural effusion, or an accumulation of fluid in the pleural lining Cough, weight loss, and fever are also common symptoms. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos.
Diagnosis:
The key to long-term survival from treatment of mesothelioma is early diagnosis, which enables the greatest potential for success from standard therapies. Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient's medical history, including any history of asbestos exposure. Diagnosis of Mesothelioma is based on a pathological exam, more commonly referred to as a biopsy.Since this disease can be hard to diagnosis and costly to treat, it may require the consultation of an experienced attorney. When conclusive diagnosis cannot be made from fluid samples, diagnosis is often made through a surgical procedure called a throrascopy.The average age at diagnosis of mesothelioma is between 50 and 70 years old, with men being affected three to five times more often than women. The diagnosis may be suspected with chest X-ray and CT scan, and is confirmed with a biopsy (tissue sample) and microscopic examination. The median survival time is 17 months, with ten percent of patients living for three years after diagnosis.
Conclusion:
Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer which is fairly rare although in the last few decades the number of people who have died from it have dramatically increased. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, but the deadliest one of all. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer and only affects between 2,000 and 3,000 people in the United States per year. Mesothelioma is less common in African Americans than in white Americans. Mesothelioma is rare in people under age 55. National Cancer Institute stats show that 3000 new diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma is reported each year. Mesothelioma is not always fatal and that is the hope to hold on to.
http://www.mesothelioma.greatreview.info
Bhavesh is involved in providing great reviews on various informations & information products. He provides some good information on Mesothelioma, its effects and causes. It's symptoms, diagnosis and so on. Visit his site to know more about mesothelioma :
http://www.mesothelioma.greatreview.info
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bhavesh_LB
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is normally caused by asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is cancer that occurs in the mesothelium.
Mesothelioma:
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer affecting the cells of mesothelial lining in the chest and abdomen. Mesothelioma cancer can develop in the tissues covering the lungs or the abdomen. Mesothelioma has also been found in the stomach and other abdominal organs but it is much rarer in those areas than are both pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can also occur in the ovaries and scrotum. Mesothelioma invades the chest wall or the esophagus during the second stage.Mesothelioma also takes a long time to develop (typically 15-40 years), so patients today could have been exposed prior to the 1980s when asbestos was not highly regulated. Mesothelioma is not caused by smoking, as lung cancer so often is.
Symptoms:
Symptoms One of the most common symptoms of mesothelioma is an accumulation of fluid between the lining of the lung and the chest cavity. Symptoms include:abdominal painascites, or an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen a mass in the abdomen problems with bowel function weight loss. Symptoms such as trouble swallowing, pain, or swelling of the neck and face can be indications that the cancer has spread beyond the mesotheliom to other parts of the body. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include persistent pain in the chest and severe difficulty breathing caused by pleural effusion, or an accumulation of fluid in the pleural lining Cough, weight loss, and fever are also common symptoms. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos.
Diagnosis:
The key to long-term survival from treatment of mesothelioma is early diagnosis, which enables the greatest potential for success from standard therapies. Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient's medical history, including any history of asbestos exposure. Diagnosis of Mesothelioma is based on a pathological exam, more commonly referred to as a biopsy.Since this disease can be hard to diagnosis and costly to treat, it may require the consultation of an experienced attorney. When conclusive diagnosis cannot be made from fluid samples, diagnosis is often made through a surgical procedure called a throrascopy.The average age at diagnosis of mesothelioma is between 50 and 70 years old, with men being affected three to five times more often than women. The diagnosis may be suspected with chest X-ray and CT scan, and is confirmed with a biopsy (tissue sample) and microscopic examination. The median survival time is 17 months, with ten percent of patients living for three years after diagnosis.
