Asbestos is a mineral that has been used in thousands of products, but exposure to the toxin can cause mesothelioma and other diseases.
Asbestos fibers have been used over the years in a variety of household, commercial and industrial products. When inhaled or ingested, these fibers can cause serious asbestos related diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.
What is Asbestos
Once marketed as a "magic mineral," asbestos is now a notorious public health threat. Learn what asbestos is, why it is harmful and how it has been used in many building materials and consumer products.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that can be pulled into a fluffy consistency. Asbestos fibers are soft and flexible yet the resistant to heat, electricity and chemical corrosion. Pure asbestos is an effective insulator and can also be mixed with fabric, paper, cement, plastic and other materials to make it stronger.
Asbestos refers to six naturally occurring fiber minerals that can withstand heat, fire and electricity. These properties of asbestos have supported its use over many years in a variety of commercial and industrial environments as well as in a wide range of consumer products.
Although its use has declined in recent decades. There are still many products containing asbestos, especially in older homes, schools and public buildings. The mineral has not yet been banned in the United States, although the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal agencies have set strict laws to restrict their use and prevent exposure. Asbestos is extremely dangerous if it is disturbed and in the air because it is inhaled or ingested easily and can cause many health problems, including mesothelioma.
The most common way for the penetration of asbestos fibers into the body is breathing. In fact, asbestos-containing material is generally not considered harmful unless. It releases dust or fibers into the air where it can be inhaled or absorbed. Many of the fibers are trapped in the mucous membranes of the nose and pharynx, where they can then be removed, but some can enter the lungs deeply or, if ingested, into the digestive tract.
Asbestos and Mesothelioma
Asbestos has been associated with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases since at least the 1920's. Though this did not slow down the use of the mineral. From the 1930s to the late 1970s, the use of asbestos rose in the US and around the world, putting millions of people at risk. Over the same period, the link between asbestos exposure and cancer risk became more apparent as more and more reports of mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases were disseminated.
Any limited exposure to asbestos is considered dangerous and may later lead to a mesothelioma diagnosis. When inhaled or ingested, the microscopic asbestos fibers penetrate into the lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart. Over a period of 10 to 50 years, the fibers can cause inflammation and scarring, which can eventually develop into mesothelioma tumors or other related conditions.
Types of Asbestos
The EPA classifies 6 different minerals as asbestos. All 6 types are known human carcinogens, meaning that they are toxic to human health. Asbestos minerals are divided into two categories: serpentine and amphibole.
Chrysotile, also known as white asbestos, consists of long, curly fibers that are considered more flexible or malleable than other species. Chrysotile is not only a common building material in buildings from the 1980s, but is also used as a material that is woven into fabric and upholstery with industrial strength. Scientifically, there are other asbestos minerals that can be just as dangerous as the six legally recognized species.
However, in the decades since AHERA's inception, any further attempt to regulate asbestos in the United States has failed due to pressure from business interests. Although the use of asbestos is severely limited, the United States remains one of the few developed nations in the world that has not banned asbestos. It is currently legal to include asbestos in almost all types of American products as long as the product does not contain more than 1 percent asbestos.
All types of asbestos have these characteristics in common, though each type may vary in other facets, such as: B. color and tensile strength. In general, asbestos is divided into two main families: serpentine and amphibole. Serpentine asbestos is known for its "curly" fibers and accounts for 95% of the total asbestos used. Amphibolesbest consists of acicular fibers, which are considered by researchers to be more dangerous because less exposure is needed to cause mesothelioma or other diseases.
(1)Actinolite Asbestos
Actinolite asbestos is a variant of the subclassification of amphibole asbestos, and therefore its composition and consistency are similar to other forms of this subgroup. The actinolite asbestos is mostly made from magnesium and is extremely rare. Its color ranges from white to dark brown. Actinolite was not known for use in asbestos products due to its rarity, but it is known to be found in metamorphic rocks. As with the all forms of asbestos, actinolite is a known carcinogen that can cause mesothelioma cancer.
(2)Amosite Asbestos
The commercial production of amosite or "brown" asbestos has ended within the last decade and this type of asbestos is no longer mined. At one time, however, it was the second most used form of asbestos and, as a result, many individuals were exposed to asbestos during their peak use. Amosite was used as insulation in factories and buildings as well as acoustic and condensation protection material. Use has been banned in most countries for about 30 years.
(3)Anthophyllite Asbestos
Anthophyllite asbestos, is also known as "brown" asbestos, consists predominantly of iron and magnesium. It is known that its fibers are long and flexible. From the amphibole subclass, brown asbestos can be found in many talc mines and has been linked to some respiratory diseases.
