How to Safely Remove Asbestos Floor Tiles

Asbestos! It's a strong fire-resistant fiber which was widely used in the past for fireproofing and insulation purposes. The problem with it is that is has these small, buoyant fibers which can easily be inhaled or swallowed by people. These damaging particles have been proven to cause a number of very serious diseases which including asbestosis, (which is a chronic disease of the lungs that makes breathing extremely difficult), and cancers. So, it's little wonder then why folks are concerned when removing asbestos floor tiles from older buildings.

Vinyl floor tiles contain asbestos (vinyl, asbestos tile - VAT) and should be handled with extreme care when being removed. The first rule is to ensure the material is in non-friable state. Asbestos is considered non-friable when the material CANNOT be reduced to dust by hand pressure. Non-friable asbestos can become friable should the tile(s) be damaged or smashed, which could mean these harmful fibers may be freed.

Removing these tiles is no easy picnic. To start with, you will need to wear protective gear such as a respirator and safety glasses which will result in harder breathing and poorer vision. The removal of VAT has to be done in whole pieces so as to keep the material in a non-friable state. This means that it is not safe to grind, saw or drill to assist removal.

In most states, asbestos must only be removed by licensed asbestos abatement contractors who are fully equipped and educated in the safe removal and disposal of such materials. They will usually come armed with plastic sheets to stop the particles from moving freely. VAT's are usually wetted down too, so as to prevent any particles from becoming airborne during the removal process.

Safely removing asbestos floor tiles is a serious business and they are usually placed in leak proof containers and marked clearly with wording similar to "DANGER ASBESTOS-CONTAINING MATERIALS"

Once removal has been accomplished, the sealed containers are transported by the authorized agent to an EPA approved landfill site where it gets buried. There are formalities and administrative procedures necessary to record the job at hand, and the relevant authorities are presented with the appropriate documents for filing upon completion.

It is NOT recommended to attempt the removal of VAT yourself and there are probably penalties if you try to and get found out. Also, the waste product needs to be disposed of safely and cannot simply be dumped with your local trash.

For more detailed information and procedures regarding the safe removal of asbestos products, search online or contact your local authorities for an up to date fact sheet.

Andy Maingam writes articles for the website Floors for folks dot com where he has pieces on the stunning marble floor tiles and the benefits of Radiant floor heating. He also has other pieces on the site related to floor coverings and treatments.

How Asbestos Litigation Affects You

The Debate Over Asbestos Legislation

This year a growing legal crisis may affect you more than you could imagine. With proposed bills that would limit asbestos company liability and significantly reduce payouts, some worry that lawmakers who are in charge of advocating for everyday America may be pandering to special interests.

Prolonged asbestos exposure can lead to dangerous health conditions including mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. Every year 2500 to 3000 new cases are diagnosed every year with thousands more outside the United States as other countries have been slow to adopt asbestos bans (though asbestos is not completely outlawed in the United States and exists in many products manufactured today).

The conditions are frightening and for the most part treatment only prolongs a person?s life by a short span. An indiscriminate killer set loose by the industrialized nations of the world.

So when someone is diagnosed what do we owe them? An apology for their terminal illness is simply not enough of a measure to compensate them for the pain their body, family, and spirit will have to endure.

The problem that lawmakers are trying to address is the abundance of cases currently sitting dormant in our legal system. The case backlog is enormous and often cases (if unsettled) take years before they go before the courts.

We have a duty to balance compensation and cases because if this system continues, the expected case filings over the next decade will create a standstill for legal action.

The problem with balancing is that each side will have to incur losses. The creation of a national fund is the best proposal but claimants have to adhere to guidelines that may eliminate credible cases (September 11th created intense exposure over short periods for example). The pool will receive less than if they made an individual claim but the victims will be able to enjoy their compensation before death.

Under current proposals though, that compromise over compensation would make the filing process futile. When looking at some recent settlements in the pool format, victims who would have received millions received in the range of low thousands.

So who benefits under current plans and recent settlements? Corporations.

Their civic duties should never be compromised by lackadaisical legislation that shifts some of the legal responsibilities from their shoulders.

It?s a battle that is even pitting victims against one another which is exactly what corporations need because a divided opponent never wins.

Americans have now put that question to Congress however.

