Study Focuses on Asbestos and Mesothelioma Risk in Firefighters

Firefighting is a highly risky profession, not only because of the dangers posed by flames and fragile burning buildings themselves.  In addition to smoke and soot, firefighters are routinely exposed to chemical substances, such as asbestos, in those buildings that may put them at risk for diseases later in life.  Asbestos has been classified by the CDC as a carcinogen and has been shown to cause severe lung irritation, lung cancer, and a rare and aggressive cancer of the organ linings called mesothelioma.

To determine just how great the risk of mesothelioma and other cancers is to firefighters, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in partnership with the U.S. Fire Administration will conduct a study on the health records of more than 18,000 current and retired career firefighters.  NIOSH is a division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  The study will examine connections between cancers such as mesothelioma in firefighters and exposure to asbestos and other toxins on the job. 

Asbestos was used in thousands of building products such as floor tiles, drywall compounds, adhesives, insulation and shingles for more than 50 years in the U.S. and it still lingers in millions of homes, schools and other public buildings.  Left undisturbed, it is not usually a threat.  But when asbestos is burned, or is disturbed in the course of fighting a fire, tiny fibers of the mineral may be released into the air.  When inhaled, these sharp airborne mineral fibers have been shown to lodge deep in lung tissue, potentially triggering a chain of physiological reactions that may result in mesothelioma 20, 30 or even 50 years after the initial exposure.

Fortunately, the protective gear firefighters wear when entering a fire is usually sufficient to shield them from exposure to asbestos and other toxins.  But, if they have to remove that gear for any reason, such as to help a fire victim, their own lungs are unprotected.  After the initial fire has been put out and there is no longer a risk of smoke inhalation, it is not unusual for firefighters to go into a damaged building without breathing equipment in order to assess damage, at which time they may also encounter asbestos, as well as other noxious substances such as formaldehyde.

By analyzing deaths among firefighters, the NIOSH researchers hope to be able to expose links between their exposure to contaminants like asbestos and the development of cancers like mesothelioma.  The multi-year study is the largest health study ever conducted on firefighters.  The findings may help NIOSH and the Fire Administration to craft recommendations and safety protocols to protect firefighters against mesothelioma and other cancers.

Sources: 

USFA and NIOSH Initiate Study of Cancer Among Firefighters. April 21, 2010. The US Fire Administration Website. 
NIOSH Conducting Study of Firefighting's Cancer Risk. March 6, 2010. Occupational Health & Safety/OHS Online. 

 

 

© Surviving Mesothelioma and Cancer Monthly.  All rights reserved.

 

Mesothelioma Symptoms Target Women's Health

The incidence of mesothelioma in women has increased as we learn more about how asbestos fibers remained in clothing, automobiles, and furniture.

(I-Newswire) May 7, 2010 - Mesothelioma is a very rare form of cancer that develops in the membranes or protective sacs surrounding various organs of the body. These membranes are referred to as the mesothelium and they protects organs by producing a type of liquid which allows for mobility of the organs. Specifically, in the case of the lungs, the mesothelium fluid allows ease of movement when breathing. Mesothelioma cancer can begin anywhere in the mesothelium and can be either benign or cancerous. Exposure to asbestos fibers is a known cause of mesothelioma.

Asbestos is resistant to heat and has been used as the main material in roofing, waterproofing compounds, flooring and insulation. Its versatile nature made it a useful component in various products on the market, but it is extremely dangerous if inhaled, even in very small amounts. Inhaled asbestos fibers pass through the respiratory tract and come into contact with linings of the lungs which can result in pleural mesothelioma. Ingestion of asbestos fibers can affect other linings in the abdominal cavity which results in peritoneal mesothelioma. The real tragedy of asbestos mesothelioma is that it usually takes many years for symptoms to develop.

