Difference between Mesothelioma and Asbestosis

Difference between Mesothelioma and Asbestosis

Jun 24

Although mesothelioma and asbestosis are both caused by asbestos exposure, there are some key differences.

The main difference between both is that mesothelioma is cancerous while asbestosis is not. Asbestosis is a lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers that causes the victim to be unable to take full, deep breaths. The asbestos fibers cause lung scarring and stiffness of the lungs. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelial tissue that can affect the lungs, stomach, heart, and other organs. Although different diseases, asbestosis can develop into the more serious mesothelioma if not treated properly.

Another difference is how the diseases develop. Asbestosis is caused by the patient breathing in asbestos fibers and them becoming stuck in the lung’s air sacks. These air sacks are also known as alveoli and become scarred from the asbestos fibers causing the lungs to become more and more stiff over time. Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers enter the the lining of the lungs and cause the deadly cancer.

Asbestosis and mesothelioma do carry some similar symptoms, however. Both diseases are characterized by shortness of breath, coughing, chest pain, and weight loss. Unfortunately, these symptoms in both cases can be mistaken for less serious conditions. Mesothelioma carries more serious symptoms as time progresses.

Doctors are able to see the difference between the diseases, even if the symptoms are the same, through scans of the lungs. The treatments for both diseases are different. Asbestosis treatments, such as antibiotics and inhalers, are often focused on slowing down the progression of the disease. Mesothelioma treatments cannot usually treat the disease and are more focused on improving quality of life and prolonging life expectancy for the patient.

Although mesothelioma is often more serious than asbestosis, both diseases can prove fatal to those carrying the diseases. Asbestosis can even develop into the cancerous mesothelioma. What makes these diseases even more terrifying is that symptoms can take 10 to 40 years to show after the diseases develop.

If you suspect you have been exposed to asbestos or suffer from asbestosis or mesothelioma, you can find more information about the steps you can take and more about the diseases.

The Effects of PCBs to the Nervous and Endocrine Systems

The Effects of PCBs to the Nervous and Endocrine Systems

May 08

Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs have been banned in the United States since 1979. Before this ban was imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), PCBs were widely used for a variety of industrial and commercial processes. These complex c chemical compounds proved to be particularly useful because they were nonflammable, and had the ability to withstand high temperatures and insulate electricity. As a result, its sole manufacturer in the U.S. earned huge success from the product and quickly became a leader in the chemical industry.

Unfortunately, it became clear that Monsanto had been aware of the devastating effects caused by PCBs to human health and the environment and opted to continue operations despite this knowledge. As a result, plenty of Americans continue to grapple with the risks caused by prolonged PCB exposure.

Toxic Monsanto PCBs can affect a person’s health in many different ways. The most notable health risk is the fact that PCBs are classified as a probable human carcinogen. Aside from cancer, PCBs can also affect the human body in other ways. Several scientific studies found that PCBs can some impairment in the nervous and endocrine systems.

According to a fact sheet by the EPA, PCB exposure in newborn monkeys resulted in a significant decline in cognitive development. Researchers found that monkeys exposed to PCBs can suffer deficiencies in visual recognition, short-term memory, and learning ability. Similar studies conducted in humans show a similar pattern. The EPA also points to a scientific study that showed how PCBs can cause disruption in the endocrine system of both humans and animals. In particular, PCBs have been shown to affect thyroid hormone levels.

These results show that PCB exposure can cause significant threats to an individual’s health and well-being. As such, it’s important that the public are made aware of how they can mitigate the risk of exposure to such toxic chemicals. The people most at risk to PCB exposure are workers who come into close contact with older models and materials that have PCBs. Workplaces should have proper regulations in place to ensure that employees are protected from prolonged chemical exposure.