Posts Tagged ‘Asbestos’

asbestosIn Catalonia there are still housing about two million tons of asbestos. It is in some boxes in corrugated iron corrugated plates in pipes … This material whose use has been banned since 2001, it is safe while you are in good condition. Only when it begins to deteriorate should be withdrawn, it may be carcinogenic. The legal form and safer to do so, through a specialist company, has a high cost. To prevent many citizens try to get rid of the material underground, the Catalan authorities have opened two sites for individuals. Is it the best system? There is no guarantee that citizens comply with security measures, recognize the agencies involved, also misinformation about the process less dangerous.

The housing census material, parked again
Uralita must compensate with almost four million euros to those affected by asbestos
Uralita condemns millions to poison residents of Barcelona
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The system was created because asbestos had hidden in containers

“We need to improve communication systems,” says the BMA

An individual has five cement plates at home. Want to get rid of them. The load on your own car. If you call 010, your attention to the citizen, will tell you (or at least that was what happened in two calls made ??by this newspaper) which may lead to any landfill. Wrong. It is a toxic material that requires spaces enabled. If the individual gets a brochure from the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona on the handling of asbestos, think you can lead them to the landfill (also called green dots) or Cerdanyola Vall d’Hebron. Wrong, because when it comes, will tell you that five plates are too many and you will go home with them (toxic waste) in the car and call a company that specializes in asbestos removal. Only if you have a plate of less than five kilos and call an authorized landfills before going to collect material security with which to pack the piece, avoid taking many risks and spend money. Read the rest of this entry »

As with any condition of health or disease, researchers have mesothelioma, over time, compiled statistical information on mesothelioma. These statistics can help us learn about the inclinations of the disease and its incidence and potentially help future patients as we learn more about mesothelioma.

The Incidence Of Diagnosis
The new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed between 2,500 and 3,000 Americans each year. These numbers, though significant, indicating that mesothelioma is still a relatively rare disease, although the incidence is expected to increase over the next decade, according to projections.

Age At Diagnosis
The first diagnosis of mesothelioma usually occurs in men and women between the ages of 50 and 70. mesothelioma patients undoubtedly have been diagnosed in children ages 50 and older than 70 years, but the diagnosis of the age groups are considered statistical anomalies.

Mesothelioma Occur In A Particular Sex Or Racial Demographic Over Another?
Mesothelioma is more common in men than in women, mainly due to occupational exposure to asbestos is most common among men in industrial work sites. This does not mean, however, that women can not be diagnosed with mesothelioma. In fact, recent evidence suggests that the incidence of mesothelioma in women could increase in coming years as the secondary asbestos exposure can take the form of a positive diagnosis of mesothelioma. Also of note is that mesothelioma is much less common among African Americans than white Americans, the reasons that researchers are still investigating.

What Are The Typical Rates Of Patient Survival After A Diagnosis Of Mesothelioma?
As mesothelioma is often diagnosed in its advanced stages, the prognosis for mesothelioma is sometimes poor, with life expectancy is little more than a year after diagnosis. If diagnosed early, however, the patient’s prognosis will increase dramatically. survival rates of patients are often dependent on the treatments available for the patient. In the early stages mesothelioma tumors eligible for mesothelioma surgery and lead to improved prognosis in those diagnosed with mesothelioma stage 3 or stage 4 of mesothelioma. As the new mesothelioma treatments and alternatives are investigated and used in the future is unrealistic to expect an improvement in survival rates of patients.

A common question for those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma is “How long I can live with this disease?” In fact, many patients turn to their doctor with this question as well as their friends and family members. As with most diseases, however, there is no response in terms of life expectancy of a patient meso, but – in general – the survival rate of mesothelioma is based on a number of different factors. Each case is a bit different and although the survival rate for victims of mesothelioma has traditionally been grim, more and more patients are living longer with the disease, scientists discover more and better ways to detect and treat disease.

