Abstract This paper focuses on the occupational hazards of exposure to asbestos. The author points out its physical and chemical properties as well as the routes of entry into the body. The paper relates the health effects of exposure to asbestos and the measures necessary to reduce the risks associated with asbestos exposure.
From the Paper "A large variety of chemical substances can cause health hazards to the human body. Chemical hazards take the form of solids, liquids, vapors, gases, dusts, fumes or mists. They can be inhaled, ingested or absorbed through the skin into the body. The chemical substance that this report will focus on is asbestos. There are several reasons why asbestos was chosen for this report. According to the US Department of Labor (2003), "[In the US] an estimated 1.3 million employees in construction and general industry face significant asbestos exposure on the job.""
Abstract The paper aims to research and examine occupational health and safety issues in working with asbestos, including the protection of workers in construction and the employment-risks related to working with asbestos materials. The paper further examines the effects and dangers arising from the risk of exposure and what can be done to minimize the dangers of the individual in the working environment.
Outline:
Aim of Study
Objective of Study
Research Questions
Review of Literature
Summary of Literature Reviewed
Methodology
From the Paper "Asbestos is the 'fibrous form of mineral silicates belonging to the serpentine and amphibole groups of rock-forming minerals, including actinolite, amosite (brown asbestos, cummingtonite, grunneriate), anthophyllite, chrysotile (white asbestos), crocidolite (blue asbestos), tremolite or any mixture containing one of the following: (1) asbestos containing materials; (2) asbestos dust; (3) asbestos fibre. Asbestos has been identified as a designated material by the Workplace Health Hazard Regulation. The work entitled: "Your Guide to Working with Asbestos" published in March 2003 relates safety guidelines and requirements for work involving asbestos."
Abstract This paper examines how the interpretation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) rules in dispute settlements has shown both the limits and scope of how a rule-making body, with a legacy of compromise and negotiated outcomes, deals with environmental protection. It spells out the WTO position on the trade-environment linkage and then reviews the key provisions negotiated under the WTO framework that relate to environmental policies. Next, it details the scope and limit of these rules by analyzing a sample of environmental cases interpreted in the WTO dispute settlement body (DSB). These include the tuna-dolphin, shrimp-turtle, reformulated gasoline, and asbestos cases. It also looks at how the WTO rules compare to those established under other Multilateral Environmental Agreement (MEAs) and how this relationship is significant as it highlights limits.
From the Paper "The preamble to the Marrakesh Agreement that establishes the WTO has referred to the importance of working towards sustainable development. The Members have recognized that "their relations in the field of trade and economic endeavor should be conducted with a view to....protect and preserve the environment and to enhance the means for doing so in a manner consistent with their respective needs and concerns at different levels of economic development" This statement contains an example of the legacy of compromise and the result of negotiated outcomes in the WTO. In the case of environmental protection there is a compromise of "sustainable development" embedded in the WTO Agreements and mandates that gives leeway to "creative ambiguities"."
Abstract Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that occurs in the mesothelium within the human body. This paper explains that breathing asbestos is one of the main factors contributing to this disease. Symptoms vary according to the type of mesothelioma contracted. It points out too, that mesothelioma is diagnosed by performing a biopsy and treatment for the disease include chemotherapy, radiation and/or surgery.
From the Paper "Mesothelioma is a very rare form of cancer that causes rapid cell division of abnormal cells within the mesothelium in our body. The mesothelium is, the membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: One layer immediately surrounds the organ; the other forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures. The mesothelium within our body is divided up into five categories: the peritoneum, which is the tissue that covers the organs within or abdominal cavity; the pleura, which is the covering of our heart and lungs, the pericardium which provides the protection for our heart, and two types of reproductive tissue - the tunica serosa uteri in women and the tunica vaginalis testis in men (National Cancer Institute, 2001)."
Abstract This paper addresses the current crisis at W.R. Grace regarding is insulation product, currently discontinued, which contained Zonolite. According to this paper, Zonolite contains the most hazardous form of Asbestos and was widely utilized around the world for a period of 10-15 years. W.R. Grace is preparing a communication strategy, a plan to execute on this strategy and a method to ascertain this strategy's efficacy.
From the Paper "W.R. Grace began mining Zonolite in Libby, Montana approximately 70 years ago and has profited handsomely from this naturally occurring ore primarily from its inclusion in attic insulation sold throughout the world for most of the company's history(Staff, Deadly, pars.10-11). The Zonolite insulation material is currently blamed for the deaths of several individuals, targeted for a class action lawsuit and holds considerable risk of ballooning into a major financial exposure to stakeholders, officers and others implicated in these disasters: "She remembers...seeing Zonolite in the attic...Zonolite is made from vermiculite...tainted with asbestos when it was mined in Montana...She is now collecting names for a class action against the federal government"(Welch, pars.4-5).
Abstract This paper provides a detailed analysis of several gases and chemicals which are present in the air we breathe and how these are causing adverse effects on our health. It explains that air pollution created by humans is the most dangerous and discusses possible ways to reduce this phenomena.
Outdoor Air Pollution
Ozone
Nitrogen Dioxide
Sulphur Dioxide
Acid Aerosols
Particulates
Air Toxics
Carbon Monoxide
Lead
Asbestos Asbestos: Health and Exposure
Potential Effects of Outdoor Air Pollution on Health
War: Detrimental Consequences and Air Pollution
War Gases
Classification of War Gases
Asphyxiants (Irrespirable Gases)
Sewer Gas
Emphysema
From the Paper "The air that surrounds us is a mixture of 78 percent nitrogen; 21 percent oxygen; less than 1 percent of carbon dioxide, argon, and other gases; and varying amounts of water vapor. Any other particles, gases or unoriginal constituents hanging in the air which are not part of its original composition are called "Pollutants" and this kind of air is called
Polluted Air. Even inhaling small amounts of such air pollutants can have serious effects on one's health and leads to environmental problems. We can see some air pollutants such as the reddish-brown haze in smog; however, other air pollutants, including some of the most dangerous, are invisible.
