Carbon nanotubes may have the same qualities as asbestos that is known to cause mesothelioma, a type of cancer which is indicated by exposure to this hazardous mineral. A study has revealed that long, thin carbon nanotubes showed the same results as long, thin asbestos fibers. They still have to find out whether or not people can actually be subjected to these carbon nanotubes by inhaling their fibers and eventually causing similar threats to people just like asbestos.
These carbon nanotubes are currently being advanced for use in drugs, energy-efficient batteries and futuristic electronics. Researches like the study conducted are needed to challenge a more safe and responsible research to develop nanotechnology.
Source: Carbon Nanotubes the Next Asbestos?
Share This
Cape Breton Correctional Facility guards have ceased coming to work after knowing that their prison may be facing asbestos contamination. The guards have talked over at an emergency union meeting about the asbestos concern and they have made it clear that they will stay away from the facility until the testing is finished and results are given.
A standard air testing was made last May 8 and the asbestos mineral was found to be present in some piping within the building. Further tests revealed that no minerals were found that could cause cancer. They still await the outcome of the second round of testing within the facility which stood for 33 years now and was established back in the days where asbestos was known as a fire retardant.
Source: Prison Guards Fear Asbestos Contamination
Share This
Mesothelioma claimed the life of a British woman who as a child played in asbestos ashes as if they were snow following a fire close to where she lived. Ellen Paddock before passing away, shared with her family and doctor that she knew her cancer was caused by the fire back in 1983. Her father agreed even recounting the time after the fire when he saw his daughter getting ashes in her mouth while outside at play.
It was affirmed that the Ministry Defense building at the Military base had asbestos and the fibers mixed through the air and were even on the ground after the fire. Ms. Paddock began to take legal action opposite the Ministry of Defense even before she died. The hearing is still in progress.
Source: Meso Victim “played in Asbestos”
Share This
An Organization that gives assistance to asbestos victims and their families will be holding their 4th yearly Asbestos Awareness Day Conference on Saturday, March 29, 2008. The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) organized the conference which will promote knowledge and provide support for those who had suffered from diseases caused by asbestos. There is an estimated crowd of over a hundred who will attend the said event which composes of health care providers, doctors, scientists to workers as well as the families of people who had dealt with asbestos related diseases.
The event will be made possible with the cooperation of Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat. Their goal is to inform and enlighten the public about the hazardous effects of asbestos, push for asbestos free products and to inspire further studies that will make treatments better for those concerned.
Source: Organization Sponsors Asbestos Awareness Day and Conference
Share This
Teachers are proposing for a countrywide asbestos survey in UK to determine the asbestos content in their schools where approximately 13,000 of these buildings have been established in the middle of World War II and the 1980s, a point in time when asbestos was widely patronized.
The Britain’s Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) believes that even slamming of a classroom door could become hazardous while there are people who say that ATL’s statements are irresponsible and similar to scare tactics.
The Department for Children, Schools and Families affirms that the health and well being of students and staff in UK schools is of primary concern as they take The Health and Safety Executive recommendation stating that it is better for undisturbed asbestos to be left in place as it is and control it. So they believe that the risk to staff and pupils is highly insignificant further adding that strong measures should be therefore adopted in schools.
ATL declares that 182 people working under the educational system in Britain has died from Mesothelioma brought about by exposure to asbestos at the same time as being on the job between 1980 and the year 2000. The importance of the issue is indeed of crucial priority as the health of a great number of young people and those working under the education system is on the line.
Source: Teachers Union Calls for National Asbestos Survey
Share This
A truck toppled over at Clearview Expressway last January 13 at around 3 pm which was assumed to contain materials with asbestos. The trailer truck supposedly hit a median divider and overturned according to onlookers. There was a traffic jam on both sides of the expressway up through the mid evening.
The 39 year old driver named Artur Gaska initially left after the incident but was also caught after he returned to the scene. The police considered the fact that the truck was on its way to an illegal dumping site. A majority of the states including New York requires a license from asbestos laden materials before they allow dumping into their cities. Police are still looking deeper into the incident to find out if there was indeed an intention to dump the contaminated materials illegally by Gaska and the company he represents.
Source: Truck Carrying Asbestos Overturns
Share This
Firefighters in Everett, Washington might be in danger of dealing with long term health complications after participating in training exercises that promotes safety during fire emergencies. It has been confirmed that fire department personnel may have all come face to face with asbestos at one point in time during their course of work and training for there is no solid process where contaminated material may be checked and in turn inform the employees about its presence.
The city has indefinitely put on a hold to these so called “destructive trainings” where holes are cut into roofs, ceilings and drywall so smoke and flammable gases will air out of burning buildings and will therefore make searching for possible victims easier.
Firefighters are personally affected because all the while they thought they were involved in safe training exercises and even participating without their masks or breathing apparatus on and now their fears were confirmed that they may have even brought asbestos to their families at home.
Source: Training Drill Put Firefighters at Risk
Share This
CBS Broadcasting has called for a recall of all CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Fingerprint Examination Kits and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Field Kits after it was found out that the fingerprint powder included with the toys might be tainted with asbestos.
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) has evaluated toys and common household products amounting to hundreds so as to find out if they consist of asbestos. The white powder found in the CSI kits used to pick up fingerprints had a small bit of the hazardous mineral.
ADAO and CBS together with Planet Toys are working together to guard the children from toys that may have asbestos in them. Those who have already bought the particular toys are advised to keep them away up till the analysis argument about the toys is settled.
Asbestos is regarded as dangerous to everyone and even more deadly for children when breathed in.
Source: Asbestos-Tainted Toy Finally Pulled from Shelves
Share This