Posts tagged "asbestos"

How Many Mesothelioma Victims Have Been Mis-Diagnosed

It rеаllу іѕ unknown hоw mаnу individuals hаvе died frоm Mesothelioma thаt mау hаvе bееn mis-diagnosed wіth уеt аnоthеr sort оf cancer. Cоnѕеquеntlу іt іѕ important tо educate уоurѕеlf оn thе differences аnd саuѕеѕ оf еасh аnd every.

Asbestos іѕ rеаllу а carcinogen – thаt is, іt саuѕеѕ cancer. Asbestos fibres lodge wіthіn thе lungs аnd concentrates wіth repeated exposure аnd thuѕ саuѕеѕ cancer frоm thе lungs аnd stomach оf people whо experience prolonged subjected tо thе substance. Thе effects оf lоwеr exposures іn уоur home аrе lеѕѕ wеll documented, but аnу exposure tо thе fibres саn bе viewed аѕ dangerous. Asbestos іѕ nоt аlwауѕ аn іmmеdіаtе risk. In fact, іf asbestos саn bе maintained іn good shape, іt іѕ recommended thаt іt bе left оn it’s оwn аnd periodic surveillance performed tо monitor іtѕ situation. If уоu аrе аt аll concerned, уоu ѕhоuld thіnk аbоut gеttіng thе professionals іn tо survey thе house аnd tаkе samples. In addition, thе manufacturer оf а product mіght bе аblе tо tеll уоu whеthеr thе product соntаіnѕ asbestos. Yоu nееd tо сеrtаіnlу nоt undertake extensive remodeling work оn а mature house wіthоut hаvіng а professional examine thе house fоr thаt presence оf asbestos.

Onсе уоu hаvе finished removing asbestos іtѕ time tо clean up. Fоr thіѕ уоu wіll nееd а HEPA vacuum thаt hаѕ a.3 micron filter. Vacuum аll floors аnd walls thoroughly. Onсе vacuumed уоu саn tаkе dоwn аll thе plastic. Dispose оf thе plastic аѕ asbestos waste. Yоur room ѕhоuld nоw bе safe fоr human habitation again.Asbestos dust іѕ а silent killer. Inhalation оf іtѕ deadly fibers саn саuѕе Mesothelioma, аn aggressive cancer thаt ѕоmеtіmеѕ doesn’t present іtѕ symptoms untіl а full 50 years аftеr thе disease wаѕ contracted.

Asbestos wаѕ uѕеd іn mаnу materials thаt wеrе uѕеd fоr construction prior tо thе mid-1990s іn Canada. It іѕ nо longer uѕеd іn аnу construction materials bесаuѕе іt hаѕ bееn linked tо mаnу health issues. It hаѕ bееn linked tо а fеw dіffеrеnt types оf cancer аnd thеrе аrе асtuаllу mаnу law firms thаt hаvе а section dedicated specifically tо asbestos related cases.

Asbestos іѕ а mineral fiber аnd іt саn оnlу bе positively identified wіth а special type оf microscope. In thе past, asbestos wаѕ added tо а variety оf products tо strengthen thеm аnd tо provide heat insulation аnd fire resistance. Breathing high levels оf asbestos аnd lead tо diseases lіkе lung cancer, mesothelioma аnd asbestosis, whісh іѕ whеn thе lungs gеtѕ scarred bу fibrous tissue. Short exposures tо asbestos mау nоt саuѕе аnу problems, but disturbed asbestos fibers іn thе home саn оbvіоuѕlу саuѕе long term exposure.

It іѕ important fоr уоu tо knоw thе exact date whеn thе house оr building уоu аrе living іn іѕ constructed. If іt wаѕ built bеfоrе thе 1960′s, thеrе іѕ а high chance thаt thе insulation material lining thе walls, attic, аnd roofs contain asbestos.

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Posted by asbestos - April 7, 2012 at 12:25 am

Categories: Mesothelioma   Tags: Tags: good shape, mesothelioma, cancer, how many mesothelioma victims have been misdiagnosed, lung cancer, asbestos, many mesothelioma victims, mesothelioma victims, asbestos fibres, asbestos fibers

Asbestos Symptoms and Their Cause

Without a doubt, by now you have heard about the damage that asbestos can do to our bodies.  A little research will tell you that this material was once thought of as being so safe to use that it was used not only in commercial applications but in products that were used in our homes that our loved ones had easy access to.  With its high chemical and fire resistant properties and cost of available supply, many manufacturers chosed to ignore the early warning signs that asbestos was actually a dangerous substance.  With their continued use of the mineral in manufacturing processes workers started to show signs of asbestos symptoms.