?The 'Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act of 2005' came to existence shortly after March of 2004 after Pres. Bush. proposed limits on asbestos related ?junk? lawsuits at a speech in Detroit. The Act would establish a $140 billion trust fund to supplant litigation as a means to compensate victims of asbestos and limit liability.? -Asbestos and Mesothelioma Advocacy

The maximum award would be $750,000 but with an estimated 500,000 possible claims. The fund would quickly deteriorate and could not pay victims. ($375,000,000,000,000 would be needed).

The bill is still being looked at by the Senate Judiciary Committee but as you can see it faces a tough fight for approval.

I am aware that many people see asbestos litigation as an avenue of junk lawsuits in the same vein as the ?hot coffee? judgment to the woman at the drive thru but these are real people with an incurable disease.

With only months before a round of major elections, try asking candidates their position on the bill. Likely most of them would not know what it is you?re talking about. However trial lawyer associations across America are the parties with the biggest to gain or lose.

Corporate defense attorneys would lose significant billable hours for services rendered to corporations while plaintiff attorneys would see a loss because fund rulings would not necessarily require legal counsel.

Thus on something perceived as ?out there? and insignificant, you can already see how it affects your government and possibly your neighbors.

Please get more information about asbestos exposure and related illnesses at Mesothelioma and Asbestos

William Gallahue is an internet journalist who covers a number of topics. Please visit Asbestos and Mesothelioma for more information.

Asbestos Legislation

Since the introduction of the first Asbestos bill in Congress some 30 years ago, the scenario has changed tremendously. The number of claims that are filed today are many times greater than in previous years. Of these numerous cases, some hold the stand of real human sufferings while others hold the place of real forged means. This has made the efforts of legislation tougher and has initiated the need to implement certain general rules for all the people who are suffering or have suffered from the carcinogenic Asbestos exposure.

On May 26, 2005, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill that would establish a $140 billion fund for a no-fault, administrative program to provide compensation to the people afflicted with Asbestos-induced disease. The trial lawyers protested for the low amount being put for the victims of Asbestos, while the experts benefited their stand by commenting that it was not to be inclusive for the fraudulent cases. Many states in America are taking crucial and well-designed steps to prevent legal fraud.

Asbestos is a carcinogen to humans. It is a highly particulating fiber. When pressed with the hand, microscopic dust is released and is inhaled into the lungs. This produces a number of diseases relating to the lungs, including mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is one of the most common diseases associated with asbestos. There is much litigation surrounding mesothelioma.

To this day asbestos exists. It is near the end of being phased out from all public use. However, the fiber is more or less a naturally occuring substance, so it will never be completely eradicated.

Asbestos provides detailed information on asbestos, asbestos and mesothelioma, asbestos cancer, asbestos exposure and more. Asbestos is affliated with Lung Cancer Stages

Asbestos Trial Lawyers

Going to court, no matter if you are a victim or a criminal, is not a kind of entertainment, but when you are the plaintiff in a lawsuit that asks for millions of dollars of compensation for serious health injury, then it gets even more stressful.

Asbestos lawsuits have been gaining ground in the last two or three decades after it was discovered that many companies deliberately did not disclose to their workers the dirty secrets about the irrevocable health danger that asbestos poses.

There have been so many cases that some lawyers specialize in asbestos litigation. While there have been cases that have been settled outside the court, still there are thousands of cases annually that are brought to the court for settlement.

In the beginning, winning an asbestos case was not easy. Asbestos trial lawyers could not prove in the courtroom that the condition of their clients was a result of the evil intentions and negligence of their former employers.

Then it became easier to convince the court and win the case. Actually, it became so easy, that the effect of the pendulum came ? many ?victims?, who were pretty healthy at the time of the suit but have worked in an asbestos environment in the past, started suing their former employers and there were cases when they did manage to get hefty amounts of money.

Of course, this was not without the help of unscrupulous trial lawyers. Taking advantage of the fact that so many people really suffer from asbestos-related diseases and most of them were never compensated (the dead do not go to court), these trial lawyers became accomplices in filing false claims and unfairly winning tons of money.

So when you are looking for a good asbestos trial lawyer, keep an eye open if there are rumors about foul play in his or her previous asbestos cases, because if there is, you might be considered the latest false claimant.

