Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer and Asbestos

Smoking and Mesothelioma

2006-10-10T20:09:00.000-07:00

If I Smoked Cigarettes, Can I Still File A Claim Against The Asbestos Companies?Asbestos alone can cause lung cancer. If you smoked in the past or are presently smoking, and have been diagnosed with lung cancer, asbestos may also be a cause of your cancer. For smokers, asbestos and tobacco act together, greatly increasing the risk of lung cancer. The combination of smoking and asbestos can increase the risk factor of lung cancer.Smoking does not cause mesothelioma or asbestosis. Therefore, if you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestosis, it was caused by your asbestos exposure, and has no relationship to your smoking.Mesothelioma Was PreventableScores of corporations that manufactured and profited from the sale of asbestos-containing products knew the health hazards as early as the 1920's. If you worked in a high-risk industry and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or you have lost someone to an asbestos-related illness, it is your right to seek compensation from those responsible for your situation.

Three Types of Mesothelioma and their Symptoms

2006-10-08T20:51:00.000-07:00

Symptoms of Pleural Mesothelioma

The most common type of mesothelioma is called pleural mesothelioma. In fact, of the reported mesothelioma cases, approximately 75% are classified as pleural mesothelioma. This form of mesothelioma attacks the lungs and respiratory areas of the body.
Stated differently, pleural mesothelioma attacks the cells and the lining (known as the pleura) of the lungs and ribs.
There are essentially three types of mesothelioma: pleural (affects the lungs), peritoneal (affects the abdomen), and pericardial (affects the heart). Although the symptoms for all three types of mesothelioma overlap, there are, however, some differences.
Plural mesothelioma causes shortness of breath and/or chronic coughing that can easily be associated with symptoms from allergies, the flu, or from a common cold.
In many cases pleural mesothelioma is discovered by accident when patients see their doctors about cold-related or flu-related symptoms.
Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining around the stomach and intestines and can be just as dangerous and deadly as pleural mesothelioma
Other symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:

chronic coughing that worsens over time
shortness of breath
coughing up blood
fatigue
wheezing
lung infection
swollen lymph nodes
loss of appetite
weight loss
chest pain

Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until between twenty and fifty years after exposure, which explains why so many new cases of this form of cancer are currently being reported. Many people who haven't been in contact with asbestos for decades are now showing symptoms of this dreadful disease.
Symptoms of Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Another type of mesothelioma cancer is called peritoneal mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma accounts for 20% of all mesothelioma cases. This type of mesothelioma affects the lining around the stomach and intestines and can be just as dangerous and deadly as pleural mesothelioma.
Of the reported mesothelioma cases, approximately 75% are classified as pleural mesothelioma.
Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include:

pain or swelling in the abdomen
weight loss
bowel obstruction
blockage in the small / large intestine
anemia
fever

Symptoms of Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pericardial mesothelioma is the most infrequent form of this rare asbestos-linked cancer. Individuals with this form of malignant mesothelioma have cancerous growths in tissues surrounding the heart.
In many cases pleural mesothelioma is discovered by accident when patients see their doctors about cold-related or flu-related symptoms.
Due to the rarity of this cancer, moreover, pericardial mesothelioma has not been definitely associated with asbestos exposure, although strong links between asbestos and pericardial mesothelioma have been made.
The symptoms of pericardial mesothelioma include the following:

chest pain
labored breathing
cough
palpitations
shortness of breath
hoarseness
difficulty swallowing
coughing up blood

For those who are exposed to asbestos or have been exposed have a risk of obtaining mesothelioma, it is important that mesothelioma is diagnosed in its early stages so that it can be treated quickly and aggressively. The earlier it is discovered, the more likely the treatment will be successful.

Types of Mesothelioma

2006-10-03T22:12:00.000-07:00

Asbestos lung cancer is a group of diseases related to asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been mined, processed, and used for over 6,000 years. The two most common diseases related to asbestos lung cancer are asbestosis and mesothelioma, with pleural mesothelioma being the most common form of mesothelioma. Both mesothelioma and asbestosis are associated with the inhalation of asbestos and subsequent inflammation caused by the lodging of asbestos in the lungs.
Mesothelioma
Malignant mesothelioma is a type of asbestos lung cancer. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that results from asbestos becoming lodged in the lung lining. However, unlike asbestosis, mesothelioma occurs in the serous lining of the lung, which is the lining surrounding the outside of the lungs. Also unlike asbestosis, mesothelioma is malignant, while asbestosis is benign. Malignant means that the growths in the lung serous membranes related to mesothelioma are cancerous, can grow rapidly and spread to other organs. Asbestosis, on the other hand, does not spread to other organs. When cancer tumors grow and then spread to other organs, this is called metastasis.
Pleural Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma can affect different organs in the body, not just the lungs. When mesothelioma occurs in the lungs, it is called pleural mesothelioma. When this disease occurs in the heart lining it is called pericardial mesothelioma, and when it occurs in the abdomen it is called peritoneal mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure is thought to be the primary cause for these other types of mesothelioma.
The time line between asbestos exposure and the onset of pleural mesothelioma is very long, 30 to 40 years. Pleural mesothelioma can also be detected by x-rays, but the diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma has to be confirmed with a biopsy. The treatment of pleural mesothelioma is the same as for other cancers, but the disease is very aggressive and most treatments do not slow the disease’s progression. The life expectancy of those diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma is very short, less than a year.
Asbestosis
Asbestosis is a disease where exposure to asbestos can cause scarring of the lungs and lead to asbestos lung cancer; however, it is not a type of lung cancer. Asbestos fibers are tiny, yet durable. When they are inhaled, the lungs' natural filtration process is unable to eliminate the fibers from the air, allowing asbestos to enter the very sterile inner reaches of the lung cavities. When these fibers become lodged in the lining of the lung, inflammation begins and eventually leads to scarring of the lung lining.
The time line between when the asbestos enters the lungs and when the scarring begins can be as many as ten years. Eventually, if enough scarring occurs in the lungs, fibrosis develops in the lung lining. Fibrosis is defined as the development of excess fibrous connective tissue in an organ. This connective tissue cripples the areas of the lungs that it invades. Thus, over time, large areas of the lung are unable to function because of the fibrosis. Similar to pleural mesothelioma, the total time line between exposure to asbestos and the development of large areas of fibrosis can be as long as 30 or 40 years.
Asbestosis is normally detected with an x-ray showing the large fibrous growths in the lungs. The initial symptom is difficulty in breathing. There is no cure for asbestosis and eventually the fibrous tissue can spread completely throughout the lungs and make it impossible to breath. Congestive heart failure is a common cause of death related to asbestosis. The heart becomes overworked in its attempt to push enough blood through the lungs to carry sufficient oxygen to the rest of the body.

