Kent cigarettes filters used deadly crocidolite asbestos

Incredible as it may seem—because the dangers of asbestos were already beginning to be known—back in the 50s the P. Lorillard Company was using deadly crocidolite fibers in its Kent cigarette filters. In a review guide on eBay, an asbestos-identifying private consultant writes about the history of the asbestos-laden “micronite” filter used on Kent cigarettes between 1952 and 1956. And the U.S. government website notes that anyone who smoked a pack a day of Kent cigarettes between 1952 and 1956 may have been exposed to as much as 131 million crocidolite structures in a single year.If you know anyone who was a smoker during this period, you may want to advise them of the danger to which they may have been exposed. Suggest they consult a physician who is an expert at understanding the early signs of asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Early detection can help with treatment and possibly improve quality of life. Visit our site to find doctors who understand the complexities of diagnosing sand treating mesothelioma–visit http://www.mesothelioma-advice.org/medical/mesothelioma-ask-your-doctor.asp Perhaps even more interesting was the claim that Kent cigarettes made for the positive health benefits the filter supposedly conferred on smokers. http://www.mindfully.org/Pesticide/Asbestos-Kent1jun95.htm When a large number of workers from the Kent factories making the filters began coming down with those respiratory diseases, the alarm was raised. In 1995 scientists located unopened packages of Kent filter cigarettes date stamped from 1952. They put them through testing with artificial smoking machines that could measure the contents of the smoke. Extensive testing with first puffs and puffs after cigarettes had been put out and relit revealed that crocidolite fibers were present in the filters. They showed that many of the fibers were long enough to be classed as more likely to be carcinogenic and that substantial numbers of those longer fibers were carried directly into the smokers’ mouth and lungs. As time has passed and more and more people are growing sick 30, 40, and 50 years later because of negligent behaviors by corporate entities long ago, our society has begun to realize that advertising can be manipulated to say anything that serves to boost sales, regardless of whether it’s based on facts. This is a good thing for public health–though too late for many. We are dedicated to helping assist those who may be suffering from mesothelioma from any cause.

The danger of Asbestos

Asbestos is the collective term used to describe a family of several types of mineral fibrous rocks. There are currently six different regulated types of asbestos, with the three main types being Crocidolite, Amosite and Chrysolite. Crocidolite which is usually blue can be found a lot in southern Africa, Australia and in Russia. The Amosite which is usually brown is most commonly found in Africa. The Chrysolite is of a white colour and can be found in different places all around the world. All those three types were actually imported a lot in the United Kingdom before being banned from use in the eighties for some and at the end of the nineties for others.Asbestos fibres have been incorporated into many different materials and especially building materials since the end of the nineteenth century because of their useful properties. It was used as an acoustic insulator, a thermal insulator but also as fire proofing. The mineral fibre was actually known by the ancient Greek who recognized certain hazards of it. But its disadvantage is that it is a highly toxic material and can cause serious illnesses such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.Asbestos fibres can be easily inhaled and can become lodged in the tissue of your chest and as a result, your body’s natural defenses may not be able to break them down. This can then lead to lung diseases and cancer especially if you are exposed to the fibres repeatedly over a certain number of years.Even though the white asbestos, also called chrysolite, is still used a lot in the United States and known as less dangerous as the other types of asbestos, it can still cause cancer in humans but with some uncertainty as to the scale of the risk involved there.The first death recorded as related to asbestos occurred in 1906 and at the same period, scientists started to notice a large number of deaths and lung diseases in asbestos mining towns.The British Lung Foundation carried out a survey recently that revealed that most tradespeople were actually unaware of the health risks posed by asbestos, and that they did not think about asking if there was any asbestos on the site they were working on.Today, the best way to find out if there is asbestos in a building is to ask a company to carry out asbestos surveys. More and more companies have actually specialized in asbestos surveys as well as asbestos risk assessment and legionella risk assessment.

