Mesothelioma Can be Underestimated in Death Certificates

One problem that has plagued spouses of the deceased workers that were exposed to asbestos is showing that mesothelioma was the cause of death.  There is some evidence to suggest that the incidence of mesothelioma has been grossly underestimated.  One interesting study is called, “Validation of death certificates in asbestos workers” by
M. L. Newhouse, J. C. Wagner – Br J Ind Med 1969;26:302-307.  Here is an excerpt: “Abstract – Newhouse, M. L., and Wagner, J. C. (1969).Brit. J. industr. Med.,26, 302-307. Validation of death certificates in asbestos workers. The Registrar General has supplied the certified cause of death of 436 past workers in an asbestos factory. An attempt was made to follow up the 301 (69%) deaths which had occurred in hospital or had been the subject of an inquest or coroner’s post-mortem examination. Necropsy reports were obtained for 158 (52%) of this group and histological material was reviewed in 84 (28%). The additional information, particularly that obtained from review of the histology, led to the revision and extension of the diagnosis suggested by the certified cause of death in a number of cases. The incidence of carcinoma of the bronchus had not been grossly underestimated, four additional tumours of this type were identified by scrutiny of the necropsy reports, and a further four by review of histological sections. The incidence of mesothelial tumours was underestimated, endothelioma or mesothelioma was the certified cause of death in four of the series, and a further 15 mesotheliomata were identified by review of histological material. Five patients with pleural mesotheliomata had been certified as dying of carcinoma of the lung or pleura. Ten deaths from peritoneal mesotheliomata had been attributed either to carcinomatosis without mention of a primary tumour or to cancer of the gastro-intestinal tract. Lung sections were submitted for review in 67 of the series; some degree of asbestosis was found in all but seven. Asbestosis graded as either moderate or severe was found in all the confirmed cases of carcinoma of the lung.”

Another interesting study is called, “Longitudinal changes in lung function among asbestos-exposed workers” by DA Schwartz, CS Davis, JA Merchant, WB Bunn, JR Galvin, DS Van Fossen, CS Dayton and GW Hunninghake – Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., Vol 150, No. 5, 11 1994, 1243-1249.  Here is an excerpt: “To prospectively identify the determinants of persistent or accelerated loss of lung function among workers occupationally exposed to asbestos and assess the relative contribution of cigarette smoking, asbestos- induced pleural fibrosis, and specific findings from bronchoalveolar lavage and high resolution CT scans, we examined the determinants of lung function changes in 117 subjects occupationally exposed to asbestos for at least 1 yr in a high exposure setting. A minimum of 20 yr was required between the first exposure to asbestos and entry into the study. Baseline studies included an independent assessment of dyspnea, lung volumes, diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO), a chest radiograph, a high resolution CT (HRCT) scan, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Subjects were observed for an average of 2 yr (range, 0.5 to 4.0 yr), and lung function was measured on at least two separate occasions (mean, 4.1 separate tests).

During the period of observation, there was an average 1.5% decrease in the TLC and a 2.5% decrease in the DLCO. In this longitudinal data set, after controlling for age, height, pack-years of cigarette smoking, and follow-up time, persistently lower measures of TLC were independently related to moderate to severe dyspnea (p = 0.005), diffuse pleural thickening (p = 0.007), and higher concentrations of fibronectin in BAL fluid (p = 0.01). Interstitial lung disease either on the chest radiograph or HRCT scan was not independently associated with persistently lower measures of TLC during the period of observation. However, none of the clinical variables we examined were associated with an accelerated decline in TLC.”

Another study is called, “Malignant mesothelioma induced by asbestos and zeolite in the mouse peritoneal cavity” by Yasunosuke Suzuki, Norihiko Kohyama – Environmental Research – Volume 35, Issue 1, October 1984, Pages 277-292.  Here is an excerpt: “Abstract – The carcinogenicity of asbestos (amosite and chrysotile) and zeolite (fibrous erionite, mordenite, and synthetic zeolite 4A) were studied in the peritoneum of 586 BALB/C male mice after a single intraperitoneal or intraabdominal wall injection. As controls, 182 mice treated with and without saline solution were used. Both asbestos types and fibrous erionite frequently produced malignant peritoneal tumors after long latency; tumors developed in 93 of 394 animals (23.6%) treated with asbestos or fibrous erionite 7 months or more after administration. All of the induced peritoneal tumors were intimately associated with marked peritoneal fibrosis, in which asbestos or erionite fibers were regularly detected. Histopathologically, 83 (73 fibrous, 9 biphasic, and 1 epithelial) of 93 were consistent with malignant mesotheliomas. Other tumors consisted of 6 plasmacytomas, 1 histiocytoma, 1 liposarcoma, 1 osteosarcoma, and 1 adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. Two of the cases of mesotheliomas were associated with plasmacytoma. In many instances, the primary site of the mesotheliomas seemed to be multiple, the favorite sites being the omentum, mesentery, serosae of the gastrointestinal and genital organs, the diaphragm, the capsule of the liver and spleen, and the abdominal wall peritoneum.