Asbestos Lawyers provides detailed information on Asbestos Lawyers, Asbestos Mesothelioma Lawyers, Asbestos Trial Lawyers, Asbestos Lawsuits and more. Asbestos Lawyers is affliated with Asbestos Litigation Attourneys

Mesothelioma: A Cancer Which Is Caused Due To Exposure To Asbestos

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer which is generally caused due to the exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma is a critical form of cancer which generally affects the lungs of the human organism. Mostly those people who are very much prone to the exposure of asbestos in their day to day life will lead to get affected by Mesothelioma. In this consideration, mostly, the labors in the industrial and in the construction firm get affected by Mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is virtually caused due to the exposure to asbestos, which generally gets into one?s body through tiny dust like particles which floats in the air in the process of inhaling.

Symptoms of mesothelioma are many and varied. The most common sign or symptom of Mesothelioma is lack of proper inhaling, continuous coughing, constant pain in the chest, etc. In addition to this, loss of weight, swelling of the abdomen, fever and anemia are also some other Mesothelioma symptoms. Mesothelioma is a very rare form of cancer and hence the proper diagnosis of it cannot be enhanced due to the different symptoms that crop up in Mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can be treated in various ways. The most common and the basic form of Mesothelioma treatment is through surgery. The surgery will help in the removal of the affected lining of the body organs whether it be in the chest, abdomen or in the neck. Another popular form of Mesothelioma treatment is the radiation therapy. This radiation therapy or radiotherapy is implied in order to kill the cancer affects cell areas.

Mesothelioma thus becomes a deadly disease when no remedial measures are taken to overcome it and when exposure to asbestos is not controlled. But at present, there are various Mesothelioma law firms which are established in many countries of the world especially in those places where there is high percentage of mesothelioma, a cancer which is the result of high exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma law firm is entitled to provide advice to thousands of mesothelioma patients every year. Mesothelioma law firms are large enough to have huge resources and years of experience. Each case of mesothelioma is handled individually and proper investigations are made to help out the clients. Mesothelioma law firm provides adequate counseling to the victims of asbestos. The mesothelioma law firms are based on two aspects. Firstly, to alert the victims about the possibility of this cancer due to the exposure to asbestos and secondly to improve the work place where exposure of asbestos are common.

Farzina Naznin as a writer has written articles for various sites like http://www.carehealthsite.org/ http://www.nethealthcentre.com / http://www.malehealthinfo.com/ http://www.bestcarehealthsite.com/ The articles written for these sites will reveal the various forms of cancers and their relevant treatments

Can You File a Legal Claim For Getting Asbestos Mesothelioma?

Have you ever been exposed to asbestos? Have you ever been short of breath or has experienced chest pains coupled with a notable weight loss? If you answered yes to both questions then you may be exhibiting some symptoms of asbestos mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is an uncommon form of cancer which results from exposure to asbestos. Those who have worked in an asbestos factory or have been exposed to asbestos in any way like when washing the clothes of someone exposed to asbestos are more likely to get asbestos mesothelioma. People who have had their homes renovated with the use of asbestos materials should also take note of the symptoms as they may already have asbestos mesothelioma.

Most people who get asbestos mesothelioma do not easily relate their exposure to asbestos with this rare cancer form because the symptoms may appear after a long period of exposure to asbestos, in some cases, even after 40 years from exposure.

It is difficult to get a diagnosis of asbestos mesothelioma because the symptoms are much like the other illnesses like shortness of breath, coughing, weight loss and chest pains. However, if the symptoms are backed up by a history of asbestos exposure then there is a possibility that the person is indeed afflicted with asbestos mesothelioma.

The number of people reportedly diagnosed with asbestos mesothelioma has increased over the past years maybe because of the increasing awareness of people that getting this cancer from asbestos exposure can entitle them to a legal claim. In fact, most of the victims of asbestos mesothelioma who have filed a legal claim have received compensation from companies found guilty of being negligent and causing the exposure of the victims to asbestos.

People who think they have asbestos mesothelioma or who know of others who have been exposed to asbestos and who exhibit the symptoms of asbestos mesothelioma should consult a solicitor as soon as possible to help them file a legal claim.

A legal claim against the asbestos industry is possible with the aid of solicitors who have filed thousands of lawsuits on behalf of people who have asbestos mesothelioma. The solicitors can advise the victim on how to make sure that the cause of their illness is asbestos exposure. The solicitors can also help them file a legal claim against negligent employers aside from the legal claim against the manufacturers.

