Interesting Asbestos Facts

• The word "Asbestos" comes from a Greek word meaning inextinguishable or indestructible
• In ancient times asbestos was prescribed for skin conditions
• Emperor Charlemagne is said to have had a tablecloth made of asbestos. He impressed his guests by throwing the tablecloth into the fire and then removing it, undamaged.
• The dangers of asbestos have been suspected for centuries: slaves who wove asbestos fibers into cloth were noted to suffer from lung conditions.
• Canada continues to export chrysotile asbestos throughout the world, particularly to developing countries, and is the world's second largest exporter of asbestos. However, there is a movement to curb the exportation of this dangerous substance.
• Asbestos, Quebec is the site of the world's largest asbestos mine.
• OSHA regulations limit asbestos exposure to 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc) over an 8 hour period. However, there is no "safe" exposure level to asbestos.
• It is estimated that 10,000 Americans die every year from asbestos related conditions.
• Asbestos related deaths continue to increase. According to the CDC, mesothelioma deaths in the U.S. are likely to peak in 2010.
• This trend is due to the long latency period of asbestos disease. It can take up to 50 years for conditions to manifest themselves and we are now seeing the results of asbestos use throughout past decades.
• Asbestos litigation is one of the largest, longest-running mass torts in the United States.
• Defendants and their insurance companies have spent more than $70 billion on asbestos litigation in the U.S.
• Developing countries, such as India and China, are the world's main consumers of asbestos products. These countries have few regulations in place to protect their workers, and inadequate legal and medical systems to respond to the inevitable health crisis that asbestos will produce.
• The state with the highest malignant mesothelioma death rate is Alaska, at 32.8 deaths per million. Alaska is followed by Maine, at 26.4 deaths per million.

Posted on 3:37 AM / 0 comments / Read More

Asbestos Contractors

We have compiled a nationwide asbestos services directory to assist you in locating companies and contractors that specialize in asbestos testing, asbestos removal and asbestos consulting. Often, if not done properly, those responsible for removal and clean up are exposed to harmful asbestos and are at risk for developing mesothelioma. This cancer typically has a poor prognosis and a short survival rate. To help you determine which type of company is best suited to meet your specific needs we have provided a brief description of the service(s) that they perform.

• Asbestos Testing Companies - To determine if asbestos contamination is present these licensed companies perform on site asbestos inspections and asbestos testing.
• Asbestos Removal Companies - When asbestos removal is required, certified asbestos abatement professionals are licensed to remove asbestos according to government regulations and guidelines.
• Asbestos Consulting Firms - Environmental consultants perform a variety of services to manage air quality in locations where asbestos containing materials may be of concern including asbestos surveys, operations and maintenance programs and asbestos abatement contract administration.

Posted on 9:19 PM / 0 comments / Read More

Asbestos Removal

There are over 3,000 manufactured products that are known to contain asbestos. Recent reports estimate that over 30 million homes and commercial buildings within the United States alone contain som>e type of asbestos-containing product. The only way to truly remove the threat of asbestos exposure and its dangerous health effects is to remove all asbestos from the premises.

Products containing asbestos should only be handled by a licensed asbestos removal contractor. Removing asbestos materials in your own home is strongly discouraged. In most cases, asbestos must be removed entirely, but in other cases asbestos abatement may be accomplished through encasement or encapsulation. The process depends on the location of asbestos and the amount of asbestos present, among other factors.

Why Test for Asbestos?

Asbestos is highly toxic and was widely used in a large number of building materials including flooring, ceiling tiles, insulation, cements, joint compound and more. It is important, therefore to test for the presence of asbestos before initiating any building repairs or improvements on structures that were built prior to 1980. Not doing so can put you and others in the immediate vicinity at risk for inhaling airborne asbestos fibers during the repair or renovation. Asbestos has causal links to mesothelioma, a type of asbestos cancer.

The Role of an Asbestos Consultant

An asbestos consultant is certified to perform accredited testing for asbestos. They are also equipped to make recommendations for the safe removal or containment of asbestos containing material and can monitor and certify the success of the work of an asbestos removal contractor.