Endless pain of mesothelioma patients

Between 40,000 and 60,000 Spanish workers die of cancer until 2030 for having been exposed to asbestos over the past two decades. A medical surveillance with limited findings It was found that 69 cases of lung disease caused by exposure asbestos fibers (asbestosis), while only 12 cases have been diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma and 8 cases of lung cancer. Lung cancer may be caused due to various factors including the snuff, but the pleural mesothelioma is almost always due to asbestos. Well, from the statistics of the INE (National Institute of Statistics) it has been recorded that between 1978 and 1996, 2955 cases of pleural mesothelioma deaths were recorded in the country, which constitutes on an average 164 cases per year. Moreover, statistics of other countries show that the number of cases of lung cancer by asbestos is twice than that of mesothelioma, which can be estimated that the total number of cancer cases by asbestos in our country is around 400 or 500/year. In France, 1200 people per year suffer with lung Cancer Information and 750 people with mesotheliomas. Between oblivion and concealment History repeated again: the victims of asbestos are relegated to oblivion and concealment. The companies they worked for did everything they could to delay the ban on asbestos. In fact, the Spanish representation to the topics of asbestos at the European Community was formed by personnel of the company Uralita. These companies have so far not taken any responsibility of the asbestos victims. Hence beware of the disease and if you find any kind of symptoms do visit to your doctor so that you can get rid of this disease before it spreads.

Mesothelioma – An Overview

Mesothelioma is a lethal form of cancer, usually found in the lungs, that has inextricably been linked to asbestos fibers. In fact, the story of mesothelioma is really the story of asbestos. Asbestos fibers are tiny particles that can be inhaled by a worker who is exposed to asbestos, or a family member that is exposed to asbestos fibers brought home on clothing and shoes. One of the critical elements of this story is the fact that mesothelioma often develops twenty to fifty years after asbestos exposure.Asbestos has been used in many types of construction materials including insulation, roofing, and pipe fittings. It was used to insulate electrical wiring; was an important component of caulking and joint compounds; was incorporated into flooring and ceiling tiles; auto brakes and engine gaskets. It has great insulating properties for both sound and temperature, is resistant to water and electricity and acts as a flame retardant. Widespread use of asbestos took off in the 1880s. By the 1930s, medical personnel were beginning to recognize a potential link between asbestos and various respiratory problems among people who were exposed to it. A respiratory illness given the name asbestosis was diagnosed in England in 1931. During this period 30s a new form of lung cancer was detected and named mesothelioma, although it was not associated with asbestos until sometime in the 1940s. Also in the 1930s, employees of American asbestos producer Johns Manville produced evidence of high levels of illness in asbestos miners and provided testimony to the extremely dangerous nature of asbestos dust. The company successfully kept both this information and any lawsuits that developed from it out of the public eye. Other U.S. companies also successfully suppressed information about the dangers of asbestos exposure.During the 1950s both Johns Mansville and National Gypsum went to extraordinary lengths to suppress or edit their own research and staff recommendations regarding the dangers of asbestos fibers and the need to protect employees from it. Evidence continued to grow linking ,a mesothelioma and asbestos, as did the lawsuits against asbestos companies. By 1979, asbestos use was virtually banned for use in the United States by the EPA.In the 1970s and 1980s, a series of class action lawsuits representing mesothelioma and asbestosis victims established liability among both asbestos producers and industries that manufactured products using asbestos. Among the crucial points of evidence were multiple actions taken by asbestos producers and users to suppress information about dangers of the substance.Between 1973 and 1984, mesothelioma has tripled among white males. From 1980 to the late 1990s, the annual death rate from mesothelioma in the USA increased by 50% to 3,000. The numbers of people who were exposed to asbestos fibers and the liability assigned to the companies who profited from asbestos has led to multiple bankruptcies among major corporations – among them Johns Mansville and W.R. Grace. Multi-billion dollar trust funds have been established by these companies and others to provide compensation for mesothelioma lawsuit victims who spent careers working with asbestos, while management in the firms were well aware of the dangers deriving from asbestos exposure.

