Treatment for Asbestos Exposure
In 1930, asbestos became popular as a property used in many products throughout the United States and around the world. Unfortunately, the asbestos levels of concentration in these products far exceeded the normal safe limits and the hazards of asbestos were not then known. This has resulted in more than 1.3 million Americans who are affected by work related asbestos exposure on their jobs. It is estimated that 10,000 Americans die annually from cancer related to asbestos.
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Definition
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Asbestos is a fine thin fiber that cannot be seen by the naked eye. It is a natural mineral found in the soil and rock in some areas of the United States. During 1940 to 1980 asbestos was commonly used as insulation in homes and offices as well as in roofing, cement pipes and in tiling of buildings.
Facts
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According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), 27 million Americans workers had occupational exposure to asbestos during 1940 to 1980 which could result in health related problems. Exposure to the inhalation of dangerous levels of asbestos fibers over a prolonged period of time will cause asbestos disease. Diseases related to asbestos exposure may not appear for 15 to 40 years after the first exposure.
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Risks
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According to the Mesothelioma Information Treatment Center, people at the highest risk for asbestos exposure include electricians, construction and maintenance workers. Also included are shipyard employees, automotive workers, miners and fire fighters. Family members are at risk to secondhand asbestos exposure through the contact with clothing and equipment of workers. The primary diseases caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers include asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Treatment for Asbestosis
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Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease with no total cure. The first step in treating asbestosis is the immediate cessation of exposure to any form of lung irritant, including asbestos fibers and smoking. Living in clean surroundings and practicing good hygiene is of utmost importance to asbestosis suffers. An annual flu vaccination will be prescribed to protect against pneumonia and bronchitis. In some instances, antibiotics may be prescribed if a lung infection is present.
Treatment for Lung Cancer
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The treatment options for lung cancer are chemotherapy, radiation therapy and photo-dynamic therapy or surgery. Chemotherapy drugs are used to destroy the cancer cells. Radiotherapy uses high doses of radiation to destroy the cancer cells while photo-dynamic therapy uses a special chemical and laser light to destroy the cancer cells. Surgery involves the removal of a small part of the lung, a lobe of the lung or an entire lung.
Treatment for Mesothelioma
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The treatment options for mesothelioma are similar to the treatment for lung cancer. Surgery is usually the treatment of choice and it involves extensive tissue resection which may include removal of the chest lining and in some rare cases the removal of a part of the diaphragm (the muscle below the lung). The key to treating asbestos diseases is early detection which will result in a better prognosis.
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