Thursday, October 2, 2008

The Silent Death Is Still In Action

An official of Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization recently estimated that the deadly mineral asbestos is a continued presence in Americans life. This carcinogenic material can be found in over 30 million homes and schools.

In 1989 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced an asbestos ban and phase out. But in 1990 a U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the ban, so despite the known risks, asbestos is still used in US. It was only accepted an Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulation to reduce exposure. According to this regulation, an employee cannot be exposed to more than 0.1 asbestos fibers per cubic centimeter of air for an average eight hour work day. This regulation is still alive despite EPA has repeatedly stated that there is no safe level of asbestos exposure.

In conclusion, asbestos is still present in new products, materials and construction. There is a big problem related to demolition of about 30 million homes, schools and offices already contaminated with the mineral. World Trade Center experience confirmed that demolition in older structures can lead to asbestos exposure exposure.

Asbestos exposure can contribute or cause diseases such as lung, larynx, esophageal, and stomach cancer. This hazardous mineral may induce and many non-malignant diseases such as asbestosis and chronic pulmonary respiratory disease. An asbestos related disease is incurable and very often deadly.

Valerian D is a freelance writer interested in health issues that should be a social concern such as mesothelioma injury