The Role of an Asbestos Removal Contractor

Asbestos removal is typically required before an older building is demolished, prior to any maintenance or renovation that could disturb asbestos containing materials or when asbestos containing materials are damaged. An asbestos removal contractor will determine whether and HSE (Health and Safety Executive) license is required for the job. This type of license is usually necessary when there is a high probability that asbestos fibers will be released into the air during the scheduled work. The removal contractor will assess what is required for removal, perform the removal work and dispose of the hazardous material.

There are stringent requirements set by federal, state, and local authorities regarding the methods for asbestos handling, removal, and disposal. The asbestos removal regulations vary state-by-state so it is important to ensure that the hired removal professional is fully in compliance with all state laws and regulations.

Posted on 9:18 PM / 0 comments / Read More

Asbestos and Natural Disasters

When a natural disaster occurs, the predominant survivor concerns include remaining hazards, food and water distribution, road accessibility, and clean-up efforts, as well as the human, financial and environmental loss and devastation. Generally speaking, these concerns are addressed by emergency personnel, whose training allows them to protect individuals from potential hazards in disaster aftermath. However, few emergency personnel are trained for, or even aware of, the dangers of potential asbestos exposure which commonly accompanies natural disasters.    

Risks of Asbestos

Used in the construction of homes, offices, schools, factories and other buildings from the late 1800s through the 1970s, asbestos materials remain in many buildings still standing today. While various construction materials contain asbestos, the mineral can generally be considered safe as long as it remains contained in the walls, ceiling, roof or flooring of a structure. However, potential health risks due to asbestos exposure occur when the structural integrity of these buildings is compromised. Once severely damaged or destroyed, asbestos fibers have the opportunity to fragment into tiny particles which can then enter the air after even minor contact. Common construction materials containing asbestos may include:

• Insulation for interior walls, flooring and ceiling
• Paneling
• Plaster
• Pipe covering and other plumbing
• Roofing and siding

Health Risks of Asbestos

If sources of asbestos in construction are disrupted, fibers may become airborne, leading to easy inhalation or ingestion. These fibers are very small and tend to become stuck in the protective lining of the lungs, stomach or heart, eventually developing into a lethal condition because the body cannot dispel them. Once trapped inside the body, they may cause terminal conditions such as lung cancer, asbestosis or mesothelioma. Fortunately, the government has mandated specific abatement procedures for the safe removal of asbestos by licensed companies.

Although these abatement professionals possess extensive training and experience covering the removal of asbestos from buildings, they may not be able to help in the event of a disaster. The process of safe abatement, or asbestos removal, may be too lengthy and comprehensive in the event of a natural disaster due to strict government guidelines for the handling and removal of asbestos. Specifically, the total devastation common in many natural disasters means carefully containing asbestos particles, which is necessary to proper removal, is impossible, as it may be difficult to locate these materials in the first place. However, the Environmental Protection has accounted for these extenuating circumstances by allowing for abatement concessions during times of emergency.  

No Action Assurance

Some communities that have suffered natural disasters, such as those impacted most heavily by Hurricane Katrina, were able to obtain what is known as a No Action Assurance (NAA) letter from the EPA. This letter allows for the circumvention of several procedural guidelines in order to remove asbestos more quickly. Typically given after major natural disasters which call for the demolishment of structurally-unsound buildings, as well as to perform cleanup on a massive scale, NAA letters are critical for communities that require fast asbestos removal following a major environmental catastrophe. Allowing freed asbestos fibers to scatter after a natural disaster can put entire communities at risk.

Events for which communities have obtained NAA letters include earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and fires. When faced with structurally-unsound construction, community exposure to asbestos in the air is deemed to be a more pressing threat than accidental exposure risks possible during asbestos removal. This leads victims of such natural disasters to seek the far more expeditious asbestos cleanup and removal solutions authorized by the NAA letter.

Other Methods of Exposure Prevention

Unfortunately, when a natural disaster occurs, asbestos exposure and the potential health risks associated with it are only one in a long list of other concerns. Being aware of this toxic material before a natural disaster occurs, and properly abating or insulating older buildings and facilities prior to an event, is a far safer way of avoiding exposure later. If this was not done, the EPA explains that these dangerous materials “should be handled while still wet or damp, double bagged and labeled.” Furthermore, gloves, goggles and a face mask should be worn during removal, while activities that may generate dust, like sweeping and vacuuming debris, should be avoided. The EPA also recommends moving family members from high exposure areas until it is certain all sources of this material have been removed.

