Army Archerd and Mesothelioma

Most popular and longtime entertainment columnist Army Archerd died of the rare disease known as Mesothelioma. Armand Archerd was born in 1922; Archerd was working as a columnist for the leading entertainment trade magazine titled “Daily Variety”. He was popularly known among the entertainment field interest readers because he usually brings out a number of influential news stories about several celebrities. Archerd was well-respected among the entertainment industry for his precise fact-checking, and for minutely verifying the accuracy of any tips which he received before publishing the news or story in the magazine.

Glamorous career

Archerd was the first person who reported the story of leading actor Rock Hudson had been diagnosed with AIDS. According to the history of Hollywood, the first time a major leading and popular Hollywood celebrity was disclosed as an AIDS victim, this announcement brought a new awareness of the disease.

Archerd also did the role of a greeter and interviewer for more than fifty years at the Academy Awards. In his professional career he had great opportunity to chat with actors, producers, directors, and other members of the entertainment industry as they marched the red carpet on their way receive awards at the Oscar ceremony.

Archerd had previously worked in shipyards and mainly in ships while serving in the U.S. Navy during the period of World War II. He probably contracted the mesothelioma cancer due to this work.

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is normally linked with asbestos exposure, and asbestos:

• Asbestos was used for insulation due to its heat and fire resistant qualities.
• Asbestos was often used on board ships and in shipyards.
• Asbestos was widely used all over the world between the span of 1930s and the 1970s.
• It was even compelled to be used in shipbuilding by the Navy for a long period.
• The general public concern over the health hazards issue related to asbestos prompted the government to enact strict restrictions on the usage of asbestos, but it is not completely declared illegal and is still present in older ships and building structures.

When the asbestos fibers become broken into tiny fibers, they normally disintegrate into microscopic particles that can nevertheless do big damage initially. These types of fibers, once it is inhaled or ingested, may burrow into the tissues of the body, which then leads to several deadly diseases. It also causes an uncommon cancer known as mesothelioma. Generally, mesothelioma targets the lining of the chest cavity and lungs. It normally takes up to 50 years or more to become symptomatic.

Archerd died at the UCLA Medical Center, at the age of 87. In September 2005, his last column was printed in Daily Variety.