Kent cigarettes filters used deadly crocidolite asbestos

Incredible as it may seem—because the dangers of asbestos were already beginning to be known—back in the 50s the P. Lorillard Company was using deadly crocidolite fibers in its Kent cigarette filters. In a review guide on eBay, an asbestos-identifying private consultant writes about the history of the asbestos-laden “micronite” filter used on Kent cigarettes between 1952 and 1956. And the U.S. government website notes that anyone who smoked a pack a day of Kent cigarettes between 1952 and 1956 may have been exposed to as much as 131 million crocidolite structures in a single year.If you know anyone who was a smoker during this period, you may want to advise them of the danger to which they may have been exposed. Suggest they consult a physician who is an expert at understanding the early signs of asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Early detection can help with treatment and possibly improve quality of life. Visit our site to find doctors who understand the complexities of diagnosing sand treating mesothelioma–visit http://www.mesothelioma-advice.org/medical/mesothelioma-ask-your-doctor.asp Perhaps even more interesting was the claim that Kent cigarettes made for the positive health benefits the filter supposedly conferred on smokers. http://www.mindfully.org/Pesticide/Asbestos-Kent1jun95.htm When a large number of workers from the Kent factories making the filters began coming down with those respiratory diseases, the alarm was raised. In 1995 scientists located unopened packages of Kent filter cigarettes date stamped from 1952. They put them through testing with artificial smoking machines that could measure the contents of the smoke. Extensive testing with first puffs and puffs after cigarettes had been put out and relit revealed that crocidolite fibers were present in the filters. They showed that many of the fibers were long enough to be classed as more likely to be carcinogenic and that substantial numbers of those longer fibers were carried directly into the smokers’ mouth and lungs. As time has passed and more and more people are growing sick 30, 40, and 50 years later because of negligent behaviors by corporate entities long ago, our society has begun to realize that advertising can be manipulated to say anything that serves to boost sales, regardless of whether it’s based on facts. This is a good thing for public health–though too late for many. We are dedicated to helping assist those who may be suffering from mesothelioma from any cause.

Asbestos is a kind of mineral fiber and is used for strengthening and insulation. Until the year 1973 it was used as a raw material for different products. Its use was later discontinued due to its hazardous qualities. Asbestos fiber is said to have very harmful qualities that can prove to be fatal. Any person who comes in contact with asbestos fiber at work may be at the risk of contracting diseases that are asbestos related.

The fibers of asbestos, when inhaled, cause mesothelioma cancer. In this condition the mesothelium lining present in the stomach, lungs and various other internal organs in the body get affected. Exposure to asbestos may also cause asbestosis and lung disorders that may be very serious. The problem with asbestos symptoms is that the disease cannot be detected in its early stages to be cured, as the symptoms are hardly noticeable.

The symptoms that are related to asbestos are subtle and not easily identifiable. It can take many years from the time of exposure to asbestos fibers for the symptoms to become noticeable. So the person suffering from the ill effects of being exposed to asbestos may not be aware of anything being wrong for a long time.

There are different kinds of asbestos symptoms that can be experienced by an individual. These symptoms may vary in degree depending on the kind of asbestos affliction one is suffering from. Asbestosis is non cancerous and is progressive in nature. Asbestosis may affect a person as soon as he is exposed to asbestos fibers. However the symptoms may not appear until fifteen to thirty years after the person has been first exposed to asbestos. This disease causes a build up of tissues that replace the tissues present in the lungs’ lower half, obstructing normal functioning. The common signs are chronic cough, dyspnoea or shortness of breath, chest pain and difficult in breathing.

Malignant mesothelioma is another very serious asbestos disease. The symptoms of this disease are not noticeable up to fifty years from the first instance the person was exposed to the asbestos fibers. The symptoms depend largely on the kind of mesothelioma it is. A person suffering from this disease may experience chest pain, dyspnoea, weight loss, anemia, swelling, bowel problems, night sweats, fever and persistent cough.