It is not conclusively associated with mesothelioma like other asbestos types. Due to its rarity, anthophyllite was not widely used in consumer goods, but could be found in some cement products and insulants.
(4)Chrysotile Asbestos
Chrysotile, the most common type of asbestos and the only species that is still degraded, was the most prevalent in the developed world. It is estimated that about 90 to 95% of the total asbestos remaining in buildings in the US and Canada is of this variety.
Because it was so widespread, it is responsible for most health problems, although the companies that are reducing it continue to confirm its safety. Chrysotile is most commonly used in fire and insulation products and was often used aboard US Navy ships during World War II and the Korean War.
(5)Crocidolite Asbestos
Crocidolite asbestos was rarely used and accounted for only 1.3% of the total asbestos used in the United States. In crocidolite occurs is naturally formed bundles that are long, sharp and straight. This "blue" asbestos is harder and more brittle than other minerals and can break easily, releasing dangerous needle-like fibers that can be easily inhaled. Crocidolite has been used only in very limited, specialized applications, including acidic or corrosive environments.
(6)Tremolite Asbestos
As a form of amphibole, tremolite asbestos has been implicated in the development of malignant mesotheliomas and other asbestos in plaster related cancers. Like other asbestos varieties, tremolite asbestos consists predominantly of magnesium and may vary from off-white to a dark green color.
Tremolite is particularly common in vermiculite deposits. Tremolite-contaminated vermiculite was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of miners in Libby, Montana, who had worked at the W. R. Grace vermiculite mine.
Why is Asbestos Dangerous?
Microscopic asbestos fibers can not be seen, smelled or tasted, and exposure to asbestos does not cause immediate symptoms. Therefore, a person can easily inhale or swallow asbestos dust without realizing it.
Once asbestos fibers are in the body, they never dissolve and the body has extreme difficulty exorcising them. Over the years, trapped asbestos fibers can cause inflammation, scars and eventually genetic damage to the body's cells. The development of asbestos-related diseases often takes 20 to 50 years.
Although asbestos is not safe, asbestos generally has the worst effects when a person is exposed to intense concentration or when exposed regularly over a long period of time. With every exposure, more asbestos accumulates in the body, and there is no way to reverse the cellular damage it causes.
Damage and aging increase the tearability of asbestos-containing materials. Water damage, constant vibration, aging, and physical effects such as drilling, sanding, polishing, cutting, sawing, or hitting can degrade the materials and increase fiber release.
- Asbestos still kills around 5,000 workers every year, more than the number of people killed in the street.
- Around 20 craftsmen die each week as a result of a commitment in the past.
- However, asbestos is not just a problem in the past. It can now be found in every building that was built or renovated before the year 2000.
When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed or damaged, fibers are released into the air. When inhaled, these fibers can cause serious illnesses. These diseases will not affect you immediately; Development often takes a long time, but once diagnosed, it's often too late to do anything. That's why it's important that you protect yourself now.
Asbestos Cancer
Exposure to asbestos can lead to a number of serious illnesses, including cancer. Asbestos cancer often refers specifically to mesothelioma, but may also refer to other asbestos-related diseases such as asbestosis and asbestos lung cancer.
This durable mineral has been used in many industries around the world for its resistance to heat and chemicals, and is still known in some parts of the world, despite many years of health risks.
Asbestos is a unique mineral that can be broken down into flexible fibers. If you inhale or swallow microscopic asbestos fibers, your body may never dissolve or expel them. Over the many years, the fibers can cause genetic changes that can lead to cancer. Lifestyle factors can increase the risk of cancer after exposure to asbestos. These include smoking, chronic stress, poor eating habits and poor physical fitness.
Most cases of asbestos diseases are due to occupational exposure. The World Health Organization says asbestos causes half of all deaths from cancer. Secondhand and environmental exposure to asbestos can also cause cancer.
Asbestos is a mineral that can b used for centuries. Once known for its strength and its resistance to heat and fire, it has fallen into disrepute in recent years after it has proven to be a highly toxic carcinogen. Asbestos easily breaks down into tiny fibers that can be inhaled or absorbed into the body, causing chaos and causing a range of asbestos cancers and other diseases.
The type of cancer most commonly associated with asbestos is mesothelioma. However, there are other diseases that are directly related to mesothelioma exposure. Asbestos can cause lung cancer, and it has also been linked to an increased risk of various other cancers.
Asbestos in Lungs
Inhalation of asbestos fibers has been associated with an increased risk of lung cancer in many studies involving asbestos-exposed workers.
