Posts Tagged ‘mesothelioma’

9/11 Survivors Blighted By Asbestos

November 12th, 2010

Huge clouds of pollutants generated by the collapse of the World Trade Centres are still affecting the health of New Yorkers. It is almost a decade since the attack on 11th September 2001, in which levels of asbestos 93,000 times the safe amount were released into the air, significantly increasing the risk of asbestos exposure and asbestos-related conditions.

During the 1960s and 70s, when the World Trade Centre was erected, many buildings were constructed with asbestos. It was highly prized for its many useful properties, including its fire and heat resistance and insulation. Despite these benefits, if the material becomes damaged it can be inhaled and lead to fatal illnesses such as asbestosis and the aggressive lung cancer, mesothelioma.

Since 2001 over 200 people who were initially exposed to the pollutants have passed away, 55 of these from lung cancer. The New York State Department launched a survey in 2008 which revealed that 110,000 people could potentially be affected, from respiratory difficulties to full-blown asbestos-related diseases. This research has given a boost to plans from the government to support victims in a bill that would award them compensation and care.

It would also open the Victims Compensation Fund, which was closed a few years ago after thousands attempted to sue. If the bill fails to be passed victims will be forced to pay for medical treatment themselves.

An example of the level of exposure encountered at ground zero is the case of Deborah Reeve. She died from the aggressive lung cancer mesothelioma just 5 years after coming into contact with asbestos, leading doctors to conclude that the level of the material she must have inhaled was enormous, as symptoms of mesothelioma do not usually develop until years later. Deborah was a paramedic for the Fire Department of New York. Her case perhaps demonstrates the risks which other emergency responders face in the future.

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Cutting Edge Surgery Helping Some Mesothelioma Patients

November 11th, 2010

The rare and aggressive form of lung cancer Mesothelioma affects thousands of people across the world. For many the outlook is bleak but a lucky few have been the beneficiaries of a new cutting edge surgery in the US which increases lung function and life expectancy.

Mesothelioma is often blamed on prolonged exposure to asbestos. The material was widely used in the building and construction industries between the 1950s and mid 1980s before the effects of the inhalation of its dangerous fibres were considered. Dr Jonathan Daniel, who is leading the team, believes the condition to be the “phenomenon of the last century” and expects it to reach its peak by 2020.

Dr Daniel’s challenging surgery, extrapleural pneumonectomy, is being used in conjunction with traditional treatments chemotherapy and radiotherapy. But the disease can only be effectively treated in its early stages. It has always been difficult to make a quick diagnosis of mesothelioma as symptoms do often not display themselves for a number of years due to its high latency period. Sometimes this can be up to 60 years after first exposure.

Though they will not be cured they will be given vital extra time and an improved quality of life. An extrapleural pneumonectomy involves removing the organs within the chest cavity and ensuring that all tumours are removed before placing vital organs back inside a reconstructed diaphragm. The treatment has already been successful on a number of people in America.

If you experience any of the symptoms of mesothelioma such as breathlessness and chest pain, and suspect you have been exposed to asbestos in the past, it is vital that you first seek medical advice. It is also likely that you are eligible for compensation and it may be worth seeking legal advice.

If you are considering making a Mesothelioma claim, contact ead solicitors who are experts in dealing with mesothelioma cases and can tell you whether you are entitled to compensation.


Asbestos Danger In Many Schools

November 9th, 2010

Despite stringent regulations being in place to protect the health and safety of school children, schools are failing to screen them against asbestos. The Asbestos Training and Consultancy Association made the claims after a survey of 16 schools suggested that asbestos was still a danger.

The Association claims that management schemes are not working and that damaged asbestos was found in 50% of the schools they visited. Asbestos becomes deadly when it is disturbed or damaged and its tiny fibres become airborne. These fibres can lodge in the lungs if they are inhaled and cause permanent scarring and the fatal conditions mesothelioma, pleural plaques and asbestosis.

In the period between 1980 and 2005 around 178 teacher and support staff have died from asbestos-related illnesses. The vast majority of Britain’s schools contain at least some asbestos so there is a huge risk of exposure to both teachers and children. It is feared that children are more susceptible to developing the diseases but it will not be known for another 20-30 years what the effects on pupils have been. The death rate demonstrates that the government’s management policy is unreliable and needs to be revised.

After spending almost every day for the last 34 years working in schools, teacher Carole Hagerdon has contracted the deadly lung disease mesothelioma. She is now urging the government to completely eradicate asbestos in schools so that the same thing doesn’t happen to other teachers and pupils. Statistics suggest that teachers are significantly more at risk from these diseases, with female teachers 2.5 times more likely, and male teachers a whopping 10 times more likely to develop conditions than the average man.