The survival rates of patients with mesothelioma depends on many factors which may include any or all of the following:

  • latency period of mesothelioma – Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer which has a long latency period. Essentially, this means that the disease often “hides” in the body for many years, sometimes four or five decades. Therefore, 40-50 years may have passed since the first exposure to asbestos for the first time. This long latency period also means that the disease is not detected until symptoms appear. Often, at that time, cancer has spread from the main area to other parts of the body.
  • stage of disease at diagnosis – Those whose mesothelioma is discovered in Stage 1 and 2 have a much better chance of surviving the disease for a prolonged period of time because there are more treatment options available to them. Those with stage 3 or 4 mesothelioma have fewer treatment options. The poor prognosis of mesothelioma is observed in these patients with advanced cancer are symptomatic or with distant metastasis of primary tumor, ie, the cancer has spread from the main area to other parts of the body.
  • operability of the tumor – Due to the latency period mentioned above, surgery to remove the primary tumor mesothelioma is often not an option. However, if the disease is discovered at an early stage, a surgical procedure to remove the tumor may be a possibility, especially when the patient is healthy.
  • patient’s age – The younger the patient, the greater the chance of survival. Studies have shown that age is indeed a factor in improved survival rate and young patients certainly fair.
  • Comorbidity with other diseases – Patients, especially older ones, who have many medical problems are less likely to survive for a long time with mesothelioma. This is especially true in older patients, who represent a large number of victims of mesothelioma. Heart disease, kidney problems, hypertension, diabetes, and a host of other diseases or disorders can seriously affect the treatment options and, therefore, shortens the life expectancy of the patient.
  • Mesothelioma treatment plan – The length of time a victim survives mesothelioma may depend on treatment (s) you receive. Most doctors will be as aggressive as possible, understanding that this is a difficult cancer to treat.
  • area and type of disease – Mesothelioma occurs in various forms. About 75 percent of cases occur in the pleura, 15 to 20 percent in the peritoneum, and only 5 percent in the pericardium. The pleural mesothelioma is easier to treat and patients usually have a higher survival rate of mesothelioma than those whose disease is focused elsewhere. In addition, people with epithelial mesothelioma (most cases are this type) have a better prognosis than those with other types of mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, bone tumor involving the mesothelial cells of the protective outer membranes of some internal organs as such, lungs, heart and abdominal organs, diaphragm pleura best known is and its function is to be a lubricating surface that protects the lungs from rubbing against the rib cage.

Currently, all cases of mesothelioma (cancer of the pleura), and lung cancer are related to the inhalation of asbestos fibers. When inhaled, these fibers can cause scarring in the tissues of the lung, which can not expand and contract normally.

A year are diagnosed in about 15,000 cases in the world, how to treat this cancer is by chemotherapy, radiotherapy and alternative medicines eligible for convatir disease. Usually those affected by this disease are over fifty years. The characteristics of asbestos-name of a group of different types of minerals are, long fibers, resistant, can be separated, are flexible, can be intertwined, also resist high temperatures.

Asbestos fibers do not dissolve in water or evaporate into the air, so these pieces of fibers can enter the water and air by the erosion of natural deposits and wear manufactured asbestos products, asbestos minerals always are widely distributed in the environment. Can be found in large natural deposits, or even contaminants in other minerals, eg, vermiculite, talc and chrysotile deposits which are in the tremolite asbestos. The most likely way of exposure to asbestos is through inhalation of asbestos fibers airborne, these fibers can come from natural sources or wear asbestos or disturbance of manufactured products, eg automotive brake and clutch linings, tiles and tiles, dry wall, insulation, cement and roof tiles, however, these products do not always contain asbestos.

In general, almost all air sample can be detected low levels of asbestos, which are little or no risk to our health. The levels found near an asbestos factory or mine can reach 11,000 fibres/m3 (0.01 fibers / ml) or more. In general, levels may be higher than average near buildings containing asbestos products are being demolished or renovated or near a waste site where asbestos is not covered and stored properly in order to protect from wind erosion.

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer diagnosed in about 3,000 people a year. The disease usually affects the thin membrane that lines the chest cavity (thorax) and lungs. This membrane is called the pleura. It can also affect the lining of the abdominal cavity, called the peritoneum and, rarely, it affects the lining of the heart called the pericardium.

In most cases the malignant mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, a natural mineral used in various industries. A small percentage of cases have been linked to exposure to mineral silicate called zeolite or a type of radiographic contrast dye, Thorotrast, used before 1960 to make the blood vessels can be visualized on radiographs. In a few cases, no known cause of malignant mesothelioma.

People exposed to asbestos for a long time or exposed to high levels of asbestos have a higher risk of developing malignant mesothelioma, but even those exposed for a short time can develop this disease, which appears at least 15 years (usually 20 to 40 years) after exposure to asbestos. Usually the disease is diagnosed between 50 and 70. Men are more likely than women to suffer, because it is more likely that they have worked in industries using asbestos.

