I am a child of the fifties. I remember going through a period in high school during which the dangers of asbestos became apparent, and there was much ado about removing asbestos from homes and public buildings. Our high school, which was built in the 1920s, underwent massive asbestos removal and parts of the complex were closed for extended periods of time.
I believe at the time, the big scare over asbestos focused largely on the fact that it is a known human carcinogen. But now, there is even more to be said about the hazards of these minerals. Last year, a group of researchers from Idaho State University and The Center for Environmental Health Studies at the University of Montana revealed that asbestos may play a role in some autoimmune diseases, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and a newly described autoimmune disease affecting the lungs.
In the early 2000s, the CDC conducted an extensive screening in the town of Libby, Montana, where many individuals have been exposed to asbestos due to the mining operations in the area. Among the 7,000 residents of the town, 494 individuals reported having autoimmune diseases including lupus, RA, or systemic sclerosis. It was anticipated that the incidence of these diseases would be found in about 1% of the population there, but in actuality 6.7% of residents were affected. Blood samples were taken from 50 persons in the area. For comparison purposes. blood samples were also taken of residents of Missoula, Montana where no mine activity is/was present. The samples were tested for ANA (anti-nuclear antibody)--which is an indicator of autoimmune disease. The result: the presence of ANA in the Libby group samples was 28.6% higher than in the Missoula group.
At present, there is further study of a subgroup of the population in Libby that has developed a very severe progressive autoimmune lung disease. The condition is quite painful. The tissue of the lungs tends to become rigid as a result of the condition, making it difficult to breathe. Some of the afflicted have failed to thrive due to infections. The cause is thought to be related to asbestos and the mining activity that once dominated in Libby.
This is definitely cause for concern for us all...and most particularly for those who have been exposed to asbestos due to occupation or even by chance. And it also points to the fact that chronic pain conditions can come from sources that we may not think to be likely.
I believe at the time, the big scare over asbestos focused largely on the fact that it is a known human carcinogen. But now, there is even more to be said about the hazards of these minerals. Last year, a group of researchers from Idaho State University and The Center for Environmental Health Studies at the University of Montana revealed that asbestos may play a role in some autoimmune diseases, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and a newly described autoimmune disease affecting the lungs.
In the early 2000s, the CDC conducted an extensive screening in the town of Libby, Montana, where many individuals have been exposed to asbestos due to the mining operations in the area. Among the 7,000 residents of the town, 494 individuals reported having autoimmune diseases including lupus, RA, or systemic sclerosis. It was anticipated that the incidence of these diseases would be found in about 1% of the population there, but in actuality 6.7% of residents were affected. Blood samples were taken from 50 persons in the area. For comparison purposes. blood samples were also taken of residents of Missoula, Montana where no mine activity is/was present. The samples were tested for ANA (anti-nuclear antibody)--which is an indicator of autoimmune disease. The result: the presence of ANA in the Libby group samples was 28.6% higher than in the Missoula group.
At present, there is further study of a subgroup of the population in Libby that has developed a very severe progressive autoimmune lung disease. The condition is quite painful. The tissue of the lungs tends to become rigid as a result of the condition, making it difficult to breathe. Some of the afflicted have failed to thrive due to infections. The cause is thought to be related to asbestos and the mining activity that once dominated in Libby.
This is definitely cause for concern for us all...and most particularly for those who have been exposed to asbestos due to occupation or even by chance. And it also points to the fact that chronic pain conditions can come from sources that we may not think to be likely.
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