Asbestos describes any of a group of minerals that can be fibrous, many of which are metamorphic and are hydrous magnesium silicates. It is used for its resistance to fire or heat; the fibers are often mixed with cement or woven into fabric or mats. The small, buoyant fibers are easily inhaled or swallowed, causing a number of serious diseases including: Asbestosis, a chronic disease of the lungs that makes breathing more and more difficult; cancer; and mesothelioma, a cancer (specific to Asbestos exposure) of the membranes that line the chest and abdomen.
Asbestos is used in brake shoes and gaskets for its heat resistance, and in the past was used on electric oven and hotplate wiring for its electrical insulation at elevated temperature, and in buildings for its flame-retardant and insulating properties, tensile strength, flexibility, and resistance to chemicals. Many uses of Asbestos are banned in multiple countries.
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Asbestos - Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease RegistryProvides information about asbestos from the Department of Health and Human Services.
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- No 'immediate risk' from asbestos in local schools (John O'Groat Journal)
A CANCER-causing material found in the majority of schools in Caithness does not present an "immediate risk", according to Highland Council officials. - South Africa facing an asbestos epidemic (Cape Argus)
Dozens of South Africans still die of asbestos-related diseases every year, despite the closure of asbestos mines in the mid-1980s. The most recent victims, a 19-year-old and a 60-year-old man from Kuruman in the Northern Cape, died last week from secondary pollution from asbestos. - South Africa facing an asbestos epidemic (Independent Online)
Dozens of South Africans are reportedly still dying of asbestos-related diseases every year, despite the closure of asbestos mines in the mid-1980s. - Grace Bets On Winning Asbestos Lawsuits (Washington Post)
A century-and-a-half-old chemical company in Columbia is betting its future on an unusual legal strategy that might be called Grace's Last Stand. - South Africa: Country Facing an Asbestos Epidemic (AllAfrica.com)
Dozens of South Africans still die of asbestos-related diseases every year, despite the closure of asbestos mines in the mid-1980s. - Asbestos removal estimate received (The Log Cabin Democrat)
[The county has received estimates for asbestos removal at the courthouse. - New Gary group eyes trustee's old building (Post-Tribune)
GARY -- Now that asbestos removal work has begun at the old Sheraton Hotel, a Chicago-based investment team has its sights on another downtown building. - Schools in need of upgrades (Contra Costa Times)
Ohlone Elementary in Hercules has mice, mold and asbestos problems. Leadership charter and Gompers high schools in Richmond share a decrepit, seismically unsafe building with no gym. - Chick loses county job (The Post-Standard)
The man at the center of the Cayuga County asbestos removal scandal was fired from his building and grounds job Friday - the same day a small claims case brought against him by the county was being heard in court. - Asbestos victim in campaign for justice (The Journal)
A TYNESIDE father with an asbestos-related lung condition has backed a campaign to win back compensation denied to thousands of workers. - Asbestos stalls garage evaluation (The Post-Standard)
It may be several days before anyone can get inside Fulton's collapsed public works garage to see what can be saved. Sections of the building contain asbestos, and the city needs permission from the federal labor department before anyone can go into the structure, said Mayor Ronald Woodward Sr. - Royal doctor forced to quit after developing lung cancer 'caused by exposure to asbestos' (Evening Standard)
A trusted doctor to the Queen has been forced to quit after developing lung cancer, which he claims was caused by exposure to asbestos more than 40 years ago. - Royal doctor forced to quit after developing lung cancer 'caused by exposure to asbestos' (Daily Mail)
A trusted doctor to the Queen has been forced to quit after developing lung cancer, which he claims was caused by exposure to asbestos more than 40 years ago. Dr Ian Campbell held the title of Apothecary to the Royal Household at Sandringham for 15 years before being forced to retire last year after contracting mesothelioma, a cancer of the membranes of the lungs - Polo reminted (Guardian Unlimited)
Marco Polo, Europe's greatest ever traveller, suffered badly for what cynics assumed were his outlandish flights of fancy: coal, paper money, asbestos, urban planning, religious toleration? He's making it up! - Asbestos present but not airborne in DeSoto hospital (The Shreveport Times)
DeSoto Regional still faces possible enforcement action because it did not follow proper notification and removal regulations. - Board approves new asbestos cleaning deal (Ridgecrest Daily Independent)
By JOHN V. CIANI/Staff Reporter Cleaning up asbestos will be a priority of the local school district. - NICE Gives Green Light To Treatment For Asbestos-Induced Lung Cancer (Medical News Today)
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued guidance on Alimta(R) (pemetrexed), the only licensed treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma - a form of lung cancer resulting from exposure to asbestos. - Meeting plan over asbestos scare (BBC News)
The occupants of 12 flats which were evacuated after an asbestos scare are to meet housing officials. - Prison officials lied about asbestos, inmates' suit says (The Cincinnati Enquirer)
A federal lawsuit filed by 33 inmates at a state prison accuses officials of lying about removing asbestos from the facility. - Workers plan asbestos lawsuit (Asahi.com)
About 200 construction workers in the Tokyo area and their families plan to sue the central government, saying it had long failed to take measures to prevent asbestos-related illnesses, representatives said.
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