British trades people could be putting themselves at risk of incurable cancer from exposure to asbestos without even realising it, says a recent study published by the British Lung Foundation.Mesothelioma, the cancer caused by asbestos, kills one people every five hours in the UK; twenty trades people die of the disease every week, making the disease Britain’s worst workplace killer.

Cases are set to peak between 2011 and 2015 as the disease generally develops between 15 and 60 years after exposure - many of those who will develop the disease will have been exposed to asbestos before the dangers of mesothelioma were widely known.

Trades people such as builders, plumbers, carpenters, gas fitters and electricians are particularly at risk as they may experience exposure to asbestos without being aware of it.

The report carried out by the British Lung Foundation drew attention to the fact that many trades people are unaware of the potential risks. Less than a third of those asked were aware that asbestos exposure can cause cancer while nearly a third wrongly believed that most asbestos had been removed from UK buildings.

Perhaps most worryingly, nearly 75% of those asked have had no training in how to deal with asbestos.

The report was commissioned by the British Lung Foundation in time for Action Mesothelioma Day on February 27th, part of the campaign to raise public awareness and understanding of the disease and improve treatment of mesothelioma sufferers.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer which is nearly always caused by occupational exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma is a specific disease caused by asbestos and is a thickening of the lining of the lungs (the pleura). It develops into a tumour in the pleura (the lining of the lungs) and can grow into the stomach.

What Are The Symptoms of Mesothelioma?

Symptoms usually include breathlessness, check and back pain, wheezing and coughing, loss of appetite and weight loss lungs. There is usually a build up of fluid (called a pleural effusion) and this may need to be removed with surgery called pleurodesis.

What Action Should I Take?

If you or someone you know has Mesothelioma, it is important that they seek the immediate assistance of a solicitor so that steps can be taken to quantify the claim or bring the claim to court as soon as possible so that money is made available during the lifetime of the injured party. It is also important to obtain as much information as possible as soon as possible.

Is There A Time Limit For A Mesothelioma Claim?

It is important to be aware that you have 3 years from the date when you are aware of your condition or that it was associated with exposure to asbestos in which to ensure that court proceedings are issued. If the person has unfortunately died, the estate have 3 years from the date of the death in which to ensure that court proceedings are issued.

If you have suffered an injury through your working practices, often over a long period of time, you need expert advice to decide whether you can claim compensation for you injuries and expenses.

For further information, please visit http://www.1stclaims.co.uk.

Mesothelioma, the cancer caused by asbestos, kills one people every five hours in the UK; twenty trades people die of the disease every week, making the disease Britain’s worst workplace killer.

Cases are set to peak between 2011 and 2015 as the disease generally develops between 15 and 60 years after exposure - many of those who will develop the disease will have been exposed to asbestos before the dangers of mesothelioma were widely known.

Trades people such as builders, plumbers, carpenters, gas fitters and electricians are particularly at risk as they may experience exposure to asbestos without being aware of it.

The report carried out by the British Lung Foundation drew attention to the fact that many trades people are unaware of the potential risks. Less than a third of those asked were aware that asbestos exposure can cause cancer while nearly a third wrongly believed that most asbestos had been removed from UK buildings.

Perhaps most worryingly, nearly 75% of those asked have had no training in how to deal with asbestos.

The report was commissioned by the British Lung Foundation in time for Action Mesothelioma Day on February 27th, part of the campaign to raise public awareness and understanding of the disease and improve treatment of mesothelioma sufferers.

We deal in a range of claims, including personal injury claims and compensation.

Are you at risk of Mesothelioma?If you are above 40 and have ever been exposed to asbestos continuously for more than 2 months in last 15-40 years, then you are at risk of Mesothelioma. It is a rare but deadly cancer of membrane cells, which covers some vital parts of our body like lungs, abdominal cavity and heart, called mesothelium. Like in other cancers, in mesothelioma the membrane cells divide ruthlessly causing abnormal growth, which ultimately damage the lining of vital organ such as lungs and abdomen.

Causes of Mesothelioma

Asbestos a mineral, used in different processes including building, shipyard and manufacturing in the days of World War II and for a few more decades, is the main cause of Mesothelioma. Researches have proved that those who have worked in asbestos related industries are mostly at risk of Mesothelioma. The minute asbestos particles go into human body through nose or mouth during inhalation, talking or any other reason. They reach lungs or abdomen and damage the lining, causing Mesothelioma. Due to its long latency period, mesothelioma can attack you even 15 - 40 years after the inhalation of asbestos particles. Even the family members of person working in asbestos related industries could be vulnerable to mesothelioma.