Conclusion:
Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer which is fairly rare although in the last few decades the number of people who have died from it have dramatically increased. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, but the deadliest one of all. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer and only affects between 2,000 and 3,000 people in the United States per year. Mesothelioma is less common in African Americans than in white Americans. Mesothelioma is rare in people under age 55. National Cancer Institute stats show that 3000 new diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma is reported each year. Mesothelioma is not always fatal and that is the hope to hold on to.
http://www.mesothelioma.greatreview.info
Bhavesh is involved in providing great reviews on various informations & information products. He provides some good information on Mesothelioma, its effects and causes. It's symptoms, diagnosis and so on. Visit his site to know more about mesothelioma :
http://www.mesothelioma.greatreview.info
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bhavesh_LB
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Pleural Mesothelioma Cancer Involves The Lining Of The Lung
by Liz Allen
What is Pleural Mesothelioma?
Pleural Mesothelioma or malignant pleural mesothelioma is cancer in the layer of the lungs that can spread to the lungs. The spread of the tumor over the pleura results in pleural thickening. This hinders the reflexivity of the pleura and encases the lungs in an increasing restrictive belt. With the lungs thus restricted, they get constricted in no time and a person is always out of breath.
Pleural mesothelioma can be:
* Diffuse and malignant (carcinogenic)
* Localized and benign (non-cancerous)
Benign pleural mesothelioma can be removed surgically, but the malignant tumors are the real terror heads.
Most common among other mesothelioma cases, Pleural Mesothelioma is caused due to exposure to blue asbestos for a longer period of time, say 20 years, in which time the disease incubates only to show its fearful countenance via certain symptoms.
The symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma
The symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma include difficulty in breathing, difficulty in sleeping, pain in the chest and abdominal regions, blood vomits, weakness, weight loss, loss of appetite, lower back pains, persistent coughing, hoarseness of voice, sensory loss and difficulty in swallowing.
Diagnosis of Pleural Mesothelioma
The first step is to go through a chest X-ray or a CT scan (computed chest tomograph), which will reveal a pleural thickening and an effusion. This is followed by a bronchoscopy. However, it should always be left to a medical practitioner for a better understanding of the respective cases. Another method is a biopsy, which can be a needle biopsy, an open biopsy, or a thoracoscopy, where a mini camera is inserted inside the body and with that a tissue sample is attained for further diagnosis.
Treatment of Pleural Mesothelioma
Treatment is directly proportional to the time of the revelation of the disease, i.e., at an early stage the tumor can be removed through surgery.
A pioneering mesothelioma treatment option is immunotherapy, e.g., intrapleural inoculation of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is a useful mesothelioma treatment in which an effort is made to intensify the immune response.
Radiation treatment and chemotherapy is probably then the answer to the malignant pleural mesothelioma, but this can aid the pain management only; there's no escaping death with Pleural Mesothelioma.
Side effects of Treatment
The side effects and penalty of mesothelioma lung cancer treatment are more than its treatment, which is damaged healthy tissues, a state of absolute fatigue ness; excessive radiation causes the skin to become red, dry and itchy.
Other side effects of radiotherapy are nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, urinary discomfort and a sudden reduction in the number of white blood corpuscles.
The average life span of a person with Pleural Mesothelioma is up to 6 months to a year and the maximum can reach up to 5 years - the magnesium-silicate mineral fibers take its toll that's more than painful.
Other factors that may accelerate the possibility of pleural mesothelioma are chronic lung infections, tuberculous pleuritis, radiation (Thorotrast), exposure to the simian virus 40 (SV40) or mineral fibers (Zeolite) and tobacco smoking to a certain extent.
Pleural Mesothelioma does not give a person the avenue for fair play. Though the existence depends much on the various stages of the disease, it is an ultimate killing menace that sucks out the life of the common man.
About the Author
The article author Liz Allen is manager of the mesothelioma cancer resource and information website. that offers great facts and mesothelioma cancer resource online. Visit now for information on caners including access to a doctors guide how to heal cancer. http://www.mesothelioma-ur-resource.com/
What is Pleural Mesothelioma?
Pleural Mesothelioma or malignant pleural mesothelioma is cancer in the layer of the lungs that can spread to the lungs. The spread of the tumor over the pleura results in pleural thickening. This hinders the reflexivity of the pleura and encases the lungs in an increasing restrictive belt. With the lungs thus restricted, they get constricted in no time and a person is always out of breath.