References:

Environmental Protection Agency

EPA-No Action Assurance

Planning for Natural Disaster Debris

Posted on 2:48 AM / 0 comments / Read More

History of Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring substance that was considered a “miracle mineral” for its natural ability to withstand heat, fire and manipulation. Its abilities made asbestos a highly desirable product in the past, with several applications and uses. Asbestos was first mined by the ancient Greeks, ironically enough, considering the mineral’s nomenclature is a derivative of its Roman name, which means “inextinguishable” or “unquenchable." Today, asbestos is known more for its hazardous nature and health risks leading to illness and disease.

Early Uses

Across centuries, asbestos has been used in various applications such as building construction, clothing and even in the burial process. The earliest known use of this material was as a strengthening agent in pots and utensils for inhabitants of Scandinavia over 4,500 years ago. It is also believed that the bodies of royalty were wrapped in shrouds made of asbestos fibers and burned on funeral pyres. Because the asbestos was resistant to fire the clothing surrounding the bodies would remain intact, allowing the ashes to be easily collected.

Tablecloths and garments made of asbestos could be better cleaned and sanitized by tossing them into a fire. This practice was first witnessed in China by the 13th century Italian explorer Marco Polo. Despite the benefits asbestos seemed to posses, early Romans noted that those who mined the substance or worked around it became sick, often dying premature deaths. Pliny the Elder, a Roman naturalist, was among the first to document proof connecting symptoms of lung problems to the handling of asbestos.

Modern Uses

Despite recorded knowledge concerning the dangers associated with asbestos, the material’s popularity rebounded around the turn of the century. At the start of the Industrial Revolution, asbestos use became widespread in manufacturing and production. Throughout this time the role of the toxic material continued to expand as industries incorporated it into materials for ships, refineries, plants, and for the insulation in the boiler rooms of steam engine trains. Along with these new applications came the same health risks, only in much larger quantities. Thousands of workers, in a variety of industries, were unknowingly exposed, resulting in illness and even death.

Use During the 20th Century

The heavy demand for asbestos continued throughout the twentieth century, with regular use at its height between World War II and the 1960s. During the 1939 World’s Fair there was even a tribute to the material on behalf of the company Johns-Manville. This respect to the mineral’s uses included a giant statue known as “Asbestos Man.” This monument directed visitors to the company’s pavilion where they were espousing the benefits of the material. Popularity for the material continued for the next 25 years, as it could be found everywhere: in homes, factories, schools, and office buildings; manufactured in shingles, cement, glue, tile, drywall, plaster, and car parts. Certain cigarettes even contained asbestos filters.

Long before the implementation of regulations, it was thought that asbestos was making people sick. These early reports, however, remained mostly anecdotal and did not demonstrate a definitive link between exposure and the development of health issues. This changed beginning in the early 1900s, when doctors began reporting patients with lung problems who worked around asbestos. Autopsies were able to confirm what many already suspected: asbestos was the direct causation of the chronic bronchitis and pulmonary fibrosis problems being documented. Eventually, the lung problems connected to asbestos exposure would become referred to as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Asbestos Regulations

Unfortunately, the overwhelming medical evidence pointing to various health concerns did not curb the use of asbestos. It was not until the end of the 1970s that the U.S. began to regulate its use. Today, the substance is still not completely banned and can still be found in various products and elements of construction. Conversely, the European Union and Australiahave banned the substance in its entirety, with many other developed nations following suit. Evidence surfaced that showed certain manufacturers and companies continued to use asbestos despite understanding the risks this posed to their employees. Often times, these companies deliberately downplayed or hid the risks of asbestos exposure, attempting to protect their profits over their employees.

Today the United States has instituted heavy regulations regarding the use of asbestos. However, its presence in older materials and facilities continues to pose a threat, particularly as the substance ages, fragmenting into easily-inhaled particles. In an attempt to combat the problem an entire industry has developed; asbestos abatement companies are now commonplace and generally considered the only proper way to go about handling asbestos exposure.

