"Banks have a new image. Now you have 'a friend,' your friendly banker. If the banks are so friendly, how come they chain down the pens?"Alan King
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All About Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a cancerous tumor of the pleura or peritoneum. Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos. Asbestos is Usually used as a fire resistant and heat resistant insulating material. You can get three types of asbestos white which Is very common, blue ...
Real Estate Investors - Don't Close Your Eyes To Closing Costs. When buying or selling real estate closing costs can come as a shock. Here's an explanation of the various expenses: Down Payment Most lenders require a down payment of from zero to 20% for a normal home purchase. Lender's Loan Origination Fee ...
The Province of Quebec As the only French speaking area in North America, the Province of Quebec is most certainly unique. Home to the separate native tribes of the Abenakis, Algonquian, Attikameks, Cree, Huron-Wendats, Innuu, Inuit, Malecites, Micmacs, Mohawks and Naskapis the ...
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In this second article of a series we're going to cover the health risks associated with exposure to asbestos.
Exposure to asbestos can cause a number of health problems including, lung cancer, Mesothelioma, asbestosis and other cancers.
Asbestosis is a chronic lung ailment that can produce shortness of breath coughing and even permanent lung damage.
Mesothelioma is a very rare form of cancer of the thin membranes that line the chest and abdomen. While very rare it is also very serious.
The people at risk for these ailments are anyone who has been exposed to asbestos at any time during their life. However, most people exposed to asbestos do not become ill. Only those exposed to it constantly over a long period of time usually develop symptoms. Most of these people are usually those who have a job that requires them to work with or be around asbestos throughout the day.
Since the early 1940's millions of people have been exposed to asbestos. The first workers to show signs of asbestos related health problems were those who worked in shipbuilding trades, asbestos mining and milling, manufacturing of asbestos textiles, insulation work, demolition workers, drywall workers and fire fighters. Today, improved work practices and regulations make exposure to asbestos in these industries less likely.
Even though it is generally believed that the most seriously ill people from asbestos are those who have suffered from long term exposure, there are cases of those who have only had brief exposure who have become ill as well. The problem is, asbestos exposure related illnesses can take from 10 to 40 years to show up. So a child exposed in school at age 13 may not develop any symptoms until he or she is past age 50.
There is also some evidence that suggests that family members of those who work in asbestos related fields can come down with asbestos related illnesses because of the asbestos fibers that are brought into the house by the worker's shoes and clothes. This type of exposure is called paraoccupational exposure. In order to decrease this risk, workers who are exposed to asbestos should wash their clothes and change before coming home. It is also suggested that they shower first if possible.
So just how great is the risk? Not all workers who are exposed to asbestos develop health problems. A lot has to do with the type of exposure. Asbestos that is encased and unlikely to break apart into the atmosphere presents less of a threat than asbestos that is not encased. Also, the general health of the worker comes into play as well. A worker who already has health related issues or who smokes is more likely to suffer from asbestos related illness. Also, the type of asbestos the worker is exposed to will have a great effect on the worker's health. Some forms of asbestos are more dangerous than others, depending on the concentration and the length of exposure.
In our final article of this series we'll go over how to determine if you might have an asbestos related health problem and if so, what to do about it.
About the author:
Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Asbestos
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Lathe maker ruled not liable for asbestos deathSan Francisco Chronicle... of asbestosis and lung cancer in 2008. Barker had worked as a mechanic from 1967 to 1995 and, according to the suit, unknowingly inhaled asbestos that was released from brakes by lathes and arcing machines made by Hennessy subsidiary Ammco Tools. |
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OSHA cites OP contractor for numerous violationsBizjournals.com“Inhalation of asbestos fibers by workers may lead to lung disease and other disorders,” said Arthur Dube, OSHA's area director. “That is why it is essential effective protective measures, including proper protective gear and adequate and effective ...and more » |
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