Being able to file a legal claim against asbestos manufacturers is the first step in getting proper compensation for being inflicted with asbestos mesothelioma. However, a legal claim is proper only if it can be shown that the cause of asbestos mesothelioma is asbestos exposure and that the parties responsible for the exposure are properly identified. These are matters best handled by solicitors.

A legal claim for asbestos mesothelioma can be settled by the manufacturers when the proper legal claim has been filed, meaning exposure to asbestos has been proven and the negligent employer or manufacturer identified. A person inflicted with asbestos mesothelioma, or his dependents, can get thousands to millions of dollars depending on some factors.

Julian Hall is the Director of <arel="nofollow" href="http://www.claimsmastergroup.com">Claims Master Group.<arel="nofollow" href="http://www.claimsmastergroup.com/">Personal Injury Claim,<arel="nofollow" href="http://www.claimsmastergroup.com/asbestos-mesothelioma-legal-claim.htm"

Myths About Asbestosis Claims

Asbestosis Claims and evidence of the death knell effect of asbestos on people who breathe its fibers is likely to increase in the future with more and more cases coming to the fore.

Asbestos, once hailed as the best and reliable building material available to the construction industries. The properties of being fire resistant, tensile strength, durability, flexibility and heat insulation made it popular since these properties meant that it could save lives and strengthen buildings. The evidence of the first use of asbestos was about 2000 years ago by the Greeks who firmly believed that its fire withstanding properties were too good to let go in spite of the health hazards it posed. The Greeks, in those times knew that asbestos caused health problems.

These health hazards were long forgotten until the turn of the 20th century. The medical research community observed too many unnatural and mistimed deaths in asbestos mining towns in the USA during the beginning of the First World War.

1924 saw the first diagnosis of Asbestosis in a 33 year old woman which led to further studies in the UK on asbestos workers. Research pointed to the fact that more than 30% of the workers in the asbestos industry suffered from lung diseases. This led to the government introducing laws to provide better ventilation and identification of asbestosis as a work related illness in 1931.

Asbestos has been manufactured in over 100 countries and used in over 24 countries worldwide well into the 20th century despite its relationship to the cause of asbestosis. The mind-blowing act that more than 5 million tones of asbestos was manufactured annually in the mid 20th century proves the utter disregard that the producers had for their employees and workers. Shipping, demolition, insulation and building industrial conglomerates failed to take adequate precautions and preventive measures to protect their workforce from workplace injury.

The effects of asbestosis are not apparent immediately. They take time to manifest and unveil the havoc. Diagnosis is often difficult and takes time by which the disease is rendered incurable. Since the height of asbestos usage was in 1960s and 70s, many asbestos workers are awaiting their fate with asbestosis and more and more cases are coming to the fore now.

The victims of asbestosis are entitled to compensation for irregularities of their companies in providing safer working conditions which has left them exposed to the harmful effects of asbestos years ago.

It is advisable that any victims get in touch with an experienced asbestos related solicitor at their earliest to get the right compensation and rebuild their future.

Julian Hall is the Director of Claims Master Group. Personal injury Claim, Asbestosis Claims

Asbestos Related Lung Cancer

For almost a 100 years asbestos was considered to be a surprisingly extraordinary mineral. It was used mostly for insulation in the building industry and woven into most every kind of product that could be manufactured. In the late 1800's it was reported that asbestos could cause severe lung injury to anyone that was exposed to it. Those reports were either ignored or intentionally suppressed. Not until 1931 did the British government start taking action to deal with the possibilities of lung cancer in those who worked with and were exposed to asbestos. In the early 1970's the United States government, following the British, began to document safety rules for handling asbestos. This truly was 50 years to late for many thousands of people who were exposed to asbestos in the environment, the home and especially in the workplace.

The results of exposure to asbestos in the environment and the workplace include pleural plaques, lung scarring, asbestosis, lung cancer and a particularly malignant, more severe cancer known as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is almost exclusively related to exposure to asbestos. It's pleura, cancer of the lining around the lungs instead of in the lungs. Even a very short term exposure 10, 20, 30 or more years ago may result in mesothelioma. Smoking increases the risk of being diagnosed with mesothelioma dramatically. A patient who was exposed to asbestos that smokes has a 50 to 90 times greater chance of being diagnosed with lung cancer, including mesothelioma than a non-smoker. By contrast, a non-smoker exposed to asbestos has a five times greater chance of being diagnosed.

