What is Mesothelium and Asbestos?

Mesothelium

The mesothelium is a membrane that forms the lining of various body cavities: the pleura (rib cage), peritoneum (mesentery including abdominal cavity) and the pericardium (epithelial lining in the heart). The mesothelial tissue also covers the internal male and female reproductive organs, such as the tunica vaginalis of the testis and tunica serosa uteri. Called visceral mesothelium covering the internal organs, while covering the walls of the body is called parietal mesothelium.

The mesothelium layer comes mesodermal cells lining the body cavity in the embryonic stage. Becomes the cell layer that covers and protects our internal organs. The mesothelium has two layers of cells. The first layer immediately surrounds the organ and the second layer is the sac that surrounds the cavity.

The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between the two layers, allowing moving organs such as the heart beats, the lungs and intestine in active expansion, to slide easily within the body cavity.

Embryonic origin

The derived from the embryonic mesoderm mesothelium covering the embryonic coelom. It develops in layers of cells that cover and protect many internal body organs.
Structure [edit]
The mesothelium is a single type of squamous epithelium resting on a basal lamina supported by connective tissue. The tissue type can be cuboidal in damaged areas, areas of lymphoid tissue omentum and peritoneal face of the diaphragm underlying lymphatic gaps. The luminal surface is covered with microvilli. And serous fluid protein trapped by the microvilli provide a low friction surface in the contact zone between bodies.

Function

The mesothelium is composed of an extensive monolayer of specialized cells (mesothelial cells) lining serous cavities and internal organs. The main purpose of these cells is to produce a lubricating fluid that is released between layers, and producing a non-adhesive surface sliding facilitating movement intracelómico.

The mesothelium is also involved in the transport and movement of fluids and particulate matter between the serous cavities, migration of leukocytes in response to inflammatory mediators, proinflammatory cytokines, growth factors and extracellular matrix proteins to assist in repairing the serous and release factors which promote the arrangement and clearance of fibrin (such as plasminogen). Is an antigen presenting cell. In addition, the secretion of glycosaminoglycans and lubricants may protect the body against infection and spread of tumors.

Pathologies affecting the mesothelium

Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also metastasize from their place of origin to other parts of the body. Most cases of mesothelioma benign come from the pleura or peritoneum. Over 90% of mesothelioma cases are linked to asbestos exposure.

Intra-abdominal adhesions: Normally, the mesothelium secretes plasminogen, which removes deposits of fibrin. During surgical procedures, can damage the mesothelium and its fibrinolytic capacity becomes insufficient, so that accumulates producing fibrin fibrous adhesions between opposing surfaces. These adhesions cause intestinal obstruction and female infertility if it occurs in the abdomen and can alter lung and heart function.

Ultrafiltration failure: The peritoneal mesothelium is involved in ultrafiltration failure in long-term peritoneal dialysis patients. The presence of glucose levels within the physiological, acidity and degradation products of glucose in peritoneal dialysis fluids contribute to fibrosis of the peritoneal mesothelium, or Epithelial-mesenchymal transition or increased proliferation existing fibroblasts. A fibrotic peritoneum produces increased passage of solutes through the peritoneum and a failure of its ultrafiltration capacity.

Systemic lupus erythematosus: Acute inflammation affects pericardial mesothelial surfaces by coating them with a fibrinous exudate.

The mesothelium and cancerous condition associated mesothelioma is relatively unknown to most people. It is more often found in men, but sometimes women.The mesothelium layer comes mesodermal cells lining the body cavity in the embryonic stage. Becomes the cell layer that covers and protects our internal organs. The mesothelium has two layers of cells. The first layer immediately surrounds the organ and the second layer is the sac that surrounds the cavity.

The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between the two layers, allowing moving organs such as the heart beats, the lungs and intestine in active expansion, to slide easily within the body cavity.

The first symptoms of mesothelioma are generally nonspecific and may lead to a delay in diagnosis. Sometimes resembling viral pneumonia, mesothelioma patients who have the disease in their lungs may complain of shortness of breath, chest pain or persistent cough. Some patients have no symptoms at all. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include pain or swelling in the abdomen, weight loss, bowel obstruction, anemia, or swelling of the feet.

Remember that only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis. Sometimes, symptoms of mesothelioma are very similar to those less serious conditions, so it is imperative that you discuss your symptoms with a doctor.

Asbestos

Asbestos is a group of fibrous metamorphic minerals. They are composed of double chain silicates. Asbestos minerals have long, strong fibers that can be separated and are flexible enough to be intertwined and also resist high temperatures. Because of these special characteristics, asbestos has been used in a variety of manufactured goods, mostly in building materials (roofing shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, paper products, and asbestos cement products), friction products (automobile clutch, brakes, transmission components), heat-resistant textile materials, containers, packaging and coatings, personal protective equipment, paints, vermiculite or talc, etc. It is also present as a contaminant in some food.