So just what are asbestos symptoms and what’s the culprit behind them.  To fully understand this one must come to understand the nature of asbestos.  It is a natural occurring mineral that actually have ideal properties suited for many manufacturing processes; especially those that require high heat protection.  The problem is that asbestos is made up of thousands and tiny hair like particles.  If these particles stay intact in the products they are processed into they offer very little, if any hazards to us.  The problem occurs when the asbestos containing products become friable or broken.  In this state the hair like asbestos fibers can be released into the atmosphere and eventually work their way into our lungs where they can cause a host of health problems.  Unless you’ve been severely exposed to these fibers symptoms may not show up for decades later.

Asbestos exposure has been shown to be the cause of the disease mesothelioma which is a form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs.  Early asbestos symptoms can be the everyday things we think about that are connected with the lungs such as coughing and shortness of breath but these things alone of course doesn’t mean you have mesothelioma.  Only a medical expert can make that type of diagnosis after running a host of test on the patient.  Asbestos can also affect other organs in the body such as the abdomen and some of the symptoms one might experience in this case are loss of appetite and weight loss.  If you’re experiencing any of these signs, whether or not you think you’ve been exposed to asbestos in your lifetime, you should seek the advice of a physician right away.

If you’re experiencing any of the asbestos symptoms that at risk workers have had in the past your doctors may want to order a battery of test and procedures for you right away. Diseases bought on by asbestos can spread very quickly so time is of the essence.  Some of the routine lung tests can tell the doctor about the overall health of your lungs such as how well you’re able to take in and expel air.  To learn even more about what’s going on in your lungs the doctor will probably order x-rays as well as a CT scan.  If the doctor suspects something maybe going on in or around your lungs he will probably order a biopsy.  This is a simple procedure to remove a sample of the tissue so that a pathologist can do a deeper examination.

Unfortunately, the onset of asbestos symptoms may not occur for some thirty to fifty years after exposure.  The diseases that result from this exposure can spread rapidly so it’s of the utmost importance that you consult with your physician if you’re experiencing any problems.  Be sure to tell the doctor of any periods in your life when you worked in a high risk asbestos job, not limited to but including mining occupations, shipyard work, firefighting or working in the manufacturing process of making products that contained asbestos.  Remember, asbestos symptoms are the result of being exposed to asbestos and the sooner you can get diagnosed the better your chances are of dealing with asbestos related diseases.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Posted by asbestos - March 17, 2012 at 1:17 pm

Categories: Mesothelioma   Tags: Tags: asbestos symptoms and their cause, manufacturing processes, early warning signs, health problems, intitle:asbestos removal “commentluv”, shortness of breath, asbestos, tiny hair, warning signs that, asbestos fibers

Asbestos in the Home: Where to Find It, What to Do About It, and Associated Health Risks

If your home was built between the 1940s and the 1980s, there’s a very good chance that it contains asbestos. And if you’re planning on doing any kind of renovation in your home today, you need to understand the health hazards associated with asbestos, as well as how to protect yourself from this toxic substance.

Asbestos is an organically occurring fibrous mineral, which has long been prized for its extreme ability to resist heat and fire, as well as its strength, durability, and flexibility. Since it can be woven into cloth or mixed with other materials to create building products, asbestos was widely used during the mid-20th century in a variety of commercial, residential, automotive and maritime applications. It was considered so useful, in fact, that at one time the United States military actually mandated its usage on Navy ships.

Unfortunately, asbestos has become known as a carcinogen. Its microscopic, needle-like fibers are easily inhaled when the material is damaged or crushed, and they can lead to devastating diseases such as mesothelioma—a cancer of the lining surrounding the bodily organs—lung cancer, asbestosis and pleural fibrosis. According to the EPA and OSHA, there is no safe level of asbestos exposure.