There are now calls for asbestos to be completely moved from all schools as management is obviously not working. It will have to be seen the effect it will have on our children in the future.

Speak to an asbestos solicitor for advice on Asbestos related diseases compensation.


Asbestos Conditions Receive Attention For Lung Cancer Awareness Month

November 7th, 2010

This November asbestos related diseases mesothelioma and asbestosis will receive public attention in a Lung Cancer Awareness Month. The National Lung Cancer Partnership will attempt to use the event to decrease deaths due to lung cancer and to help patients live longer through research, awareness and advocacy. Since 2005 the organisation has funded over $2 million in research for lung cancer projects.

Asbestos was widely used as a building material in the past due to its unique building properties such as fire resistance. Although its hazards were discovered by scientists in the 1930s the material was not regulated until the 1990s and not banned from used completely until 1999. By this time thousands of people had been in contact with asbestos and the damage was too late to reverse.

Pleural mesothelioma is a rare form of lung cancer that is most often caused by asbestos exposure. Over the past few years it has been the beneficiary of some of the National Lung Cancer Partnerships research dollars.

Symptoms often do not become present until after a long latency period of around 40-60 years after first exposure to asbestos. Patients suffer breathlessness, weight loss, fatigue, chest and back pain and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin) when associated with the lungs and also abdominal swelling when affecting the peritoneum. In severe cases there is risk of lung collapse and tumour masses may start to spread to other parts of the body.

Treatments involve radio and chemotherapy, and though the survival rate for mesothelioma is typically low, some things can be done to ease the sufferer’s life and enhance their time left. The UK currently sees around 2000 new diagnoses each year, though this may increase in the near future.

If you believe you have been exposed to asbestos in the past and are experiencing symptoms of breathlessness or chest pain it us advisable to seek medical advice. You have may have the right to claim compensation if you are diagnosed with an asbestos related condition.

With the expert help of an asbestos solicitor you could make a successful Asbestos claim and recieve the compensation you are entitled to.


What Is Mesothelioma?

October 24th, 2010

Mesothelioma is an asbestos related cancer which is most common in the outer lining of the lungs (called the pleura) though it can also affect other areas of the body. In the United Kingdom almost 2000 people a year are diagnosed with mesothelioma. There is no known cure.

Asbestos has been widely used in Britain since the Industrial Revolution. The 1950s onwards experience a boom in the manufacture and use of asbestos, particularly in the home building and construction industries, for its unique physical properties. However, the hazards of asbestos soon became apparent, as damage causes airborne fibres to be inhaled and become lodged in the lungs. This can lead to potentially life threatening conditions, including mesothelioma and asbestosis. Health officials expect the number of mesothelioma cases to disappear within the next half century as regulations and a ban on asbestos prevent exposure.

Symptoms often do not become present until after a long latency period of around 40-60 years after first exposure to asbestos. Patients suffer breathlessness, weight loss, fatigue, chest and back pain and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin) when associated with the lungs and also abdominal swelling when affecting the peritoneum. In severe cases there is risk of lung collapse and tumour masses may start to spread to other parts of the body.

Mesothelioma treatment will be administered after the location of the cancer, stage of the disease and the patient’s general health and well being have been assessed. Though there is no cure, treatment can improve the quality and quantity of life for some patients when the disease is caught in its early stages. Surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are just some of the options available.

If you believe you have been exposed to asbestos in the past and are experiencing any of the symptoms you should seek immediate medical attention. You have may have the right to claim compensation if you are diagnosed with mesothelioma. It can be very easy to claim using the right legal representation, and despite the difficulties of proving your exposure to asbestos, many people have been successful with their claims.

Many mesothelioma cases can recieve mesothelioma compensation with the help of an expert solicitor


Budgetary Concerns About Mesothelioma

October 22nd, 2010

The vulnerability of exposure with asbestos or other mineral fibers such as vermiculite are key suspects in causing cancer. Odd as it is, mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops within the mesothelium, the protective lining of the body’s internal organs. This cancer is called more precisely as malignant mesothelioma and more often than not caused by exposure to asbestos.

This type of disease puts all people who have inhaled and got exposed to asbestos particles at risk of contracting it. Not long ago, workers of all sorts ignore the dangers of becoming exposed to asbestos by not wearing respirators. Furthermore, air-born asbestos particles embedded on the clothes of workers puts those people doing the laundry for them, still at risk of acquiring the disease. Nevertheless, asbestosis compensation really helps those affected.

Past analysis have shown that even short exposures by people of 1 to 3 months is enough to increase the odds of contracting this fatal disease. Even the proximity of naturally occurring asbestos put one at risk. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including roofing shingles, brake pads and linings, cement, insulation, textiles and flooring products.

