From wikipedia....
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos. In this disease, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs. Its most common site is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity), but it may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity) or the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart).
Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or they have been exposed to asbestos dust and fibre in other ways, such as by washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos. Unlike lung cancer, there is no association between mesothelioma and smoking.[1] Compensation via asbestos funds or lawsuits is an important issue in mesothelioma (see asbestos and the law).
The symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath due to pleural effusion (fluid between the lung and the chest wall) or chest wall pain, and general symptoms such as weight loss. The diagnosis can be made with chest X-rays and a CT scan, and confirmed with a biopsy (tissue sample) and microscopic examination. A thoracoscopy (inserting a tube with a camera into the chest) can be used to take biopsies. It allows the introduction of substances such as talc to obliterate the pleural space (called pleurodesis), which prevents more fluid from accumulating and pressing on the lung. Despite treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy or sometimes surgery, the disease carries a poor prognosis. Research about screening tests for the early detection of mesothelioma is ongoing.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Ambler Pennsylvania
I grew up in Ambler PA... where there was asbestos... the following is from the EPA website
http://www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/npl/PAD000436436.htm
I'm a little nervous, as I grew up around this area until I was 23 when I moved to CA. here is a little of what it says.
"Ambler Asbestos Piles
Current Site Information
EPA Region 3 (Mid-Atlantic)PennsylvaniaMontgomery County Borough of Ambler
EPA ID# PAD000436436
13th Congressional District
Last Update: July 2006No future updates anticipated
Other NamesNicolet Corporation CertainTeed Corporation
Current Site StatusThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency completed the cleanup for the 25-acre Ambler Asbestos Piles site on August 30, 1993. Human health threats and potential environmental impacts have been minimized, and the site was removed from the National Priorities List, EPA’s list of Superfund sites, December 27, 1996. Two five-year reviews of the remedy were completed May 27, 1997 and September 25, 2002. Both reviews certified that the cleanup of the site continues to be protective of human health and the environment. Long-term operation and maintenance of the site is ongoing.
Site Description
The Ambler Asbestos Piles site is made up of three asbestos-containing waste piles and a series of filter bed lagoons. The total volume of asbestos-contaminated waste in the piles is estimated to exceed 1½ million cubic yards. The site is located in Ambler, Pennsylvania (13th Congressional District) and is surrounded by a mixed commercial/residential area. Approximately 6,000 people live within ½-mile of the site. The nearest residence is within 200 feet of one of the piles; about 40 residences are located within 1/4-mile. Wissahickon Creek and its flood plain border the site.
The Piles were constructed with the deposition of both solid asbestos wastes that were dumped on the surface and waste slurries that were pumped into cinder berms constructed on the piles to contain the slurries allowing them to dry. Dumping of asbestos-containing waste on the site apparently began in the early 1930's and continued until 1974. The EPA-approved final cleanup of the Ambler Asbestos Piles Site was completed on August 30, 1993
Site ResponsibilityThe cleanup of this site was the responsibility of the Federal government and parties potentially responsible for site contamination.
NPL Listing HistoryOur country's most serious, uncontrolled, or abandoned hazardous waste sites can be cleaned using federal money. To be eligible for federal cleanup money, a site must be put on the National Priorities List. This site was propsoed to the list on October 10, 1984 and formally added to the list June 10, 1986. Remedial actions are complete and this site was deleted from the list December 27, 1996.
Threats and Contaminants
During the pre-cleanup investigations, the air, ground water, soil, sediments, and surface water were found to be contaminated with asbestos.
Contaminant descriptions and associated risk factors are available on the Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry, an arm of the CDC, web site at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/hazdat.html
Cleanup Progress
The cleanup of this Site was accomplished
http://www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/npl/PAD000436436.htm
I'm a little nervous, as I grew up around this area until I was 23 when I moved to CA. here is a little of what it says.
"Ambler Asbestos Piles
Current Site Information
EPA Region 3 (Mid-Atlantic)PennsylvaniaMontgomery County Borough of Ambler
EPA ID# PAD000436436
13th Congressional District
Last Update: July 2006No future updates anticipated
Other NamesNicolet Corporation CertainTeed Corporation
Current Site StatusThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency completed the cleanup for the 25-acre Ambler Asbestos Piles site on August 30, 1993. Human health threats and potential environmental impacts have been minimized, and the site was removed from the National Priorities List, EPA’s list of Superfund sites, December 27, 1996. Two five-year reviews of the remedy were completed May 27, 1997 and September 25, 2002. Both reviews certified that the cleanup of the site continues to be protective of human health and the environment. Long-term operation and maintenance of the site is ongoing.