All individuals who have worked with asbestos have a potential risk of asbestos-related lung disease from inhaling the fibers. Asbestos is a mineral silicate, which naturally occurs in different forms. It is resistant to heat and other destructive means, which explains its extensive use in the 19th and 20th centuries. Asbestos fiber structure allows it to be woven into fabrics or incorporated into cement materials, ceiling tiles, brake and clutch linings, pipe and boiler insulation, flooring, resins, polymers and filter papers.
In the past, people with the highest levels of exposure worked in asbestos mining, milling and asbestos textile manufacturing. Countries that currently produce large quantities of asbestos include Russia, Kazakhstan, China and Canada. In the 1920s to 1940s, asbestosis developed in textile workers with a latency of only a few years and was quickly put to death because the exposure was high.1 w1 w2 The risk of people using asbestos products became shipyard workers in the 1950s The association with mesothelioma was identified by a case-control study in South African miners in the 1960s.
Mixing asbestos cement or suitable insulation (construction workers), working with asbestos insulation materials (plumbers and electricians) or cutting asbestos cement board materials, although some may have been without their knowledge (for example, shipyard worker or ship's engineer). The lifetime risk of mesothelioma development was underlined in a recent study in which carpenters, plumbers, electricians, painters, and construction workers were more likely to be diagnosed in the general population.4 The occurrence of asbestos-related lung disease in spouses washing their clothes.
How Does Asbestos Affect The Lungs?
The shape of the asbestos fibers causes them to remain in the lungs. The clearance from the lungs is through the mucosal ladder and phagocytic uptake by macrophages or endocytosis by pneumocytes, but migration to the pleural surface can be via the lymphatic system.6 The most common forms of asbestos are curved serpentine fibers (chrysotile (white)) or straight amphibole Fibers (crocidolite (blue), amosite (brown) and anthophyllite). Curved fibers have a slightly lower risk of lung disease than straight fibers, w4, although there is no safe exposure threshold for asbestos of any kind.
Asbestos Symptoms
As scar tissue forms around the microscopic air sacs of the lungs, it gradually becomes more difficult for them to expand and fill themselves with fresh air.
This can cause a number of symptoms, including:
- Shortness of breath
- Persistent dry cough
- Tightness in the chest and pain
- Fatigue
- Weight loss and appetite
- Crackling noise while breathing
The stiffening of the lungs causes coughing, discomfort and crackling associated with asbestosis, resulting in less oxygen being delivered to the blood, causing respiratory distress. Since the body relies on oxygen for energy, chronic respiratory problems lead to fatigue and weight loss.
Advanced Symptoms
Pulmonary Hypertension
Scar tissue formation can also restrict the arteries and make it harder to pump blood from the heart into the lungs without increasing the pressure required to perform the procedure. This is called pulmonary hypertension, a condition different from the more common "hypertension" or systemic hypertension. Pulmonary hypertension is dangerous because it forces the heart to work harder, possibly leading to earlier problems with coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure.
Fingers and Toes in The Truncheon Bed
When the lungs release too little oxygen to the blood, a symptom called "clubbing" may occur. The toe and fingertips appear wider and rounder than normal. Fingernails and toenails may deform due to the lack of oxygen on the extremities of the body.
Treat Symptoms
Patients can minimize the symptoms of asbestosis by taking steps to improve their lifestyle:
- Eat a well-balanced diet and stay hydrated.
- Sleep well each night and take short breaks during the day.
- Exercise regularly without overexerting yourself.
- Prevent to respiratory infections by getting flu and pneumonia vaccines, washing your hands and avoiding large crowds.
- Avoid air pollution and tobacco smoke.
Asbestos Causes
If you are exposed to heavy asbestos dust for an extended period of time, some of the airborne fibers may become lodged in your alveoli - the small bags in your lungs where oxygen is exchanged for carbon dioxide in the blood. The asbestos fibers irritate the scar tissue and lead to the scar of the lung tissue, causing the lung to become stiff. This makes it hard to breathe.
If you inhale asbestos fibers, they can become embedded in your lungs and lead to the formation of scar tissue. This scarring is called asbestosis. Scarring can make breathing difficult, as the lung tissue does not normally expand and contract.
If you've worked in an asbestos-related industry before federal regulations have been introduced to regulate exposure, you may be at greater risk of developing the disease. Asbestos has often been found in construction and fire safety works. Asbestos is still used in certain industries, but it is closely monitored by the government through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
If you breathe the fibers for a long time, you increase your risk for diseases such as lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. Smokers are even more affected. That's because cigarette smoke irritates lung passages. This makes it harder for the lung to remove asbestos fibers.