It is very difficult to detect asbestos symptoms, especially when the disease is in its early stages. The abnormalities that develop when the disease begins may not appear in the x-ray of the lungs. It is only at a much-advanced stage of mesothelioma or asbestosis that the abnormalities appear distinct and more prominent.

In advanced asbestosis, the chest x-ray will be able to show up the abnormalities and the evident opacity in the affected lung. These symptoms could appear as linear shadows that the x-ray will reveal.

The treatment options will vary depending on the kind of asbestos disease the patient is suffering from. Mesothelioma can be treated with the appropriate surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

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In late 2007, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) found asbestos-tainted toys had reached the shelves of thousands of toy stores across the country. Most notably, the CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit, which was made in China, had been found to contain asbestos in its white and glow powder.While production of the toy has ceased, an article from The New York Times in April 2008 elaborated on the near forgotten incident. The ADAO has filed a lawsuit in the Los Angeles Superior Court against CBS Corporation, Planet Toys Inc. (manufacturers of the CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit) and several retailers for their involvement in the sale of the asbestos-tainted toy. Families affected by the contaminated toy should also consider developing litigation for the exposure of “substantial quantities of tremolite asbestos.”The ADAO has also continued its testing of other products and found several containing asbestos, including additional children %26#39;s toys.ADAO is an organization that utilizes volunteers, several of whom have either been affected directly by asbestos-related illnesses or have watched friends and family suffer from the diseases, including mesothelioma. The organization funds research that may affect public health, and the group acts as a watchdog for asbestos-tainted products or violations of asbestos policies, which have been set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).What is Asbestos?Asbestos is considered a human carcinogen by the federal Department of Health and Human Services and is a “naturally occurring, fibrous silicate mineral,” according to the EPA. Microscopic fiber bundles that become airborne create asbestos. When inhaled, the results can be deadly and severely damage an individual %26#39;s body through the development of mesothelioma cancer. In addition to mesothelioma, asbestos can cause lung cancer or asbestosis, in which fibrous tissue scars the lungs.According to the EPA, asbestos was mined for use in:* thermal/acoustic insulator used for fire proofing * roofing and siding shingles made with asbestos cement * textured paint and patching compounds used on wall and ceiling joints * artificial ashes and embers for gas-fired fireplaces * stove-top pads * vinyl floor tiles, flooring and adhesives * asbestos blanket or tape for hot water and steam pipes * oil and coal furnacesAsbestos-Affected Children %26#39;s ToysTracing asbestos can be a difficult process because it is often overlooked, especially since it is not a common ingredient in manufacturing products anymore, although, it was at one time. The ADAO has been testing thousands of products for the contamination of asbestos in toys as well as regular products. Currently, they have determined several toys to have had trace amounts of asbestos including: * CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit * Ja-Ru Toy Clay (found among three varieties of the product) * Art Skills’ Clay Bucket (asbestos found in six colors of clay)Additionally, there are several other products the ADAO found with asbestos traces that are not directly related to children %26#39;s toys, but could still affect a child %26#39;s health. One of the major concerns is use of talc baby powder on babies, which could contain small amounts of asbestos. Other products that have been found with asbestos contamination, according to the ADAO, include: * Scotch High Performance and All Weather Duct tapes * DAP Crack Shot Spackling Paste * DAP 33 Window Glazing * Gardner Leak StopperThe organization also found that hair rollers, hot plates, powdered cleansers and small appliances were at risk for adversely affecting public health with asbestos fibers. The organization noted that these products are all being sold at national retail chains including: * Wal-Mart * Costco * Toys “R” Us * Home Depot * Lowe %26#39;s * Macy %26#39;s * Bed Bath %26amp; Beyond * CVSConsumer Affairs, a Web-based consumer news and resource center, issued the following tips to assist parents, relatives and friends with purchasing toys for children, in order to better protect children from asbestos exposure. The list includes the following: * Be a vigilant shopper and read all warnings that may include a toy breaking, containing small parts or fire and choking hazards. * Read product reviews that are both done by independent panels and consumers. * Research information on the most recent product recalls. * Inspect toys; any toys that are broken should be thrown away. * Before buying, consider how and where products were assembled.What to do if Your Child is Exposed to AsbestosIf a child is exposed or even may have potentially been exposed to asbestos containing tremolite, it is imperative that medical assistance is sought immediately. Because of the nature of asbestos-induced conditions, if a child is exposed to asbestos and goes untreated as if everything were fine, they could develop mesothelioma cancer years later, which is why immediate medical care is advisable.Individuals should also understand that because the exposure of asbestos is considered highly preventable, especially among children, it may be necessary to develop an asbestos lawsuit to receive compensation for the irreversible damages caused by the exposure of asbestos. Victims should located an experienced mesothelioma attorney to learn more about developing a mesothelioma lawsuit.

