In early 2007, a prominent medical researcher in the United Kingdom stated that 30,000 Britons had already died from mesothelomia, a lethal cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.  Professor Julian Peto, who holds the Cancer Research UK Chair of Epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, made this observation in order to supply a context for the following startling observation.

He estimates that about 200,000 additional British citizens could be stricken with mesothelomia due to asbestos exposure in the 1960s and 1970s.  He estimates that there will be an additional 90,000 deaths from the disease in the UK.  The professor commented that mesothelomia is different from any other industry-related cancer affliction in the world.

The UK’s experience with asbestos-caused disease is a smaller version of what the United States has seen over the last twenty five or thirty years.  Estimates of workers that have died from cancer as a result of exposure to asbestos run in the hundreds of thousands.  One of the comments made by the British researcher was that the profession most at risk from workers in the mid-Twentieth Century is that of carpentry.  Because of the widespread building of that era and the common use of asbestos in all manner of construction materials, his prediction was that as many as one in ten carpenters could fall victim to the disease.

Original Article

More than a century after asbestos was first identified as a health hazard; it is still being used in consumer products according to the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO).  The organization presented its findings at the National Press Club in November of 2007, citing many consumer products that still contain asbestos as a material component.

Asbestos has been identified as a high impact world health issue because of its direct link to mesothelioma, a lethal form of cancer that thousands of people have developed as a result of exposure to asbestos.  During much of the 20th century asbestos was a primary component of hundreds of products and used prominently in the construction of new buildings.  With a long latency period, mesothelioma impacted many thousands of workers after they had retired.  Subsequent lawsuits have established asbestos manufacturers as liable for this and other related illnesses.

Nevertheless, the ADAO identified a number of well known consumer products that were independently tested and showed the presence of asbestos.  Among the products are Planet Toys’ “CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit”, DAP “33” window glazing, DAP “Crack Shot” spackling paste, Gardner Leak Stopper roof patch, and Scotch High Performance Duct Tape.

Sean Fitzgerald, President of the participating testing lab Scientific Analytical Institute commented that “I can definitively say that asbestos has been found and confirmed present in many different products…In light of the substantial findings of this limited product survey, I believe that a more comprehensive program of product testing for asbestos in common household products is of utmost import.”

From the consumer standpoint, a world without duct tape would be a world deprived of one of society’s most versatile do-it-yourself products – for repairs, for school projects, and for elaborate pranks and assorted acts of mischief.

Original Article

An Australian victim of mesothelioma won a political war that has guaranteed affordable treatment of the disease. As everywhere, the cases of mesothelioma in Australia are on the rise, year after year. More and more victims are coming forward and until recently, have found that treatment for the disease in its advanced stages was prohibitively expensive.

The drug Alimta has proven to be effective in extending the lives of mesothelioma patients and to make them more comfortable while living with the affliction. On the open market, however, cost to many consumers was $20,000 for six treatments. Half of Australia’s citizens living in certain areas of the country were covered through government subsidy – and half were not.

The government’s drug advisory body had rejected subsidy for many citizens – with much controversy. This put the price of the drug beyond the reach of many Australians, while it was being provided at a subsidized level for smokers who had contracted lung cancer.

Mesothelioma patient Bernie Banton led a high profile campaign in earlier years to get a $4.5 billion subsidy fund established for mesithelioma patients. That fund was established by corporate giant James Hardie Corp. – the firm for which Mr. Banton had worked for many years, and where he was exposed to asbestos.

His final effort resulted in the subsidy for Altima provided for all Australian victims of the disease – news which he received on his deathbed. His recognition and popularity were such that he forced the government to forego standard procedures and expand the subsidy to all Australians through the use of written petitions. Today a single Altima treatment will cost any Australian citizen $31.30.

Original Article

Drug research and development firm Alphacell has licensed the U.S. distribution rights for its drug Onconase to Strativa Pharmaceuticals, a wholly owned subsidiary of Par Pharmaceuticals.  Onconase is currently in Phase III trials as a treatment for inoperable malignant cases of mesothelioma.  The drug has been given fast track status by the FDA as there is nothing else like it currently on the market and mesothelioma is a cancer that develops rapidly.

Mesothelioma is the lethal form of cancer linked to asbestos exposure, and the reason why so many older buildings in this country have either been stripped of asbestos or abandoned.  It is also the disease that has led to dozens of successful lawsuits brought by victims of the disease against the manufacturers of asbestos and products that utilized asbestos.

Inconase is described as a “first in class” product by virtue of its development from the ribonucleic characteristics of a natural protein first found in the leopard frog.  The medication attacks cancerous cells while leaving the healthy cells surrounding the afflicted area healthy and in place.  According to its manufacturer, Onconase triggers apotosis, which is the natural death of cells.  That approach to treatment is very different from either radiological exposure or chemotherapy in the treatment of malignant cells.

It is worth noting that the FDA recognized the plight of mesothelioma victims in helping to fast track the research for Onconase.  In the past, the agency has been faulted for slowing the introduction of drugs that could help save or extend lives in cases where no other treatment was available.

Original Article

Just days before Christmas, Planet Toys has issued a recall for their CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit. Tests of the toy have found that it possibly contains asbestos – a deadly material that is banned from U.S. manufacturing.

Between the lead paint scare from China and the numerous other toy issues in 2007, many parents have turned to buying their kids non-traditional toys this year such as DVDs, video game consoles, and clothing. Many parents feel that with the high number of recalls, they have no idea what’s safe and what isn’t when it comes to buying toys for their children.

The Planet Toys recall is just another notch. Asbestos, a naturally-occurring mineral, was commonly used during the 20th century because of its fire-resistant properties. However, after decades had passed, many individuals whom had worked with asbestos started to develop mesothelioma, a deadly form of lung cancer.

It was discovered that asbestos releases tiny particles into the air when it is disturbed. These asbestos particles can become lodged in an individual’s lungs, causing scarring that can become cancerous tumors later in life. These cancerous tumors are known as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is most commonly found in the lungs, but it can also occur in an individual’s abdomen or chest.

While many of the earlier toy scares focused more on younger children who might chew on a toy that wore lead-based paint, this new recall is dangerous to entire families. Mesothelioma can result from even minimal exposure to asbestos, so, even if the toy contains only a minimal amount of the substance, it could be a deadly amount. Furthermore, the toy could potentially expose entire families to the cause of this deadly disease.

Planet Toys has ordered retailers to stop selling the CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit, though no official recall has been issued for the toy itself. Manufacturers of the product need to examine it further before there is cause for warning. However, if you or someone in your family purchased this game for your kids this holiday season, it may be best to save it for a birthday after its manufacturers have determined that it’s safe for use.

Original Article