Mesothelioma primary prevention

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Parminder Dhingra, M.D. [2]

Overview

Effective measures for the primary prevention of mesothelioma include removal of asbestos from schools and other public buildings.^[1]^[2]

Since the 1970s, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration have regulated the asbestos industry in the United States.^[2]
In the past, asbestos was used as a fire retardant and an insulator. Other products are now used in its place.
The controversy involving exposure to different forms of asbestos continues.
There are two major types of asbestos: chrysotile and amphibole. It is thought that exposure to the amphibole form is more likely to cause mesothelioma. However, chrysotile has been used more frequently, hence many mesotheliomas are caused by chrysotile.^[1]
Removal of asbestos is taking place in schools and other public buildings throughout the U.S. The hope is that these measures will greatly reduce the occurrence of this cancer.

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Asbestos. Wikipedia 2016. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asbestos. Accessed on February 16, 2016
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 OSHA Archive. UniteD States Department of Labor 2016. https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_id=246&p_table=TESTIMONIES. Accessed on February 16, 2016