Asbestos Related lung cancers including Mesothelioma are diagnosed through a coalition of medical history, imaging technologies like x-rays, MRIs and CAT tissue sampling, scans, and biopsy. Those who are known to have been exposed to asbestos should have regular checkups for lung irregularities, as the incubation period between exposure and development of this disease can be as long as 5 decades.

As with any cancer, early diagnosis will give the best chance of recovery. Generally the accepted statistics for patients diagnosed with asbestos related lung cancer or mesothelioma are not good at all. In some cases, a person diagnosed with mesothelioma may be told that he has only 8-12 weeks to live, but there are many extenuating factors that may affect that. Some people in clinical trials that use a multi-treatment approach to treating mesothelioma have approached a 40% five year survival rate - almost as much as those diagnosed with other types of lung cancer.

It seems that the best response to Mesothelioma is an aggressive treatment that combines surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. However, since mesothelioma is so often diagnosed in the later stages, surgery is not often an option, but there are some encouraging new advances in chemotherapy for treatment.

The first medication specifically to treat mesothelioma was approved by the FDA in February of 2004, Alimta manufactured by Eli Lilly. Alimta showed in clinical trials that in conjunction with another drug frequently used for treatment, cisplatin, improved the life expectancy of people diagnosed with mesothelioma. In a time where new advances are happening almost on a weekly basis, even a few months of extended life can propose hope for a cure.

Carlie Edwards publishes online articles & useful information for Women. For more info visit Resource Tips For a variety of related topics visit Health-And-Beauty-Worx.Com

Mesothelioma a cancer caused by asbestos

The internal organs of the human body are encased in a protective sac called the mesothelium. Examples of mesothelilial membranes are the peritoneum (abdominal organs), pleura (lungs), and pericardium (heart).

Under specific conditions, the cells of the protective membrane divide uncontrolled and become cancerous. This disease is termed as Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer which is caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos dust.

The disease is found to occur among those who work in shipyards, asbestos mines and factories, industries that produce asbestos based products, and the heating and construction businesses. Approximately 3,000 cases occur each year in the US, and most patients are between 50-70 years old. Statistics show that males are commonly affected and among them whites more than African Americans.

First studied in the late 1700s in depth studies were only done in the 1960s. Tumors of the Mesothelioma can be benign or malignant. The malignant Mesothelioma are categorized into three types:

* Epithelioid, accounting for 50-70% of mesotheliomas.

* Sarcomatoid, accounting for 7-20%.

* Mixed or bi-phasic, accounting for 20-35%.

When asbestos fibers are breathed into the lungs they travel through large air passages to reach the smaller passages and from them the pleura. In the pleura they damage: the mesothelial cells leading to cancer; lung tissue causing lung cancer; and the development of scar tissue within the lungs known as asbestosis. When asbestos fibers are swallowed they reach the abdominal cavity and cause peritoneal mesothelioma.

Research reveals that the disease only manifests 20-50 years after being exposed to asbestos dust. The symptoms are not specific to the disease but a patient may develop:

* Breathlessness.

* Chest pain accompanied by tightness believed to be caused by accumulation of fluid in the pleura.

* Low back pain.

* Swelling of face and arms.

* Sensory loss.

* Muscle weakness.

* Nausea.

* Vomiting.

* Weight loss that is unexplained.

* Persistent dry cough.

* Sore throat.

* Anemia.

* Fever.

* Constipation.

* Problems with blood clotting.

Since the above are common to minor ailments, patients often ignore the symptoms. It is advisable to consult a doctor if any of the above symptoms persist or if you feel you have been knowingly or unknowingly exposed to asbestos.

A doctor will:

* Take down a detailed medical history and try and determine the symptoms and risk factors.

* Do a thorough physical examination and check for signs of:

o Pleural effusion, fluid accumulated in the chest cavity.

o Fluid in the abdominal cavity.

o Pericardial effusion, fluid in the lining of the heart.

* Take a chest x-ray and check for thickening of the pleura, calcifications, and lowered lung fissures.

* Ask for a CT scan to determine clearly the location, size, and extent of the problem if any is suspected.

* Recommend tests of tissue samples and pleural fluids.

