Asbestos Dangers in Britains Buildings

Asbestos Dangers in Britains Buildings
By John Hill

Those who work in UK law, local government or the construction industry have heard of the word "Asbestos" for many years. But up until as recently as twenty years ago, most of the population of the UK did not know about the dangers and the diseases caused by asbestos. This danger from asbestos is highlighted by the fact that almost every government from around the world has regulations and laws in place against the use of asbestos in building materials.

Asbestos is a Greek word which means "inextinguishable". Asbestos is also known as "magical mineral" due to the fact that it has such a natural composition that it is considered ideal for usage in anything from tiles to rooftops to road signs. It has even be used in making the socks we wear. Up until 1980 army, navy, railway, construction, in short every possible industry used asbestos. But once its harmful effects were discovered in 1980 the usage of asbestos based materials and products was banned worldwide.

Recent statistics show that almost every building built before 1980 is most likely to be made of asbestos related products. According to the TUC, all public buildings and schools built between 1960 and 1980 most probably have asbestos in walls, boilers, and even hot pipes. Properties built since the mid-1980's are unlikely to contain asbestos in the fabric of the building and properties built since 1990 are extremely unlikely to contain asbestos anywhere in the building.

Asbestos has previously been used in UK buildings for fireproofing, insulation, reinforcement and condensation protection. The Advisory Committee on Asbestos has released a report which states that the UK is most affected by the use of white asbestos by the name of Chrysotile. The Chrysotile imported by the UK in 1976 was utilized 40% by cement building products, 22% by reinforced and filler cements and 12% by floors and tiles.

Asbestos based items and products are no longer approved by the UK government or any other government in the world since research has highlighted its harmful effects on human health. These products are known to emit asbestos fibres which are the cause of many diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer and other diseases. These fibres are so small that they are invisible to the human eye, with some fibres being up to seven hundred times smaller than a human hair. When these asbestos fibres are released from the building material or product and become airborne into the air we breathe, they often stay suspended there for hours or even days.

When asbestos fibres are originally inhaled, they may become trapped in the lungs. Over time, the body tries to dissolve theses fibres. Unfortunately due to the nature of asbestos, the body does little to damage the fibre, but instead damages the surrounding tissue. Eventually, this damage may become so severe that the lungs cannot function.

Although the use of asbestos has been banned for many years now, asbestos related deaths still occur for up to 40 years after exposure. The symptoms of asbestos related diseases, unfortunately, do not become apparent until it is too late.

CMC asbestos surveyors and consultants are specialist asbestos surveyors and risk management consultants with over 14 years experience in asbestos surveys, management and removal.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Hill

http://meso-center.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Cancer - Best Possible Treatments

Mesothelioma Cancer - Best Possible Treatments
By Daniel Kunle

Physical exam and history: An exam of the body to check general signs of health, including checking for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual. A history of the patient's health habits, exposure to asbestos, past illnesses and treatments will also be taken.

Chest x-ray: An x-ray of the organs and bones inside the chest. An x-ray is a type of energy beam that can go through the body and onto film, making a picture of areas inside the body.

Complete blood count (CBC): A procedure in which a sample of blood is drawn and checked for the following:

The number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

The amount of hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen) in the red blood cells.

The portion of the blood sample made up of red blood cells.

Sedimentation rate: A procedure in which a sample of blood is drawn and checked for the rate at which the red blood cells settle to the bottom of the test tube.

Biopsy: The removal of cells or tissues from the pleura or peritoneum so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer. Procedures used to collect the cells or tissues include the following:

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy: The removal of part of a lump, suspicious tissue, or fluid, using a thin needle. This procedure is also called a needle biopsy.

Lung biopsy. The patient lies on a table that slides through the computed tomography (CT) machine which takes x-ray pictures of the inside of the body. The x-ray pictures help the doctor see where the abnormal tissue is in the lung. A biopsy needle is inserted through the chest wall and into the area of abnormal lung tissue. A small piece of tissue is removed through the needle and checked under the microscope for signs of cancer.

Thoracoscopy: An incision (cut) is made between two ribs and a thoracoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is inserted into the chest.

Peritoneoscopy: An incision (cut) is made in the abdominal wall and a peritoneoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is inserted into the abdomen.

Laparotomy: An incision (cut) is made in the wall of the abdomen to check the inside of the abdomen for signs of disease.

Thoracotomy: An incision (cut) is made between two ribs to check inside the chest for signs of disease.

Bronchoscopy: A procedure to look inside the trachea and large airways in the lung for abnormal areas. A bronchoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is inserted through the nose or mouth into the trachea and lungs. Tissue samples may be taken for biopsy.

Bronchoscopy. A bronchoscope is inserted through the mouth, trachea, and major bronchi into the lung, to look for abnormal areas. A bronchoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a cutting tool. Tissue samples may be taken to be checked under a microscope for signs of disease.

Cytologic exam: An exam of cells under a microscope (by a pathologist) to check for anything abnormal. For mesothelioma, fluid is taken from around the lungs or from the abdomen. A pathologist checks the cells in the fluid.

Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

The prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options depend on the following:

The stage of the cancer.

The size of the tumor.

Whether the tumor can be removed completely by surgery.

The amount of fluid in the chest or abdomen.

The patient's age and general health, including lung and heart health.

The type of mesothelioma cancer cells and how they look under a microscope.