Medical authorities showed that asbestos-related / asbestos products cause cancer with high mortality since the early 1980.3 In the early 2000s began to be banned in developed countries, being totally banned in the European Union since 2005, but is still used in some developing countries.

Asbestos in nature

Asbestos is the name given to a group of six different fibrous materials (fibrous minerals or mineral fibrous varieties that are not) found in nature:

We are all exposed to very small amounts of asbestos, usually "chrysotile" in the air we breathe. Generally, the amount is recorded non indoor workplace are similar to the air ambiente. Has been determined that the amounts found in the air in residential areas near to the industrial centers are more or less the same as in urban areas, and sometimes slightly higher. The incidence of natural exposure to asbestos in the subsequent development of disease is considered negligible except in the case of extraction sites near where asbestos has been found an increased incidence of diseases related to that asbestos populations.

Properties

The excellent properties presented by asbestos (insulation, mechanical, chemical and heat resistance and flame) and its relatively low cost, can explain their numerous industrial applications as well as that figure, or has figured for many years in the composition of many products and industrial finishes. In addition, there are numerous sites around the globe and its extraction cost is low.

Because of these characteristics, it has been massively used it in various sectors: building material in tiles, slabs, tiles, paper or cement; in the manufacture and repair of cars, trucks and tractors (clutches, brakes, seals or components of transmission); in the manufacture, repair and maintenance of railway materials; in shipbuilding, repair and shipbreaking; in the steel industry; in the electricity sector (thermal and nuclear plants) and various textile materials, containers or liners. With the exception of chrysotile, all forms of asbestos are highly resistant to acids and alkalis and all decompose at high temperatures (800-1000 ° C) and therefore have been used for fire protection of steel structures, fire suits and for example, "crocidolite" is used in the manufacture of pressure pipes and also as strengthening plastics by their great mechanical strength.

The "chrysotile," also known as "white asbestos" asbestos fiber is most widely used and represents 94% of world production. The cement industry is by far the largest user of chrysotile fibers, accounting for about 85% of the use total5

In Spain, the Order of 7 December 2001 amending Annex I of Royal Decree 1406/1989 is modified, of 10 November, by which restrictions on the marketing and use of some substances and preparations (BOE no. 299 of 14 December) the marketing and use of all types of asbestos is prohibited. Link to the National Institute of Safety and Health at Work (under the Ministry of Labour, Spain).

Asbestos as a carcinogen

The effects of asbestos on health have been known for long, because in the first century, Pliny the Elder, in Rome, described the disease of the lungs of slaves who wove asbestos clothing.

The ancient alchemists believed that extraordinary asbestos fibers came from "the hair of mythical salamanders and toxic fire resistant" and called it "salamander wool." The deadly substance secreted salamander poisoned fruit trees and the waters of rivers and wells. It is said that 2000 men and 4000 horses of Alexander the Great died in India after drinking poisoned stream salamander.

Charlemagne had a tablecloth asbestos fibers, with which events fire impressed with guests and diners, who cleaned and whitened simply slide it into the fire.

During the second half of the thirteenth century explorer Marco Polo visited China asbestos mines in describing the mineral extraction process thus ruling definitively eliminating myths and ancient legend of the salamander.

It was in 1906 in London (England) when it was described the first known case of "asbestos lung fibrosis" in a worker aged 33, carding area of a textile factory.

Since 1935 the first scientific work related asbestos exposure and lung cancer and mesothelioma in 1947 of the pleura and peritoneum are described and today is recognized that asbestos is the best known of industrial chemicals linked to cancer are known lung

Today there is absolute certainty of two types of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos: asbestosis, lung cancer and mesotelioma a minimum amount of the agent under which an exposed can be considered safe is not recognized. Lung cancer in exposed workers becomes 10 times more frequent than in the general population

The actor Steve McQueen was passionate about racing cars. At this time the pilots fire suits were made of asbestos fibers. Steve McQueen died prematurely as a result of lung cancer was believed to be associated with inhalation of asbestos from trajes.

Industrial pollution by asbestos

Asbestos fibers.

Asbestos causes disease when inhaled. Ingestion or skin contact entryways are not proven to cause disease. Asbestos fibers are microscopic in size, detach easily, do not dissolve in water but evaporate and even travel through the air entering the lungs with each breath that is done in a polluted environment.

