Saturday 11 July 2009

Asbestos Settlement- The Grim Reality

The owners persistently used asbestos materials despite being aware of the ill effects of asbestos on the human body.

The asbestos workers and even their families are vulnerable to mesothelioma cancers. This negligence is the reason for growing cases of asbestos litigations and asbestos settlements. The owners of manufacturing industries that use asbestos now find themselves in legal battles because of the overuse of asbestos. Asbestos Settlement To select between asbestos settlement and asbestos litigation is a difficult task.

Mesothelioma cancers can also damage the abdomen, the reproductive organs and even the heart. You can select the right mode for you in consultation with your asbestos attorney and the merits of your case. It is very difficult to diagnose mesothelioma in early stages and by the time the disease has been diagnosed, it becomes nearly impossible to treat and cure. Studies reveal that a majority of people developed several lung diseases like mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure. Reasons for Asbestos Settlement In the recent years, there has been a drastic increase in the number of asbestos settlement cases, owing to the increasing number of people suffering from asbestos related diseases.

Both the methods have their own pros and cons. Most of the diseases caused by asbestos show their symptoms in very late stages making it very difficult to treat. Asbestos Litigation vs. Asbestos- A Silent Killer Asbestos is a natural fibrous material that was widely used in shipyards, insulation, railroads, construction processes, building materials and many other manufacturing industries for more than a century. Mesothelioma- An offspring of Asbestos Mesothelioma is a type of lung cancer that is caused by asbestos.

The attorneys favoring settlement place an argument that settlement is a faster process and helps in getting compensation without a troublesome lawsuit. Asbestos litigation and asbestos settlement are necessary for mesothelioma victims because the treatment of mesothelioma involves huge expenses. Exposure to airborne asbestos fibers is dangerous for human health and can cause some serious damage to the lungs. Several people are suffering from mesothelioma cancers, asbestosis, cancer or some other kind of asbestos related lung and stomach disorders because of their negligent behavior. It results in diseases like mesothelioma cancers, asbestosis and other dangerous diseases.

Almost 70 to 80 people diagnosed with mesothelioma have a history of exposure to asbestos. However, the ones favoring litigation say that the average amount of compensation in asbestos lawsuits is much higher than the average amounts paid in asbestos settlements.

Asbestos Mesothelioma- A Deadly Disease

Any individual, who had asbestos exposure even 20 to 50 years back, may have asbestos mesothelioma lying dormant in his body without any appearance of aforementioned symptoms.

In most of the cases, a fluid accumulates in pleural space. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery are some treatment options available for the patients suffering from asbestos mesothelioma. Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring silicate minerals. These inherent qualities of asbestos prompted the manufacturers of industrial, automotive, maritime, scientific, building and consumer products to use it widely during 1890-1970. In most of the cases, fluid accumulates in the peritoneal space.

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are persistent cough, difficulty in breathing, weakness, loss of weight, loss of appetite, chest pain, lower back pain and difficulty in swallowing. In biopsy, we send a tissue sample for pathological examination. After finding any abnormality doctor may suggest biopsy. Asbestos- the Main Culprit behind Asbestos Mesothelioma Asbestos mesothelioma is a rare but dangerous cancer caused by exposure to asbestos particles suspended in the air. By the time, symptoms become noticeable, it is already too late.

Different Types of Mesothelioma and Their Symptoms Asbestos mesothelioma affects the lining of lungs, abdominal organs or heart. Thin long and flexible structure of asbestos fibers allows you to weave them even into cloth. It is made up of strong and durable fibers that are resistant to heat and fire. When this disease shows its effect in the lining of heart or pericardium, it is known as pericardial mesothelioma. Asbestos mesothelioma affecting lining of lungs or pleural membrane is called pleural mesothelioma.

The average survival time of all types of mesothelioma patients is not more than 24 months. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining of abdominal organs or peritoneum. Diagnosis of Asbestos Mesothelioma Diagnosis of asbestos mesothelioma involves x-ray, CT-scan, peritoneoscopy and bronchoscopy. People suffering form asbestos mesothelioma can filer lawsuits to recover damages for the persons or industries responsible for their asbestos exposure. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are pain and swelling in abdomen, weakness, loss of weight, loss of appetite and nausea.

After examining tissue sample an expert pathologist can confirm about the development of disease. Asbestos Mesothelioma Kills Silently Most unfortunate thing about the asbestos mesothelioma is its long latency period.

Asbestos Home Testing- Prevention Is Better Than Cure

There are no safe levels of asbestos exposure and even short-term exposure to asbestos creates a possibility of your catching any disease caused by asbestos.

Asbestos abatement is the process of determining the status of asbestos material and taking corrective measures for preventing risk of asbestos exposure. Asbestos may harm you only if you inhale asbestos fiber. You can determine the status and stability of asbestos products by asbestos home testing. Some building materials that may contain asbestos materials are vinyl floor tiles; patching compounds textured paints, furnace and stovepipe, insulation, stove door gaskets, roofing shingles, cement, and siding material. Asbestos is a mineral fiber resistant to heat, chemicals, and electricity.

It is not necessary that you have to remove all the asbestos material from your home. Following people are more vulnerable to Asbestos-related diseases:  Works in industries and mines  Construct Buildings  Make ceilings  Perform Ceiling insulation Apart from these persons all other persons who live in houses having asbestos contaminated building material or are involved in use or repair of appliances and products that contain asbestos can also contact asbestos diseases. Asbestos home testing is essential because exposure to and inhalation of Asbestos fibers is dangerous to health. This makes asbestos home testing a necessary process for all homes that are built before 1980s and all the people who are using appliances and or products that could contain asbestos materials. Building and insulation industries made widespread use of asbestos in their operations.