There are three main types of malignant mesothelioma: epithelial, sarcomatoid and mixed. The epithelial type is the most common.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. The most common form of the cancer is pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lining of the lungs. Other areas where mesothelioma can develop include the lining of the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) and heart (pericardial mesothelioma), but these types are less likely to develop.

Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral that was incorporated into more than 5,000 products, was largely utilized for its insulating and fireproofing characteristics. Industries that have felt the largest impact from mesothelioma cancer include the construction, automotive, power plant, chemical plant, manufacturing, electrical and shipyard industry.

Mesothelioma Symptoms and Prognosis

Symptoms of mesothelioma can often be confused with other, less serious conditions. Some of the most common symptoms associated with the cancer include coughing, difficulty breathing, fatigue, night sweats, chest or abdominal pain and shortness of breath. Due to the severe latency period of symptoms, which may take as long as 50 years to arise from the time of someone’s initial exposure to asbestos, patients are often diagnosed during the latest stages of development.

A mesothelioma patient’s prognosis is influenced by numerous factors. Since a mesothelioma diagnosis often occurs after the cancer has progressed to later stages of development, prognosis is typically poor. However, if a patient is diagnosed before the cancer has spread, their prognosis may improve. The average mesothelioma life span ranges between four and 18 months following diagnosis.

Factors that may influence prognosis include the stage of a patient’s mesothelioma at the time of diagnosis, type of mesothelioma, size of the tumor, location of the tumor and whether it may be surgically removed, and the age and overall health of the patient.

Mesothelioma Treatment and Early Detection

Because mesothelioma is often diagnosed during the advanced stages of development, most treatment options are aimed at alleviating symptoms and prolonging life expectancy. Common treatment options for mesothelioma patients include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Surgery, which is used to remove the cancer, is typically used on patients diagnosed during an early stage of development. For this reason, early detection provides patients with the best chance to combat the cancer. To date, there is no cure for mesothelioma even though recent studies and clinical trials are becoming more and more successful at treating the cancer each year.

Mesothelioma cancer is a rare form of the disease in which cancer cells develop in the pleura, peritoneum, or pericardium – the lining of the chest, abdomen and the area around the heart. This form of cancer is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos.

Peritoneal mesothelioma

Cancer is one-fifth to one third of cases are diagnosed. The symptoms of this type of mesothelioma include weight loss, swelling and pain in the abdomen due to fluid accumulation. Victims of other types of mesothelioma can develop pain in the chest wall, the fluid around the lungs, anemia, shortness of breath, or symptoms of anemia, cough, or the tendency to wheeze and cough up blood. In severe cases, can form tumors in the lungs or abdominal cavity, causing the collapse of the lungs.

While only a short period of exposure to asbestos, as little as one or two months, is required for this type of cancer that occurs, you can take a long time before symptoms appear. People who were exposed in the decade of 1940 are only now being diagnosed as mesothelioma cancer has a long latency period. If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, the prognosis may vary according to how early it was detected. Research in alternative medicine and conventional therapies for the treatment of this disease continues. Conventional drugs used to fight cancer mesothelioma include Alimta and other chemotherapy drugs, surgery to remove tumors, and radiotherapy.

In addition to these treatments, a series of alternative medicine therapies may be able to reduce the symptoms of mesothelioma. Is called complementary and alternative medicine, or CAM, this group of doctors and health care options and practices are not considered part of general medical practice. However, that does not mean they are ineffective. Some health professionals practice both CAM and conventional medicine, and combine the two with good results. This is known as integrative medicine.

 

What is mesothelioma?

Malignant Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that originates in the mesothelium, the membrane that covers and protects most internal organs of the body. The mesothelium has two layers, one surrounding the organ itself, and the other forming a lining bag inside it. Between these two layers are usually produces a small amount of liquid to lubricate the movement of organs protected. When the normal cells of the mesothelium out of control and multiply rapidly, it is called mesothelioma. The most common form of mesothelioma is mesothelioma pleural, which is generated in the lining of the lungs. Other forms are mesothelioma peritoneal, affecting the lining of the abdominal cavity, and mesothelioma pericardial, affecting the lining of the heart.

What causes mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is almost always prevent exposure to asbestos fiber. Many people have been exposed in the military, others because of their work, others, secondarily, through contact with workers exposed. Because of its latency, the cancer may not occur for 20-50 years and higher after exposure.

What types of products generally contain asbestos?