Asbestos fibers can become airborne or water because of the degradation of natural deposits and manufactured asbestos products. People who work in industries that make or use asbestos products or who work in asbestos mining may be exposed to high levels of asbestos. People living near these industries may also be exposed to high levels of asbestos in the air. Asbestos fibers can be released into the air when handling asbestos containing materials during product use, demolition, maintenance, repair and renovation of buildings or dwellings. In general, exposure occurs when the asbestos-containing material is disturbed so that particles or fibers released into the air.

Asbestos particles do not evaporate into air or dissolve in water and can remain airborne for a long time and be carried long distances by wind and water before settling. Fibers and larger particles tend to settle faster. Drinking water can also contain asbestos, for example from asbestos-cement pipes containing asbestos.

Asbestos fibers can not move through the soil. Generally they are not degraded to other compounds and will remain virtually unchanged for long.

These diseases have a long "latency" (time between inhalation of the fiber and the onset of illness) that can exceed 30 years. For example, in Germany, as in many other countries, have developed curves follow Use / disease, with the result that despite having stopped using asbestos in the nineties, as many diseases are expected to within 20 years. In the United States in 2000, 1,493 people died from lung cancer related to asbestos exposure (or asbestosis), compared to 77 in 1968. As the year 2000 the leading cause of death from occupational disease in the UK . The cases of lung cancer associated with exposure to asbestos, called MPM (Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma), increase in Spain to five hundred a year, starting in 2015. Currently are recorded in Spain between 250 and 300 annual cases of MPM, a type of extreme mortality cancer in 85 percent of cases are linked to occupational exposure to asbestos.

Caused by industrial asbestos diseases

Asbestos fibers affecting lung tissue.

Asbestos mainly affects the lungs and the membrane that surrounds the lungs, pleura. Asbestos / Asbestos mainly causes two types of diseases: cancer and asbestosis

Asbestosis

Breathing high levels of asbestos fibers have long or short exposure to high levels of asbestos, can cause scar-like tissue in the lung and pleura. This disease is called asbestosis; It was the first lung disease related to asbestos and can lead to disability and death.

It is defined as diffuse interstitial fibrosis of the lungs resulting from exposure to asbestos dust and, therefore, is commonly found in workers exposed to asbestos. People with asbestosis, because those scars in the lung, have difficulty breathing, often a cough, and in severe cases suffer enlarged heart.

Breathing lower levels of asbestos may cause alterations in the pleura, creating so-called "plates". Pleural plaques can occur in workers and occasionally in people living in areas with high ambient levels of asbestos. The effects of pleural plaques on respiration are usually not serious, but exposure to high levels can cause a thickening of the pleura that can restrict breathing.

Cancer

Screening and early detection

Low levels of asbestos can be measured in urine, feces, mucus liquid or lung washings of the general population. The highest average levels tolerated asbestos fibers in tissue can confirm exposure but can not predict whether it will affect health.

To assess related to exposure to asbestos diseases a complete history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests are needed. Chest radiography is the best tool to detect changes in the lungs resulting from exposure to asbestos. Lung function tests and computerized three-dimensional surveys lung also help in the diagnosis of asbestos-related diseases.

Today, thanks to medical advances, it is possible to carry out checks to people exposed to asbestos and early detection of diseases arising from such exposure which enables rapid intervention by removal of the tumor or radiotherapy of the affected area, with methods detection listed hereafter usual and everyday in any hospital in the more developed countries, so that should be part of routine and periodic check all exposed person:

Medical history and physical examination: The medical history risk factors and symptoms presented by the patient are recorded. The physical examination provides information about the signs of lung cancer and other health problems.

Radiological tests: These tests use x-rays, magnetic fields, sound waves, or radioactive substances to create pictures of the inside of the body. Often several imaging studies are used to detect lung cancer and determine where the body part may have spread. Is performed x-ray to see if there is any mass or spot on the lungs.

Image tomography showing a cancerous tumor in the left lung (arrow).

Computed tomography (CT): Gives more precise information about the size, shape and position of a tumor, and can help detect enlarged lymph nodes that may contain cancer from lung. CT scans are more sensitive than routine chest radiographs to detect cancers at an early stage.

Tests MRI (RM): They use powerful magnets and radio waves to create detailed modern computers transverse images. These images are similar to those that occur with computed tomography, but are even more accurate in detecting spread of lung cancer to the brain or spinal cord.

Positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer uses a sensitive low dose that accumulates in cancer tissues. Bone scans require the injection of a small amount of radioactive substance into a vein. This substance accumulates in abnormal areas of bone that may result from the spread of cancer.

Sputum cytology was examined microscopically sample to see if it contains cancer cells.

