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...
Year: 2020
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...
How does mesothelioma make it hard to breathe?
If you have been exposed to asbestos, you may be worried about developing mesothelioma. This is a type of cancer that tends to impact about 3,500 new patients every year. While that is a far smaller number than you may see with something like traditional lung cancer,...
These 3 work environments in Illinois can raise your risk of asbestos exposure and illness
Contrary to popular belief, asbestos is not 100% banned from use in the United States. Although highly regulated, it still exists in many Illinois occupations. Unfortunately, ongoing use of the substance can put state workers and their family members at risk of...
Natural disasters can increase benzene exposure
You do not have to work with benzene to be exposed to dangerous quantities of it. Sometimes, all you need to do is go outside and breathe. In a 2013 article, St Louis was labeled the most deadly place to live in America based partly on the polluting industries in the...
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...