In these cases, asbestos or erionite-tissue burden followed by fibrosis was frequently observed. In addition to the 93 peritoneal tumors, 3 extraperitoneal tumors (1 fibrosarcoma and 2 rhabdomyosarcomas) were induced by amosite which was probably accidentally injected into the extraperitoneal connective issue and the striated muscle tissue of the abdominal wall, respectively. These three tumors were also intimately associated with focal fibrosis in which amosite fibers were detected. Among the three different types of zeolite, only fibrous erionite showed striking carcinogenicity and marked fibrogenicity. The erionite-induced mesotheliomas were similar to those induced by asbestos in exhibiting long latency, in gross appearance, in histology, and in close association with fibrosis. Long-term persistence of asbestos or fibrous erionite around progenitor cells of the induced tumors and the consequent fibrosis seemed to be an important precondition of the malignant transformation of the progenitor cells.”

If you found any of these excerpts, please read them in their entirety.  We all owe a debt of gratitude to these researchers.

About the Author

Monty Wrobleski is the author of this article.  For more information please click on the following links  Mesothelioma Lawyer, Mesothelioma Lawsuit Settlements, BP Oil Spill Class Action Lawsuit

Adenocarcinoma Mesothelioma is a post from: Asbestos Decontamination

My apartment smells weird and I can’t seem to air it out or clean it up. Any suggestions?

My building is old and stucco. My ceiling is asbestos and my walls have typical paint, covering the original lead paint. Every time I leave it for a few days, I come back and it smells gross–kind of like cigarette smoke. Then I open the windows and air it out and it gets less offensive, but the smell always lingers. I have scrubbed the floors and walls, shampooed the carpets several times, and air it out every day. I wish I could address the source of the smell. I am currently spraying it every so often with lysol’s Neutra Air, but the effects dissipate so quickly. Any suggestions?

The best way to get rid of the smells (apparently from previous tenants) is to have a professional cleaning company come in and blast the place with ozone. You do not want to be there during the process, since ozone is damaging to your lungs. The ozone has a 20 second lifespan, so you don’t have to worry about it lingering, but it will get rid of all of those smells. If you can’t find a company that does ozone blasting, you may want to purchase your own. The best on the market are made in USA at http://www.maxblasterusa.com/ You will ask for Tom Mankis (great guy) and he will be a big help to you. I hope this helps.

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Free Resources Offered by Mesothelioma-Data.com Help Victims Learn More about Asbestos-Related Diseases

Houston, Texas, April, 2009 — Mesothelioma-Data.com gives visitors access to free data and information on mesothelioma, symptoms of the disease, and treatment options. Although access to the site’s complete resources is available online at no cost, visitors can also sign up to receive a free information packet and DVD containing the full data and statistics in one convenient package.

Mesothelioma-Data.com is one of the most comprehensive sources of mesothelioma information on the Internet. The site allows individuals to browse recent news items on mesothelioma, learn about the effects of asbestos on human health, peruse statistics on the disease, explore useful mesothelioma links, and make use of helpful resources pertaining to clinical trials, compensation, and veterans issues.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, which is caused by exposure to asbestos. Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 new cases of the disease are diagnosed each year in the United States.

Between 1970 and 1990, the incidence of mesothelioma cancers increased. Asbestos-related diseases stabilized after the 1990s, and now appear to be decreasing. In Europe and the rest of the world, mesothelioma rates are on the rise.

Mesothelioma is a serious disease that is difficult to treat. By the time a patient experiences symptoms and receives a diagnosis, the disease is usually already in advanced stages. However, advances in technology have helped improve prospects for patients that have been recently diagnosed.

Most cases of mesothelioma affect men aged 55 and over, and its incidence increases with age. 75% of people diagnosed with mesothelioma are over the age of 65. The disease affects men 5 times more often than women, and is most common in white Americans.

Mesothelioma affects the mesothelial cells that surround the lungs, heart, and stomach. Symptoms of the disease include dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain, malaise, and weight loss.

Mesothelioma is a difficult disease to treat. In most cases surgery is not possible because the tumor encases the lung in a large mass that invades the fissures and spreads to the diaphragm and chest wall. Chemotherapy and radiation have only proven helpful in rare cases. Fortunately, many patients have recovered because of new treatment options and earlier diagnosis.

For more information about mesothelioma, call 1-800-780-2686 or visit http://www.Mesothelioma-Data.com.

About Mesothelioma-Data.com: Mesothelioma-Data.com provides free resources and information to patients suffering with mesothelioma. The website has developed a free information packet and DVD that make it easy to become informed about the disease of mesothelioma, its symptoms, and treatment options.