The signs of mesothelioma are typically weight loss with no change in diet, extreme tiredness, difficulty swallowing, hoarse or husky voice, difficulty breathing, a cough that lasts for an extended period of time, chest pain or back pain, extreme sweating and recurring fever. Peritoneal mesothelioma commonly affects the bowel, liver and spleen an often shows signs similar to other bowel related diseases. The first symptoms are typically pain in the abdomen, constipation or diarrhea, an increase in the size of the belly area, nausea, vomiting, fever and anemia.

It is important for an individual to seek medical care if they have had any of these symptoms or have been exposed to asbestos earlier in their life. Mesothelioma takes time to develop so the exposure may have occurred as long ago as 50 years earlier. A trained cancer specialist is the best person to diagnosis mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma symptoms may occur many months before the disease is detected by a medical professional. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of mesothelioma and represents two thirds of all the mesothelioma cases reported. The pleura lining of the lungs and chest are the areas affected by pleural mesothelioma.

Asbestos is still found almost everywhere, at home, at work, or in public buildings. Workers involved in building demolition should take extra care and precautions to avoid contact with asbestos through inhalation or ingestion. The low rate of mesothelioma cases detected over the past 20 years is increasing as more individuals develop symptoms and seek medical attention.

In the United States almost 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are detected each year. Mesothelioma cancer has historically occurred mostly in men because they were typically the ones involved in activities that required the use of asbestos. Industrial workers, miners, railroad workers, and those involved in the construction and insulation industries were most susceptible. Most recently, the incidence of mesothelioma in women has increased as we begin to learn more about how asbestos fibers remained in clothing, automobiles, furniture, and affected an industrial worker's entire household.

Mesothelioma Surgery for Nonepithelioid Malignant Mesothelioma Remains Up for Debate

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

A study recently published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery examined whether surgical treatment for nonepithelioid is worthwhile for the patient.

The debate still remains regarding the prognostic importance of histologic subtype for malignant mesothelioma. In general, the epithelioid (also referred to as epithelial) subtype of mesothelioma is known for responding better to treatment efforts. The biphasic subtype is typically less responsive to treatment than epithelioid and the sarcomatoid subtype is known for being the least responsive to therapeutic efforts.

Much research has been and will continue to be conducted on this topic because it can significantly affect mesothelioma life expectancy. Typically, mesothelioma patients diagnosed with epithelioid mesothelioma have a better prognosis than patients diagnosed with sarcomatoid mesothelioma regardless of treatment efforts. Thus, studying the veracity of treatment plans based upon histologic subtype may improve medical understanding of mesothelioma treatment efforts and may help doctors assess which treatments are best for individual mesothelioma patients.

This study reviewed the medical details of 312 cases of malignant pleural mesothelioma and a comparison was made regarding the survival from the three major subtypes. A total of 195 patients underwent radical surgical treatment, and 117 underwent nonradical surgery. Histologic subtype was documented as epithelioid in 218 patients, biphasic in 66 patients, and sarcomatoid in 28 patients. Median survival was 15.3 months in epithelioid patients, 10.1 months in biphasic patients, and 5.0 months in sarcomatoid patients.

Upon analyzing the data, the researchers found, "The extremely poor prognosis of sarcomatoid malignant pleural mesothelioma is independent of the extent of surgery unlike other cell types. Patients with sarcomatoid histology should therefore be considered separately in trials evaluating radical procedures and adjuvant treatment. The treatment of biphasic pleural mesothelioma remains debatable."

Additional information on mesothelioma may be found through the Mesothelioma Center.

Asbestos trial dates to increase in 2011

As Madison County asbestos judge Daniel Stack prepares to retire, he bestows on his successor power to preside over one sixth of America's mesothelioma deaths.

In February, Stack set 480 mesothelioma trial dates for the coming year, up from 424 set in 2010.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, mesothelioma kills 2,700 a year.

Stack will soon surrender asbestos litigation that he has managed since 2004.

Chief Judge Ann Callis has begun assigning cases to Circuit Judge Barbara Crowder.

Some defendants joined plaintiff firms in endorsing Stack's trial plan, while others attacked it as a "rocket docket" that would prevent proper preparation.

On behalf of plan opponents, Robert "Barney" Shultz of Edwardsville predicted nationwide marketing of trial dates.