As asbestosis progresses, more and more lung tissue is scarred. Eventually, your lung tissue becomes so stiff that it normally can not contract and expand. Smoking cigarettes seems to increase the retention of asbestos fibers in the lungs and often leads to a faster progression of the disease.
Asbestos Effects
People who worked in the mining, milling, manufacturing, installation or removal of asbestos products before the late 1970s are at risk of asbestosis. Examples include:
- Asbestos miners
- Airplanes and auto mechanics
- Boiler operator
- Construction worker
- Electrician
- Railroad worker
- Shipyard workers
- The workers removing asbestos insulation around steam pipes in older buildings
In general, it is safe to be made of asbestos materials as long as the asbestos fibers are contained. This prevents them from getting into the air.
Who is at Risk For an Asbestos Disease?
Everyone is exposed to asbestos at some point in their lives. There is low asbestos content in the air, water and soil. However, most people do not get sick from their exposure. People who get asbestos are usually those who are regularly affected, mostly in a job where they work directly with the material or through significant environmental contact.
Since the early 1940s, the millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos. Health hazards from asbestos fibers have been identified in workers in shipbuilding, asbestos mining and milling, in the production of asbestos and other asbestos products, in insulating work in construction and construction, and in a variety of other trades. Demolition workers, drywall, asbestos removal, firefighters and car workers may also be exposed to asbestos fibers.
Cancer risk assessments of car mechanics exposed to asbestos through brake repair are limited, but the overall picture suggests that there is no safe exposure to asbestos (3, 8). Due to government regulations and improved work practices, today's workers (those who were previously unexposed) face lower risks than they used to.
People involved in rescue, recovery, and cleansing at the World Trade Center (WTC) site in New York City on September 11, 2001, are another group at risk of asbestos-related illness ill. Since asbestos was used to build the North Tower of the WTC, hundreds of tons of asbestos were released into the atmosphere during the attack.
The most vulnerable are firefighters, police, paramedics, construction workers and volunteers working in the rubble of Ground Zero. Other vulnerable people include residents who are in close proximity to the WTC towers and those who visited nearby schools. These individuals must be monitored to determine the long-term health consequences of their exposure (10).
How Does Smoking Affect The Risk?
Many studies have shown that the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure is particularly dangerous. Smokers who are also exposed to asbestos have a risk of developing lung cancer that is higher than the individual risk of having asbestos with smoking (3, 6). There is evidence that smoking cessation reduces the risk of lung cancer among asbestos-exposed workers (4).
Smoking in combination with asbestos exposure does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma (9). People who have been exposed to asbestos at some point in life or have suspected that they may have been exposed to asbestos should not smoke.
Asbestos Treatment Options
Asbestosis is an irreversible condition. With the exception of lung transplantation, all asbestosis treatment options are palliative, ie they treat the symptoms of asbestosis to improve the patient's quality of life. An asbestosis can not be cured after its development, as the lung damage can not be reversed.
One of the most important things that someone with this condition can do is stop smoking when they smoke. This is because smokers' symptoms are more likely to worsen, and smoking also increases the risk of lung cancer in people with asbestosis. When needed, treatments such as oxygen therapy can improve the quality of life of asbestos. As the condition worsens over time, patients need to be treated more with age.
Additional Oxygen
Additional oxygen from a portable oxygen tank is often required for patients with reduced lung capacity. The tank provides extra oxygen to the lungs through a plastic hose with two prongs that fit into the patient's nose.
Drugs
Medications can dilute the lung secretions to ease coughing and relieve chest pain. However, corticosteroids (anti-inflammatory drugs) and immunosuppressants are ineffective in treating asbestosis.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Pulmonary rehabilitation helps patients learn techniques and make lifestyle changes to better cope with chronic respiratory problems. A team of therapists works together to meet both physical and psychological needs.
Lung Transplants
Lung grafts are most commonly considered when asbestosis is accompanied by severe lung diseases such as emphysema or lung cancer. It is a highly invasive treatment of the last treatment. In order to be placed on a lung transplantation waiting list, a patient must be screened extensively to determine the relative chances of success.
Some of patients also find the relief through complementary and alternative medical treatments such as acupuncture, massage therapy and homeopathic medicine. While none of these treatments provide a cure for asbestosis, many of them offer pain relief and improved lung function.
Asbestos Lawyers
A mesothelioma lawyer specializes in asbestos procedures. You can help mesothelioma patients to receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages. And other charges from a claim or claim against an asbestos fund.
