Do you know the symptoms of benzene exposure?
You may have an idea about what benzene is, or you may never have heard of this chemical at all. Benzene is a natural chemical as well as one that is created artificially. It can be sourced from forest fires and volcanoes, and it’s also part of cigarette smoke,...
Exposed to asbestos during your military service? Veterans can seek help.
Veterans did an important job for the country, and they may have been exposed to asbestos as a result. Asbestos exposure has the potential to lead to asbestosis, mesothelioma and other serious illnesses. In the past, asbestos was used in many buildings and products....
Maritime workers’ asbestos exposure risk is particularly high
Some say that St. Louis wouldn't exist if it weren't for the Mississippi River and the many other nearby bodies of water that flow into it. Many maritime workers both in the harbor and at sea have contributed their labors to ensure that the river has remained a...
Asbestos and vehicles: What you need to know
Most people associate asbestos use with construction materials. Before it was largely banned from use in new products back in the 1980s, asbestos could be found in any product or component that required protection from heat, friction or fire. That included many...
The asbestos-related dangers of working on classic cars
Most people associate asbestos with materials used in older homes and buildings constructed before the fibers were deemed too dangerous to use and banned from new products in the 1980s by the U.S. government. However, auto manufacturers knew before this ban that many...
Benzene exposure: A common and hidden danger
You know about asbestos and how dangerous it is, but did you learn about benzene? Benzene can irritate the lining of the airways and cause inflammation in the nasal passages and throat. It’s extremely harmful to the skin. Even at low levels, benzene exposure could...
Why are cancer rates higher in African-Americans?
Historically, Black Americans have been diagnosed with certain kinds of cancers more often than whites, including lung cancer. While there has been progress in “closing the gap” over the years, the disparity remains. Between 2015-2016, for example, cancer deaths among...
Does mesothelioma make you tired?
You begin feeling fatigued on a regular basis, and you can’t seem to get over it, no matter how much extra sleep you get. You start thinking that something may be wrong, and the first thing that comes to mind is the potential asbestos exposure that you had as part of...
The devastating ‘third wave’ of deadly asbestos diseases
Many people associate asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma, with older generations. This is misguided. While the use of asbestos has dropped dramatically since the 1970s, it is still out there – and remains dangerous. Asbestos continues to tear apart the...
Tips for dealing with asbestos in a home
The presence of asbestos in a home or work facility puts people at risk for diseases such as mesothelioma. In fact, about 80% of those with this deadly form of cancer contracted this condition through exposure to asbestos. Asbestos in homes is not as widely publicized...