Pleural mesothelioma can be:
* Diffuse and malignant (carcinogenic)
* Localized and benign (non-cancerous)
Benign pleural mesothelioma can be removed surgically, but the malignant tumors are the real terror heads.
Most common among other mesothelioma cases, Pleural Mesothelioma is caused due to exposure to blue asbestos for a longer period of time, say 20 years, in which time the disease incubates only to show its fearful countenance via certain symptoms.
The symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma
The symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma include difficulty in breathing, difficulty in sleeping, pain in the chest and abdominal regions, blood vomits, weakness, weight loss, loss of appetite, lower back pains, persistent coughing, hoarseness of voice, sensory loss and difficulty in swallowing.
Diagnosis of Pleural Mesothelioma
The first step is to go through a chest X-ray or a CT scan (computed chest tomograph), which will reveal a pleural thickening and an effusion. This is followed by a bronchoscopy. However, it should always be left to a medical practitioner for a better understanding of the respective cases. Another method is a biopsy, which can be a needle biopsy, an open biopsy, or a thoracoscopy, where a mini camera is inserted inside the body and with that a tissue sample is attained for further diagnosis.
Treatment of Pleural Mesothelioma
Treatment is directly proportional to the time of the revelation of the disease, i.e., at an early stage the tumor can be removed through surgery.
A pioneering mesothelioma treatment option is immunotherapy, e.g., intrapleural inoculation of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is a useful mesothelioma treatment in which an effort is made to intensify the immune response.
Radiation treatment and chemotherapy is probably then the answer to the malignant pleural mesothelioma, but this can aid the pain management only; there's no escaping death with Pleural Mesothelioma.
Side effects of Treatment
The side effects and penalty of mesothelioma lung cancer treatment are more than its treatment, which is damaged healthy tissues, a state of absolute fatigue ness; excessive radiation causes the skin to become red, dry and itchy.
Other side effects of radiotherapy are nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, urinary discomfort and a sudden reduction in the number of white blood corpuscles.
The average life span of a person with Pleural Mesothelioma is up to 6 months to a year and the maximum can reach up to 5 years - the magnesium-silicate mineral fibers take its toll that's more than painful.
Other factors that may accelerate the possibility of pleural mesothelioma are chronic lung infections, tuberculous pleuritis, radiation (Thorotrast), exposure to the simian virus 40 (SV40) or mineral fibers (Zeolite) and tobacco smoking to a certain extent.
Pleural Mesothelioma does not give a person the avenue for fair play. Though the existence depends much on the various stages of the disease, it is an ultimate killing menace that sucks out the life of the common man.
About the Author
The article author Liz Allen is manager of the mesothelioma cancer resource and information website. that offers great facts and mesothelioma cancer resource online. Visit now for information on caners including access to a doctors guide how to heal cancer. http://www.mesothelioma-ur-resource.com/
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Environmental Hazard
by Ian O'Malley
Asbestos has long been used in buildings because of a number of valuable properties. One of the most valuable properties that asbestos possesses is that it's insulating. Although it has long been known as a health risk, it's only recently that other materials have replaced asbestos including fibreglass.
Risks of Asbestos
The main risk of asbestos is that the particles are very fine, these can easily be inhaled and accumulate in the lungs. Normally the people that suffer from related conditions are the people that mine the mineral, process it and install it.
There are a number of trade's people that are involved with the fitting of asbestos related parts who can also suffer from asbestos related illnesses. Asbestos has also been used in cement, clothing, and even in gas masks. Although asbestos is no longer used, these people are still often at risk when it comes to removing and demolishing buildings that could possibly contain asbestos.
The danger of asbestos is that breathing in the particles can cause lung cancer and related diseases. This condition may fist be noticed by breathing difficulty, which will then result in lung cancer. Chest pain may be a sign of asbestos related diseases, and could also be an indication that the disease is getting worse and developing.
Of course these symptoms are not limited to asbestos related diseases; they can also be caused by a wide range of different conditions. If you have any form of exposure to asbestos then your doctor will use this to diagnose your condition and get to the root of the problem.