Treatments for Mesothelioma

Because Mesothelioma is a newly found disease, many doctors may not be able to diagnose it. However, if you have a known history of asbestos exposure you should ask your doctor to look for the symptoms of this disease. The good news is that there is a treatment for mesothelioma in the early stages. Some treatment options for mesothelioma cancers are surgical removal of the effected tissues; chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, the prognosis of later stage mesothelioma patients is bleak and the average survival time after diagnosis is 12-24 months.

Mesothelioma Compensations

The owners of Asbestos related industries were quite aware of the health hazards of asbestos. However, they persisted with its use without issuing any warnings or taking steps for avoiding the health hazards. This is the reason why US courts have awarded huge sums as compensations to the Mesothelioma patients/families by the companies/persons responsible for causing asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer the affects the mesothelium which is a protective cover for many internal organs including the intestines, heart, lungs and others. The disease is associated with asbestos and majority of all cases have come into contact with the substance either through contact or inhaling it. When a factory worker handles asbestos, he risks exposing it to his family and therefore it becomes a very serious issue when so many people have to suffer. This is one of the cancer that affects the lungs and is not associated with smoking. Generally, the disease is quite rare and in the United States, only 2,000 cases are diagnosed annually and the disease is more common in men than in women. It has been found that you can be exposed to asbestos and 30 or 50 years later, will be when you start experiencing the symptoms of the disease.Therefore, the major risk factor to getting mesothelioma is working near asbestos. If you have no idea what asbestos is, then you need to know that it is a name given to a group of minerals and they occur naturally. Their strong fibers can be woven because they are very flexible. They are used in industries to produce various products like roof shingles, brake linings, cement, flooring products, textiles and insulation. Many workers in this industry can inhale the fibers and some may be trapped in their cloths. When the disease had not been discovered, many people used to suffer and they all seemed to work in the asbestos mining industry. When the cause was established, safety measures were put in place and workers in the U.S wear personal protective equipment and are only exposed to acceptable amounts of asbestos.

Workers also take other safety measures like showering and changing cloths before they leave their work areas. This enables them to reduce the risk of exposing the asbestos to their families. The symptoms of mesothelioma vary from the specific organs they affect and in the chest, you will experience shortness of breathe and intense pain. In the abdomen, you will have bowel obstruction, blood clotting, anemia, lack of appetite and weight loss. There will be a host of other symptoms like swelling of the face and trouble while swallowing. You are advised not to hesitate but, to see a specialist who will make recommendations for treatment if you are suffering from a form of mesothelioma.

Once you visit the doctor, he will do a test for mesothelioma and it is one of the most difficult tests to do. Very many diseases have similar symptoms and this is the reason why it is so hard to diagnose. Your history will provide the major clue as to whether, you have had asbestos exposure. A series of x rays will be performed as well as a host of other examinations. A biopsy will determine whether the cells are noncancerous in your body and if they are cancerous, you will be advised on the way forward. There are many treatment options available and you can recover completely from this disease. The options are surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and others which have not been approved.

What is occupational asbestos risk? Does the Silent Killer stalk your work place? The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations (CAWR) requires asbestos risk to be identified and assessed. Employers have the explicit duty to protect employees from asbestos risk and to manage the safety of their premises.The new H.S.E. Regulations, requires the employer, property owner or manager to make an assessment, as to whether asbestos is present or liable to be present, internally or externally.

Asbestos Risk in The Work Place

Chrysotile, also known as white asbestos, used to be the predominant form of asbestos that was used commercially; amphiboles were of minor commercial importance. Asbestos fibers do not have any detectable odor or taste. It does not dissolve in water or evaporate and are resistant to heat, fire, chemical and biological degradation. In terms of building material, it was considered resistant to degradation by salt air, damp and heat - ideal for seaside conditions.

These properties cause the management of environmental asbestos risk to be a highly scientific and expensive effort.

Because of these properties, asbestos has been mined for use in a wide range of manufactured products, mostly in building materials, friction products, and heat-resistant fabrics. Since asbestos exposure had been identified as one of the causes of mesothelioma, all new uses of asbestos have been banned in the United States by the EPA, to lessen occupational asbestos risk.

Asbestos was also the building material of choice close to the sea. Click here to view pictures of asbestos in a seaside holiday destination.

Today, asbestos is heavily regulated and has ceased to exist in all but a few, closely monitored, products and industries. Despite this reduction in usage, a study completed in 1980 by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a subsidiary of the Centers for Disease Control’s Prevention (CDC) of the federal Department of Health and Human Services, maintains that there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos fibers.

Because of the difficulties in obtaining good quantitative exposure assessments, cumulative exposure expressed in fiber-years is often selected as the common metric for the levels of exposures reported in epidemiological studies.

Asbestos Risk Management

The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations (CAWR) requires asbestos to be identified and assessed. Regulation 4 (CAWR 2002) places an explicit duty on the employer in occupation to manage the risks from asbestos in their premises.

