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Asbestos use is in decline, but exposure to this harmful material is still possible, especially in occupational settings. Many victims of exposure have developed mesothelioma, but experts in abatement, prevention, medicine, and advocacy are helping these people and preventing future exposure.

Asbestos is a group of minerals made of silicon and oxygen and with a fibrous structure. People have mined and used asbestos for hundreds of years because of its unique properties:

Asbestos use in the U.S. took off in the late 1800s, but peak asbestos use occurred from the 1930s through the 1970s. Many industries used asbestos in materials, mostly for fireproofing and insulating. Some of the most significant users of asbestos historically were companies that made construction materials and components for ships.

Asbestos did not come under scrutiny until a connection was finally made between exposure to the fibers and poor respiratory health. The first regulations on asbestos use came in the 1970s.

The Environmental Protection Agency banned asbestos completely in 1989, but the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned it. Today, asbestos use is limited. It still lingers in older materials.

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium, the tissue lining organs in the body. Asbestos is the leading cause and risk factor, although the link has not always been understood. Mesothelioma can occur around the lungs, in the abdomen, around the heart, or very rarely in the testicles.

Pleural mesothelioma, around the lungs, is the most common type. This is because asbestos exposure typically occurs through inhalation of the fibers. Peritoneal, the abdominal type, is the second most common.

Mesothelioma is aggressive, spreads rapidly, is difficult to treat, and is almost always terminal. Survival rates are relatively low for this cancer.

Doctors first described pleural and peritoneal tumors in the 1700s and 1800s, respectively. A pathologist first used the word mesothelioma in 1920.

The earliest connection experts made to asbestos was in the 1930s. Doctors found that people with asbestosis, scarring in the lungs caused by asbestos fibers, also often had tumors.

In 1960, researchers in South Africa published a paper that linked cancer with mined asbestos. They noted that mesothelioma occurred much more often in the part of the country with asbestos mines.

In 1964, a doctor in the U.S. reported that asbestos insulation workers had high mortality rates from asbestosis and cancer. After these studies, evidence that asbestos causes mesothelioma continued to grow.

Occupational exposure is the main source of asbestos exposure. Secondary exposure from workers who bring fibers home on their clothing and exposure through nearby industries or naturally-occurring asbestos is much less common.

Historically, some of the industries that carried the highest risks of asbestos exposure for workers included:

Today, these jobs are safe, thanks to asbestos regulations. However, asbestos is still used in some materials and lingers in many materials these workers encounter.

All construction workers still face asbestos risks, but especially those in demolition and who repair or renovate older buildings. The same is true of older ships and auto mechanics working with asbestos parts in older cars.

A military career can also cause asbestos exposure, although that risk is much lower today. Nearly one-third of all mesothelioma diagnoses are in veterans. Navy veterans have the highest rates because of the extensive use of asbestos on ships.

The U.S. Veterans Administration offers compensation and healthcare to veterans whose asbestos exposure occurred during service. In addition to world-class care at leading VA hospitals, veterans may also be eligible for disability compensation.

Diagnosing mesothelioma is difficult. The symptoms of pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma are typically mild until the cancer is advanced:

Many victims of asbestos exposure are misdiagnosed because these symptoms are similar to more common illnesses. Often the true diagnosis comes later, when the cancer is advanced and more difficult to treat.

Diagnosis for mesothelioma typically includes a physical exam; an X-ray to rule out other illnesses; more advanced imaging scans to look for tumors; a biopsy to determine if cells are malignant and part of the mesothelium; and blood tests to look for mesothelioma-specific markers.

Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the type, the cell structure, the stage, and the patients health and preferences. Most patients receive some combination of:

Mesothelioma is challenging to treat for several reasons: It is often diagnosed in later stages; the tumors are multiple and small, making surgery a challenge; and the cancer is aggressive and spreads rapidly. Too often, the standard treatments are inadequate to extend life by more than months or a year.

Researchers keep working on newer, better treatments to help patients live longer. Some important advances include:

Asbestos abatement, the safe removal of asbestos materials, is often needed in older buildings constructed during heavy asbestos use. Abatement professionals must be trained to do this skilled work and licensed by the state in which they work.

Homeowners may use home test kits to determine if they have asbestos or call in professionals to do it. Once the presence of asbestos is known, abatement usually follows these steps:

Most asbestos is disposed of, but technological advances may make it possible to recycle materials contaminated with the mineral.

Because asbestos lingers in so many older buildings, abatement professionals will continue to find work. Becoming an abatement professional does not require a degree. Most workers receive on-the-job training and then earn licensing through the appropriate state department. Workers may also become abatement managers with experience and additional training.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers for skilled hazardous materials removal workers are growing. Abatement is not limited to asbestos. These workers also handle and remove lead, mold, radioactive materials, and harmful chemicals. Job responsibilities include:

Construction companies, asbestos, and other hazardous materials abatement contractors, government agencies, environmental companies and organizations, and disaster response organizations employ hazmat removal workers.

Abatement professionals play an important role in preventing asbestos exposure. Other professionals work with the victims of exposure who have become ill:

Victims of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, and their loved ones, can benefit from charities, support groups, awareness events, and other resources:

The Meso Foundation began Mesothelioma Awareness Day, which takes place every September 26. The organization hosts nationwide events, and local groups create smaller events to raise awareness for this rare cancer.

The coronavirus pandemic has made life difficult for everyone, but patients with compromising illnesses like mesothelioma are most affected. Patients have felt the impact in a few ways:

Mesothelioma is a terrible diagnosis, and so many cases could have been prevented. Today, professionals who work in abatement, medicine, and non-profit organizations are helping victims and ensuring no one has to suffer from asbestos exposure anymore.

Dave has been a mesothelioma Patient Advocate for over 10 years. He consistently attends all major national and international mesothelioma meetings. In doing so, he is able to stay on top of the latest treatments, clinical trials, and research results. He also personally meets with mesothelioma patients and their families and connects them with the best medical specialists and legal representatives available.

Sources

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Asbestos Awareness and Education - Mesothelioma.net Blog

This entry was posted on September 26, 2020 at 6:00 am and is filed under Preventative Medicine. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |