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Pennsylvania is one of the states of US which have a high Mesothelioma death rate. The reason for a high death rate in Pennsylvania is the asbestos based industries located here. It’s been reported by CDC that asbestos diseases have increased fourfold in the US since the last 3 decades. This is a very startling fact keeping in mind the ban that was imposed on the commercial and industrial use of asbestos by EPA in 1989.
Commercial and industrial usage of asbestos was a big factor which contributed in its spread among people. However, even since it was banned in 1989, asbestos based products are still seen in the market. This, along with a number of other factors has played a role in increasing Mesothelioma annually. According to a report, every one American out of 125 people dies from Mesothelioma above the age of 50 years.
One thing which we should know is that mesothelioma is a preventable disease and it can be prevented by avoiding asbestos exposure. People working in industries or factories where asbestos is handled can save themselves from this deadly disease by wearing protective clothing and masks. But apart from this, indirect exposure to Mesothelioma by inhaling the asbestos particles from clothes, shoes and hair or the workmen can also cause this disease. Thus, if you have ever worked in such a place, it is very important to get regular checkups.
Mesothelioma is very rampant in people and attacks two parts of the body most, the pleura and the peritoneum. Plural mesothelioma attacks the lining of the lungs while peritoneal mesothelioma attacks the lining of the abdominal cavity. It must also be kept in mind that this disease has a latency period of up to 50 years.
Mesothelioma in Pennsylvania
Below are the figures for the number of deaths, mortality rate (per million population), and years of potential life lost (YPLL) in Pennsylvania in the year 1999, among residents aged 15 years and older.
State |
|
Crude Mortality |
Rate |
Rank |
|
Age-Adjusted Mortality |
Rate |
Rank |
|
VYLL to life Expectancy |
Total |
Rank |
VYLL/death |
Rank |
|
Pennsylvania |
162 |
3 |
16.80 |
7 |
14.14 |
16 |
2,095 |
4 |
12.9 |
39 |
3,046 people might have been the victims of this deadly toxic in Pennsylvania since 1979, according to estimates with 1,348 - 2,215 people dying from mesothelioma. The highest number of asbestos diseases was found in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.
Also, around 4,391 shipments or 436,274 tons of asbestos contaminated vermiculite was sent to Pennsylvania from Libby, Montana during 1948 and 1993. New Castle, Ellwood City, Philadelphia, Monongahela, Ambler, Pittston, Lancaster, Duquesne and Fairless Hills were the locations to receive these shipments but the largest vermiculite shipment was sent to New Castle.
Zonolite Company/W.R. Grace on 12th & Factory Streets in Ellwood City and the Zonolite Company at 202 East Cherry Street in New Castle have been declared by government as ones containing and processing the highest amounts of asbestos.
nother reason as to why there is high mesothelioma incident rate in Pennsylvanian is the September 11th tragedy. When the World Trade Center collapsed in New York City, the dust and debris of the building spread far and wide. In construction of World Trade Center, asbestos was also used which spread in form of dust particles as far as Pennsylvania. Thus, these asbestos particles settled in far off areas and traveled to other places, which is the main cause of Mesothelioma in the country.
A new US Geological Survey report points out that 41 places in Pennsylvania are known to be natural deposits of asbestos. Whenever these areas are disturbed, asbestos particles are released in the air and anyone living or working in the surrounding locations can inhale them.
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