Mesothelioma Lawyer Legal Guide

2006-10-02T22:24:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma Lawyer Legal Guide

When you are faced with something as devastating as a Mesothelioma diagnosis, you have a right to seek answers about why you weren't forewarned of the dangers of asbestos, and you have the right to seek reparations for you and your family. If you are a grieving family member or executor of the will of a person who has died from asbestos-related disease or mesothelioma, you may be eligible to file a claim as well.Legal details are understandably the last thing that someone wants to confront after the initial shock of an asbestos-related illness. However, taking advantage of your legal rights can create the necessary funds to finance aggressive treatment, pay off huge medical bills incurred during diagnosis, and provide financial security for your family for years to come.Proving the link between one's illness and their asbestos exposure is a difficult and time-consuming responsibility. This is why the guidance of an experienced Mesothelioma lawyer is critical in helping victims and their families seek and receive financial compensation for their profound suffering. A good Mesothelioma attorney understands the unique complexities involved in this kind of lawsuit, including asbestos product identification, specific asbestos-related medical issues, and specific time constraints that narrow the window of opportunity to file a claim. It's important to find the right Mesothelioma lawyer before your state's statutes of limitations expire, leaving you and your family grieving and empty-handed.

Health Effects of Asbestos

2006-09-26T21:24:00.000-07:00

Health Effects of Asbestos

Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause serious health problems. If ingested, asbestos may cause cancer of the digestive system. It also may act as a skin irritant, causing itching and/or a rash. However, the biggest danger results from inhalation.
Three distinct diseases have been linked to asbestos exposure:
Asbestosis is a scarring of the lung tissue, which eventually reduces lung capacity. A dose/response relationship has been established, meaning the greater the exposure, the more likely this disease will develop. Asbestosis has a 15-30 year latency period and death usually results from complications associated with the disease as it slowly shuts off the normal oxygen supply to the body.
Lung cancer has also been shown to have a dose/response relationship, although no "safe level" has really been determined. However, the risk of disease is increased substantially for a cigarette smoker working with asbestos, up to 90 times greater for a smoker than a non-smoker. The latency period between exposure and the onset of the cancer may be up to 20 years or more.
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) or the abdominal lining (peritoneal mesothelioma). There is no dose/response relationship and no apparent relationship to smoking. Although relatively rare, it is almost always fatal. The latency period between exposure and cancer occurrence may be up to 20 years or more.

Mesothelioma Symptoms

Health Effects of Asbestos

2006-09-26T21:21:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma Lawyers

2006-09-25T21:52:00.000-07:00

Some lawyers specialize in mesothelioma-related cases. Corporate negligence has caused many people to be exposed to asbestos, and tragically some people have developed malignant mesothelioma. These people have legal rights and there are many lawyers working hard to help these folks get some kind of compensation.

What is mesothelioma?

Malignant mesothelioma is an uncommon, but no longer rare, cancer that is difficult to diagnose and poorly responsive to therapy. Malignant mesothelioma is the most serious of all asbestos-related diseases. Virtually all cases of malignant mesothelioma are attributable to asbestos exposure.
What are the risk factors for mesothelioma?The main risk factor for mesothelioma is contact with asbestos. In the past, asbestos was used for insulation because it does not conduct heat well and doesn’t easily melt or burn. It was also used in other products such as floor tiles, door gaskets, roofing, and patching compounds.
If asbestos fibers are breathed in, they travel to the ends of the small air passages and reach the lining of the lungs. There they can damage the mesothelial cells or the lining of the lung cells. If swallowed, these fibers can also reach the lining of the abdominal cavity where they play a part in causing a cancer called peritoneal mesothelioma. As the link between asbestos and cancer has become well known, use of this material has decreased. All use stopped after 1989.
The following may increase chances of developing mesothelioma:
Radiation - There have been a few published reports of pleural and peritoneal mesotheliomas that developed following exposure to thorium dioxide (Thorotrast).
Zeolite - This is a silicate mineral, chemically related to asbestos, common in the soil of the Anatoli region of Turkey. Many cases of mesothelioma have been described in this region and may have been caused by this mineral.
Tobacco Smoking - the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure also greatly increases the risk of lung cancer.
SV40 Virus - Some recent studies have raised the possibility that infection with simian virus 40 (SV40) might increase a person's risk of developing mesothelioma.
What are some ways to try to prevent mesothelioma?
Avoid exposure to asbestos
Eat Healthy
Exercise
What are some ways to detect mesothelioma?
Chest X-Ray
CT Scan
MRI
Thoracoscopy - A thoracoscope (telescope-like instrument connected to a video camera) is inserted through a small incision into the chest. Your doctor can see the tumor through the thoracoscope, and can use special forceps to take a tissue biopsy
Bronchoscopy - In this procedure a flexible lighted tube is inserted through your mouth, down the trachea, and into the bronchi to see if there are other masses in the airway. Small samples of abnormal-appearing tissue can be removed for testing.
Mediastinoscopy - A lighted tube is inserted under the sternum (chest bone) at the level of the neck and moved down into the chest allowing the surgeon to view the lymph nodes in this area and remove samples to check for cancer.

Mesothelioma Symptoms

What Causes Mesothelioma?

2006-09-24T20:11:00.000-07:00

What causes mesothelioma?

Asbestos exposure is the main cause of mesothelioma. After these fibers are breathed in, they travel to the ends of small air passages and reach the pleura where they cause physical damage to mesothelial cells that may result in cancer. In addition, they also cause injury to lung cells that can result in lung cancer and/or asbestosis (replacement of lung tissue by scar tissue). If swallowed, these fibers can reach the abdominal cavity where they have a role in causing peritoneal mesothelioma.
Exposure to asbestos, though mostly occupational, can also be environmental, or familial by household contamination, through the work clothes of an asbestos worker for instance.
Beginning 15 years after the onset of exposure, about 6% of asbestos workers die of mesothelioma. In one study of asbestos insulation workers, the death rate from mesothelioma was 344 times higher than in the general population. (Selifoff IJ et al. Relation between exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma. NEJM)

