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| Mesothelioma and Asbestos |
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Asbestos
Asbestos is naturally-occurring, fibrous minerals used in
manufacturing because of their tensile strength, resistance to
chemicals and electricity, and insulating ability. The first
use of asbestos in the United States was in the early 1900's,
to insulate steam engines. The peak use came between 1945 and
its ban in the mid-1970's. Asbestos is dangerous because it
turns into very fine fibers instead of dust. These fibers are
carcinogenic and regular inhalation can cause chronic diseases
and cancer.
Substances such as automotive brake pads, floor tiles,
wallboard material, fireproofing material, and thermal
insulation products have been and continue to be manufactured
with asbestos. Tiny asbestos fibers or bundles of fibers
become dislodged from such products and become airborne. They
can then be inhaled or can contaminate drinking water and be
ingested. When inhaled, asbestos fibers settle deep in the
lungs causing scars. Asbestos inhalation also can cause the
two layers of membrane covering the lungs (the pleura) to
thicken.
Although the general public has become alarmed about the risks
of asbestos, most non-occupationally exposed people are at
extremely low risk of developing asbestos-related lung
disease. The asbestos must be broken into tiny pieces to be
inhaled into the lungs. Workers who demolish buildings that
have insulation containing asbestos are at increased risk.
There are four main types of asbestos: Chrysotile, Amosite,
Crocidolite and Anthophylite. Chrysotile asbestos, or white
asbestos, accounts for approximately 95% of the asbestos used
in US production of asbestos products. Exposure to asbestos
does not typically have acute effects. Rather, exposure over
time may result in chronic diseases with long incubation
periods. These include mesothelioma, cancer, and asbestosis.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a very rare form of cancer of the mesothelium
– the membrane that lines the interior of the chest (pleural)
and abdomen (peritoneal) and surrounds internal organs. The
only known cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. Smoking
is not a cause of cancerous mesothelioma. Mesothelioma usually
develops 30 to 40 years after exposure.
Other Forms of
Cancer
Because asbestos exposure occurs most frequently through
inhalation, a very common effect is lung cancer. Many experts
feel that cancer of the esophagus, stomach, or intestines can
result from drinking water contaminated with asbestos, but
this has not been proven. While smoking does not cause
mesothelioma, it can increase the likelihood that a person
exposed to both mesothelioma and smoke will develop lunch
cancer. As many as thirty years can elapse between exposure to
asbestos and the development of cancer (generally referred to
as the “latency period”).
Asbestosis
Asbestosis is a type of lung disease that has traditionally
afflicted naval shipyard workers. When asbestos fibers are
inhaled, they can get caught in the lung tissue. Asbestosis
starts when the body reacts to the foreign substance by
producing an acid that is intended to destroy it. However, the
acid frequently has little effect on the asbestos fibers and
instead scars the tissues of the lungs. This can impair lung
function, even to the point of lung failure and death.
Symptoms include shortness of breath and persistent coughing.
This disease can have a latency period of twenty-five to forty
years.
Other effects of asbestos exposure can include pulmonary
hypertension or immunological effects. |
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