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It is a matter of great important for the people of Texas to know that Texas ranks as the 5 th state which has the highest Mesothelioma death rate. It is very important for people to be aware of this disease as many people may be suffering from it without even knowing. According to a research, at least 2,651 people have fallen victim to asbestos related illnesses. Out of them, 1,349 to 2,325 have been afflicted with this vicious cancer.
It is a very scary fact related to mesothelioma that it has no cure. People who develop this disease have been known to die within the first year the symptoms appeared. Mesothelioma cancer cases have been steadily increasing over the years, according to the National Cancer Institute. Having a long latency period of more than 30 years, it can occur decades after you have been exposed to asbestos.
Two most common types of mesothelioma are plural and peritoneal mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma affects pleura or the lining of the lungs while the peritoneal mesothelioma attacks the peritoneum or the stomach lining. People who have been working or are still working with this deadly toxic asbestos are more likely to develop this disease such as construction, insulation, ship building and maintenance, asbestos mills, and car repair shops. They are very vulnerable without any protective clothing and masks as they can inhale asbestos particles or dust.
Prolonged exposure to asbestos cannot only harm the workers but their loved ones and family members too. Asbestos particles can be transferred through clothing, shoes and hair of the workers and inhaled by others causing them this deadly disease too or while washing or dusting their clothing.
Mesothelioma in Texas
Below are the figures for the number of deaths, mortality rate (per million population), and years of potential life lost (YPLL) in Texas 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 |
|
Texas |
125 |
7 |
8.19 |
42 |
9.62 |
34 |
1,832 |
7 |
14.7 |
15 |
Behind large mortality rate in Texas, the main reason is the, 214 shipments or 681,087 tons of asbestos contaminated vermiculite which was sent to Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Bonham, Sweetwater, Laredo, Hamlin, Fort Worth, Irving, Quanah, Galena Park, McCauley, Rotan, Brownwood and La Porte during 1948 and 1993. The largest shipment of this Libby ore was sent to Dallas.
The federal government has listed the 2651, Texas Vermiculite Company on Manila Road in Dallas as the one for largest storage of asbestos.
t has been recorded in a report by the National Centers for Health Statistics of the CDC that more than 259 people died from mesothelioma in 2002. 123 deaths were from asbestos related disease while 127 people were victims of mesothelioma. Most of these people were elderly men. It was during 1997 to 2002 that mesothelioma mortality really increased from 3.5% in Texas. The areas from where most of the mortalities were reported are Houston, Beaumont and Dallas.
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