2006-09-23T22:16:00.000-07:00

Asbestos: A natural material made up of tiny fibers which can lodge in the lungs and lead to cancer or scarring of the lungs. The cancer may be lung cancer or (mesothelioma), which is a cancer of the lining of the lungs or other internal organs. The scarring of the lungs is termed asbestosis. Exposure to asbestos usually occurs by breathing contaminated air in workplaces that make or use asbestos or in the air of buildings containing asbestos that are being torn down or renovated.
Asbestos is one of the health hazards of mining. To take a case in point, the small town of Libby, Montana was home through most of the 20th century to one of the world's largest vermiculite mines. Vermiculite, a mineral, is used in everything from insulation to animal feed to potting soil. But Libby's rich vermiculite deposit was laced with asbestos. Hundreds of miners and their families fell sick or died as a result of their exposure to the asbestos.
The following additional information is based on materials from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, a part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the CDC).
Asbestos is a group of six different fibrous minerals: The six minerals are amosite, chrysotile, crocidolite, and the fibrous varieties of tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite. They occur naturally in soil and rocks in some areas. Asbestos fibers vary in length and may be straight or curled. The fibers are resistant to heat and most chemicals.
Asbestos is used for a wide range of manufactured goods, mostly roofing shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, paper products, asbestos cement products, friction products (automobile clutch, brake, and transmission parts), textiles, packaging, gaskets, and coatings.
Asbestos mainly affects the lungs: Changes in the membrane surrounding the lung are common in workers exposed to asbestos. These lung changes are also sometimes found in people living in areas with high levels of asbestos in the air. Breathing very high levels of asbestos may result in a slow buildup of scar-like tissue in the lungs and in the membrane that surrounds the lungs. People with asbestosis have shortness of breath, often along with a cough and sometimes heart enlargement. This is chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), a serious disease that can lead to disability or death.
Asbestos is a known carcinogen: There are two types of cancer caused by exposure to high levels of asbestos: cancer of the lung tissue itself and mesothelioma, a cancer of the membrane that surrounds the lung and other internal organs. Both of these are usually fatal. These diseases do not develop immediately, but show up only after many years.
Interactions between cigarette smoke and asbestos increase the chances of getting lung cancer. Studies of workers suggest that breathing asbestos can increase the chances of getting cancer in other parts of the body (stomach, intestines, esophagus, pancreas, kidneys), but this is not certain.
People who are exposed to lower levels of asbestos may also have an increased risk of developing cancer, but the risks are usually small and are difficult to measure.
It is not known whether ingesting (swallowing) asbestos causes cancer. Some people who had been exposed to asbestos fibers in their drinking water had higher-than-average death rates from cancer of the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. However, it isn't known whether this was caused by asbestos or by something else.
Medical tests: Chest X-rays cannot detect asbestos fibers, but can detect early signs of lung disease caused by asbestos. Other tests (lung and CAT scans), are also useful in detecting changes in the lungs.
Tests exist to measure asbestos fibers in urine, feces, mucus, or material rinsed out of the lung. However, low levels of asbestos fibers are found in these body fluids in nearly all people, so higher-than-average levels can only show that a person has been exposed to asbestos, not whether the person will experience ill health effects.
Regulations: In 1989, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned all new uses of asbestos; uses established before this date are still allowed. The EPA has established regulations that require school systems to inspect for damaged asbestos and to eliminate or reduce the exposure by removing the asbestos or by covering it up. The EPA has set a limit of 7 million fibers per liter (MFL) as the concentration of long asbestos fibers that may be present in drinking water.

What is Mesothelioma?

2006-09-21T22:10:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma is a cancerous disease that is becoming more and more common. Affecting the mesothelial cells that make up the mesothelium – the outer lining that protects the body’s major organs such as the heart, stomach and lungs – this form of cancer is a direct result of regular and unprotected exposure to asbestos. The symptoms and the latency period of this disease mean that it is difficult to diagnose. Treatment for mesothelioma is still being investigated through clinical trials and research, but as a rule it responds poorly to the treatments that are currently used.
The people most at risk from being carriers of this cancer are those have worked with asbestos over the past thirty to fifty years. Because of this, the disease is most common in men between the ages of sixty and seventy as this is the group that commonly worked with asbestos during those years. Because of the lack of protection and regulations in those days, these workers were constantly exposed to the dust and fibres from the asbestos, which caused the cells of the mesothelium to become abnormal. However, because the disease takes decades to develop fully and manifest, many of them were oblivious to this until thirty to fifty years later. It is these men who are now lodging multi-million dollar lawsuits against the unscrupulous companies that exposed them to the dangers of asbestos, even though they were aware that it could cause harm to the employees.
There are also other people at risk from the disease; namely those who have had regular contact with a person who has worked with asbestos. Because these workers regularly carried dust and fibres on their clothes, skin and in their hair, they fibres and dust could be ingested by family members, who were then at risk of developing mesothelioma, respiratory problems or another asbestos related disease.
The organs most affected by mesothelioma are the lungs and the surrounding tissue. Pleural mesothelioma, which is the type affecting the lining of the lungs, is the most common variation of this cancer with symptoms which include breathing and swallowing difficulties, coughing, shortness of breath, fever and weight loss. The abdomen is another area affected by this cancer, and this variation is known as peritoneal mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma is not as common as pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma can include nausea and vomiting, weight loss and loss of appetite, fever, bowel obstruction and pain or swelling of the stomach area. The last variation of the cancer is pericardial mesothelioma, which is where the cancer affects the heart and the tissue surrounding it. This variation is a rare one, and symptoms can include palpitations, breathing difficulties, and persistent coughing.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are very common to a number of other diseases which are more well-known in society. Therefore, it is not unusual for the patient to be misdiagnosed when he or she goes in displaying any or all of these symptoms. People who have worked with asbestos should always let their doctor know this so that the doctor is more aware and more conscious of the possibilities in the event that the symptoms do manifest. A speedy diagnosis is important to the effective treatment of mesothelioma, and without being aware of the facts your doctor may not be able to make the diagnosis as quickly as he would if he is aware of the situation.
Although there are treatments for mesothelioma, they do not have a high success rate particularly on patients in whom the cancer is in its later stages. The faster the mesothelioma is diagnosed and treated, the more chance of success, which is why it is important to get as fast a diagnosis as possible.
Current treatments for mesothelioma include surgery, radiation therapy, palliative therapy and chemotherapy. The National Institute of Cancer along with a variety of other organizations and sponsors are currently conducting research into mesothelioma and carrying out clinical trials to try and find a treatment that will not only be more effective but will enable the successful treatment of the disease even in its later stages.

What Causes Mesothelioma?

2006-09-19T22:09:00.000-07:00

What causes mesothelioma?