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Contact Details:
Danziger & de Llano L.L.P.
440 Louisiana #1212
Houston, Texas 77002
Toll free: 1-800-362-1479
Fax: 713-222-8866

http://www.Mesothelioma-Data.com

Laborers – Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure Risks

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Identifying Asbestos Fiber Location and its Impact on Tissue Injury

Numerous studies have examined asbestos fiber size, mass and concentration in an effort to determine their impact on disease development.  One interesting study is called, “Establishment of a human in vitro mesothelial cell model system for investigating mechanisms of asbestos-induced mesothelioma.” By Y. Ke, R. R. Reddel, B. I. Gerwin, H. K. Reddel, A. N. Somers, M. G. McMenamin, M. A. LaVeck, R. A. Stahel, J. F. Lechner, and C. C. Harris -  Am J Pathol. 1989 May; 134(5): 979–991.   Here is an excerpt:  “Normal human mesothelial (NHM) cells were transfected with a plasmid containing SV40 early region DNA. Individual colonies of transformed cells from several donors were subcultured for periods of 5 to 6 months and 60 to 70 population doublings (PDs) before senescence, in contrast to a culture lifespan of approximately 1 month and 15 PDs for NHM cells. One such culture, designated MeT-5A, escaped senescence and has been passaged continuously for more than 2 years. These cells had a single integrated copy of SV40 early region DNA in their genome, expressed SV40 large T antigen, and exhibited features of mesothelial cells including sensitivity to the cytotoxic effects of asbestos fibers. One year after injection subcutaneously or intraperitoneally in athymic nude mice, these cells remain nontumorigenic, and therefore are a potential model system for in vitro fiber carcinogenesis studies.”

Another interesting study is called, “Airway branching patterns influence asbestos fiber location and the extent of tissue injury in the pulmonary parenchyma.” By
Pinkerton KE, Plopper CG, Mercer RR, Roggli VL, Patra AL, Brody AR, and Crapo JD.  Lab Invest. 1986 Dec;55(6):688-95.  Here is an excerpt:  “Abstract – The degree to which various anatomic components of the lung influence the distribution of inhaled particles is not entirely clear. Therefore, we have studied the role intrapulmonary airways play in the localization of respired asbestos fibers and have correlated local asbestos fiber burden with tissue injury in rats following exposure to aerosolized chrysotile asbestos for 7 hours per day, 5 days per week for 12 months. Tissues arising from anatomically distinct pathways of the tracheobronchial tree were isolated by using microdissection. Adjacent tissue blocks from regions immediately distal to the last dissected airway were prepared for light microscopic evaluation or digested in hypochlorite solution to determine alveolar septal tissue density and asbestos fiber concentration respectively. These studies demonstrated regional differences in asbestos fiber number, size, and mass which were inversely related to airway pathlength and to bifurcation number along each airway path. Fiber burden within each region was found to be proportional to the relative degree of tissue injury present. These findings suggest that differences in tissue injury from region to region in the lungs following exposure to asbestos are a result of regional differences in the deposition and retention of these substances in the lungs. These airway characteristics which influence fiber deposition may also play an important role in the deposition and subsequent lung injury caused by other particulates and environmental pollutants.

A third study is called, “Asbestos fiber content of the lungs in patients with and without asbestos airways disease.” By Churg A. – Am Rev Respir Dis. 1983 Apr;127(4):470-3.  Here is an excerpt:  “Abstract – I analyzed the total pulmonary asbestos burden in the lungs of 9 chrysotile miners who had asbestos airways disease (so-called “early asbestosis”) but no evidence of classic asbestosis (interstitial fibrosis) on pathologic examination. The results were compared with values found for 9 miners matched for age, sex, smoking, and work length who had no histologic evidence of asbestosis or asbestos airways disease. The mean value for chrysotile fibers in the airway disease group was 47 X 10(6)/g dried lung, compared with 23 X 10(6) in the group without lesions (p less than 0.04). For contaminant amphiboles, probably derived from the chrysotile ore (tremolite, actinolite, anthophyllite), the corresponding values were 106 X 10(6) versus 58 X 10(6) (p less than 0.06), and for total asbestos fibers, 153 X 10(6) versus 81 X 10(6) (p less than 0.06). There was a strong correlation between amount of chrysotile and amphibole for each case, suggesting that the amphibole was probably a good measure of the original (but no longer present) chrysotile burden. No differences were seen between the 2 groups with regard to fiber size distribution, aspect ratios, or fiber widths. I conclude that the overall differences in fiber concentration between the 2 groups, although significant, are sufficiently small enough to suggest that other factors may be involved in the genesis of small airway lesions.”

If you found any of these excerpts interesting, please read the studies in their entirety.  We all owe a debt of gratitude to these researchers.

 

About the Author

Monty Wrobleski is the author of this article on Texas Mesothelioma Attorney, Mesothelioma Lawyer Texas, Mesothelioma Lawsuit Settlements

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asbestos in carpet glue?

why did they use it in carpet glue and what did it look like i have 2 areas in question one a crystal like substance yellowish brown in color other a milky yellow color

It was probaly part of the carpet itself, can’t imagine why it would have been in the glue, unless it was to add body to a liquid. Asbestos is a naturally occuring fiber.

Against Me!- Walking Is Still Honest

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