Asbestos Symptoms: Late Indicators

Asbestos symptoms refer to the changes in the body that indicate some type of serious diseases caused by exposure to asbestos particles. Awareness about asbestos symptoms is important because danger of asbestos exposure affects about 1.3 million people every year. Individuals employed in the railroad, factory, shipyard, automobile, construction and building industries in last six decades are at the risk of developing asbestos symptoms. Most unfortunate aspect of the asbestos related diseases is that the asbestos symptoms may lie dormant in the body for decades. This long latency period does not let the victim or his family knows about the existence of the disease. Asbestos symptoms might appear after 20-50 years of exposure. No study so far has come out with convincing evidence to show the effects of different amount and different duration of exposure to asbestos particles. Although individuals who have been exposed to asbestos for a longer time are more susceptible to asbestos related diseases, yet there are instances when patients developed serious disease with only a few months exposure. When exposed to asbestos, individuals either inhale or ingest the asbestos fibers. Natural destination of these fibers after inhalation is lungs while the ingested asbestos fibers take the route of digestive system. Therefore, asbestos symptoms start appearing in either lungs or digestive system. However, in some cases asbestos symptoms may appear in other organs also. Asbestos symptoms may be the indicators of cancerous and non- cancerous type of asbestos diseases. Asbestosis is a non-cancerous type of asbestos disease. This disease has asbestos symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain and persistent cough. Ignorance of these symptoms may lead to serious disability or even death. Mesothelioma is cancerous type of asbestos disease. Pleural mesothelioma affects the lining of lungs known as pleural membrane. Peritoneal mesothelioma shows its affect on the lining of organs of abdomen known as peritoneal membrane. Shortness of breath, persistent cough, chest pain and building up of fluids in the lungs are some symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Asbestos symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma are weight loss, nausea, difficulty in bowel movements, foot swelling, anemia and building up of fluid in abdomen. In rare cases, fever and night sweating may also appear as asbestos symptoms. People suffering from asbestos symptoms can file lawsuits against the persons and organizations for causing asbestos exposure. These Asbestos lawsuits can help the victims of asbestos symptoms to recover the damages for medical expenses, loss of income, lost earning capacity, pain and psychological sufferings.

What is this Condition?

This lung condition is characterized by widespread filling and inflammation of the lung spaces with asbestos fibers. It can develop as long as 15 to 20 years after regular exposure to asbestos has ended. A potent cocarcinogen, asbestos aggravates the risk of lung cancer in cigarette smokers.

What Causes it?

Asbestosis is caused by the inhalation of small asbestos fibers. These fibers move in the direction of airflow and penetrate the breathing passages. Sources include the mining and milling of asbestos, the construction industry (where asbestos is used in a prefabricated form), and the fireproofing and textile industries. It has also has been used in the production of paints, plastics, and automobile brake and clutch linings.

Asbestos-related diseases develop in families of workers as a result of exposure to the fibrous dust shaken off workers’ clothing at home. Asbestosis also strikes people who are exposed to fibrous dust or waste piles from nearby asbestos plants.