Needle biopsy needle is inserted into the mass while the lungs are displayed on a computer tomograph. A sample of the mass is then extracted and observed through a microscope to look for cancer cells.

Bronchoscopy: a flexible lighted tube through the mouth into the bronchi is introduced. This procedure can help find tumors located centrally or obstructions in the lungs. Can also be used to biopsy or remove liquid to be examined under a microscope to see if they contain cancer cells.

Mediastinoscopy: A cut is made to remove a sample of tissue from the mediastinal lymph nodes (along the windpipe and the areas of the main bronchial tubes). The observation of the samples under a microscope can show whether cancer cells.

Bone marrow biopsy: A needle is used to remove a cylindrical core of bone to see if cancer cells.

Blood tests: Often carried out certain blood tests to help detect if the lung cancer has spread to the liver or bones as well as to diagnose certain syndromes.

Identification of a material containing asbestos

In a cross section of the material or asbestos damaged / places asbestos, it can be seen if it is a material suspected of generating potentially hazardous by looking at if said material comprises fibers.

If you are an individual and find any material suspected of containing asbestos, you should contact a specialized company that will inform you on how to act with appropriate security measures. Know the products in which asbestos has been used can help identify it. The only way to ensure that a specific material contains asbestos is by testing in a specialized laboratory.

Ban on asbestos / asbestos

In 1991 the World Bank stipulated as a policy preference not to fund the manufacture or use of products containing asbestos.

Asbestos / Asbestos (in its five amphibole forms: amosite, anthophyllite, actinolite, crocidolite and tremolite) is prohibited by the Rotterdam Convention, signed by more than one hundred countries, not without some controversy exporting countries still Asbestos Asbestos chrysotile is the first chemical that has faced significant opposition in the Rotterdam convention. Many observers expressed concern that this decision could set a precedent for future discussions on economically important chemicals, fearing that economic and commercial interests to overcome environmental and health concerns. "The objections of Canada and Russia to list chrysotile asbestos are shamefully selfish, protecting domestic exporters interested in selling this dangerous chemical abroad" said Clifton Curtis, director of Global Toxics Programme WWF. The Canadian government defended its action, saying "If it is added (to the list), may be perceived by some countries as a sign that chrysotile is forbidden". The chemicals in the list can be exported only from one country to another with the permission of the state government import

Asbestos has been banned in the following countries: Germany, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Denmark, UAE, Slovenia, Spain (in 2001), Finland, France, Great Britain, Greece, Holland, Iceland, Italy , Luxembourg, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Uruguay and has been severely restricted in Australia and Brazil.

United States

Due to the hazardous material in the US handling of asbestos usually borne by members of the most socially disadvantaged classes.

The EPA states that the removal of any asbestos waste must be done by careful methods, procedures which in some cases is not practiced, as there are companies that put profits they can get from the swift completion of their work to the safety of their workers .

Judicial incidence of liability claims in the United States led to the bankruptcy of the leading producers, some became insolvent under called "Heading" on financial bankruptcy, for which a court may approve the reorganization of the debt as the company continues to operate. The overall cost of coverage of victims of these diseases are so high that dangerously unbalanced compensation schemes for occupational diseases.

In the US, nearly fifty thousand people per year have a complaint because of diseases caused by asbestos. The US insurance companies spent 21,600 million in these diseases until 2000. In addition, the accused companies had to pay 32 billion dollars. Compensation claims could reach 260 billion dollars in EE.UU.17

Asbestos became a subject of controversy after the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York of September 11, 2001, in which, after the collapse of buildings, several kilograms of the powdered material is released into the atmosphere.

Europe

The French and German governments spend, each more than a billion euros per year to compensation related illnesses amianto.

The European Commission itself speaks of an epidemic of 500,000 deaths in the coming years, an amount 10 times higher than accidents work.18 It is estimated that cancer from exposure to asbestos cause more than 200,000 deaths over the next decade in the United Unido.

On May 4, 1999, the Technical Committee of the European Union approved a ban on using any type of asbestos from 1 January 2005 for those countries that have not yet banned, and in 2006 the EU launched a campaign against asbestos under the catchy slogan: "asbestos is deadly!".

Under a directive of the European Union (EU), all Member States had to ban the marketing and use of any type of asbestos.

Spain

In Spain began to be used without any control from the forties, with the highest level of use in the seventies after the industrial boom, continuing its use in very specific activities until 2001, at which prohibits fully use.

Most buildings in Spain between 1965 and 1984 contain asbestos, either in its entirety or in construction facilities. Some experts estimate that the citizens of Spain live between three million tons of asbestos. Many companies introduced products made in Spain amianto.

References:
www.wikipedia.com

Posted by Alfiansyah