Mesothelioma is a very rare form of cancer that only affects people that have been exposed to asbestos. This is a particularly nasty form of cancer that can attack the lining of the lungs and abdomen. Around 80% of patients suffering from this form of cancer have had some form of exposure to asbestos.
It can take 20 to 40 years after exposure to asbestos for the effects of exposure to become apparent. This type of cancer is fatal in a large number of cases.
There is no known cure for asbestosis and related diseases. It is important that you keep detailed accounts of any history where you might have come into contact with the material. It is also possible that toxic asbestos dust has been breathed in from clothes of someone that worked with the substance. Your doctor may use chest X-rays to look for any abnormalities and find out about possible asbestos diseases.
If you work with asbestos, especially when removing or disturbing it then it is very important you use the provided safety equipment to ensure that none of it gets into your body. The problem is that the particles are so light it's very easy to breathe them in. This is why asbestos removers often wear all over body suits to remove asbestos.
Hiring a professional
When removing asbestos it is very important to hire a professional such as a1asbestos.com.au. A1asbestosremoval offer asbestos removals throughout Australia, including asbestos removal Queensland, and asbestos removal Brisbane.
www.a1asbestos.com.au
About the Author
Ian O'Malley is an ardent environmental activist and uses his free time to write on the environment and other related topics. With the advent of the internet he has found a new medium to express his thoughts and inform the people about the issues facing our environment. www.a1asbestos.com.au
Asbestos has long been used in buildings because of a number of valuable properties. One of the most valuable properties that asbestos possesses is that it's insulating. Although it has long been known as a health risk, it's only recently that other materials have replaced asbestos including fibreglass.
Risks of Asbestos
The main risk of asbestos is that the particles are very fine, these can easily be inhaled and accumulate in the lungs. Normally the people that suffer from related conditions are the people that mine the mineral, process it and install it.
There are a number of trade's people that are involved with the fitting of asbestos related parts who can also suffer from asbestos related illnesses. Asbestos has also been used in cement, clothing, and even in gas masks. Although asbestos is no longer used, these people are still often at risk when it comes to removing and demolishing buildings that could possibly contain asbestos.
The danger of asbestos is that breathing in the particles can cause lung cancer and related diseases. This condition may fist be noticed by breathing difficulty, which will then result in lung cancer. Chest pain may be a sign of asbestos related diseases, and could also be an indication that the disease is getting worse and developing.
Of course these symptoms are not limited to asbestos related diseases; they can also be caused by a wide range of different conditions. If you have any form of exposure to asbestos then your doctor will use this to diagnose your condition and get to the root of the problem.
Mesothelioma is a very rare form of cancer that only affects people that have been exposed to asbestos. This is a particularly nasty form of cancer that can attack the lining of the lungs and abdomen. Around 80% of patients suffering from this form of cancer have had some form of exposure to asbestos.
It can take 20 to 40 years after exposure to asbestos for the effects of exposure to become apparent. This type of cancer is fatal in a large number of cases.
There is no known cure for asbestosis and related diseases. It is important that you keep detailed accounts of any history where you might have come into contact with the material. It is also possible that toxic asbestos dust has been breathed in from clothes of someone that worked with the substance. Your doctor may use chest X-rays to look for any abnormalities and find out about possible asbestos diseases.
If you work with asbestos, especially when removing or disturbing it then it is very important you use the provided safety equipment to ensure that none of it gets into your body. The problem is that the particles are so light it's very easy to breathe them in. This is why asbestos removers often wear all over body suits to remove asbestos.
Hiring a professional
When removing asbestos it is very important to hire a professional such as a1asbestos.com.au. A1asbestosremoval offer asbestos removals throughout Australia, including asbestos removal Queensland, and asbestos removal Brisbane.
www.a1asbestos.com.au
About the Author
Ian O'Malley is an ardent environmental activist and uses his free time to write on the environment and other related topics. With the advent of the internet he has found a new medium to express his thoughts and inform the people about the issues facing our environment. www.a1asbestos.com.au
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