The assertion that asbestosis must be present in order to attribute a lung cancer to asbestos exposure does not meet accepted standards for establishing causation.  One interesting study is called, "Historical perspectives in occupational medicine. Changing attitudes and opinions regarding asbestos and cancer 1934-1965" by Philip E. Enterline PhD - American Journal of Industrial Medicine Volume 20, Issue 5, pages 685-700, 1991.  Here is an excerpt: "Abstract - Literature published in the years 1934-1965 was reviewed to determine attitudes and opinions of scientists as to whether asbestos is a cause of cancer. In Germany, the issue was decided in 1943 when the government decreed that lung cancer, when associated with asbestosis (of any degree), was an occupational disease. In the United States, however, there was no consensus on the issue until 1964. Opinions of scientists over a 22 year period are shown and the contributions of various cultural, social, economic and political factors to these opinions are discussed. A lack of experimental and epidemiological evidence played a major role in delaying a consensus. Other important factors included a rejection of science conducted outside of the U.S. during this period, particularly a rejection of German scientific thought during and after WWII, and a rejection of clinical evidence in favor of epidemiological investigations. Individual writers rarely changed their minds on the subject of asbestos as a cause of cancer."

A second study is called, "Lung cancer and asbestos exposure: Asbestosis is not necessary" - David Egilman MD MPH, Alexander Reinert - American Journal of Industrial Medicine - Volume 30, Issue 4, pages 398-406, October 1996.  Here is an excerpt: "Abstract - Recent commentaries on the issue of asbestos-related lung cancer have raised important points. One major question is whether lung cancer can be attributed to asbestos exposure in the absence of asbestosis. This review attempts to place the debate in the proper context for establishing causation. Relevant epidemiologic and pathologic studies are analyzed, as well as the scientific basis for each position in the debate. The assertion that asbestosis must be present in order to attribute a lung cancer to asbestos exposure does not meet accepted standards for establishing causation. In addition, some evidence has been incorrectly cited in support of this position. This discussion can benefit from clearer definitions of asbestosis, a more thorough evaluation of the available scientific information, and a proper context for determining causation. This review of the available evidence indicates that lung cancers can occur as a result of asbestos exposure, in the absence of clinical or histologic asbestosis. Causation in an individual should be assessed by considering duration of exposure, intensity of exposure, and appropriate latency."

A third study is called, "Induction of micronuclei, hyperdiploidy and chromosomal breakage affecting the centric/pericentric regions of chromosomes 1 and 9 in human amniotic fluid cells after treatment with asbestos and ceramic fibers" by Elke Doppa,  Maik Schuler, Dietmar Schiffmanna and David A. Eastmond - Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis - Volume 377, Issue 1, 9 June 1997, Pages 77-87.  Here is an excerpt: "Abstract - This article describes the induction of micronuclei, hyperdiploidy and chromosome breakage in human amniotic cells in vitro by amosite, chrysotile and crocidolite asbestos, and ceramic fibers. The response of human (amniotic fluid cells) and rodent (Syrian hamster embryo fibroblasts, SHE) cells to fiber treatment was compared using the micronucleus assay. The data of the rodent studies were taken from a previous investigation (Dopp, E. et al. (1995) Environ. Health Perspect., 103, 268-271). All types of mineral fibers caused a significant increase of micronucleated cells. The kinetochore analysis revealed that all three types of asbestos and ceramic fibers yielded similar effects. Approximately 50% of the induced micronuclei were kinetochore-negative indicating formation through clastogenic events. Human amniotic cells were much less susceptible than SHE cells to the induction of micronuclei by mineral fibers. This again demonstrates that SHE cells are more susceptible to chromosomal changes than human amniotic fluid cells. The application of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with tandem DNA probes yielded more detailed information about specific structural chromosome aberrations in the 1 (cen-q12) and 9 (cen-q12) regions and about abnormal numbers of chromosomes in interphase human amniotic fluid cells. Using this FISH approach we found a statistically significant increase of chromosomal breakage in the pericentric heterochromatin regions of chromosomes 1 and 9 in interphase human amniotic cells after exposure to asbestos and ceramic fibers compared to control cells. The number of hyperdiploid cells was also significantly increased. Our results show that asbestos fibers as well as ceramic fibers are inducers of structural and numerical chromosomal aberrations in human amniotic fluid cells."

We all owe a debt of gratitude to these fine researchers for their important work.  If you found any of these excerpts helpful, please read the studies in their entirety.

Discovered some vermiculite loose fill insulation. How can it be determined if it contains asbestos or not?

im an 18yrs old girl. im afraid that i am having breast cancer? i have small pimple like projections on my skin in between my breasts............but my parents says its due to heat & i hav dandruff problem 4 the last two yrs......it might be due to that also but i hav a lot of patches of pimples on my shoulders.........nowadays i notice a big inflamation right under my arms........they appear 4 abt a week & its goes off after that.& it appeared only yester year& i hav never had such inflamations before & after that also till now. i hav no family history of breast cancer ...........i am a mechanical engineering student & my work place has a asbestos roof............will asbetos sheeted roof cause any mutation.........am i realy having breast cancer...........should i approach a doctor ............& if i tell my parents also they are not taking it so seriously b'cos i always care abt me very much &say them everything seriously.............even if it is a small pain or head ache.......

asbestos treatments?

Lung cancer of asbestos workers has increased greatly over the years. This is obviously due to the fact that the workers are exposed to the asbestos and breathe it in on a daily basis. This lung cancer (mesothelioma) is even more significant among the asbestos workers who smoke cigarettes.

Most lung cancer caused by excessive exposure to asbestos starts in the lining of the bronchi. The bronchi are the tubes in which the trachea or windpipe divide. It can also begin in other areas such as the alveoli, trachea, or bronchioles. The cancer usually develops slowly but once it occurs the cancer cells break away and then it spreads throughout various other body parts.

The most common places for people to breathe in asbestos is in mines, mills, factories, homes with asbestos, construction sites, during automotive repair, and pipefitting.

There are two major lung cancer types and they are:

- small cell lung cancer - The cancer cells are small and round.

- non-small cell lung cancer - The cancer cells are larger.

There have even been times when the cancer has a feature of both types. With small sell lung cancer the cells can multiply quickly and form large tumors. The tumors can then spread to the lymph nodes and to other various parts of the body.

There is treatment for asbestos lung cancer but it usually depends on the patient's health and the type of lung cancer that they have. It also depends on the size, location, and the extent of the tumor.

The different types of treatments are surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and photodynamic therapy.

The surgery is done to remove a part of the lung but it all depends on where the tumor is. It is a very serious procedure!

By using Chemotherapy, the cancerous cells are killed with drugs. Radiation works by destroying the cancer cells in the treated area. And lastly, the photodynamic therapy uses light to kill the cancerous cells. It is done by injecting a chemical into the bloodstream and is absorbed by the cells. The light then activates the chemical, destroying and killing off the cancerous cells.

To prevent lung cancer ..

I need to know the physical difference between Glass Wool and Asbestos and how can I possibly differentiate between them?

Where can I find info about Mesothelioma?

When I rented an apartment recently, the landlord made me sign a doc that said, "The apartment may contain asbestos."

If there IS asbestos in the unit, how much danger are we in? She said she has painted the walls several times over the years.

I don't want lung cancer 5 years from now!!
Oh, she said it may also be on the ceiling.
I'd say it was built before the 1970s.