Other risk factors are cigarette or cigar smoking, exposure to radiation, exposure to zeolite a compound that is similar to asbestos, exposure to or infections caused by SV40, a Simian virus.

Those who work in a risky environment should wear protective clothing, have the surroundings tested regularly for suspended asbestos particles, and ensure that they have regular medical tests and report to the doctor any ailments that persist.

Being aware of the disease and its problems helps.

Paul Wilson is a freelance writer for http://www.1888Discuss.com/health/ , the premier REVENUE SHARING discussion forum for Health Forum including topics on health care, Children's Health Issues, addiction, Cancer, fitness equipment, Burns & Injuries and more. His article profile can be found at the premier Health Article Submission Directory http://www.1888Articles.com/health-articles-8.html

Asbestos - The Health Risks

In this second article of a series we're going to cover the health risks associated with exposure to asbestos.

Exposure to asbestos can cause a number of health problems including, lung cancer, Mesothelioma, asbestosis and other cancers.

Asbestosis is a chronic lung ailment that can produce shortness of breath coughing and even permanent lung damage.

Mesothelioma is a very rare form of cancer of the thin membranes that line the chest and abdomen. While very rare it is also very serious.

The people at risk for these ailments are anyone who has been exposed to asbestos at any time during their life. However, most people exposed to asbestos do not become ill. Only those exposed to it constantly over a long period of time usually develop symptoms. Most of these people are usually those who have a job that requires them to work with or be around asbestos throughout the day.

Since the early 1940's millions of people have been exposed to asbestos. The first workers to show signs of asbestos related health problems were those who worked in shipbuilding trades, asbestos mining and milling, manufacturing of asbestos textiles, insulation work, demolition workers, drywall workers and fire fighters. Today, improved work practices and regulations make exposure to asbestos in these industries less likely.

Even though it is generally believed that the most seriously ill people from asbestos are those who have suffered from long term exposure, there are cases of those who have only had brief exposure who have become ill as well. The problem is, asbestos exposure related illnesses can take from 10 to 40 years to show up. So a child exposed in school at age 13 may not develop any symptoms until he or she is past age 50.

There is also some evidence that suggests that family members of those who work in asbestos related fields can come down with asbestos related illnesses because of the asbestos fibers that are brought into the house by the worker's shoes and clothes. This type of exposure is called paraoccupational exposure. In order to decrease this risk, workers who are exposed to asbestos should wash their clothes and change before coming home. It is also suggested that they shower first if possible.

So just how great is the risk? Not all workers who are exposed to asbestos develop health problems. A lot has to do with the type of exposure. Asbestos that is encased and unlikely to break apart into the atmosphere presents less of a threat than asbestos that is not encased. Also, the general health of the worker comes into play as well. A worker who already has health related issues or who smokes is more likely to suffer from asbestos related illness. Also, the type of asbestos the worker is exposed to will have a great effect on the worker's health. Some forms of asbestos are more dangerous than others, depending on the concentration and the length of exposure.

In our final article of this series we'll go over how to determine if you might have an asbestos related health problem and if so, what to do about it.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Asbestos

Asbestos in Floor Tiles

If you have even a passing interest in the topic of asbestos, then you should take a look at the following information. This enlightening article presents some of the latest news on the subject of asbestos.

Since the discovery of the deadly effects asbestos has on health, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has created regulations to control the management, removal and disposal of asbestos material. One of the materials containing asbestos is vinyl floor tile (VAT). To handle them safely it is important to ensure that the material is in non-friable state. If the material is friable, the asbestos fibers can be freed when smashed. Generally, VAT is regarded as non-friable if it is not damaged.

When removing asbestos floor tiles, some problems might arise that can be potentially hazardous. Some of the difficulties that you will have to tackle are breathing through respirator which demands a greater effort from the heart and lungs. The vision is reduced because of the use of safety glasses.

It seems like new information is discovered about something every day. And the topic of asbestos is no exception. Keep reading to get more fresh news about asbestos.

The removal of VAT has to be done in whole pieces in order to be regarded as non-friable. It vital that in the process of abatement the tiles are not sawed, drilled or reduced to dust.

Before starting the work, it is important to isolate other materials with a plastic cover to avoid the fibers to move. Place a different sheet of plastic in the area where the tiles are to be kept.

The material that is being removed should be wetted with a hose or any other tool to prevent them from becoming airborne. The tiles removed should be kept as intact pieces.

