Toxic Manganese Exposure and its Effects Manganese is a very useful and important element. It is used in the production of dry cell batteries, fuel additives, fungicides, paint, and adhesives. It is also used for steel production, the production of potassium permanganate (a disinfectant), the creation of glass and ceramics, matches and fireworks, welding rods, […]
El Dorado Hills’ Asbestos Problem
El Dorado Hills’ Asbestos Problem El Dorado Hills, 22 miles east of Sacramento, California, is a seemingly normal town with good schools, nice golf courses, and gated communities. It is one of the fastest growing areas in California, but it has one problem: naturally occurring asbestos. Most people were unaware of the asbestos lurking underneath […]
Fracking and its Effects on the Environment and Human Health
Fracking and its Effects on the Environment and Human Health Hydraulic Fracturing, or fracking, is the process of injecting millions of gallons of water, sand, and toxic chemicals into the ground to extract natural gas. Fracking was created by Halliburton to increase production in conventional oil and gas wells when the wells started to run […]
February is Cancer Prevention Month
February is Cancer Prevention Month According to the World Health Organization 30 to 50 percent of all cancer cases are preventable. The largest avoidable risk factor for cancer mortality is tobacco smoking, which kills approximately 6 million people each year (from cancer and other diseases). The reason tobacco smoke is so dangerous is that there […]
The History of Ambler, Pennsylvania
The History of Ambler, Pennsylvania Ambler, Pennsylvania, a small town 16 miles north of Philadelphia, was once known as the asbestos manufacturing capital of the world. The town thrived because of Richard Mattison, the son of a Quaker farmer. He went to the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and the University of Pennsylvania Medical School. While […]
The Difference between COPD and Asbestosis
The Difference between COPD and Asbestosis COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a disease obstructing airflow from the lungs. It is caused by irritating gases and particulate matter, which is usually cigarette smoke. The two biggest contributors to COPD are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis is caused by inflammation of the lining of […]
Recycling and Disposal of Asbestos
Asbestos is a highly regulated substance under many different statutes: As solid waste under the Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA) As a hazardous substance under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) As a building Material under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) As an airborne contaminant under the National Emissions Standard […]
Johnson & Johnson Knew it had Asbestos in its Products
Johnson & Johnson Knew it had Asbestos in its Products Reuters has investigated and found that Johnson & Johnson has known that asbestos was in its baby powder since at least 1971. From 1971 to the early 2000s, the company’s raw talc and finished powders sometimes tested positive for asbestos. The company’s lawyers, doctors, scientists, […]
Today is the Great American Smokeout
Today is the Great American Smokeout For more than 40 years the third Thursday in November, known as the Great American Smokeout, has been a day to quit smoking. The Great American Smokeout started when Arthur P. Mullaney in Randolph, Massachusetts asked people to give up smoking for a day and donate whatever money would […]
Rising Levels of Asbestos Imports into the United States
Rising Levels of Asbestos Imports into the United States The United States’ importation of asbestos has increased 2,000 percent from July to August of 2018, going from 13 metric tons in July to 272 metric tons in August. With the amount of asbestos coming into the country, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is not protecting […]