These products generally contain asbestos in varying concentrations. This list is not exhaustive and is intended only as a general reference.

* Coatings shaped or molded, used for thermal insulation of pipes and boilers

* Asbestos spray used as fire protection in ducts, in firebreaks, panels, partitions in, in the floor boards, ceiling panels and around structural steel
* Insulating boards used for fire protection, thermal insulation, the partitions and pipes
* Coatings used asbestos in firebreaks and ceiling cavities
* Double-pressed cardboard, paper and paper products used for the insulation of electrical equipment, asbestos paper may also be used as a flame retardant coating on the panels of wood fiber
* All asbestos cement products, both flat corrugated sheets used for roofing or wall covering, cement products were also used in the gutters in the rain and water tanks
* Textured finish (such as Artex)
* Roofing material made of bitumen
* Tile Vinyl or thermoplastic

The pleura in a double layer covering the lung
The pleura is a membrane consisting of two thin sheets (visceral and parietal). They are the lungs and the inside of the chest cavity. In case of illness the space between the two pleural (pleural cavity) may fill with fluid, which causes breathing difficulties.

Asbestos case
It is assumed that about half of all malignant mesothelioma is caused by asbestos dust. Mesothelioma can develop decades after exposure to asbestos. If the asbestos dust may cause cancer should notify the appropriate accident insurance of the employer with whom the patient was exposed to dust, even if the patient is retired.

The lungs ‘walled’
The pleural mesothelioma is spread across the pleura and may invade nearby organs like the lungs or diaphragm. Arise breathing problems, coughing and chest pain. For the diagnosis is used in radiography, computed tomography or other methods of examination of the chest. It also collects fluid from the pleural cavity.

Surgery, radio and chemotherapy
The type of treatment depends on the spread of cancer. Typically, therapy is a combination of surgery, radio and chemotherapy. If pleural mesothelioma is diagnosed in a very advanced stage of recovery is not possible.

Pleural metastases
Much more frequent pleural mesothelioma are pleural metastasis, ie secondary tumors. Pleural metastases arise mostly from malignant tumors of lung, breast, stomach and esophagus.

Other risk factors

* Exposure to asbestos, a fibrous mineral used as insulation in homes and buildings, also increases the risk of lung cancer. In houses, this material is not dangerous as they are not broken or handled in the open air, which may be the case during the renovations.
* Wood stoves, if they are not waterproof, are sources of fine particles in the air of homes, particularly dust and ashes. Wood smoke contains over 7,000 toxic substances. NB In its natural form, talc may contain asbestos. However, Canadian law requires, since 1973, as consumer products containing talc (body powders, face and baby) are free of asbestos.
* Being frequently exposed to air pollution. The air pollution is responsible for 5% of all deaths from cancer of the trachea, bronchus and lungs. The particles from burning coal, oil, natural gas and the incineration of garbage are damage. The problem is especially crucial in countries poorer and densely populated, particularly in Asia, but relates to some degree, all major cities.

* Having a diet low in fruits and vegetables. Twenty studies (cohort or case-control) on eating habits show a slightly reduced risk among consumers of fruits and vegetables rich in beta-carotene (sweet potatoes, pumpkins, carrots, spinach and other green vegetables dark, winter squash, etc..). In general, consumption of fruit and vegetables exert a protective effect in people exposed to smoke tobacco.

Epidemiological studies indicate that consumed in supplement form (at a dose of 20 mg or more per day), beta-carotene slightly increases the risk of lung cancer and mortality among smokers. It is not known if this negative effect persists when the beta-carotene is used in combination with other carotenoids in supplements.

Potential risk factors

* Smoking marijuana. For now, the data tend to show that marijuana does not increase the risk of lung cancer. Smoke marijuana, or cannabis, although exempting nicotine, contains several carcinogens found in tobacco smoke. Researchers believe that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) present in cannabis smoke’s effect. Marijuana smoke is often inhaled deeply and held longer in the lungs. Some data suggest that marijuana may cause oral cancer.
* Smoking the hookah (pipe eastern water pipe, hookah). The data are currently insufficient to determine the impact of this practice on the risk of lung cancer. The amount of tobacco smoke hookah is much lower than that found in cigarettes.Smoking the hookah is a tradition in North Africa and the Middle East. The smoker draws through a long pipe, smoke flavored tobacco. Although filtered water, smoke contain certain amounts of nicotine, carbon monoxide and other harmful substances.