He found confirmation for his view when Randy Gori and Barry Julian of Edwardsville requested dates for 41 clients.

"We have been able to determine that 35 of those cases have no apparent connection to the state of Illinois," Shultz told Stack at a hearing in March.

"There ought to be preference given to Illinois plaintiffs," Shultz said.

He said he filed motions the previous day to dismiss suits so each plaintiff could sue in a more convenient forum.

"The appropriate manner of proceeding, given this really overwhelming number of cases with no apparent connection to the state of Illinois, is let's take up the forum non conveniens issues first," Shultz said.

For Gori and Julian, Benjamin Schmickle said, "The issue isn't, in forum non conveniens, whether there is a quote, connection, to Illinois."

Stack interjected, "We are not going to argue the forum non conveniens motions today."

"I have been making, with everyone's assistance, an effort to do something to address the problem that Barney has raised."

He said he understood the objection and, "It has been overruled."

"I am going to allow them to be set as I have already done before," Stack said.

He said he would hear forum motions when they are set according to deadlines.

"As long as you don't continue them, I will hear them," he said.

Twenty-one lawyers from ten plaintiff firms attended the hearing along with 27 from 21 defense firms.

After the hearing, Shultz proposed a trial calendar with 250 dates.

Practices in Madison County "resulted in the marketing of trial dates and the filing of lawsuits that have no discernible connection to Illinois," he wrote.

Madison County asbestos filings increased from 325 in 2006 to 814 last year, he wrote.

He wrote that two of the 41 cases from Gori and Julian had identifiable connections to Illinois, and four remained under investigation.

He also requested three more months to prepare for trials.

"The current six month minimum trial preparation process forces defendants to simultaneously prepare their cases for trial while also developing the full forum non conveniens factual record required by this trial court," he wrote.

Libby mill fire follow-up

A massive fire at the Libby Mill in Libby, Montana is the source of health concerns that center on chemical contamination from the smoldering remains. The Lincoln County Environmental Health Department and the City of Libby are discussing the findings of a preliminary study that detected the presence of chrysotile and anthophylite asbestos. Cleanup is required by law if the contamination is greater than 1 percent, although there has been no minimum threshold found for health risk related to asbestos exposure. Off-site samples were also tested, and low level contamination was found in three of the four tested areas, with a greater concentration of contaminates in the fourth.

Libby is listed on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Superfund list. Additionally, a public health emergency was declared last year due to the high incidence of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses.

For the full story, go to The Western News.

Asbestos Alert: Russia says no to asbestos ban, claims asbestos is not dangerous

The country of Russia is the world's most prolific producer of asbestos, so it comes as no surprise that the Russian delegates at a recent international forum on banning asbestos were against the proposal for banning one of their major exports. The first annual World Social Security Forum, held in Moscow, discussed the health risks associated with asbestos exposure. Several of the Russian delegates were especially vocal in their disdain for any proposed asbestos ban.

"It's just a PR campaign when they say that asbestos can kill," said Viktor Ivanov, head of the Chrysotile Association, an asbestos industry group.

Yevgeny Kovalevsky, a forum delegate from the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, added: "For the general population, there aren't significant risks - I haven't seen a single scientific study that shows the need for a ban."

However, it is well known that asbestos exposure is linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. While not all people who are exposed to asbestos go on to develop mesothelioma or other ailments, several thousand people die in the United States each year from mesothelioma, and many thousands more die from the cancer each year in other countries around the globe. The disease typically lies dormant for up to fifty years before an individual begins to suffer from mesothelioma symptoms, and the majority of patients lose their battle with this cancer in less than two years following diagnosis.

Sadly, it has been reported that the Russian chrysotile asbestos industry is running a public information campaign that roughly translates as "A Big Lie of "Ban Asbestos". The campaign is attempting to sway public opinion about the dangers of asbestos, and it seems likely that the asbestos industry in Russia will continue to downplay the potentially life-threatening health effects of asbestos exposure.

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