References:

EPA

Scientific American

Posted on 2:48 AM / 0 comments / Read More

Asbestos and Veterans

Throughout the twentieth century, countless numbers of the 22.7 million veterans have undergone exposure to asbestos during their service in the United States Armed Forces. Asbestos is a fibrous,naturally occurringsubstance known for its insulating and fire retardant properties. When the fiber particles break apart they become airborne and are easily inhaled. Asbestos exposure results in the development of a potentially fatal cancer known as mesothelioma, among other diseases.

Asbestos Impacts

Once these fibers are inhaled they become embedded in protective tissues surrounding the lungs, heart and abdomen, acting as a carcinogen resulting in various illnesses and diseases. Mesothelioma, the devastating asbestos-related cancer that develops in this tissue, can lie dormant for anywhere from 20 to 50 years following exposure. Furthermore, its absence of obvious symptoms allows it to develop undetected until it has advanced to the later stages, when it finally becomes apparent.

This late diagnosis leads to a correspondingly poor prognosis, as the American Cancer Society points out mesothelioma patients currently only have an average life expectancy of four to 18 months. In addition, only about one in 10 patients will survive over five years with this cancer. Survival rates also continue to worsen as these patients age.    

Connection to Veterans 

Unfortunately, World War II saw the popularity of asbestos soar, as it was used extensively throughout every branch of the armed services. Naval shipyards, in particular employed asbestos and asbestos-containing materials as an insulator and fire guard in boiler rooms and other confined spaces. Furthermore, in the World War II era the Navy saw its fleet increase from under 400 active ships in 1939 to 6,768 by 1945. Navy vessels are now notorious for the high quantities of asbestos used in their construction. This has led to an especially high incidence of mesothelioma among Navy veterans, who spent extended periods serving onboard these contaminated vessels, sometimes even helping make repairs which might have involved the removal of old asbestos insulation.   

However, due to the numerous beneficial properties of asbestos, including its tensile strength, resistance to corrosion, electricity and heat, and its ready availability, all branches of the military found countless uses for the material until the 1970s. At the height of asbestos’ popularity, the dangers associated with the substance were either unknown or disregarded, resulting in little to no safety protocol for minimizing risk. Veterans also unknowingly exposed family and loved ones to these deadly fibers through secondary contact when they brought the fibers home on their clothes and hair.      

In addition to its use on Navy vessels, asbestos found frequent military use in the following areas:

• Planes
• Automobile Parts
• Heat-Resistant Fabrics
• Barracks
• Shipyards
• Packaging
• Coatings
• Gaskets

Helping Veterans with Claims

Battling mesothelioma requires strenuous and expensive medical treatments. Unfortunately, many of these treatments are palliative in nature, meaning they are only meant to help relieve patient symptoms, not act as a cure. Currently, the federal government does not designate mesothelioma as a service-related illness because it remains difficult to prove exposure took place only during military service. This is due to the fact that many veterans took jobs that involved potential asbestos exposure following their service. This means that unless veterans can prove their asbestos exposure was confined to their military service, they cannot collect various government Veterans Administration benefits which are accessible to other injured veterans, such as Agent Orange exposure victims and Gulf War Illness sufferers.

Unfortunately, without VA assistance, many veterans may not be able to afford the expensive mesothelioma treatments they need, such as surgery, chemotherapy or radiation. Nevertheless, thanks to medical confirmation stating that 30 percent of all patients diagnosed with mesothelioma served in the armed forces, the government has acknowledged a connection. Therefore, veterans that can prove that they were exposed to asbestos while on duty may be entitled to compensation for medical care through theVeterans Affairs office.

However, claims obtained in this manner can be very complex. Therefore, most veterans find the assistance of a legal firm well versed in asbestos-related claims to be of great value. Furthermore, if no benefits can be obtained from the VA, an experienced attorney may be able to help these veterans collect compensation to help pay for medical treatments themselves.  

References:

American Cancer Society

Naval History & Heritage Command

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs-Asbestos

Posted on 2:47 AM / 0 comments / Read More

Asbestos in the Marines

Pleural mesothelioma is a rare lung cancer that is primarily brought on from exposure to asbestos. Many people who are continuously exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing this cancer. Unfortunately, Marine veterans may be at a significantly higher risk than other individuals for developing this disease. Because the military used an exorbitant amount of asbestos-filled materials in the past, exposure was unavoidable for Marine personnel.