The pleura, the serous membrane covering the lungs and lining the inner aspect of the chest wall, is the usual site of origin. The peritoneum, another membrane covering the abdominal cavity is also another site for the disease to develop. Some easily develop the disease while others never develop at all.

Sneaky as it seems, this disease becomes evident only at about 20 to 50 years after getting exposed. The pericardium, the membrane surrounding the heart, may also fall susceptible for the disease.

A misconception between mesothelioma and smoking is that smoking was thought of worsening the conditions of persons with mesothelioma. But despite the misconception, smoking needs to be reduced so as to lower the chances of developing other asbestos caused cancers.

Shortness of breath caused by the fluid between the lung and the chest wall (known as pleural effusion), abdominal swelling and/or pain, chest pain, lumps in tissue under the skin on your chest, and weight loss are just some of the symptoms of the disease. Additional manifestations are pain in various body cavity locations, wheezing, hoarseness, cough with streaks of blood, fatigue and anemia.

Taking a asbestosis chest X ray or CT scan can reveal the suspected plight. Validating the suspected malady is possible through a biopsy with microscopic examination. Pleuroscopy, the diagnostic procedure of directly viewing the lung itself, is commonly used for diagnosing lung cancers. In the U.S., asbestos law concerns on compensations for those affected had become a lengthy trial. Attorneys of the asbestos victims push on to the trials in order to win the claims for their clientage. It helps a lot when you are already knowledgeable on mesothlioma litigation along with your rights as a victim.

Vermiculite was used in insulation and may contain amphibole asbestos, which when inhaled may cause serious health problems, including cancer. Vermiculite has been put into service in a number of industries including construction, agricultural and horticultural markets for more than 80 years because of its superior insulation qualities. Under the trade name Zonolite, it is often found in attic insulation. Inhaling these fibers cause them to get stuck in the lungs and can cause lung cancer and mesothelioma, a cancer of the lungs’ lining or the abdominal cavity.

Confronting manufacturers legally, doesn’t cost you anything upon trial, just your time. Only if your asbestos   compensation lawyer wins does he charge a fee.

Getting yourself exposed to asbestos isn’t enough to file a legal complaint. You should bear in mind that signs of an asbestos-related disease should be present in order for you to file your claims against the company. Certain laws of confinement are affected, thus it is a vital thing to act upon. The length of time wherein the affected person can wait before filing an asbestos or mesothelioma law suit is predetermined by the law itself. Start by visiting and accessing top advice from professionals in mesothelioma claims.

Asbestosis is a disease one needs to discern, if there is a questionable diagnosis. There is asbestos compensation that is available by simply using knowledge you gain at http://www.asbestosismesotheliomasettlement.com. Timely information about asbestos lawsuit proceedures help.


Exposure To Asbestos

October 19th, 2010

A popular construction material during the late 19th and 20th centuries, asbestos is a strong and flexible answer to many building needs. It is no longer permitted in the UK, however, as if damaged asbestos can release dangerous fibres which can cause a major threat to health. If inhaled, the fibres will lodge in the lungs and cause scarring and inflammation, which can hinder breathing and possibly cause the lung to collapse. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimates that the 4000 asbestos-related deaths each year are just the “tip of the iceberg”.

Towards the end of the 19th century the dangers connected with use of asbestos became known. Despite this it was a further 90 years until the substance was finally banned in England and Wales. Before then several sets of Regulations were introduced regulating its use to try to protect those who handled asbestos because of their job.

Contact with asbestos is most common in employment in the construction industry, and provides an increased risk of conditions such as the lung cancer mesothelioma and asbestosis. The following jobs carried an increased risk of asbestos exposure: laggers, insulation engineers, demolition workers, builders, asbestos manufacture workers, roofing contractors, electricians and plumbers. Spouses and family members of asbestos workers were at increased exposure when sharing a home or washing their clothes.

Laggers, insulation engineers, demolition workers, those working with asbestos manufacture, builders, roofing contractors, demolition workers, electricians and plumbers are all at increased exposure to asbestos due to their work in the building industry. Second hand exposure to asbestos has been heard of, with those living with or washing the clothes of asbestos workers demonstrating higher than average asbestos-related diseases.

If you have had employment for any period of time with possible exposure to asbestos and are starting to suffer from breathlessness you should seek medical advice straight away. It will then be important to seek legal advice from a specialist asbestos lawyer as you may be entitled to compensation.

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What Is Asbestos?

October 18th, 2010

Six naturally occurring minerals combine to make asbestos. Its thin fibrous crystals provide properties such as heat resistance and immense strength, accounting for the materials popularity in the construction industry. Asbestos in all its forms – blue, brown and white – have been banned in the UK for a number of years owing to their potential hazard to health and wellbeing.

