Who Is At Risk For Asbestos Related Disease?

Since the early 1940s when asbestos use became popular in the United States, millions of Americans have been exposed to asbestos. Even today with all the government regulations surrounding asbestos use the National Cancer Institute states that everyone is exposed to asbestos throughout their lifetime. Because asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, trace elements can be found in the air, water and soil. These trace amounts of asbestos typically do not make people ill. It is those who have been exposed to asbestos over long periods of time who are most at risk for asbestos related diseases.

Often continual exposure to asbestos occurred on the job. People who become ill from asbestos may have worked directly with the material or been exposed through substantial environmental contact. Professions that have high levels of asbestos contact include shipbuilding trades, demolition workers, drywall removers, insulation work in the construction and building trades, asbestos removal workers, firefighters, and automobile workers. As Government regulations on asbestos improved work practices, workers in these fields today face smaller risks than those working in these fields in the early to mid 1900's.

Asbestos Cancer Coverage on Mesothelioma Symptoms

The primary cause of Mesothelioma cancer is exposure to asbestos. Once exposed to asbestos, patients generally do not display any Mesothelioma symptoms for 20+ years. Sometime victims of the disease are completely unaware that they were ever exposed to asbestos.

Mesothelioma symptoms can resemble lesser health conditions, making diagnosis of the disease more difficult that other cancer forms. Symptoms also vary depending on the type of Mesothelioma a patient has.

There is Pleural Mesothelioma which attacks the outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall. The most common Mesothelioma symptoms expressed by pleural cancer patients include shortness of breath, chest pain and persistent cough. Other Pleural Mesothelioma symptoms include fatigue, anemia, fluid surrounding the lung, or coughing up blood.

Chemical Maker's Plan to Resolve Asbestos Lawsuits

A plan by RPM International, Inc. to put two nonoperating units into bankruptcy in order to resolve thousands of asbestos claims filed by mesothelioma lawyers has come under criticism by the U.S. Trustee assigned to monitor the bankruptcy.

RPM, a manufacturer of specialty chemicals and paints, faces in excess of 10,000 asbestos lawsuits that have been filed against it or one of its subsidiaries. On May 31, two of the company's units, Specialty Products Holding Corp. and Bondex International Inc., filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy code.

RPM had planned to use the two holding companies to create a fund to resolve the asbestos cases. Similar claims had already cost RPM as much as $82 million a year since 2005.

Risk of Asbestos Exposure, The Only Known Cause of Mesothelioma Cancer, in Texas

In Temple, Texas, the demolished remains of a local church were soaked with water to minimize the risk of spreading airborne asbestos particles. A large construction machine was used to knock down the former First Baptist Church last Wednesday morning.

Beginning early in the morning, the machine tore apart wood, metal, and other debris at the office-like building. Work is still ongoing at the site, and it is expected to wrap up sometime this week, according to Brad Garrett of Garrett Excavation and Demolition.

Water was sprayed on demolition debris at the site to minimize the chance that small amounts of airborne asbestos could travel on air currents. When asbestos fibers are moistened, they are less likely to become airborne, making it less likely that people will inhale or ingest these asbestos particles. Asbestos exposure is linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

Access Legal Calls for More Help for Asbestos Disease Victims

Access Legal, consumer legal services provider from Shoosmiths, is calling for more to be done to help victims of mesothelioma, as it believes that not enough is being done to help sufferers of fatal asbestos-related diseases.

Access Legal wants to see more done to help victims of mesothelioma, an asbestos-linked cancer common in builders, plumbers, joiners, and teachers.

The call comes in the midst of a Health & Safety Executive awareness-raising campaign aimed at those workers most at risk. Sara Hunt, associate and asbestos specialist at Access legal from Shoosmiths, said: "With some people already hit by this creeping disease, and with many others potentially at risk, not a lot seems to be getting done.

Mesothelioma Warning: Asbestos Must Be Removed from California Art Museum

In Fresno, California, the city council has approved an emergency proposal to repair the roof of the Fresno Art Museum. The ceiling at the museum contains asbestos, and that will need to be abated. Generally speaking, the city council has to accept multiple bids for a project like this, but because of the urgent need to complete the project quickly, the council approved an emergency resolution to hire Graham Prewett, Inc. to tackle the project. Work on the $241,000 project will begin as soon as possible.

The museum has several leaks that have caused water damage to walls and ceilings, as well as to the roof. A new roof is needed immediately, according to Kenneth Nerland, director of the city's general services department. "It is urgent that roof-replacement work be completed as soon as possible," Nerland says.

Mesothelioma Alert: Asbestos Removal Part Of Major School District's Planned Project

In New York State, the Queensbury Union Free School District is getting ready to embark on a massive undertaking. The district plans to spend $16.5 million on a project to improve local schools. The project will begin this spring, and will focus on improving the middle school and upgrading the district's transportation building. Douglas Huntley, the superintendent of schools, said the project will take two years to complete.

"We will be taking full advantage of the next two summers," Huntley explained, adding that "Most of our attention for this spring will be at the transportation site."

Renovations at the middle school will be preceded by asbestos removal. Asbestos exposure can lead to mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, later in life. Mesothelioma affects less than 3,000 Americans each year, and is always fatal. Sadly, despite the efforts of cancer researchers around the globe, the majority of patients lose their battle with this cancer in less than two years.