Mesothelioma
Friable Vs. Non-Friable Asbestos
Asbestos was used extensively in buildings and materials for decades until the 1980s because of its unique characteristics. Asbestos is affordable, durable, and fire and heat-resistant, making it a desirable ingredient for construction, manufacturing, and certain materials. Unfortunately, asbestos is also hazardous to human health. What is Friability?Friability is the likelihood of asbestos-containing materials breaking…
Read MoreSimian Virus 40 and Mesothelioma
Malignant mesothelioma is a rare but fatal disease that develops in the epithelial lining of the lung, stomach, heart, vaginal or testicular tissues. Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is the most common form, accounting for 80–90 percent . A history of heavy and long-term exposure to asbestos is an established cause of MPM. Though controversial, some…
Read MoreTremolite Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring metamorphic minerals: chrysotile, tremolite, actinolite, amosite, crocidolite, and anthophyllite. Many ancient cultures valued asbestos for its many properties, such as absorbency, resistance to heat and fire, durability, and strength. Little did they know that all types of asbestos, such as tremolite, were and still are toxic to humans.…
Read MoreWhat You Should Know About Pleural Mesothelioma
When asbestos is inhaled or ingested, the fibers travel into the small airways and irritate the lung lining and pleura. Since the body cannot eject the asbestos fibers, irritation results in inflammation and damage that eventually leads to abnormal cancer cells. The abnormal cell growth becomes a tumor while fluid accumulates in the pleura space.…
Read MoreAsbestos Exposure in Shipyards
During the 20th century, asbestos was transported worldwide to industrial shipyards and factories as a heat insulator, fireproof material, and many other economically valuable applications. Asbestos use started in the United States in the late 1800s. In the 1930s and 1940s, documents revealed that asbestos manufacturers knew of the health issues related to asbestos. It…
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