Asbestos became the material of choice in the Industrial Revolution. Since then its popularity increased. Ships were commonly fitted with the material as insulation and fireproofing, particularly during WWII. By the mid 20th century asbestos was used extensively as a building material in Britain. Its flame retardant and insulating properties meant it was widely used in fireproofing, pipe insulation and roofing, for example. Areas in your home where you may find asbestos are garage and shed roofs, wall linings, pipe insulation, bath panels and floor tiles, and even in household products such as ironing boards and oven gloves.

The health risks of asbestos have been known for a very long time; in the era of Ancient Greece and Rome it was recorded how slaves building with the material suffered lung damage. However, this was not considered in England until the dawn of the 20th century. Elevated death rates in mining areas and factories were noted by social commentators. The annual reports of the Chief Inspector of Factories also reveal that in 1898, he noticed the “easily demonstrated” health risks of asbestos.

By the 1930s scientists had officially diagnosed sufferers of asbestosis and mesothelioma with a direct link to exposure to asbestos. These lung conditions occur with inhalation of asbestos’s dangerous fibres which triggers reactions in the lung. Symptoms sometimes do not occur for up to 60 years after first contact with asbestosis.

Asbestos was finally banned in the UK in 1999. Six years later regulations were introduced to minimise damage caused by existing asbestos in homes, schools and public places. It advises any contact with asbestos should be carried out by professionals, but provides a guide for those wishing to remove the material themselves. Despite the apparent dangers, countries such as Canada still mine asbestos in order to do trade with developing countries.

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Symptoms Of Mesothelioma

October 17th, 2010

A rare form of cancer called Mesothelioma occurs in the mesothelial cells covering the outer surface of most of our internal organs. “Mesothelium” is a lining which gives the disease its name, and most frequently occurs in the tissues covering the lungs. Exposure to the hazardous material asbestos is the most common cause, with around 80% of people diagnosed with the disease reported as having been in contact with asbestos at some point in their life, often before the material was banned for safety reasons.

Symptoms often do not become present until after a long latency period of around 40 years after coming into contact with asbestos. Asbestos was a popular material in construction from 1945 to around 1975, and was not banned until the late 1990s. It is thought that the number of cases of Mesothelioma will rise in the half century after asbestos became banned, and will decline shortly after.

Mesothelioma cause symptoms affecting the pleura in the lungs such as pain of the chest cavity, shortness of breath and reduced lung function. Fatigue caused by anaemia is common, as blood is lost to other organs, as well as being coughed up by the patient. There is an increased risk that the lungs will collapse and that the cancer will metasize and spread to other areas of the body. In the most severe Mesothelioma cases tumour masses could develop in the body, causing abdominal pain, blood clots, disseminated intravascular coagulation, weight loss, jaundice, and pleural effusion.

There are very few early warning signs for Mesothelioma and those that do appear resemble the symptoms of lesser illnesses such as anaemia and aging, but if you experience problems with your breathing, weight loss, bowel issues and heavy sweating it is worth consulting a doctor to check your health.

If you believe you have been exposed to asbestos in the past and are experiencing any of the symptoms it would be wise to seek medical advice. You have may have the right to claim compensation if you are diagnosed with Mesothelioma. It can be very easy to claim using the right legal representation, and despite the difficulties of proving your exposure to asbestos, many people have been successful with their claims.

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I Think I Have Pleural Plaques: Who Can Help?

October 16th, 2010

Scarring of the lungs is just one of the effects of Pleural Plaques. When dangerous asbestos fibres are inhaled by the human body they cause irreversible damage. The risks of asbestos were not thought serious enough to ban its use until 1999. Owing to its desirable properties of fire resistance and heat insulation, the material was widely used in the 20th century by the construction and manufacturing industries in Britain.

Around 90,000 people a year could develop plaques on their lungs, though the condition is not easy to detect. This large quota of sufferers is explained by the small amount of exposure to asbestos sufficient to damage the lungs.

The House of Lords enforced an unpopular ruling in October 2007 that denied sufferers of pleural plaques the ability to claim compensation. The government argues that pleural plaques alone do not cause respiratory disability. However these plaques can in fact indicate an increased risk of developing the more serious asbestos related asbestosis or mesothelioma. The ruling may be reviewed in the future thanks to the argument that the stress caused by this knowledge is perhaps detrimental to the physical health of sufferers.

The government is allowing unfinished claims to proceed – promising a one-off payment of 5000. If you started your claim before 17 October 2007 you too may be eligible to claim compensation. This ruling does not affect the compensation rights of sufferers of more serious asbestos complaints, so if your pleural plaques subsequently develop you will be able to make a new claim.

If you believe you are suffering from an asbestos related condition, you should immediately consult a medical specialist who, if you are diagnosed, will advise you on possible treatments and the prognosis for your condition. Consider enlisting the help of a solicitor specialising in asbestos to claim compensation.

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