Site Description
The Ambler Asbestos Piles site is made up of three asbestos-containing waste piles and a series of filter bed lagoons. The total volume of asbestos-contaminated waste in the piles is estimated to exceed 1½ million cubic yards. The site is located in Ambler, Pennsylvania (13th Congressional District) and is surrounded by a mixed commercial/residential area. Approximately 6,000 people live within ½-mile of the site. The nearest residence is within 200 feet of one of the piles; about 40 residences are located within 1/4-mile. Wissahickon Creek and its flood plain border the site.
The Piles were constructed with the deposition of both solid asbestos wastes that were dumped on the surface and waste slurries that were pumped into cinder berms constructed on the piles to contain the slurries allowing them to dry. Dumping of asbestos-containing waste on the site apparently began in the early 1930's and continued until 1974. The EPA-approved final cleanup of the Ambler Asbestos Piles Site was completed on August 30, 1993
Site ResponsibilityThe cleanup of this site was the responsibility of the Federal government and parties potentially responsible for site contamination.
NPL Listing HistoryOur country's most serious, uncontrolled, or abandoned hazardous waste sites can be cleaned using federal money. To be eligible for federal cleanup money, a site must be put on the National Priorities List. This site was propsoed to the list on October 10, 1984 and formally added to the list June 10, 1986. Remedial actions are complete and this site was deleted from the list December 27, 1996.
Threats and Contaminants
During the pre-cleanup investigations, the air, ground water, soil, sediments, and surface water were found to be contaminated with asbestos.
Contaminant descriptions and associated risk factors are available on the Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry, an arm of the CDC, web site at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/hazdat.html
Cleanup Progress
The cleanup of this Site was accomplished
Asbestos... Highest at risk states
The states with the highest number of deaths from asbestosis and mesothelioma are California, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
The greatest number of asbestos disease rates was found in Los Angeles, CA; Cook County, IL; Philadelphia County, PA; King County, WA; and Harris County, TX.
From. ...http://www.asbestosnews.com/html/asbestos-home.html
The greatest number of asbestos disease rates was found in Los Angeles, CA; Cook County, IL; Philadelphia County, PA; King County, WA; and Harris County, TX.
From. ...http://www.asbestosnews.com/html/asbestos-home.html
Latest News
Illinois sandy beaches glistening with deadly asbestos
Beachgoers along Lake Michigan may need to suit-up to prevent dangerous asbestos exposure, according to the Illinois Dunesland Preservation Society, a conservation group. This is because Illinois beaches along Lake Michigan are contaminated with asbestos released from the Johns-Manville Asbestos Superfund Site located in Waukegan, Illinois. The 150-acre site is home to one read more »
Beachgoers along Lake Michigan may need to suit-up to prevent dangerous asbestos exposure, according to the Illinois Dunesland Preservation Society, a conservation group. This is because Illinois beaches along Lake Michigan are contaminated with asbestos released from the Johns-Manville Asbestos Superfund Site located in Waukegan, Illinois. The 150-acre site is home to one read more »
Mesothelioma... About
From mesotheliomanews.com "Mesothelioma is rare form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. The disease might have been preventable had the asbestos industry acted responsibly decades ago to protect the public from the dangers of asbestos. Unfortunately for the estimated 3,000 Americans diagnosed with mesothelioma each year, the asbestos industry hid the dangers of asbestos from the public for decades after it knew of the risks."
Most people don't realize where asbestos can be found. Here is a case from mesotheliomanews.com
$10,603,661.00 Received by Client after Attorney’s Fees and Expenses for a gentleman who developed malignant mesothelioma as a result of his exposure to joint compound as a construction worker. This case went to trial and resulted in a significant verdict in favor of the gentleman, his wife and children that was listed by a national legal publication as one of the top verdicts in the U.S. that year. The case subsequently settled.
Most people don't realize where asbestos can be found. Here is a case from mesotheliomanews.com
$10,603,661.00 Received by Client after Attorney’s Fees and Expenses for a gentleman who developed malignant mesothelioma as a result of his exposure to joint compound as a construction worker. This case went to trial and resulted in a significant verdict in favor of the gentleman, his wife and children that was listed by a national legal publication as one of the top verdicts in the U.S. that year. The case subsequently settled.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Mesothelioma News
Kansas Department of Health and Environment Posts Asbestos Warning
WBW, Topeka, Kansas - June 20, 2008
Residents in storm-damaged areas are being advised by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to use safeguards while removing and disposing of debris to protect against possible asbestos exposure.
WBW, Topeka, Kansas - June 20, 2008
Residents in storm-damaged areas are being advised by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to use safeguards while removing and disposing of debris to protect against possible asbestos exposure.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)