Whether the cancer has just been diagnosed or has recurred (come back).

Daniel is an internet business entrepreneur who specialises in fields that are related to humanities. He researches in this particular area to provide useful information on how to cope and live with mesothelioma plus the health hazards involved. You can visit http://www.mesotheliomalaunch.blogspot.com to check more of his works.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Kunle

http://meso-center.blogspot.com

Mesotheolima Asbestosis

Mesotheolima Asbestosis
By Daniel Kunle

''Mesotheolima asbestos'' is the generic name of a cancer disease called mesotheolima. Mesotheolima [otherwise spelt as mesothelioma] is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become malignant and abnormal. Mesotheolium is a sac-like membrane or lining that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures.

It is from this that the disease get its name,the definition of the word mesothelioma is literally ''cancer of the mesothelium'' (-oma being a medical term for cancer).The mesothelium has different names, depending on its location in the body.

-The peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity.

-The pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity.

-The pericardium covers and protects the heart.

-The tunica vaginalis testis is the mesothelial tissue surrounding the male internal reproductive organs.

-The tunica serosa uteri covers the internal reproductive organs in women.

The generic name "asbestos" belongs to a group of minerals called "asbestiform" minerals. Asbestos is a fibrous material which is mined from serpentine rock. Basically, rock is mined and crushed. When the rock is crushed, fibrous stands of asbestos are extracted from the rock. The strands are put in bags and shipped to manufacturing facilities where the asbestos are used as materials in insulation and other materials. The three most commonly used forms of asbestos in product manufacturing are chrysotile, amosite and crocidolite. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems.

In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos.The risk of asbestos-related disease increases with heavier exposure to asbestos and longer exposure time. However, some individuals with only brief exposures have developed mesothelioma. On the other hand, not all workers who are heavily exposed develop asbestos-related diseases. Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma.

However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person's risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung. Mesothelioma is so difficult to diagnose early because the symptoms are often mistaken for those of other, less serious ailments.

To make matters worse, it often takes many years for the symptoms to show up after the asbestos exposure has taken place. It might take 30-50 years.

Here is a list of the most common Mesothelioma symptoms:

* Difficulty breathing (shortness of breath)

* Persistent cough

*Change in your normal coughing pattern

* Coarse or raspy voice

* Unexplainable weight loss

* Difficulty in swallowing

* Chest or abdominal pain

* Coughing up blood

* Bowel obstruction

* Blood clotting abnormalities

* Anaemia

* Fever

Daniel is an internet business enterpreneur who specialises in fields that are related to humanities. He researches in this particular area to provide useful information on how to cope and live with mesothelioma plus the health hazards involved. You can visit http://www.mesotheliomalaunch.blogspot.com to check more of his works.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Kunle

http://meso-center.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma's Convoluted Settlement Issues

Mesothelioma's Convoluted Settlement Issues
By Rita Lambros-Segur

A case of mesothelioma causes a patient and his family a lot of pain and suffering but since there is no real gauge of measuring the damage done by this disease, the amount given as settlement varies from case to case and from one state to another depending upon their amendments and legislations.Starting a lawsuit is an expensive affair and it could affect the sufferer and their respective family greatly; the sufferer may be able to get assistance with the cost of the lawsuit, any medical treatment and other such expenses affecting the sufferer.

The lawsuit will work on the basis that the sufferer of mesothelioma did not know they were coming into regular and sustained contact with the asbestos. This can then lead to illness and possibly death. With their lives being cut short considerably; then the companies should compensate accordingly to this; based on lost earnings and further compensation to the family of the sufferer if they died through the condition if asbestosis. The main factor that determines the settlement money received by a patient, apart from the damage caused to them by it, is the political atmosphere and state under which the mesothelioma settlement was agreed upon.

When a lot of lawsuits were being filed In the 80's and the 90's the political climate in the U.S was mostly favorable to mesothelioma patients rather than the companies.Recently, however, the overall political climate has shifted. A reform bill in Georgia whereby the onus is on the plaintiff to provide all possible evidence showing that the problems was indeed causes by exposure to asbestos and another in Texas which makes neutral medical tests for asbestos related diseases obligatory can serve as examples.

The two reform bills were signed after realization that both lawyers and patients were exploiting mesothelioma lawsuits and making exaggerated claims but when it comes down to genuine cases of mesothelioma there are no problems.The settlement amount, as stated above, varies from state to state and region to region. In the south, it is estimated that most mesothelioma cases are settled for around one million. No generalizations, however, can be made on the amount of settlement money since each lawsuit is independent and the amount of settlement is dependent on the case itself.

Mesothelioma settlements can vary from anywhere between a few thousand dollars to a million. An average amount for these settlements is difficult to estimate since each case is different. There have even been cases of mass settlement where several people filed a lawsuit and ended up receiving just a few dollars each. The legitimacy of the accusations, the damage to the patient and whether or not the defendant was negligent are the three factors that help determine the final settlement amount.

The settlement could also depend, to a certain extent, on previous cases as courts have a tradition of referring to them before making their final decision.If someone finds themselves to be suffering from asbestosis or someone they know is, then they need to seek legal advice as soon as possible; time is of the essence.

For the latest asbestosis information, including case studies, treatment, diagnosis and symptoms, see: Mesothelioma Info.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rita_Lambros-Segur

http://meso-center.blogspot.com