Exposure

From the 1940s to the 1970s, the military used asbestos in a number of different situations. Marine personnel may have experienced moderate levels of exposure to asbestos in their barracks. Materials comprised of asbestos may have been used to build the sleeping quarters on bases. Because any disruption to these materials can cause asbestos fibers to be easily dislodged from their original position, the fibers can then become suspended in the air. Those suspended, airborne particles then can become inhaled and implanted in the lungs.

Posted on 4:26 AM / 0 comments / Read More

Asbestos in the Air Force

The Air Force, which became a separate military branch in September of 1947, was established during the peak of asbestos use in the United States, particularly within the armed forces. Members of all military branches have been particularly subject to asbestos exposure, and the Air Force is no exception. These individuals are at an elevated risk of developing asbestos-related conditions such as pleural mesothelioma. In fact, former members of the military constitute a large percentage of those diagnosed with mesothelioma in the U.S.

Posted on 4:25 AM / 0 comments / Read More

What Is Asbestos?

Asbestos is part of a group of naturally occurring minerals that have been used for many industrial purposes, including cement, brake linings, roofing, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. During manufacturing or handling of these products tiny asbestos particles can become airborne. They may be inhaled or swallowed, leading to serious health problems. Mesothelioma is only one illness that can develop as a result of exposure to asbestos: lung cancer, asbestosis (a non-cancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney are also common.

While smoking is not linked to an increase in the risk of mesothelioma but a combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person's risk of other cancers developing.

Posted on 7:48 AM / 0 comments / Read More

Asbestos: The Main Cause of Mesothelioma

The National Institute of Cancer states that people who have been exposed to asbestos are at most risk of developing mesothelioma cancer. This is confirmed by the fact that approximately 80% of those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos - usually in a work environment. Given the hazardous nature of asbestos, it can take very little to dramatically increase the chance of developing asbestos mesothelioma, although symptoms may not appear until many years later.

There are, however, mesothelioma cases reported where the individual has not had any known exposure to asbestos.

Posted on 7:48 AM / 0 comments / Read More

Firefighter getting more risk of cancer

New York firefighters who worked at ground zero in 2001 were 19 percent more likely to develop cancer than firefighters who were not exposed to the hazardous conditions at the World Trade Center site, according to a new study in the British medical journal The Lancet.

Researchers said the findings should be interpreted cautiously because many cancers such as mesothelioma, a respiratory cancer linked to asbestos, take decades to show symptoms. Cancer is not listed so far among the illnesses covered by the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which provides $4.3 million to monitor, treat and compensate people suffering health problems associated with the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Still, the study offers the strongest evidence to date of an association between working at ground zero and cancer, according to The New York Times. Ground zero workers may have a significant cancer risk. More than 50,000 workers were exposed while responding after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

Released as the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks approaches, the study analyzed cancer incidence specifically among nearly 10,000 male NYC firefighters from 2001 through 2008. Many of the firefighters, other rescue personnel and volunteers were exposed to the toxic stew of smoke and burning debris after the World Trade Centers collapsed. Of the overall study group, researchers classified 8,927 firefighters as exposed to ground zero hazards such as asbestos, smoke, toxic dust and other carcinogens.

Researchers compared the rates of cancer among the exposed firefighters and firefighters who were not at ground zero. They found 263 cases of cancer among the exposed firefighters, reflecting a cancer rate 19 percent higher than in the group not exposed. The cancer rate among the exposed firefighters was 10 percent higher than American men overall.

Dr. James Melius, administrator of the New York State Laborers’ Health and Safety Trust Fund, said the study was not definitive, but provided information that there may be a significant cancer risk for New York firefighters exposed at Ground Zero.

The study was supported by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Approximately 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year, a cancer of the lining of the lung and abdomen associated with inhaling asbestos. For many, asbestos exposure was an occupational hazard of their job. Symptoms of mesothelioma typically take 20 to 50 years to appear.

Posted on 11:37 AM / 0 comments / Read More