Asbestos

Asbestos is a major known causeStudies show that asbestos is a major cause of mesothelioma. By various estimates, it accounts for about 75–80% of all mesothelioma cases in the United States. Asbestos is a mineral that occurs as a long, thin fiber in the environment. Before its usage was banned due to health dangers in the 1980s, it was used in many industrial and insulation materials as a fire retardant. Some of the jobs in which people have been exposed to asbestos directly or indirectly are those that involve factory work, demolition, insulation, shipbuilding, carpentry, and installation of brake linings in vehicles. Despite rigorousefforts to eliminate asbestos from our environment, some public and private buildings still contain asbestos. Personnel who remove asbestos from such structures or work around asbestos are required to wear personal protective equipment to lower their risk of exposure.Asbestos fibers may be inhaled and become lodged in the lungs, which can cause damage. Ifswallowed, asbestos may lead to peritoneal mesothelioma. Scientists are still researching exactly how asbestos fibers cause mesothelioma. It may be by a direct action on the cells of the body or by forming substances that affect genes in the body.

Asbestos

2006-09-18T21:41:00.000-07:00

Asbestos

What Is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals. These minerals, found in soil and rocks in many parts of the world, are made of magnesium, silicon, and other elements. Some asbestos fibers are curly (or "serpentine"). The most common asbestos in industrial use, known as chrysotile, or white asbestos, has curly fibers. Other asbestos fibers are straight and needle-like (or "amphibole"). These include amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite. Asbestos fibers are resistant to heat and many chemicals. As a result, asbestos has been used as an insulating material since ancient times. Since the industrial revolution, asbestos was used to insulate factories, schools, homes, and ships, to make automobile brake and clutch parts, roofing shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, cement, and textiles, and hundreds of other products.
During the first half of the 1900s, growing evidence demonstrated that asbestos is a health hazard causing scarring of the lungs. In the early 1900s, exposure to asbestos dust in the workplace was not controlled. Beginning in England in the 1930s, steps were taken to protect workers in the asbestos industry by installing ventilation and exhaust systems. However, in the huge shipbuilding effort during World War II, large numbers of workers were exposed to high levels of asbestos. As asbestos-related cancers became better recognized in the second half of the twentieth century, additional measures were taken to reduce exposure, and exposure standards were established. In addition to more careful handling, there has been a dramatic decrease in the import and use of asbestos since the mid-1960s, and alternative insulating materials have been developed. As a result, asbestos exposure has dropped dramatically in the United States. However, exposure continues in some other countries. And in this country, there is still a potential for exposure from asbestos that remains in place in older buildings, water pipes, and other settings.
How Are People Exposed to Asbestos?
People are exposed to asbestos mainly through inhaling fibers in the air they breathe. This may occur when mining and processing asbestos, producing asbestos-containing products, or installing asbestos insulation. It may also occur when older asbestos-containing materials begin to break down. In any of these situations, asbestos fibers tend to create a dust composed of tiny particles that can float in the air. In addition, asbestos can enter the body through ingestion. This may occur when people consume contaminated food or liquids (such as water that flows through asbestos cement pipes). It may also occur when people cough up asbestos they have inhaled, then swallow their saliva.
Many people are exposed to very low levels of naturally occurring asbestos in outdoor air as a result of erosion of asbestos-bearing rocks. The potential for such exposure is higher in areas where rocks have higher asbestos content. After the collapse of the World Trade Center in 2001, there was concern about the presence of asbestos in the dust. Recommendations were made for testing and cleaning of residences in Lower Manhattan to minimize any health risks from such exposures.
However, the people with the heaviest exposure were those who worked in asbestos industries, such as shipbuilding and insulating. Many of these people recall working in thick clouds of asbestos dust, day after day.
Family members of asbestos workers are also potentially exposed to higher levels of asbestos because the fibers are carried home on the workers’ clothing, and can then be inhaled by others in the household. Removing asbestos from homes and other buildings can cause some exposure, although modern asbestos abatement workers are trained to use appropriate protective equipment to minimize exposure.
Exposure to asbestos-containing building material is also a concern, particularly in older buildings. If building materials like insulation and ceiling and floor tiles begin to decompose over time, asbestos fibers can be found in indoor air and may pose a threat to human health (EPA). There is no risk to human health if the asbestos is bonded into intact finished products, such as walls and tiles. As long as the material is not damaged or disturbed, for example by drilling or remodeling, there is no way for the fibers to be released into the air and inhaled. Maintenance workers who sweep up and dispose of the asbestos dust or handle damaged asbestos-containing building materials are often exposed to higher levels than other occupants of these buildings.
Asbestos may be detected in the water supply as well as in the air. It may be released into the water through several sources, such as erosion or natural deposits, corrosion from asbestos-cement pipes, and the break down of roofing materials containing asbestos that are then transported into sewers.
Although use of asbestos has declined in many developed countries, its use continues to present a hazard in other parts of the world. More than 70% of the world’s asbestos production is used in Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Asia.

Does Asbestos Cause Cancer?