Removing Asbestos From Home It is not possible to perform asbestos testing in home. Asbestos is commonly used in your homes in one form or the other. Now, government has laid norms for the use of asbestos and its exposure. You need qualified professional to test the presence of asbestos in your home. Asbestos was most commonly used until early 1970s in various home appliances, such as toasters, clothes dryers, and hair dryers.

Asbestos home testing is compulsory because asbestos exposure could lead to fatal diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma cancers. Health Hazards Of Asbestos Undamaged Asbestos cannot cause any health hazards. Asbestos is only harmful, when damaged, and its fiber gets mixed with air. Asbestos home testing is a process of testing the presence of asbestos in homes in general and building materials in particular. You can also opt for economic measures such as enclosures and encapsulation for preventing the risk of asbestos exposure even without removing the Asbestos Containing Materials.

Friable asbestos materials in homes, industries and appliances could lead to serious asbestos related diseases. When asbestos is exposed to hitting, rubbing, or extreme vibration, its wear and tear occurs and shows signs of abrasion.

Monday 6 July 2009

Asbestos: Cause Of Deadly Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma not only occurs in people who are exposed the asbestos, but also to them who had been living in vicinity to asbestos manufacturing process or those staying in asbestos contaminated buildings.

Mesothelioma causes mechanical irritation and in the advanced cases, there may be symptoms of clubbing of fingers, and cardiac distress. Asbestos bodies appear as golden brown or beaded rods with a translucent center. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common manifestation of asbestos exposure, is well-circumscribed plaques of dense collagen, often containing calcium. The survival time of Mesothelioma patients is generally ranges from 12 months to 2 years of diagnosis and very few survive longer than 2 years. The risk of Mesothelioma is reported to be high in those cases where occupational exposure to asbestos is combined with cigarette smoking.

The exposure of asbestos causes fibers to be inhaled and fine dust deposited in the alveoli inside the lungs consequently causing a type of cancer called Mesothelioma (a deadly tumor) involving Mesothelial tissues or usually cells of lungs or stomach and abdominal organs. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer of the Pleura (lung cancer) and Peritoneum (abdomen cancer). The following measures can be useful in preventing occurrences of Mesothelioma: Use of safer types of asbestos (chrysolite and amosite) Substitution of other insulators such as glass fiber, mineral wool, calcium silicate plastic foams Rigorous dust control Periodic examination of workers such as biological monitoring (clinical, X-ray, lung function) The government should take adequate steps and make appropriate legislation to stop or minimize the case of asbestos exposure Mesothelioma. In Great Britain, an association was reported between Mesothelioma and people living within 1 kilometer of an asbestos factory. Mesothelioma usually does not appear until after 5 to 10 years of exposure.

5 to 50 in diameter. Peritoneum Mesothelioma may or may not contain asbestos bodies and rarely do they occur in persons who have no history or evidence of asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma has been shown to have a strong association with the crocidolite variety of asbestos. If you or any one of your families or friends is suffering from Mesothelioma, you have the legal right to file lawsuits for getting compensation for the medical facilities, loss of income and pain.

You can consult a qualified attorney for filing a Mesothelioma lawsuit for comensation. The fibers are insoluble. They are silicates of varying compositions; the silica combined with such bases as Magnesium, Iron, Calcium, sodium and Aluminum. Asbestos fibers are usually from 20 to 500  in length and 0. A View of Mesothelioma Asbestos is the commercial name given to certain types of fibrous materials.

Asbestos - Mesothelioma

Although unknown by many today, it is almost certain that awareness of this disease will be broadcasted worldwide because of its increasing occurrence in men aged between 55 and 70.

Just a couple of months of exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma 30 years later. Those most at risk from mesothelioma are those who have been in regular contact with asbestos dust and fibres without sufficient protection. Uk In the next 35 years it is estimated that over 1 million people will die from asbestos related diseases in developed countries. Research is being carried out in various research labs all over the USA and many pharmaceutical companies are also endeavouring to find new drugs and treatment methods.

Many of these men are now lodging multi million dollar lawsuits against the companies who subjected them to asbestos. Those who have worked with asbestos or who are regularly in contact with someone who has are at risk from asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Another reason it is so difficult to cure is that its early symptoms are characteristic of many other more common diseases such as pneumonia. Co. All these are fatal respiratory diseases which are extremely difficult to cure.

For information on the different types of mesothelioma go to: http://www. Mesothelioma symptoms include: - Chest pains - Coughing that worsens over time - Weight loss - Shortness of breath - Coughing up blood - Nausea and vomiting - Fatigue - Wheezing - Lung infection - Swollen lymph nodes - Loss of appetite A patient will feel symptoms depending on which type of mesothelioma he or she has got. One rare disease caused by asbestos which is becoming increasingly common is mesothelioma. Asbestos is the biggest work place killer today. The latency period (amount of time the disease takes to start taking effect) of mesothelioma is 30 - 50 years which is one of the reasons it is so difficult to cure because it is very difficult to tackle in its early stages.

Most of these people will die from lung cancer and mesothelioma as these two are the most prolific asbestos related diseases. 1-mesothelioma.