Asbestos Exposure Causing Mesothelioma

Asbestos Definition

Asbestos is a natural mineral found in various parts of the world. It is mined in the same way as other minerals like iron, lead and copper. Asbestos has long, thin fibers and there are many types of asbestos available. It is common knowledge that asbestos is a fire retardant material and therefore, it is widely used to make non-combustible fabric or used to impart the property of being resistant to heat. The word ‘asbestos’ is a Greek word that is an adjective for ‘inextinguishable.’ The Greek also called asbestos a miracle mineral because being a soft and pliable material, it lends itself easily to a number of applications and forms.

Asbestos Exposure Leading To Cancer

In the late 1800s, the use of asbestos increased vastly. Its qualities of being immune to damage by heat, electricity or chemical; its tensile strength; flexibility; and insulation at elevated temperature made it the favorite material of manufacturers and people in the construction trade during the industrial revolution. Asbestos fibers were mixed with cement and also woven to create fabric or mats. However, by early 20th century it was recognized that asbestos is toxic; inhalation of its fibers leading to fatal diseases like lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. Asbestos was therefore banned in 1980s by the European Union and other developed countries. Since 2005, the mining, fabrication and processing of asbestos products is completely prohibited in most countries.

History of Asbestos Usage (Past Usage, Recent Usage)

Asbestos is mentioned in Greek literature; the Greeks also gave it its name for its ability to endure heat: an adjective meaning ‘inextinguishable.’ Records mention usage of cloth made from asbestos by Charlemagne, the first Holy Roman Emperor; Greek geographer Strabo; Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder; wealthy Persians; and Marco Polo, among others. Archeological mention reveals that asbestos was used to weave cloth that would not catch fire and shrouds were made from the material for kings; in addition, wicks of asbestos burned unendingly for sepulchral or other lamps. The ill-effects of the material were also noted. Slaves who weaved asbestos fibers damaged their lungs and complained of itching sensation upon contact with skin, and others. In recent times, usage of asbestos proliferated and multiple applications were developed during the industrial revolution.

In 1879, the first mines for commercial application of asbestos were set up in the Appalachian foothills of Quebec. The material was used in places where fire resistance was necessary such as fire retardant coatings; concrete, bricks, pipes and fireplace cement; heat, fire, and acid resistant gaskets; pipe insulation, ceiling insulation, fireproof drywall, flooring, roofing, lawn furniture, and drywall joint compound, among other applications. The shipping industry used asbestos extensively and in World War II, humongous quantities of asbestos were used to insulate engine and turbine parts, pipes, and boilers. In the automobile industry, asbestos was included in clutch discs, brake pads, and shoes. Of note, when the first filtered cigarette was launched in the market by Kent Company in 1952, crocidolite asbestos was part of the "Micronite" filter for the next four years. Post World War II, Japan produced ammonium sulfate containing asbestos; this was used for rice production and for energy efficiency reasons. In the 1960s, this material was also sprayed upon ceilings, iron items, and exteriors of railroad cars and buildings. In 1974, production of asbestos was at its peak in Japan when the first case of death due to mesothelioma linking it to asbestos exposure had already been reported in 1906.

Asbestos Types and Minerals

Asbestos is a naturally found mineral that is generally considered a type of amphibole or dark-colored rock-forming inosilicate mineral. Five types of asbestos comprise the amphibole group: amosite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, tremolite, and actinolite. Amosite is brown in color and mostly used in buildings. Amosite and crocidolite were used in a number of products till it was banned by the US in the mid-1980s, and by Japan in 1995.

Varieties of asbestos include:

• White asbestos, or chrysotile distinguished by its curly fibers is mined from serpentine rocks commonly found across the world. This type of asbestos may be spun into fabric and therefore finds wide application; e.g., corrugated cement roof sheets used for outbuildings, warehouses and garages; flat sheets for ceilings, walls and floors; brake linings; cloth behind fuses (for fire protection); pipe insulation; and rope seals for boilers.
• Brown asbestos is mined in South Africa; as a result, it is also called Amosite, an acronym for Asbestos Mines of South Africa. This straight-fiber material is mostly used in thermal insulation products and ceiling tiles for its fire retardant properties.
• Blue asbestos or crocidolite is mined in Africa and Australia.
• Tremolite, anthophyllite and actinolite are other types of asbestos.

Asbestos Caused Diseases

The minute particles or fibers of asbestos enter the body through the breath and get lodged in the linings covering the organs to develop into a cancerous form or cause pleural thickening. Few exposures for limited periods are of no concern but the condition afflicts most of those whose profession brings them into daily contact with the mineral. The workers themselves as well as their family members and people living close to an asbestos mine are at most risk of contracting some form of an asbestos-related disease for which generally there is no cure.

The most common forms of diseases caused by asbestos include the following:

Mesothelioma or cancer that gestates in the linings of the various internal cavities such as the chest, heart, abdomen, etc.

• Asbestosis
• Asbestos lung cancer or cancer of the lungs due to asbestos; this is compounded by smoking
• Asbestos warts
• Pleural plaque or thickening of the walls in the lungs
• Peritoneal mesothelioma or mesothelioma in the peritoneum layer
• Pericardial mesothelioma or mesothelioma in the lining of the heart cavity
• Pneumoconiosis
• Interstitial fibrosis
• Benign pleural effusion

Cancers of the larynx, throat, kidney, esophagus, and gallbladder have also been linked to asbestos exposure. Gastrointestinal, colorectal, brain, and bladder cancer are also considered results of exposure to and inhalation of asbestos fibers.

Legal Issues Concerning Asbestos

Since asbestos is toxic and most owners had knowledge of this fact when they allowed workers to be contaminated with this deadly mineral, many legal issues form part of the fight against asbestos. At present, the law mandates that persons afflicted with any type of disease related to asbestos have a right to sue and seek compensation. Lawyers specializing in asbestos and mesothelioma cases work on the principle of contingency that is, no win no fees. The lawyer does not have to be paid in advance.

Thousands have died to date owing to the disease and many more have opted for litigation. Efforts however, are on to put an end to this system. For instance, a multimillion dollar fund had been created in New York State in aid of mesothelioma patients. In reality, this was an attempt to reduce asbestos litigation and lessen the financial burden of specific companies. Attempts are also on to get the Congress to withdraw the right of the asbestos victims to sue; this would translate into non-acceptance of new cases. So there is no time to lose if you are an afflicted one or someone you know is. The future is uncertain; time to take action is now.