The tiles should be put in leak proof containers such as plastic bags and the sign " DANGER ASBESTOS-CONTAING MATERIALS" must be placed on the container. Sometimes it's tough to sort out all the details related to this subject, but I'm positive you'll have no trouble making sense of the information presented above.

Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Articles for Website Content

James Mahony is the founder of Mesothelioma and Asbestos Information, A site dedicated to mesothelioma and asbestos information

Mesothelioma and Asbestos
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Asbestos Killed My Husband

ASBESTOS KILLED MY HUSBAND By LORRAINE KEMBER
He was only a child when it begun -and he played as children do- in his yard with his toy cars and tip trucks But his sand was asbestos blue
In December 1999, my husband and I were walking home from a game of lawn bowls when I became aware of his shortness of breath. I was surprised and concerned when he told me that he had experienced this on several occasions. Believing this to be due to chest a infection, I made a doctors appointment for him the next day.
Chest X-rays revealed fluid on the lungs, over two litres of which was drained, giving Brian immediate relief, but it was a tense wait for the pathology results. Through the Internet I had become aware of several conditions which may have been responsible for fluid on the lung; these included asbestos- related diseases. Brian had lived in Wittenoom as a child and I was afraid of his diagnosis. Not wanting to worry him unnecessarily, I did not mention my fears to him. I prayed that he had pleurisy or pneumonia but the pathology results revealed that there were cancer cells present.
When Brian finally received his diagnosis, my worst nightmare became reality. He had pleural mesothelioma, a terminal cancer of the lung caused by the inhalation of asbestos dust. We found it inconceivable that the disease was the result of Brian inhaling asbestos dust as a child and that it had lain dormant for forty-five years before become lethal.
We were still reeling from the shock when, without preamble, the young doctor gave his prognosis. His exact words were, Three to nine months, I reckon. That he could say this so unfeelingly amazed me. His total lack of compassion did not encourage even the small comfort of tears. I felt as if Brian and I had been shot and from that moment on we were waiting to drop.
Undoubtedly, were mortally wounded. We suffered shock, disbelief, anger, helplessness and utter despair; in fact all the symptoms of grief one feels when a loved one has actually died. Once again we found ourselves with no control over our lives. This time however, there was no light at the end of the tunnel. Our journey through terminal illness had begun.
Throughout the course of our married life my deep love for Brian and my determination to resolve difficulties had seen us through many trials. I found it hard to believe that nothing could be done to save his life and begun surfing the Internet for information regarding mesothelioma, all the time praying for a miracle, hoping against hope to find a doctor who had successfully operated on or cured someone of it.
It was a sad realization to discover that for Brian there were no miracles; however, I learned a lot and it helped me to accept that he was dying. With my acceptance came a fierce determination to ease his burden. I continued to seek information regarding mesothelioma and the pain and symptoms Brian would experience, due to the progression of his disease. In this way, I came to understand the importance of pain management and symptom control and realized that although I could not stop Brian from dying I could help him to live.
My acquired knowledge regarding pain and symptom management enabled me to communicate with Brian and to understand the type of pain he was experiencing and the intensity of that pain. I was then able to work hand in hand with his doctors, to bring his pain and symptoms under control. As my efforts resulted in his improved quality of life, I lost my sense of helplessness and gained strength.
Together, we achieved for Brian, a quality of life few thought possible, considering the nature of his disease. Testament to this, Brian survived for 2 years despite his prognosis of 3 to 9 months. Remained active and alert, drove his car for eighteen months after diagnosis and was not bed bound until three short days prior to his death.
Brian's courageous battle with mesothelioma came to an end on the 24th December 2001; he passed away at home surrounded by his loved ones. He was 54 years old.

Lorraine Kember Author of Lean on Me Cancer through a Carers Eyes. Lorraines book is written from her experience of caring for her dying husband in the hope of helping others. It includes insight and discussion on: Anticipatory Grief, Understanding and identifying pain, Pain Management and Symptom Control, Chemotherapy, Palliative Care, Quality of Life and Dying at home. It also features excerpts and poems from her personal diary. Highly recommended by the Cancer Council. Lean on Me is not available in bookstores - For detailed information, Doctors recommendations, Reviews, Book Excerpts and Ordering Facility - visit her website http://www.cancerthroughacarerseyes.jkwh.com