Lung Cancer
Inhalation of asbestos fibers has been proven to cause lung cancer. The connection between asbestos exposure and lung cancer was noted as early as 1925, and confirmed by many epidemiologic studies of asbestos-exposed workers over the next 70 years. All four main types of commercially used asbestos, chrysotile, amosite, anthophyllite, and mixtures containing crocidolite, are associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. An increase in lung cancer has also been observed after exposure to minerals containing tremolite and actinolite, and to tremolitic material mixed with anthophyllite and small amounts of chrysotile (IARC-Supp 17).
Approximately 1 in 7 people who suffer from asbestosis, a lung disease caused by prolonged high exposure, eventually develops lung cancer. The higher the exposure to asbestos, the higher the risk of lung cancer. Smoking acts together with asbestos to greatly increase the risk of lung cancer.; asbestos workers who smoke face a much higher risk than asbestos workers who do not smoke. Evidence suggests that asbestos-exposed workers who quit smoking can reduce their risk of developing lung cancer by as much as 50% within 5 years of quitting (NCI).
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the thin membranes lining the abdomen and chest. Mesothelioma is closely linked with asbestos; most cases of mesothelioma result from direct occupational asbestos exposure.
However, mesotheliomas have been observed not only among workers who are occupationally exposed to crocidolite, amosite, and chrysotile, but also among their family members and people living in the neighborhoods surrounding asbestos factories and mines (IARC). It is estimated that one third of the mesothelioma cases in the United States may be due to non-occupational exposure such as these (IARC). Although scientists know that the risk of developing mesothelioma increases with the amount of asbestos exposure, there is no way to measure exactly the minimum amount of asbestos exposure that can lead to mesothelioma. However, mesothelioma is very rare in the general population of the United States.
Unlike lung cancer, mesothelioma risk is not increased among smokers.
Other Types of Cancer
There is evidence that asbestos also causes other types of cancer, although the evidence is not as strong as for lung cancer and mesothelioma. Cancer of the larynx is one such cancer, although it has been difficult to separate the contributory role of asbestos from the strong effect of smoking. Many studies have also found an increase in stomach and colon cancer among workers in the asbestos industry, although this association is still debated.
What Do Epidemiologic Studies Show?
As explained above, much of the evidence about asbestos-associated cancers comes from epidemiologic studies.
What Do Animal Studies Show?
Tests on several different species, using several different methods of exposure, have confirmed that asbestos causes cancer in animals. Inhalation exposure of asbestos has been tested in rats, intrapleural administration (injection into the chest cavity) in rats and hamsters; intraperitoneal (injection into the abdominal cavity) injection in mice, rats, and hamsters; and ingestion in rats and hamsters (IARC). All commercial forms of asbestos have produced tumors in animals. The size and shape of the asbestos fibers influence the incidence of tumors; smaller fibers – less than 0.5 micrometers (um) in diameter (1 micrometer, or "micron", is 1 millionth of a meter) – seem more hazardous, perhaps because they are more likely to reach the deepest parts of the lungs (IARC).
A series of lifetime feeding studies have been done to determine if oral exposure to asbestos increases the risk of cancer. These studies reported that short-range (98% of fibers are shorter than 10 um) asbestos fibers did not significantly increase the tumor incidence in rats; however, the incidence of benign tumors of the large intestines in male rats increased when the animals were exposed to intermediate-range (65% of fibers are longer than 10 um) asbestos fibers (EPA).

What Do the Expert Agencies Say?

Based on animal and human evidence like the examples above, expert agencies have evaluated the cancer causing nature of asbestos.
The National Toxicology Program evaluates exposures that may be carcinogenic (cause cancer). Exposures that are thought to be carcinogenic are included in the Reports on Carcinogens, published every 2 years. Each exposure is assigned to 1 of 2 categories: "known to be human carcinogens," and "reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogens." The first category includes substances for which human studies (epidemiology studies and/or experimental studies) provide "sufficient evidence" of carcinogenicity in humans. The second category includes substances for which there is limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans and/or sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals.
Using this scheme, the National Toxicology Program classifies asbestos as a known human carcinogen.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC also evaluates exposures that may be carcinogenic. IARC classifies exposures into one of four categories:
Group 1 exposures are those "known to be carcinogenic to humans," usually based on "sufficient" human evidence, but sometimes based on "sufficient" evidence in experimental animals and "strong" human evidence.
Group 2 exposures are divided into two categories. Group 2A ("probably carcinogenic to humans") has stronger evidence, and Group 2B ("possibly carcinogenic to humans") has weaker evidence.
Group 3 exposures are not considered classifiable, because available evidence is limited or inadequate.
Group 4 exposures are "probably not carcinogenic to humans," based on evidence suggesting lack of carcinogenicity in humans and in experimental animals.
IARC rated asbestos a known human carcinogen (Group 1).
The Environmental Protection Agency, through its Integrated Risk Information System, uses a classification scheme very similar to that of IARC. It classifies exposures into 1 of 5 categories:
(A) Human carcinogen
(B) Probable human carcinogen
(C) Possible human carcinogen
(D) Not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity
(E) Evidence of noncarcinogenicity for humans
EPA classified asbestos as a human carcinogen.
Does Asbestos Cause Any Other Health Problems?
The major health problem caused by asbestos exposure, aside from cancer, is asbestosis. This is a scarring (or "fibrotic") disease of the lungs that develops when a person breathes high levels of asbestos over time. The principal symptoms of asbestosis are shortness of breath and cough. Asbestosis is a serious disease that can result in disability or death. It is most commonly found among asbestos workers. Asbestos can also result in scar-like tissue in the membranes around the lung, called pleural thickening, skin lesions like warts, and immunological effects.
What Should I Do if I’ve Been Exposed to Asbestos?
If you have been exposed to asbestos, it is important to assess the amount of your exposure. If you were exposed only very briefly, or only at very low levels, your risk of a resulting disease is minimal. However, it you were exposed at high levels, you may be at increased risk of the diseases discussed above. You can protect your health in several ways:
If you are a smoker, it is essential that you stop smoking.
Get regular health checkups from a doctor experienced with asbestos-related diseases. People with heavy asbestos exposure often have periodic chest x-rays and lung function tests.
It may be advisable for you to receive vaccines against flu and pneumonia. Discuss this with your physician.
Get prompt medical attention for any respiratory illness.
How Can I Avoid Exposure to Asbestos?
You should also avoid any future exposure to asbestos. If there is a possibility of on-the-job exposure, like renovating old buildings for example, then you should use all protective equipment, work practices, and safety procedures designed for working around asbestos (NCI). If you live in an older home, there may be asbestos-containing insulation or other materials. A knowledgeable expert can check your home to determine if there is any asbestos and if it poses any risk of exposure. This may involve testing the air for asbestos levels. You may then decide to have the asbestos removed from your home. You should hire a qualified contractor to perform this job to avoid contaminating your home further or causing any exposure to the workers. You should not attempt do remove asbestos-containing material yourself.
What's the Bottom Line?
Asbestos is well recognized as a carcinogen. It causes lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other cancers. The people at highest risk are those with very heavy exposure, usually over many years on the job. Smoking acts together with asbestos to greatly increase the risk of lung cancer. While asbestos use is much less common now than it was years ago, there is still a potential for exposure in older buildings and products.
Other Resources Addressing Asbestos
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). ToxFAQs for Asbestos. Internet Address: www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts61.html Telephone: 1-888-422-8737
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Internet Address: www.epa.gov/asbestos/ Telephone: 202-260-2090
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Asbestos, Vol 14 at www-cie.iarc.fr/htdocs/indexes/vol14index.html Asbestos, Supplement 7, at www-cie.iarc.fr/htdocs/monographs/suppl7/asbestos.html
National Cancer Institute (NCI). Asbestos Exposure: Questions and Answers Internet Address: www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/asbestos Telephone: 1-800-422-6237
National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Toxicology Program. Eleventh report on carcinogens. Internet Address: ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/eleventh/profiles/s016asbe.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions on Asbestos and Cancer

2006-09-17T21:35:00.000-07:00

What is asbestos?