The new H.S.E. Regulations, requires the employer, property owner or manager to make an assessment, as to whether asbestos is or liable to be present, internally or externally.

The employer, property owner or manager must then produce a written plan to locate and manage the occupational asbestos risk and to implement the plan in an asbestos management programme.

Click here to read more about Asbestos Risk management

Occupations with Asbestos Risk

If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition and are currently, or have ever been employed in the following occupations, you may be entitled to compensation from the parties responsible for your exposure.

- Bricklayers - Carpenters - Cement Finishers - Construction Workers - Electricians - Railroad workers - Engineers - Insulators - Mine workers - Machinists - Dry wall removers - Mechanics - Teachers - Metal Workers - Civil servants - Pipefitters - Renovators - Plumbers - Asbestos mill factory workers - Roofers - Shipyard Workers - Steamfitters - Welders - Wives of the above and of asbestos workers

Security measures to prevent asbestos mesothelioma

The measures taken to prevent take-home contamination are varied. Operators may choose the most effective method for eliminating this hazard based on the unique conditions in the mine, including the nature of the hazard. For example, in one situation providing disposable coveralls could minimize or prevent asbestos take-home contamination. Another situation may require on-site shower facilities coupled with clothing changes to provide the same protection.

The existing standards, together with lower PELs, provide sufficient enforcement authority to ensure that mine operators take adequate measures, when necessary to prevent asbestos take-home contamination.

Commenters urged MSHA to expand the rulemaking to include specific requirements to prevent take-home contamination. NIOSH also encouraged MSHA to adopt measures included in its 1995 Report to Congress on their Workers’ Home Contamination Study Conducted under the Workers’ Family Protection Act.

Individuals who have been affected by Hurricane Ike are still dealing with the after affects including exposure to asbestos fibers from destruction of homes caused by flooding.According to the International Herald Tribune, following the hurricane, homes and roads were left with debris as well as a toxic sludge made of mud, human waste, lead, gasoline and asbestos in the wake of floodwaters, which have since receded. The potential for these fibers to dry and become airborne may be serious and could cause an increased risk of mesothelioma cancer among hurricane victims as well as nearby residents because of asbestos exposure.

What is Asbestos Exposure?

Asbestos fibers become airborne and cause the development of cancerous cells among victims. For years an exposed individual can live and behave as normal while the cancer remains dormant. Unfortunately, a mesothelioma victim has a slim survival rate the longer they have waited to diagnose their condition.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) described the following symptoms of mesothelioma:

* shortness of breath

* pain in the chest because of an accumulation of fluid

* weight loss

* abdominal pain

* bowel obstruction

* blood clotting abnormalities

* anemia

* fever

Diagnosing Mesothelioma Cancer

Unfortunately, mesothelioma cancer is considered such a rare condition, that it is often misdiagnosed for other similar diseases. The best way to diagnose mesothelioma cancer is to immediately speak with a medical professional upon any indication that exposure to asbestos has occurred.

It is important to set up a mesothelioma cancer screening if you feel you have been exposed to absestos. According to the England center for cancer research, Cancer Research UK, a number or all of the following procedures will likely be administered to narrow down the likelihood of a mesothelioma diagnosis:

* general physician examination

* blood tests

* chest X-ray or abdominal X-ray

* CT scan of chest/abdomen to determine swelling in body organs/lymph nodes

* biopsy of the pleura is done, also known as a thoracoscopy, in which a small incision is made the chest wall in which a video camera is inserted

* fluid drainage, also known as the thoracocentesis or abdoparacentesis), will help to relieve fluid from around the lugs or abdominal cavity for those with peritoneal mesothelioma

Uses for Asbestos

Asbestos has been classified as a human carcinogen because of the scarring of tissue and inflammation it can cause among its victims. Asbestos is a prevalent threat in America because of its extensive use and availability during the 20th century.

Asbestos was mined from the late 1800s up through World War II and was used for commercial use, according to the NCI:

* building and construction

* strengthening cement and plastics

* insulation

* roofing

* fireproofing

* sound absorption

* shipbuilding

* insulate boilers

* steam pipes

* hot water pipes

* vehicle brakeshoes

* vehicle clutch pads

* ceiling

* flooring

* paints/coatings

* tile

* adhesives

* plastics

* gardening materials

* talc-containing crayons

By the end of the 1970s after millions, potentially billions, of tons of asbestos had been used in products as well as homes, apartments, hospitals and elementary schools throughout America, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) finally banned the use of new asbestos in products and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for regulation and cleanup of asbestos.

