Mesothelioma and Asbestos Blog

A speech therapist from the San Mateo-Foster City School District recently began an investigation regarding the piping that was in her classroom.

Victoria DeLuca thought the pipes in her classroom looked strange and after taking matters into her own hand, discovered that the heating ducts were wrapped in asbestos.

School Questioned

In 2005, Highlands Elementary was supposedly given a clean bill of health regarding asbestos, however the asbestos that was wrapped around the classroom’s piping was missed.

Officials from San Mateo-Foster City School District claim they followed the guidelines when dealing with the asbestos, but the found carcinogen raises questions about whether they did enough.

Illegal Testing

In October, a district worker reportedly took off a piece of the piping insulation while DeLuca was present, using no protective gear.

Later in the month, the district officials announced that asbestos had been found in Deluca’s classroom, which could have potentially been exposed to the children.

“That’s 11 days we were continuing to be poisoned,� explained DeLuca.

The school is now undergoing proper care for asbestos removal and the classrooms have remained closed since the most recent findings.

Dangers of Asbestos Exposure

When inhaled, asbestos fibers can cause serious illnesses, such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.

The symptoms of exposure often go undetected for 20 years or more.

Although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency claims that there is little risk of asbestos exposure from 9/11, critics are still skeptical.

Buildings Tested

According to the EPA, 53 apartments and nine building lobbies were analyzed and only seventy-one of 904 dust samples showed unhealthy levels of lead. Only three samples supposedly had unsafe levels of asbestos.

“The contaminants [are] associated with World Trade Center dust, but they’re also associated with a lot of other things,� explains Mary Mears, spokeswoman for the EPA. “We can’t say, ‘That’s World Trade Center and that’s not.’�

EPA Questioned

U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler openly voices his concern regarding the way in which the EPA is handling the contamination issues in New York City.

“We remain extremely concerned about the limited and flawed nature of the EPA Test and Clean Program,� said Nadler. “ We’re still looking for a comprehensive, scientifically based program.�

The EPA has been criticized for focusing solely on residential buildings, which excludes the risk of asbestos exposure in the surrounding schools, hospitals and businesses.

Mesothelioma can take 20-50 years until symptoms begin showing; therefore, the amount of asbestos that those working and living in the surrounding areas are being exposed to daily, many not be evident for several years to come.

Asbestos is a carcinogen that can be fatal when ingested or inhaled over an extended period of time.

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of lung cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos and occurs when cells form in the lining of the chest or the abdomen. Those who are affected by this type of mesothelioma are typically those who have worked or lived in a place where asbestos was either inhaled or swallowed. Second hand exposure has proven to be just as deadly and other risk factors include, living with a person who works near asbestos and being exposed to certain viruses.

After being exposed to asbestos, it typically takes 20-50 years before symptoms begin to occur in those who have contracted the disease.

How Does Malignant Mesothelioma Affect Your Body?

Malignant cancer cells can be found in the pleura, which is the tissue that lines the chest cavity and covers the lungs.

These cells can also inflict the peritoneum, the thin layer of tissue that surrounds the abdomen and covers the organs in the abdomen.

Signs of Malignant Mesothelioma

In certain situations, the cancer can cause fluid to collect around the abdomen or lung area.

It is important to immediately consult a doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:

·    Trouble Breathing
·    Pain Under the Rib Cage
·    Lumps in the Abdomen
·    Pain or swelling in the abdomen

Testing for Mesothelioma

Since it’s often difficult for doctors to determine the difference between mesothelioma and lung cancer, there are various tests that can be used:

Physical Exam and History- An exam can be given to check for signs of health, this includes checking for signs of disease, like lumps or anything else that seems out of the ordinary

Chest X-Ray- Getting an X-ray of the organs and bones from inside the chest can give doctors an interior view of anything that could potentially have a negative effect on the body