“Asbestos” is the name given to a group of minerals that occur naturally as bundles of fibers which can be separated into thin threads. These fibers are not affected by heat or chemicals and do not conduct electricity. For these reasons, asbestos has been widely used in many industries. Four types of asbestos have been used commercially:
Chrysotile, or white asbestos;
Crocidolite, or blue asbestos;
Amosite, which usually has brown fibers; and
Anthophyllite, which usually has gray fibers.
Chrysotile asbestos, with its curly fibers, is in the serpentine family of minerals. The other types of asbestos, which all have rod-like fibers, are known as amphiboles.
Asbestos fiber masses tend to break easily into a dust composed of tiny particles that can float in the air and stick to clothes. The fibers may be easily inhaled or swallowed and can cause serious health problems.

How is asbestos used?

Asbestos was mined and used commercially in North America beginning in the late 1800s. Its use increased greatly during World War II. Since then, it has been used in many industries. For example, the building and construction industry has used it for strengthening cement and plastics as well as for insulation, fireproofing, and sound absorption. The shipbuilding industry has used asbestos to insulate boilers, steampipes, and hot water pipes. The automotive industry uses asbestos in vehicle brakeshoes and clutch pads. More than 5,000 products contain or have contained asbestos. Some of them are listed below:
Asbestos cement sheet and pipe products used for water supply and sewage piping, roofing and siding, casings for electrical wires, fire protection material, electrical switchboards and components, and residential and industrial building materials;
Friction products, such as clutch facings, brake linings for automobiles, gaskets, and industrial friction materials;
Products containing asbestos paper, such as table pads and heat-protective mats, heat and electrical wire insulation, industrial filters for beverages, and underlying material for sheet flooring;
Asbestos textile products, such as packing components, roofing materials, and heat- and fire-resistant fabrics (including blankets and curtains); and
Other products, including ceiling and floor tile; gaskets and packings; paints, coatings, and adhesives; caulking and patching tape; artificial ashes and embers for use in gas-fired fireplaces; plastics; vermiculite-containing consumer garden products; and some talc-containing crayons.
In the late 1970s, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) banned the use of asbestos in wallboard patching compounds and gas fireplaces because the asbestos fibers in these products could be released into the environment during use. Additionally, asbestos was voluntarily withdrawn by manufacturers of electric hair dryers. In 1989, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned all new uses of asbestos; uses established prior to 1989 are still allowed. The EPA has established regulations that require school systems to inspect for damaged asbestos and to eliminate or reduce the exposure to occupants by removing the asbestos or encasing it. In June 2000, the CPSC concluded that the risk of children’s exposure to asbestos fibers in crayons was extremely low. However, the U.S. manufacturers of these crayons agreed to reformulate their products within a year. In August 2000, the EPA recommended that consumers reduce possible asbestos exposure from vermiculite-containing garden products by limiting the amount of dust produced during use. The EPA suggested that consumers use vermiculite outdoors or in a well-ventilated area; keep vermiculite damp while using it; avoid bringing dust from vermiculite use into the home on clothing; and use premixed potting soil, which is less likely to generate dust.
The regulations described above and other actions, coupled with widespread public concern about the hazards of asbestos, have resulted in a significant annual decline in U.S. use of asbestos: Domestic consumption of asbestos amounted to about 719,000 metric tons in 1973, but it had dropped to about 9,000 metric tons by 2002. Asbestos is currently used most frequently in gaskets and in roofing and friction products.

What are the health hazards of exposure to asbestos?

Exposure to asbestos may increase the risk of several serious diseases:
Asbestosis—a chronic lung ailment that can produce shortness of breath, coughing, and permanent lung damage;
Lung cancer;
Mesothelioma—a relatively rare cancer of the thin membranes that line the chest and abdomen; and
Other cancers, such as those of the larynx, oropharynx, gastrointestinal tract, and kidney.

Who is at risk?

Nearly everyone is exposed to asbestos at some time during their life. However, most people do not become ill from their exposure. People who become ill from asbestos are usually those who are exposed to it on a regular basis, most often in a job where they work directly with the material or through substantial environmental contact.
Since the early 1940s, millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos. Health hazards from asbestos fibers have been recognized in workers exposed in shipbuilding trades, asbestos mining and milling, manufacturing of asbestos textiles and other asbestos products, insulation work in the construction and building trades, brake repair, and a variety of other trades. Demolition workers, drywall removers, and firefighters also may be exposed to asbestos fibers. As a result of Government regulations and improved work practices, today’s workers (those without previous exposure) are likely to face smaller risks than did those exposed in the past.
Although it is known that the risk to workers increases with heavier exposure and longer exposure time, investigators have found asbestos-related diseases in individuals with only brief exposures. Generally, those who develop asbestos-related diseases show no signs of illness for a long time after their first exposure. It can take from 10 to 40 years for symptoms of an asbestos-related condition to appear.
There is some evidence that family members of workers heavily exposed to asbestos face an increased risk of developing mesothelioma. This risk is thought to result from exposure to asbestos fibers brought into the home on the shoes, clothing, skin, and hair of workers. This type of exposure is called paraoccupational exposure. To decrease these exposures, people exposed to asbestos at work are required to shower and change their clothing before leaving the workplace.

How great is the risk?

Not all workers exposed to asbestos will develop diseases related to their exposure. The risk of developing asbestos-related diseases varies with the type of industry in which the exposure occurred and with the extent of the exposure. Asbestos that is bonded into finished products such as walls and tiles poses no risk to health as long as it is not damaged or disturbed (for example, by sawing or drilling) in such a way as to release fibers into the air. When asbestos fibers are set free and inhaled, however, exposed individuals are at risk of developing an asbestos-related disease.
In addition, different types of asbestos fibers may be associated with different health risks. For example, results of several studies suggest that amphibole forms of asbestos may be more harmful than chrysotile, particularly for mesothelioma. Even so, no fiber type can be considered harmless, and people working with asbestos should always take proper safety precautions to limit exposure.

How does smoking affect risk?

Many studies have shown that the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure is particularly hazardous. Smokers who are also exposed to asbestos have a greatly increased risk of lung cancer. However, smoking combined with asbestos exposure does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma.
There is evidence that quitting smoking will reduce the risk of lung cancer among asbestos-exposed workers. People who were exposed to asbestos on the job at any time during their life or who suspect they may have been exposed should not smoke. If they smoke, they should stop.

Who needs to be examined?

