Mesothelioma

1. Mesothelioma By: Daryl Sams EMT-297 1/05/2009

2. Objectives • What is Mesothelioma • What Mesothelioma does to your lungs • How do you get Mesothelioma • What is Asbestos • Types of Asbestos • History of Asbestos • Production of Asbestos

3. Objectives continued… • What was Asbestos used for • When was asbestos banned • Signs and Symptoms of Mesothelioma • Treatment for Mesothemlioma • Prevention of Mesothelioma

4. What is Mesothelioma? • A form of cancer caused from previous exposure to asbestos. • Effects the Mesothelium. • Cells in the Mesothelium become abnomal and divide without control or order. • It can invade nearby tissues and organs.

5. What it does to your lungs…

6. X-Ray

7. How do you get Mesothelioma??? • Mesothelioma is developed by inhalation of asbestos fibers. • There is no association between asbestos and smoking. • You can get lung cancer by inhalation of asbestos fibers. • S/S may not appear for 30-50 years. • 3,000 new cases each year.

8. What is Asbestos? • Asbestos is a mineral. • It is naturally occurring. • It is a silicate and has long, thin fibrous crystals.

9. Types of Asbestos • White: Most common, accounts for 95% of all asbestos used in the United States. • Brown: Found in Africa, used as a fire retardant. • Blue: Found in southern Africa and Australia

10. White Asbestos

11. History of Asbestos • Named by the Greek for it’s inextinguishable. • Became widespread during the industrial revolution. • During the 1860’s it was used as insulation in the U.S. and Canada. • Was used in the first filtered cigarette from 1952-1956 by “Kent”

12. Production of Asbestos • In 2005, 2.2 million tons of asbestos was mined worldwide. • Russia was the largest producer with 40%. • China was second largest producer.

13. What is Asbestos used for? • Joint compound • Mud and texture coats • Vinyl floor tiles, sheeting, adhesives • Roofing tars, felts, siding, and shingles • “transite” panels, siding, countertops, and pipes • Fireproofing • Interior fire doors

14. What is asbestos used for continued… • Caulk • Gaskets • Brake pads and Shoes • Clutch plates • Stage curtains • Fire blankets • Fireproof clothing for firefighters • Thermal pipe insulation

15. When was asbestos banned? • “Asbestos ban and phase out” • July 12, 1989 The EPA issued a final rule. • It banned Asbestos in many product, but could still be used in other product. • It would also banned any other products from starting to us it.

16. S/S of Mesothelioma • SOB due to pleural effusion • cough • Chest wall pain • Weight loss • Ascites • Wheezing, hoarseness, or cough • Blood in sputum

17. Treatment for Mesothemlioma • 6-12 months to live after diagnosis • Surgery • Radiation • Chemotherapy • Treatment only works by extending life expectancy not by getting rid of it.

18. What we would do as medic’s… • IV TKO • Pain Meds • Possible Cpap or Intubation • Comfort measures

19. Prevention against Mesothelioma • Check to see if buildings you are working in has asbestos. • It is only dangerous if it gets airborne. • Use of SCBA • Using commercial washing machine after exposure.

20. Sources… • www.google.com • www.wikipedia.com • www.cancer.gov • www.epa.gov

21. Questions???

22. The END….