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- EPA finalizes historic ban on chrysotile asbestos
Jul 12, 2024
On March 18, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final rule prohibiting the ongoing use of chrysotile asbestos, the only known form currently used or imported in the United States. Often called white asbestos, it is often used in the chloralkali industry to create chlorine and treat water. This new ban is the first rule finalized under the 2016 amendments to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), a chemical safety law that...Read More - Understanding asbestos-related lung cancer
Jul 1, 2024
Asbestos-related lung cancer is a severe health issue caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that various industries once used for its heat-resistant properties. Asbestos-related lung cancer is one of the most severe outcomes of asbestos exposure. This type of cancer develops in the lung tissue and is directly linked to the inhalation of asbestos fibers. It often takes decades for symptoms to appear, making early detection challenging. What causes...Read More - Asbestos exposure raises risk of lung, ovarian and larynx cancers
Jun 8, 2024
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral used in many industries for its heat resistance and durability. Many people used it in building materials, insulation and automotive parts. However, asbestos fibers can cause serious health problems when inhaled or ingested. They can also raise the risk of developing certain cancers. The link between asbestos and lung cancer Lung cancer is the most common cancer linked to asbestos exposure. When someone inhales asbestos fibers, they can become...Read More - Plant closure improves Pittsburgh air quality
Sep 11, 2023
There are many arguments against the decline in manufacturing in western Pennsylvania and other parts of the Ohio Valley. But there are also some positive consequences arising from the closure of a large coal-processing plant in the region. In 2016, the Shenango Coke Works shuttered its doors. At that time and through the end of 2018, data analysis by NYU Grossman School of Medicine researchers tracked the impact of the facility’s shutdown on the health...Read More - IFAA backs bill that would ban asbestos
Aug 23, 2023
Asbestos was once considered a miracle substance because it is an excellent insulator and resists fire, but that was before the silicate material was linked mesothelioma and other types of cancer. Asbestos is no longer used in the construction industry, but large quantities of the substance can still be found in many older buildings. When these older buildings catch fire, the asbestos they contain poses a danger to firefighters. Job-related cancers are now the leading...Read More - What you should know about mesothelioma treatment
Aug 22, 2023
When someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma, many questions may run through their mind, with the primary one being whether doctors can do anything to save them. Unfortunately, mesothelioma has a prolonged latency period – it’s mostly discovered at an advanced stage when people do not have long to live. That does not mean doctors cannot provide treatment to help though. Here is what you should know about mesothelioma treatment: Which is the best treatment option?...Read More - Addressing mental health and mesothelioma
Aug 8, 2023
When an adult receives a cancer diagnosis, there are a host of challenges that arise instantly. First, the process of addressing the physical issue at hand tends to become the focus of the patient and their care team. Second, the patient ordinarily needs to let their loved ones know what is going on, which can take time and energy. Third, the patient – and their spouse or partner, if they have one – must assess...Read More - Mesothelioma and infertility in men
Jul 25, 2023
Treating mesothelioma can cause various complications and side effects, including infertility in men. Chemotherapy treatments are the most effective way to kill the cancer. However, sperm production is likely to be affected. Infertility in men Men all across the country who have been exposed to asbestos in various working climates have developed mesothelioma, or cancer. Treatment for mesothelioma, however, can impact a man’s fertility. This is because it can block the pathways that release sperm...Read More - How genetics plays a role in mesothelioma
Jul 11, 2023
Asbestos exposure causes mesothelioma, a form of cancer that develops in the lining that covers the outer surface of some organs, such as the heart, lungs and stomach. However, a significant percentage of people exposed to asbestos don’t develop mesothelioma. This means other factors, including genetics, may contribute to someone developing the disease. Here is how this may happen: BAP1 gene mutation Research shows that people with mesothelioma have a mutated BAP1. And this gene...Read More - Why mesothelioma lawsuits can be complicated
Jun 30, 2023
Asbestos exposure is a risk factor for mesothelioma. If you develop this form of cancer, you can take legal action against the party responsible, which can be your current or former employer if you were exposed to asbestos at work. However, mesothelioma lawsuits can be complicated. Therefore, you should be prepared. Here are two reasons for this: Prolonged latency period Mesothelioma has a lengthy latency period – it may take 20 to 60 years to...Read More