Individuals who have been exposed (or suspect they have been exposed) to asbestos fibers on the job or at home via a family contact should inform their physician of their exposure history and any symptoms. Asbestos fibers can be measured in urine, feces, mucus, or material rinsed out of the lungs. A thorough physical examination, including a chest x-ray and lung function tests, may be recommended. It is important to note that chest x-rays cannot detect asbestos fibers in the lungs, but they can help identify any lung changes resulting from asbestos exposure. Interpretation of the chest x-ray may require the help of a specialist who is experienced in reading x-rays for asbestos-related diseases. Other tests also may be necessary.
As noted earlier, the symptoms of asbestos-related diseases may not become apparent for many decades after exposure. If any of the following symptoms develop, a physical examination should be scheduled without delay:
Shortness of breath;
A cough or a change in cough pattern;
Blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up from the lungs;
Pain in the chest or abdomen;
Difficulty in swallowing or prolonged hoarseness; and/or
Significant weight loss.

How can workers protect themselves?

Employers are required to follow regulations dealing with asbestos exposure on the job that have been issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Federal agency responsible for health and safety regulations in maritime, construction, manufacturing, and service workplaces. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) enforces regulations related to mine safety. Workers should use all protective equipment provided by their employers and follow recommended work practices and safety procedures. For example, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved respirators that fit properly should be worn by workers when required.
Workers who are concerned about asbestos exposure in the workplace should discuss the situation with other employees, their employee health and safety representative, and their employers. If necessary, OSHA can provide more information or make an inspection. Regional offices of OSHA are listed in the “United States Government” section of telephone directories’ blue pages (under “Department of Labor”). Regional offices can also be located at http://www.osha-slc.gov/html/RAmap.html on the Internet, or by contacting OSHA’s national office at:
Organization:
Office of Public Affairs Occupational Safety and Health Administration U.S. Department of Labor
Address:
Room N–3647 200 Constitution Avenue, NW.Washington, DC 20210
Telephone:
202–693–19991–800–321–6742 (1–800–321–OSHA)
TTY (for deaf or hard of hearing callers):
1–877–889–5627
Internet Web site:
http://www.osha.gov/as/opa/worker/index.html (Worker’s Page)
Mine workers may contact:
Organization:
Office of Information and Public AffairsMine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) U.S. Department of Labor
Address:
23rd Floor 1100 Wilson BoulevardArlington, VA 22209–3939
Telephone:
202–693–9400
Internet Web site:
http://www.msha.gov
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is another Federal agency that is concerned with asbestos exposure in the workplace. The Institute conducts asbestos-related research, evaluates work sites for possible health hazards, and makes exposure control recommendations. In addition, NIOSH distributes publications on the health effects of asbestos exposure and can suggest additional sources of information. NIOSH can be contacted at:
Organization:
Information Resources BranchNational Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Address:
Robert A. Taft LaboratoriesMailstop C–184676 Columbia ParkwayCincinnati, OH 45226–1998
Telephone:
1–800–356–4674 (1–800–35–NIOSH)
E-mail:
eidtechinfo@cdc.gov
Internet Web site:
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh
Will the Government provide examinations and treatment for asbestos-related conditions? What about insurance coverage?
Medical services related to asbestos exposure are available through the Government for certain groups of eligible individuals. In general, individuals must pay for their own medical services unless they are covered by private or Government health insurance. Some people with symptoms of asbestos-related illness may be eligible for Medicare coverage. Information about benefits is available from the Medicare office serving each state. For the telephone number of the nearest office, call toll-free 1–800–633–4227 (1–800–MEDICARE) or visit http://www.medicare.gov on the Internet.
People with asbestos-related diseases also may qualify for financial help, including medical payments, under state workers’ compensation laws. Because eligibility requirements vary from state to state, workers should contact the workers’ compensation program in their state. Contact information for the workers’ compensation program in each state may be found in the blue pages of a local telephone directory or at http://www.dol.gov/esa/regs/compliance/owcp/wc.htm on the Internet.
If exposure occurred during employment with a Federal agency (military or civilian), medical expenses and other compensation may be covered by the Federal Employees’ Compensation Program. Workers who are or were employed in a shipyard by a private employer may be covered under the Longshoremen and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. Information about eligibility and how to file a claim is available from:
Organization:
Office of Worker’s Compensation ProgramsEmployment Standards AdministrationU.S. Department of Labor
Address:
Room S–3229200 Constitution Avenue, NW.Washington, DC 20210
Telephone:
202–693–0040
E-mail:
OWCP-Mail@dol-esa.gov
Internet Web site:
http://www.dol.gov/esa/owcp_org.htm
Workers also may wish to contact their international union for information on other sources of medical help and insurance matters.
Eligible veterans and their dependents may receive health care at a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center. Treatment for service-connected and nonservice-connected conditions is provided. If the VA cannot provide the necessary medical care, they will arrange for enrolled veterans to receive care in their community. Information about eligibility and benefits is available from the VA Health Benefits Service Center at 1–877–222–8387 (1–877–222–VETS) or on the VA Web site at http://www.va.gov/health_benefits/ on the Internet.
Is there a danger of nonoccupational exposure from the environment and products contaminated with asbestos fibers?
Asbestos is so widely used that the entire population has been exposed to some degree. Air, drinking water, and a variety of consumer products all may contain small amounts of asbestos. In addition, asbestos fibers are released into the environment from natural deposits in the earth and as a result of wear and deterioration of asbestos products. Disease is unlikely to result from a single, high-level exposure, or from a short period of exposure to lower levels of asbestos.
What other organizations offer information related to asbestos exposure?
The organizations listed below can provide more information about asbestos exposure.
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is responsible for preventing exposure, adverse human health effects, and diminished quality of life associated with exposure to hazardous substances from waste sites, unplanned releases, and other sources of pollution present in the environment. The ATSDR provides information about asbestos and where to find occupational and environmental health clinics. The ATSDR Information Center can be reached at:
Organization:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease RegistryDivision of Toxicology
Address:
Mailstop E–291600 Clifton Road, NE. Atlanta, GA 30333
Telephone:
404–498–01601–888–422–8737 (1–888–42–ATSDR)
E-mail:
ATSDRIC@cdc.gov
Internet Web site:
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the general public’s exposure to asbestos in buildings, drinking water, and the environment. The EPA’s Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Assistance Information Service, or TSCA Hotline, can answer questions about toxic substances, including asbestos. Printed material is available on a number of topics, particularly on controlling asbestos exposure in schools and other buildings. The EPA’s Asbestos and Vermiculite Home Page has suggestions for homeowners who suspect asbestos in their homes, lists laws and regulations applicable to asbestos, and links to the Agency’s findings on asbestos exposure at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Questions may be directed to:
Organization:
TSCA Assistance Information Service U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Address:
Mailcode 74080401 M Street, SW.Washington, DC 20460
Telephone:
202–554–1404
TDD:
202–554–0551
E-mail:
tsca-hotline@epa.gov
Internet Web site:
http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is responsible for the regulation of asbestos in consumer products. The CPSC maintains a toll-free information line on the potential hazards of commercial products; the telephone number is 1–800–638–2772. In addition, CPSC provides information about laboratories for asbestos testing, guidelines for repairing and removing asbestos, and general information about asbestos in the home. Publications are available from:
Organization:
Office of Information and Public Affairs U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Address:
4330 East-West HighwayBethesda, MD 20814–4408
Telephone:
1–800–638–2772
TTY (for deaf or hard of hearing callers):
1–800–638–8270
E-mail:
info@cpsc.gov
Internet Web site:
http://www.cpsc.gov
Information about asbestos is also available from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Web site at http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2001pres/20010916a.html on the Internet. In addition, people can contact their local community or state health or environmental quality department with questions or concerns about asbestos.
Materials about cancer and how to quit smoking are available by calling the Cancer Information Service (CIS) (see below).
References
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (September 2001). Asbestos. Retrieved March 5, 2003, from: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp61.html.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (November 25, 2002). Asbestos: Health Effects of Exposure to Asbestos. Retrieved March 5, 2003, from: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/asbestos/asbestos_effects.html.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (November 2000). Case Studies in Environmental Medicine: Asbestos Toxicity. Retrieved August 21, 2003, from: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/HEC/CSEM/asbestos/index.html.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (September 11, 2001). ToxFAQ’s for Asbestos. Retrieved March 5, 2003, from: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts61.html.
Dollinger M, Jahan T, Rosenbaum EH, Jablons D. Mesothelioma. In: Dollinger M, Rosenbaum EH, Tempero M, Mulvilhill SJ. Everyone’s Guide to Cancer Therapy: How Cancer is Diagnosed, Treated, and Managed Day to Day. 4th ed. Kansas City, MO: Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2002.
Hillerdal G. Mesothelioma: Cases associated with non-occupational and low dose exposures. Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 1999;56(8):505–13.
National Cancer Institute. Cancer Rates and Risks, 4th ed. NIH Publication No. 96–691, 1996.
National Cancer Institute. What You Need To Know About™ Cancer of the Larynx. NIH Publication No. 95–1568, 1995.
National Cancer Institute. What You Need To Know About™ Kidney Cancer. NIH Publication No. 96–1569, 1996.
National Cancer Institute. What You Need To Know About™ Lung Cancer. Publication No. 99–1553, 1999.
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (August 14, 2000). "Second-hand" Asbestos. Retrieved March 5, 2003, from: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/external/faq/asbestos.htm.
National Toxicology Program. 10th Report on Carcinogens. Research Triangle Park (NC): National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2002. Available online at http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/roc/toc10.html.
Ullrich RL. Etiology of cancer: Physical factors. In: DeVita VT Jr., Hellman S, Rosenberg SA. Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. Vol. 1 and 2. 6th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2001.
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (June 13, 2000). CPSC Releases Test Results on Crayons. Retrieved March 5, 2003, from: http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml00/00123.html.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (January 6, 2000). Asbestos Containing Materials. Retrieved March 5, 2003, from: http://www.epa.gov/earth1r6/6pd/asbestos/asbmatl.htm.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (November 8, 2000). Asbestos in Your Home. Retrieved March 5, 2003, from: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/ashome.html.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (June 14, 2001). The Asbestos Informer. Retrieved March 5, 2003, from: http://www.epa.gov/region04/air/asbestos/inform.htm.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (August 2000). Sampling and Analysis of Consumer Garden Products That Contain Vermiculite. Retrieved March 5, 2003, from: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/vermiculite.pdf.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (August 2000). Fact Sheet: Asbestos-Contaminated Vermiculite. Retrieved June 25, 2003, from http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/vermfacts.pdf.
U.S. Geological Survey (March 2001). Some Facts About Asbestos. Retrieved March 5, 2003 from: http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/fs012-01/.
Virta, RL. Asbestos. Mineral Commodity Summaries. U.S. Geological Survey Minerals Information. Retrieved March 5, 2003, from: http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/asbestos/070303.pdf.
# # #
Sources of National Cancer Institute Information
Cancer Information Service
Toll-free: 1–800–4–CANCER (1–800–422–6237)
TTY (for deaf and hard of hearing callers): 1–800–332–8615
NCI Online
Internet
Use http://www.cancer.gov to reach NCI's Web site.
LiveHelp
Cancer Information Specialists offer online assistance through the LiveHelp link on the NCI's Web
site.