Professional Mesothelioma Assistance

As millions of individuals remain potentially at risk for asbestos exposure across America it becomes important to be self-educated on the condition, its symptoms as well as diagnosing steps. Individuals who feel they may be suffering from mesothelioma cancer should contact not only a medical professional but also a mesothelioma attorney. Most legal consultations are free, which allows an individual to better understand the development of a mesothelioma case.

Asbestos is the biggest work place killer today. 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. All these are fatal respiratory diseases which are extremely difficult to cure.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 was most commonly used until early 1970s in various home appliances, such as toasters, clothes dryers, and hair dryers.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer of the Pleura (lung cancer) and Peritoneum (abdomen cancer). Mesothelioma has been shown to have a strong association with the crocidolite variety of asbestos. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common manifestation of asbestos exposure, is well-circumscribed plaques of dense collagen, often containing calcium. 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.

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. 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.

Health Hazards Of Asbestos

Undamaged Asbestos cannot cause any health hazards.

The risk of Mesothelioma is reported to be high in those cases where occupational exposure to asbestos is combined with cigarette smoking. Mesothelioma usually does not appear until after 5 to 10 years of exposure. Mesothelioma causes mechanical irritation and in the advanced cases, there may be symptoms of clubbing of fingers, and cardiac distress. 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 following measures can be useful in preventing occurrences of Mesothelioma.

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.

Removing Asbestos From Home

It is not advisable to perform an asbestos test in your home. You need qualified professional to test the presence of asbestos in your home. Asbestos abatement is the process of determining the status of asbestos material and taking corrective measures for preventing risk of asbestos exposure. It is not necessary that you have to remove all the asbestos material from your home. 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.

Asbestos is something very dangerous and a lot of people are still unaware of that. Asbestos surveys need to be carried into buildings if it has not be done yet in order to identify if asbestos was used or not in the building.A recent survey carried out actually indicates that the highest risk of asbestos related lung illness in fact arises from insulation work in the United Kingdom. Epidemiologic work done by a professor called Peto has shown that in the first few years of the twenty first century we can keep on expecting a rise in the number of new cases of mesothelioma in Great Britain mainly due to asbestos. Mesotheliome really is a horrible cancer with a very long latency period.

In the United Kingdom, it presently causes more deaths than road traffic accidents and epidemiologists predict that a further one hundred thousand individuals would die from one type of asbestos cancer called mesothelioma in the coming years. When all types of asbestos-related diseases are gathered, the final death toll could be even higher than that previous number which is shocking.

Research into the treatment and care of this aggressive cancer in the United Kingdom is apparently in bad shape due to a lack of government help over the last years. In 2007 there was just one project dedicated to mesothelioma research funded by Cancer Research UK, but nothing by the Medical Research Council, despite the fact that between 1995 and 2004 the incidence rate of this disease in United Kingdom grew faster than any other cancer. Improvement have been made though with the availability of support for people suffering from mesothelioma by cancer charities throughout the United Kingdom. Any delay in diagnosing mesothelioma can impact negatively on treatment options, since an early diagnosis is a key to achieving a better cure for the patient. With the fact that patients are now getting older and are often diagnosed at a late stage of the disease. It becomes more and more urgent to use asbestos surveyors to carry out asbestos surveys. It seems that other countries like Australia have done things differently when it comes to deal with asbestos related diseases. The Australian government actually committed millions of pounds for a research program which would help people suffering from those diseases.

It is very easy to find a company specializing in asbestos management. They would usually also do legionella risk assessment and asbestos awareness training.

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer caused mainly by asbestos. It’s a very serious type of cancer, and families who have been touched by mesothelioma have many challenges ahead. Treatment of Mesothelioma is very expensive. It is caused by excess growth of cell and here asbestos is responsible for it. That’s why it is also called asbestos cancer.Most Mesothelioma patients have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or they have been exposed to asbestos dust and fiber in other ways. The symptoms of Mesothelioma include shortness of breath, chest pain, and general symptoms such as weight loss, constipation and cough.

The incidence of Mesothelioma is one in 10 lakh people. The rate slightly goes up in western countries. The incidence of this disease is 7 to 40 in 10 lakh person. The reason for increased incidence in western countries in nothing but the industrialization. Diagnosing Mesothelioma is often difficult, because the symptoms are similar to those of a number of other conditions. Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient’s medical history. A history of exposure to asbestos may increase clinical suspicion for Mesothelioma

After the diagnosis of Mesothelioma the stage of cancer is determined. This process is called staging. Their are 4 stages depending on the extent of your disease. The tests that may help to determine your cancer are chest X-ray, CT scan of chest and abdomen, MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) and PET (Positron emission tomography). After determining the stage of your cancer your treatment is done according to it.

Mesothelioma that progresses can lead to death. People who die of Mesothelioma usually die from related complications, such as lung failure, heart problems, stroke and other causes therefore its early detection is must.