Inhaled fibers become encased in a brown, protein like sheath rich in iron called ferruginous bodies or asbestos bodies found in sputum and lung tissue.

What are its symptoms?

The first symptom is usually shortness of breath on exertion, typically after 10 years’ exposure. As lung damage becomes more extensive, this increases, until eventually the person is short of breath, even at rest. Advanced disease also causes a cough, chest pain, recurrent respiratory infections, and rapid breathing.

Asbestosis may cause complications, such as an enlarged heart and pulmonary hypertension. Club-shaped fingers commonly occur.

How is it Diagnosed?

The persons history reveals occupational, family, or neighborhood exposure to asbestos fibers. A physical exam reveals characteristic, dry crackles at the bases of the lungs. An arterial blood gas test reveals a decreased oxygen level and a low carbon dioxide level. Finally, a chest X-ray and pulmonary function studies help diagnose this disease.

How is it Treated?

This disease can’t be cured. The goal of treatment is to relieve respiratory symptoms and, in advanced disease, to control the complications.

Respiratory symptoms may be relieved by chest physical therapy techniques such as controlled coughing. Aerosol therapy, inhaled mucolytics, and increased fluids (at least 3 quarts [3 liters] daily) may also help relieve respiratory symptoms. Diuretics, digitalis glycoside preparations, and salt restriction may be indicated for people with cor pulmonale. Oxygen deficiency requires oxygen administration by mask or by a mechanical ventilator. Respiratory infections require prompt administration of antibiotics.

What can a person with asbestosis do?

%26#8226; To prevent infections, avoid crowds and persons with infections and receive influenza and pneumococcal vaccines .

%26#8226; To improve your breathing, undergo physical reconditioning, conserve your energy in daily activities, and use relaxation techniques.

Get information on the digestive disorders their treatments, causes and symptoms. Know about the hormones and gland disorders and treatments used for various health care concerns.

Asbestos exposure can lead to a number of lung diseases including asbestosis, pleural fibrosis and lung cancer. Asbestosis results in widespread scarring of the lungs and can leave victims short of breath and more likely to develop lung cancer. Pleural fibrosis causes inflammation, hardening and thickening of the lining of the lung tissue but has a number of symptoms so can be fairly straightforward to diagnose.

The other type of lung disease that can develop after asbestos exposure is asbestos lung cancer. This can affect either the internal portions of the lungs or the outer lining. Although it is impossible to determine the exact figure for the number of people who develop the disease because of asbestos, it is thought that there are around as many asbestos lung cancer deaths in Great Britain annually as there are mesothelioma deaths.

The reason why it can’t be said how many lung cancer related deaths are down to this is because there are many other factors which can lead to the illness developing. Tobacco smoke is just one of these so it wouldn’t be possible to say whether a person got cancer because of asbestos exposure or because they smoked.

Asbestos lung cancer can be hard to detect because in the early stages there may be no symptoms at all. There are a few such as having a cough, chest pain and weight loss but this can also indicate other illnesses which is what makes it so hard to diagnose.

If it is thought that someone may be suffering from asbestos lung cancer then a number of steps will be taken in order to confirm this. A full physical examination will be conducted and more than likely a sample of phlegm (spit) will be tested for any cancer cells. If any cancerous cells are found then either a tissue sample will be taken or a biopsy will be performed to get an accurate result.

The people who are most likely to suffer from asbestos lung cancer are those who were exposed to it during their working life. The majority of patients who have been diagnosed with the disease once worked in mines, mills or factories. However, others who have suffered high levels of asbestos exposure include construction, boilermaking and automotive repair.

More and more people who are suffering from illnesses such as asbestos lung cancer are claiming compensation from companies who failed to implement safety precautions to prevent heavy exposure. If you are looking for an asbestos lawyer then there are companies out there who can help claim payments for various things such as the cost of care you have accrued.