Mesothelioma Facts

2006-09-13T21:55:00.000-07:00

Mesothelioma Facts
Mesothelioma is a cancer that resides in the lungs and is associated with asbestos. Malignant Mesothelioma is a very rare form of cancer. These cancer cells are found either in the lining around the heart,abdominal cavity or the lungs. Mesothelioma takes years before it becomes cancerous. People from the 1940 and up are just now being diagnosed with Mesothelioma. Asbestos is the leading cause of Mesothelioma. During world war two the manufactoring of asbestos became more increased due to the fact that the lumber was being used for building ships. Wood was in great demand by the government and companies needed a replacement for their businesses, like construction, automobile factories, building trades, etc. The people who manufactored asbestos knew that asbestos wasnt a regulated product and knew that their workers would inevtably suffer from its consequences. But lumber was hard to find during this peroid and asbestos could be manufactored for much cheaper, thats why it has been in use after world war two and through up to the 1970's. During the 1970's asbestos was outlawed to use by the Consumer Products Safety commission in products such as wallboard patching material and artificial ash for gas fireplaces because the fiber in these products would become airborn during use. Most people that have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma have been workers who were directly exposed to asbestos, but a few have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma from just living with the workers. The workers would have the fibers of asbestos in their hair and on thier clothing, which would travel in the air and settle in the lungs of whoever came in contact with them. As with all cancer, the earliest detection of Mesothelioma will give better opportunity on its treatment. Chest pain, shortness of breath and a persistant cough are some of the early symptoms of Mesothelioma. This is a very difficult problem to find, because it sometimes resembles viral pneumonia. Fever, night sweats and weight loss are some of the less common symptoms of Mesothelioma.