Research says that asbestos can cause a range of diseases; they may be non-cancerous like asbestosis or more serious such as mesothelioma. Inhaling asbestos fibers increase the risk of cancer. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHT) and the Environmental Protection Agency determined asbestos as a human carcinogen.
North America has used asbestos commercially since late 1800's but there was a dramatic increase in its use during World War II, at which time, huge number of ships were produced for the war. Since then, building and construction industry, as well as the automotive and manufacturing trade, have used asbestos-containing materials. Over 5,000 products had asbestos.
In mid-20th century, adverse effects of exposure to the product have been noted and it was branded as a chief occupational health hazard. In those times, asbestos seemed to be associated with lung cancer but later on it was discovered that asbestos also caused pleural mass. In 1960s, it was apparent that there was a connection between methoselioma and asbestos. Today, this association is proven and well-established.
Products that contained asbestos have remained unregulated for over 50 years. Makers of these products continued to rise even when they know full well that millions of employees who contacted their products will ultimately suffer resulting from their acts. Fortunately, by late 70s, the Consumer Products and Safety Commission issued a ban on the use of asbestos in compounds for wallboard patching and the synthetic ash utilized in fireplaces for the reason that the fiber could be released easily during use. Then in 1989, there was a ban issued by the Environmental Protection Agency on all new usage of asbestos; however usage before that time were still permitted. There was public awareness and concern on the risks of asbestos which resulted to the decline in domestic utilization over the years but total asbestos ban did not come to fruition. It is still imported and used; and is still highly dangerous.
All histologic kinds of cancer are found in most studies but there seems to be a predominance of adenocarcinoma. For people exposed in asbestos, lung cancer is thought to take place at a younger age as compared to other patients; and these are commonly found in the lower lobes of the lungs. There is a higher probability of lung cancer if a person is exposed to asbestos and at the same, is a cigarette smoker. This is because a "synergistic effect" exists between asbestos exposure and cigarette smoking. Therefore, you should quit smoking if at some time you were exposed to asbestos.
For asbestos-related problems that are non-cancerous, the risk gets higher with increasing degrees of exposure. But this dose-response connection is less apparent for methoselioma because it has no relationship to cigarette smoking. Actually all of us are exposed to asbestos in the air that we constantly breathe but fortunately these levels are considered "acceptable" in a general sense. So far, there was no connection drawn as to the reason why, under the same conditions and amount of exposures, a person does contract methoselioma and the other does not; or why the individual who is heavily exposed does not contract any asbestos-related disease, but his wife who washes his work clothes is diagnosed with it.
All of us are exposed to asbestos. It may be in the air that we take in, the water that we drink, from natural deposits in the ground and from the corrosion of asbestos products all around us. But majority of us do not get ill as a result of asbestos exposure. Most commonly, those who have worked in an environment that is exposed to asbestos are diagnosed with asbestos-related disease. Nonetheless, there are cases of methoselioma that have been documented as a result of lesser exposure which has affected family members of those who had contact with asbestos and carried it through their clothes, hair or skin. Or they may have lived close to facilities that manufacture asbestos. Symptoms of diseases that are asbestos-related will usually not manifest until decades later.
A periodic checking is advised to people who had previous exposure to asbestos. A PA and lateral X-ray (front and side view) is recommended. These films should be read by a Certified B-reader; this is a special certification given by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health to radiologists. We can read a current list of B-readers in the NIOSH website. On top of the X-rays, other pulmonary function tests should be taken including an extensive physical exam, a diffusion capacity and environmental and occupational history test. If there is any reason for suspicions, the patient will have to see a specialist for more evaluation. Early detection and subsequently, a treatment is the major key in any cancer findings. It plays a great role in the patient's outlook in life and possibly, his survival.
North America has used asbestos commercially since late 1800's but there was a dramatic increase in its use during World War II, at which time, huge number of ships were produced for the war. Since then, building and construction industry, as well as the automotive and manufacturing trade, have used asbestos-containing materials. Over 5,000 products had asbestos.
In mid-20th century, adverse effects of exposure to the product have been noted and it was branded as a chief occupational health hazard. In those times, asbestos seemed to be associated with lung cancer but later on it was discovered that asbestos also caused pleural mass. In 1960s, it was apparent that there was a connection between methoselioma and asbestos. Today, this association is proven and well-established.
Products that contained asbestos have remained unregulated for over 50 years. Makers of these products continued to rise even when they know full well that millions of employees who contacted their products will ultimately suffer resulting from their acts. Fortunately, by late 70s, the Consumer Products and Safety Commission issued a ban on the use of asbestos in compounds for wallboard patching and the synthetic ash utilized in fireplaces for the reason that the fiber could be released easily during use. Then in 1989, there was a ban issued by the Environmental Protection Agency on all new usage of asbestos; however usage before that time were still permitted. There was public awareness and concern on the risks of asbestos which resulted to the decline in domestic utilization over the years but total asbestos ban did not come to fruition. It is still imported and used; and is still highly dangerous.
All histologic kinds of cancer are found in most studies but there seems to be a predominance of adenocarcinoma. For people exposed in asbestos, lung cancer is thought to take place at a younger age as compared to other patients; and these are commonly found in the lower lobes of the lungs. There is a higher probability of lung cancer if a person is exposed to asbestos and at the same, is a cigarette smoker. This is because a "synergistic effect" exists between asbestos exposure and cigarette smoking. Therefore, you should quit smoking if at some time you were exposed to asbestos.
For asbestos-related problems that are non-cancerous, the risk gets higher with increasing degrees of exposure. But this dose-response connection is less apparent for methoselioma because it has no relationship to cigarette smoking. Actually all of us are exposed to asbestos in the air that we constantly breathe but fortunately these levels are considered "acceptable" in a general sense. So far, there was no connection drawn as to the reason why, under the same conditions and amount of exposures, a person does contract methoselioma and the other does not; or why the individual who is heavily exposed does not contract any asbestos-related disease, but his wife who washes his work clothes is diagnosed with it.
All of us are exposed to asbestos. It may be in the air that we take in, the water that we drink, from natural deposits in the ground and from the corrosion of asbestos products all around us. But majority of us do not get ill as a result of asbestos exposure. Most commonly, those who have worked in an environment that is exposed to asbestos are diagnosed with asbestos-related disease. Nonetheless, there are cases of methoselioma that have been documented as a result of lesser exposure which has affected family members of those who had contact with asbestos and carried it through their clothes, hair or skin. Or they may have lived close to facilities that manufacture asbestos. Symptoms of diseases that are asbestos-related will usually not manifest until decades later.
A periodic checking is advised to people who had previous exposure to asbestos. A PA and lateral X-ray (front and side view) is recommended. These films should be read by a Certified B-reader; this is a special certification given by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health to radiologists. We can read a current list of B-readers in the NIOSH website. On top of the X-rays, other pulmonary function tests should be taken including an extensive physical exam, a diffusion capacity and environmental and occupational history test. If there is any reason for suspicions, the patient will have to see a specialist for more evaluation. Early detection and subsequently, a treatment is the major key in any cancer findings. It plays a great role in the patient's outlook in life and possibly, his survival.
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