Asbestos Disease

Asbestos Disease

What are the types of asbestos-related lung disease?

Lung disease from exposure to asbestos can be divided into three main types: 1) asbestosis, 2) damage to the lining of the lungs (pleural), and 3) lung cancer.

1. Asbestosis is a process of widespread lung damage.

2. Disease of the lining of the lungs, called the pleura, there are various signs and symptoms and the result of inflammation and hardening (calcification) and / or the thickening of the lining fabric.

3. Lung cancer, or the internal parts of the lungs or the outer lining (pleural).

All commonly available commercial forms of asbestos have been linked to cancer and non-cancerous lung disease.

Asbestos-related lung disease occurred at very high rates in the middle of the 20th century, in patients who were exposed decades earlier to asbestos eventually developed disease. British asbestos workers were among the first to have been reported to have lung cancer associated with asbestos.

Most patients who have ever been exposed to asbestos as:

* Mining,

* Mills

* Factories or

* Homes with asbestos or in progress, installation or removal of asbestos or during cleaning items laden with asbestos dust.

Some workers were exposed to high concentrations of asbestos:

* Repair of motor vehicles

* Boilermaking,

* Construction

* Pipefitting,

* Launderers materials containing clothing.

Continuing sources of exposure are asbestos removal and general construction industries. In the period of time between exposure to asbestos and the development of cancer is usually 20 years or more.

The number of deaths from asbestosis has increased over the past two decades, but is believed to reach a plateau due to increased awareness of the risks.

How asbestos kills

                          How asbestos kills

Asbestos is a general term for a group of fibrous minerals, most of which are magnesium silicates. Do not burn and are used for fire boards. Inhaled can cause deadly lung diseases, as the fibers remain there forever - can not be disposed of with cough or otherwise. Scientific evidence for the carcinogenicity of asbestos dates back to 1950, in 1977 is classified as carcinogenic material from the World Health Organization. In the early 90's use in construction is prohibited in the EU. The material is no longer produced in Bulgaria and six types of imports only one. According to the Health Ministry from 1 January 2008 the import and use of asbestos will be banned. In Bulgaria, however, asbestos elements still in plumbing installations and building panels. More than 3000 products made of such material that are used in construction, mechanical engineering, shipbuilding and chemical industries. The boom is in use in the 70s and 80s of the last century. Currently, many European companies replace asbestos in buildings built at that time. This process is extremely complex - around the building creates a zone in which you can enter only the workers. Builds and special room where workers dress with special suits that resemble space suits. Diseases associated with inhalation of asbestos can occur within five years of direct contact. Around 125 million people worldwide are exposed to such contacts in your professional life. Every day 90 thousand of them die due to severe complications occurred.

The Americans run hundreds of cases for victims of cancer caused by asbestos. Claims against the manufacturer of brake pads and automotive brake dust plugs "Champion" topped $ 2 billion and led to the failure of the production company. In 2003, victims of lung cancer caused by improper storage of asbestos waste in Philadelphia, brought 220 thousand lawsuits worth $ 1.3 billion against the energy company ABB. Claims of $ 1.4 billion against a company for paints Kelly-Moore Paints, and one of its suppliers, as it warned of the presence of asbestos in the description of ingredients.