If you have an asbestos disease, asbestos lawyers can help you understand your legal options and rights. In recent decades, many companies have been blamed for exposing people to asbestos, a harmful mineral that causes unhealthy diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis. Since there are so many victims of asbestos exposure, many lawyers today specialize in asbestos procedures.
After the initial shock of mesothelioma diagnosis, patients and relatives often wonder how they can afford expensive treatment and other financial difficulties. Choosing the right mesothelioma lawyer to represent you is an important first step in your family's financial future. The limitation periods vary from state to state, and you may not have enough time to file a claim for damages.
A reputable mesothelioma lawyer will help you to receive compensation for treatment, living expenses, and other costs associated with your diagnosis of mesothelioma. The ideal mesothelioma lawyer or law firm should have a solid track record of the highest jury awards and mesothelioma settlement, demonstrating their familiarity with asbestos laws and litigation in your state.
Finding an experienced mesothelioma lawyer is crucial to the compensation you earn. A good mesothelioma patient lawyer should have the determination and determination to fight for the best possible financial compensation on your behalf, while showing compassion and understanding for you.
What are The Qualities For a Mesothelioma Lawyer?
Not all lawyers are equal. Mesothelioma complaints are complex and time sensitive. A lawyer with a successful asbestos litigation makes the process simple and straightforward, giving you more time to focus on what matters most: your health and family.
An experienced mesothelioma lawyer will handle of your case from start to finish and explain your options along the way. You are familiar with other ways of compensation and help you to make the right decision.
Established mesothelioma law firms serve clients nationwide, wherever they live. Many lawyers will travel to your home to make you feel good. If you live in a remote area, do not feel discouraged to file a lawsuit - you have the same legal rights and opportunities as anyone else.
Top Qualities For a Mesothelioma Lawyer
Sensitive: A great mesothelioma lawyer listens to your needs and understands what you and your family are going through.
Expertise: The best lawyers for mesothelioma focus exclusively on asbestos procedures.
Experience: Find a lawyer with many years of experience and a proven track record.
Comprehensive: The best companies are collecting extensive resources to create strong cases.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mesothelioma Lawyer
Asbestos laws and litigation can be complex and difficult to understand if you have not had any legal experience. A mesothelioma lawyer can give you a free consultation to get answers to all your questions. It also gives you an idea of what to expect when choosing an asbestos claim.
Below is a list of frequently asked questions Mesothelioma victims and their relatives may face when considering their legal options. However, it is important to note that the details may vary from case to case.
When Should I Hire a Mesothelioma Lawyer?
Patients or their relatives should contact a mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible after mesothelioma diagnosis. The limitation periods set time limits for legal action that could affect your ability to compensate. Each state in the United States has its own limitation period. Generally, after diagnosis, patients have 1-3 years to take legal action.
An experienced asbestos lawyer can help you and your family understand timelines, all your legal rights, and possible compensation options. If you decide to file a lawsuit, your lawyer can investigate your case immediately.
Can I File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit?
Due to the long latency of mesothelioma, some patients are diagnosed decades after exposure. You wonder if it's too late to file a mesothelioma lawsuit, especially if asbestos companies are no longer in business. However, asbestos trust funds are being set up to provide victims with compensation for the coming years with which mesothelioma lawyers have experience.
Why Should I Hire a Mesothelioma Lawyer?
A lawyer specializing in asbestos cases differs in having important experience with similar cases. They understand asbestos legislation, have experience in collecting evidence related to asbestos exposure, and know what to expect when it comes to compensating asbestos victims.
Mesothelioma lawyers have experience with various forms of compensation, including veteran benefits, settlements or judgments related to a mesothelioma claim, claims against an asbestos trust fund, and disability benefits.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Mesothelioma Lawyer?
If you hire a reputable law firm, you will receive a free case evaluation and usually no upfront costs. Most mesothelioma lawsuits are handled on the basis of contingency fees. So you do not have to pay any fees unless your case is won and you will not be charged until you receive your compensation.
The costs vary from case to case. However, if you do not have to go to court, the cost is usually 3-5% of your price. Experienced lawyers and law firms know how to keep costs down and understand the financial burdens that you and your family are already facing.
How Long Does it Take to Hire a Lawyer to get Compensation?
Each individual case is different, so you can not say exactly how long it can take to get compensation from a particular claim. It can take months to gather just the information and documents needed to make the application simple. Once the claim has been filed, the period for reaching an agreement or. If you go to court, a jury award can be months to years.
An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can give you a realistic idea of how long it will take for you to receive compensation once he has the details of your case. However, it is understood that the actual timeframe for receiving compensation is an estimate and may be subject to change during the course of the lawsuit.
COMMENTS