Most people, when they think about asbestos, think of insulation. Yet the material is used in many other places in the home, including door gaskets in furnaces, wood stoves or coal stoves; cement sheeting, millboard and paper used as insulation around furnaces and stoves; insulation for steam pipes, boilers and furnace ducts; cement roofing, shingles and siding; patching and joint compounds; textured paints; acoustical tiles used on the ceiling or walls; spray-on soundproofing or decorative material used on walls and ceilings; floor tiles, vinyl sheet flooring and floor tile backings and adhesives.

Because asbestos may lurk in many places, it is vital that you exercise caution when attempting a do-it-yourself home repair, construction or renovation project. First and foremost, if you know that asbestos exists in your home, it may be wise to leave its removal to the professionals. Asbestos abatement should be carried out by trained, qualified and well-equipped contractors. Even if you simply suspect the presence of asbestos, it is recommended that you have air samples taken by professionals. Often, asbestos-containing materials are safe when they remain undisturbed. It’s only when they become damaged that they pose a harm. If a material in your home—such as floor tile—contains asbestos, you may consider installing new flooring over it instead of removing it. Likewise, you should avoid drilling, sawing, sanding, scraping, or brushing asbestos materials. If there is debris present that may contain asbestos—crumbling insulation or flood-damaged building materials, for example—do not attempt to sweep, vacuum, remove or clean the area. When in doubt, contact a trained asbestos abatement contractor to perform inspection and testing of your home. These professionals can advise you on proper renovation procedures in order to keep you and your family safe from the hazard of asbestos.

Please visit http://www.asbestos.net/ for more information.

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Posted by asbestos - May 10, 2010 at 2:58 pm

Categories: Asbestos Tile Removal   Tags: Tags: vinyl sheet flooring over asbestos tiles, keyword luv home repair, patching asbestos tiles, popcorn ceiling hazard, when was asbestos in home floor tiles, can i sweep asbestos tile floor?, cement aspestos tile do it yorself, asbestos floor tiles home, safety popcorn ceilings undisturbed, what are the options if tile contains asbestos

Unforeseen Hazards Related To Health – Asbestos And Lead

Practically any demolition carries with it the possibility that you’ll run into asbestos and lead; especially in older homes. These could be extremely hazardous to your well being and precautions must be taken.

Lead paint is primarily present in homes constructed prior to 1978. The older the home, the greater the possibility that lead paint was used. Lead paint might be on the moldings, walls, ceilings, or even the floors. A main danger is that youngsters will chew on wood covered with lead paint.

Lead ingestion, both by inhalation or by swallowing, can produce all sorts of negative symptoms, which includes (at high levels) convulsions, coma, and death. At low levels it may well adversely affect the circulatory system, the kidneys, the central nervous system, and the brain. It could cause issues like hyperactivity, muscle and joint pain, high blood pressure, and hearing loss.

How Do I Know If I Have Lead Paint?

Testing for lead paint is fairly complicated, though simple assessments are available for homeowners. The perfect approach is to have a technician authorized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) come in and test the area of your concern (in addition to your complete home). The test costs round $350.

The hazard in renovation with lead paint comes when someone tries to remove it. The process of burning paint off of wood can launch lead into the air. Sanding lead paint can release lead particles into the air. (Normal vacuum cleaners cannot capture lead particles-specialized filters must be used.) Basically, when the lead paint is disturbed, it turns into a hazard.

Encapsulating lead-that’s, painting over it-is not considered an appropriate technique of dealing with the problem. The hazard is that the paint may chip off or oxidize and the lead could still get into the dwelling.

Perhaps the easiest way to take away the lead is solely to remove whatever it is painted on. Take off the molding and the lead paint goes with it. (Be sure it is properly disposed of. ) Remove the wallboard or plaster and the paint goes also.

For the most part, specialists (EPA-certified lead abatement technicians) are the only ones who can safely remove lead from a surface. Nonetheless, anytime anybody is working with lead, that individual ought to wear an approved respirator. Be ready for the cost. A total dwelling removal of lead paint can value $10,000 or extra!

Asbestos can be a greater problem. It can be present in floor tiles, sprayed on ceilings, and as insulation material wrapped round pipes (heating ducts as well as plumbing) or lining attics and roofs.

Breathing asbestos can result in asbestosis, a lung situation that can lead to death. It has also been linked to lung cancer and other diseases.

How Do I Acknowledge Asbestos?

Asbestos is a white materials with fibers. However it can be difficult to identify. It may be in solid state, as in vinyl asbestos tile. To be sure, you need to have a suspicious area tested. You can gather a pattern of the fabric you’re curious about and ship it off to a lab for testing.

