The drug called Anankira is being researched as a possible preventive drug for people who have been exposed to asbestos. It has been established that exposure to asbestos can increase one’s chances of having lung cancer, mesothelioma and other fatal cancers. The study reported that a protein complex named Nalp3 inflammasome are caught together with asbestos fibers in the lungs therefore causing inflammatory diseases such as gout where Anakinra is used as a medication.
Researchers are hopeful that since this drug is efficient in treating gout, it then poses a characteristic that can also advance treatment for people who may suffer because of exposure to asbestos. They believe that valuable laboratory study will bring forth helpful information about asbestos that will aid scientists in discovering means to fight its ill effects.
Source: Study Touts New Potential Asbestos Drug
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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
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Minnesota Partnership for Biotechnology and Medical Genomics will be giving approximately $6 million for research on Mesothelioma as well as heart disease, infection prevention and epilepsy. The University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic and the state of Minnesota have come together for this worthy undertaking. These groups are committed to discover cutting-edge concepts that can create a positive contribution to an extent of health issues.
Taconite mine workers in Minnesota’s Iron Range have greatly experienced health problems and studies have resulted to indicate a much higher rate of Mesothelioma cases there than in any other part of the state.
The financial support will run for two years and hopefully more federal or private entities will be encouraged to do the same.
Source: Partnership Gives Portion of $6 Million to Meso Research
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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
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Medical and Scientific Practitioners such as Doctors, Clinical Scientists and the like are coming together for a petition that will prohibit the manufacture and use of products having asbestos. These people who have always helped those who were victimized by asbestos exposure are pushing for a legislation that will ultimately prohibit asbestos in the U.S.
Washington senator Patty Murray have worked against asbestos for 6 years, trying to pass a bill that will keep everyone safe from this hazardous mineral although there are people saying that Bill SB742 will not fully succeed in ending the lethal effects of asbestos exposure. The bill was believed to be toned down so that it will be easily passed. It still allowed products with up to 1 percent asbestos to be excluded from the ban which only means that people will still be susceptible to asbestos exposure in all things from road patches to stuffed teddy bears.
There will be a hearing come the start of spring to hopefully improve the bill. There are 40 countries to date who have a total ban on asbestos which includes nearly all the European Union members while the U.S. has only given strong caution regarding asbestos use.
Source: Medical Community Drafts Asbestos Petition
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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
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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
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Mesothelioma sufferers from Australia will be able to have the drug Alimta at a low cost after it legally becomes a medicine financed by the country’s government. It will be available under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (BPS) list by the 1st day of the New Year. It was known to be the sole medicine prescribed for this type of cancer attacking the lungs or stomach linings.
Bernie Bantom was the drug’s advocate whose life was taken away by Mesothelioma last November at the age of 61. His tireless efforts will never go unnoticed and people will definitely appreciate the importance of his campaign for the drug.
There are around 600 Australians every year who are believed to have Mesothelioma. Medical studies show that come year 2020 there will be a close to 18,000 people affected by the disease and usually takes the lives of its people affected by it in a year after a person is concluded to have it.
The drug Alimta will actually be of great help to those with Mesothelioma as it will aid them in battling with the disease and increase their chances of living longer, at the same time having the drug on the BPS list will make it even more suitable for the budget of the common public affected by this aggressive cancer.
Source: New Year Brings Drug to Australian Meso Sufferers
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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
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A brand new research center in Australia is on its way to hopefully discover even greater treatments for Mesothelioma. The center will be built in memory of Bernie Banton, a typical working man who paved the way for asbestos victims difficulties to be heard and known throughout Australia. Mr Banton was himself a victim of the hazardous mineral, being exposed to it 30 years ago while working at James Hardie Industries and passing away just a few days after his grandson turned the first sod at what will turn out to be one of the world’s premier dedicated asbestos research centers.Everyone is hopeful that eventually a treatment or medication will be discovered for this lethal disease.
Source: New Mesothelioma Research Center to Be Built
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