For instance, it’s possible you may be thinking about removing floor tiles because you think they may contain asbestos. You possibly can ship a portion of a tile in and have it checked out. However make sure you send it to an accredited lab. Every state maintains labs accredited for this purpose. A clearinghouse can be found by the EPA (http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/index.htm).

If the asbestos isn’t sealed and fibers are breaking off-for instance, if you’re transferring floor tiles containing asbestos, or working on ceilings sprayed with asbestos (as was done in the Seventies to create an “acoustical” look)-it’s another matter. Anytime asbestos has been disturbed it becomes a danger to your health.

Once more, only technicians knowledgeable with the removal of asbestos should try to handle it. Do not remove asbestos yourself. The only time you should try to get it out of your home is if you’ve been specially trained to do so. Otherwise, you may make the condition a lot worse, plus endanger your loved ones and also yourself.

Elimination typically involves sealing off the entire area so no air can escape to the outside, then installing fans and filters to capture the unfastened asbestos fibers within the air while technicians in protecting gear and respirators take away whatever has come loose.

Encapsulating asbestos is usually thought to be an appropriate technique of handling it. As a sensible matter, a containment policy works well. If I suspect asbestos in ground tiles, for example, as a substitute of eradicating the ground, with the inherent possibility of releasing asbestos fibers into the air after which paying to have it professionally eliminated, I’ll install a barrier (such as plastic sheathing) and lay a brand new floor over the old. In many instances a new floor can be “floated” over an present floor, thus successfully encapsulating it. The same applies to coping with asbestos in other areas, similar to partitions and ceilings if the asbestos has not been disturbed. Encapsulation of 1 type or another followed by creation of a barrier to keep the area from being damaged is usually the cheapest method. The alternative-hiring a certified crew to remove the asbestos-can add up to more than your whole renovation job!

Do not overlook demolition-it should be calculated into every dwelling renovation job. Don’t dismiss the mess-it’s an unavoidable part of each house renovation.

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Posted by asbestos - May 10, 2010 at 3:26 am

Categories: Asbestos Tile Removal   Tags: Tags: epa and asbestos tile removal, asbestostileremovel, mss, health intext:(keywordluv), unforeseen hazard procedure, asbestos roof removal cost 2010, related, do i have asbestos in paint, asbestos removal hazards, how to remove lead tiles

What You Need to Know About Asbestos Floor Tiles

If you have never had to deal with any sort of asbestos it can be a real worry. We hear all the time about how awful asbestos is and how it can give you asbestosis. Although it can be a very dangerous substance you don’t need to over worry about it too much if you find it in your home. The reason asbestos has been used in the manufacture of floor tiles is because it’s a very practical material in terms of being able to resist fire along with some other things.

With asbestos flooring you should know that there are basically two states it can be in. Either is can be non-friable which is where it is in a safe form and you don’t need to worry about it. Whereas if it’s friable it means that the spores of the asbestos can get into the air and therefore into your lungs.

Luckily if you do decide you want to get rid of your asbestos flooring tiles, it’s a pretty easy job that can be done by specialist contractors. You should never attempt the removal yourself because safety gear needs to be worn such as goggles and respirator. The tiles can then be taken away in large bits and you should never try to saw or drill it because the asbestos can then get into the air.

Some people might think that it’s too expensive to have the tiles removed professionally but this is not one expense you should try to cut out. In many places it’s against the law to attempt the removal yourself and also the asbestos needs to be disposed of correctly and cannot simply be placed into the garbage. Instead the asbestos is placed into a good air-tight container which is then clearly marked so that people know what is inside.

Although asbestos can be perfectly safe if allowed to sit where it is undisturbed, it can be very dangerous if you start to poke about with it. This is why if you want to do any sort of home remodelling you should either stay well away from any asbestos in your home or you should have it professionally removed by a contractor. Many people have contracted asbestosis because of exposure to asbestos and this is why so many lawyers specialise in asbestos cases. If you have found out that you are suffering from this condition it is well worth contacting a local lawyer that deals with such cases because there is a good chance you will be able to claim for compensation.

http://asbestosremovaladvice.blogspot.com

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Posted by asbestos - May 8, 2010 at 2:35 pm

Categories: Asbestos Tile Removal   Tags: Tags: asbestos floor tile, asbetos flooring, what to do if you have asbestos floor tiles in your home, how can you get rid of asbestos once it is distured, how do i know if i have asbestos floor tiles, how to tell asbestos floor tile, asbostos tiles, should asbestos tiles be removed?, get rid asbestos floor tiles, i need to get rid of asbestos tiles?

Asbestos Tile Source Guide

Asbestos tiles were pretty popular back then in the US from 1920 to the 1960s. Nobody knew anything about the side effects of asbestos. Asbestos were used to manufacture brake pads, filtered cigarettes, electric ovens, battle ships, even asbestos tiles! Imagine that. Then somebody came along and blew the whistle on asbestos and said, “Asbestos is responsible for serious respiratory illnesses such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. Do you want my filtered cigarette? Since then many countries have banned the use of asbestos in many common household and industry items. Asbestos tiles went out of style. Or at least it was supposed to. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, http://asbestos-tile.info; asbestos content in floor and ceiling tiles is safe as long as it doesn’t exceed 1%. But problem is it can range anywhere from 0% to 70%, which is more than enough to poison everyone living under the roof.

The color of the tile is a good indicator of its asbestos content. Dark colored tiles usually have higher concentrations of asbestos, but of course that doesn’t mean all dark colored tiles contain asbestos. Always make it a point to ask the dealer to show you only asbestos-free tiles.

The thing with asbestos tiles is that they are safe as long as the asbestos doesn’t spread into the air. This happens when the tile is cracked or chipped by another hard object.

For this reason, asbestos tiles are much safer to use as ceiling tiles than floor tiles. But even so, avoid using asbestos tiles if you can help it – floor or ceiling.

For more information and tips On Asbestos Tile Source Guide visit, http://asbestos-tile.info

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Posted by asbestos - May 7, 2010 at 2:22 am

Categories: Asbestos Tile Removal   Tags: Tags: asbestos ceiling tiles color, cancer from removal of ceiling tiles with asbestos, how to remove asbestos tile, source, do tiles from the 60s have asbestos, f, ceiling tiles asbestos content, asbestos tile chipping, the side effects of asbestor ceiline, asbestos content in ceiling tiles

Vinyl Asbestos Tiles Removal Project Going On? Here’s Something to Note

Asbestos has been used for many years in the building and construction industries due to its strength, insulating and fire-proof properties. It has recently been proven that small asbestos fibres can become airborne and breathed in quite easily. Asbestos particles are dangerous if inhaled because they stick to lung walls, which over time can lead to diseases like cancer and pleural plaques. So it’s very important to take the proper steps when undertaking vinyl asbestos tiles removal projects.

Tiles should be handled with the utmost care. Don’t touch any asbestos that’s friable, meaning it can be crushed into dust using your bare hands. If you can reduce it to dust there’s a strong likelihood that you will breathe in asbestos fibres. If this is the case, you should hire asbestos removal contractors instead.

Undertaking an asbestos removal project isn’t easy. You’ll need all the right gear like a respirator/mask, goggles and coveralls. A safety work wear shop can sort you out, and believe me when I say having this gear is going to make the work very uncomfortable. When you start removing the tiles make sure you keep them in whole pieces if possible so they remain non-friable. Try not to use power tools if possible or grind, hammer, drill or saw the tiles. If you do there’s a good chance of asbestos fibres being released.

In a lot of places it’s law that you hire asbestos removal contractors to perform any works like this. Professional removalists have the education and training to remove asbestos material safely. The removal of asbestos is not to be underestimated. There are many rules and laws to be followed including correct transport and disposal.

It is not recommended removing asbestos yourself because it’s very dangerous. There’s a chance you might even be fined if it’s illegal and you get caught. It’s also not enough to throw any asbestos material in the bin. It requires proper preparation and disposal.

If you are unsure of what regulations apply in your area contact your local authorities.

For more information on asbestos and asbestos removal techniques for your home visit http://www. removing-asbestos.com

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Posted by asbestos - May 6, 2010 at 4:53 pm

Categories: Asbestos Tile Removal   Tags: Tags: vinyl asbestos tile removal cost, remove aspestos tile, removal, project, going, something, vinyl over asbestos tiles, tiles, vinyl asbestos tile removal by yourself, asbestos tile disposal