Air pollution can be natural or human-made. Air pollution occurs naturally during volcano eruptions, forest fires, or dust storms. This has been an occasional problem for humans. However, during the past hundred years, air pollution created by humans has become a major, persistent problem."
Abstract This paper suggests that the causes of the decline in union member are (1) the workforce is now more mobile and (2) workers are now solely concerned with their own individual welfare rather than the general good of all employees. The author points out that unions can no longer show their innate strength and power by threatening strikes and staging them because, today, lawyers are well versed in launching attacks against large firms, such as the cause of retired workers who had been affected by constant and long term exposure to asbestos in an asbestos manufacturing company. The paper suggests that, although union membership has been declining, job-related grievances have not decreased: If unions can handles these employee needs, can union membership be revitalized?
From the Paper "The data from C.P.S. has proved to be extremely useful to the U.S. Department of Labor, too, because of the fact that it helps the Department to ascertain the membership in the various unions that exist in the country. This is how it was noticed that there was a significant drop in union membership over the years, and this has labor officials extremely worried. It was only about twenty-five short years ago that each and every worker in the United States of America was proud to be carrying a union card that would proclaim the membership of the individual to a particular union. Today, aside from a teacher or a fire fighter or a police officer, there are not many people who belong to the union and proclaim to others that they do indeed belong to one. However, it is a well-known fact that this decline has been gradual and steady and has been happening over a period of many years. However, there are many people who are not able to accept the present situation and feel that the change was not necessary and is dramatic."
Abstract The paper explores different issues that arise when dealing with punitive damages. The author defines punitive damages and looks at why the ability to sue for this particular type of damages in court is so useful and at the same time, extremely rare. They often take several years to resolve. Punitive damage cases are often comprised of several people seeking to sue a large conglomerate, such as the tobacco industry, in order to prevent further harm to a large number of people. The O.J. Simpson civil case was an example of punitive damages being used as a way to ensure that a person was held financially responsible for their criminal act. These types of cases are small in number, but often make headlines because of the enormity of the settlements involved.
From the Paper "The use of punitive damages is particularly useful in cases where it is desired that defendants alter their bad behavior as well as recompense defendants. Doing away with punitive damages, particularly in the case of large corporations, could allow a company to compensate the individuals of the families they had injured, yet continue with the company's damaging behavior because it was cheaper and more cost effective to do so. A company could continue to use technologically inferior, polluting technology even after paying money to defendants because a case was tried in civil rather than criminal court. Yet in nearly 80 percent of product liability cases in which punitive damages were awarded, the manufacturer made a subsequent safety change. (McLarty, AATL Website) Also, because so many punitive damages cases have included such large payment amounts to defendants, this can be said to have caused safety to be taken into greater account in company manufacturing, thereby resulting in a safer America."
Abstract The paper shows that immediately after the September 11 terror attacks the initial solution to potential exposure of toxic pollutants left the EPA with a significant list of issues to be addressed, not the least of which was providing an open line of communication to those who were most at risk at ground zero. Within the first several days of the rescue mission, the EPA and other agencies worked hard to obtain and distribute respiratory and eye protection equipment; provide health and safety training upon request; design and implement a site monitoring plan and addressed many more issues. he paper examines how, one year after the attacks, the EPA is still monitoring for water and air contamination and testing for high toxic levels.
From the Paper "The extent to which the terrorist attack upon the World Trade Center has impacted both the nation and the cradle of humanity as a whole is undeniably far-reaching. However, people are not the only entities to suffer from this display of social intolerance, inasmuch as the explosion aftermath has created great concern for environmental safety with regard to asbestos, airborne particles, burning plastic and concrete dust, with the latter issue presenting a potentially significant threat to wildlife with regard to runoff into local waterways."
Tags: center, health, terrorism, trade, world, 911, asbestos
From the Paper "The purpose of this research is to show how business is often impacted by the media, with the result being government regulation and costly litigation. Two industries, the asbestos and the tobacco, will be highlighted to illustrate this problem.
Many people today believe that what does not fit the ideological preconceptions of the media is not considered news today. For example, while talk of rich and poor abounds, a recently released statistical report from a Treasury Department study of income tax returns showed that most Americans did not stay in the same part of the income distribution very long. Among people whose incomes were in the bottom 20 percent in 1979, 86 percent were in some higher income bracket by 1988. In other words, only 14 percent of the "poor" were still in the bottom quintile a decade later. Fifteen percent had risen all the way..."
Abstract Discusses the reference book on what needs to be done to ensure a healthy house. Defines a healthy home as one with good indoor air quality. Subsystems of a building and its materials and components; health hazards of each. Examples of three healthy houses. Sources, symptoms & treatments of unhealthy elements (lead, asbestos, etc).
From the Paper "Introduction
The Healthy House (2001) by John Bower, is a very well organized reference work on almost everything that needs to be done to ensure a healthy home, i.e. a house with good indoor air quality, free of most gases, odors, particulates, or dust. This comprehensive work is good for anyone interested in living in a healthy home and is essential for anyone who is chemically sensitive or has suffered from sick building syndrome. First, John Bower introduces the reader to indoor air quality and other fundamentals. He then discusses the subsystems contained within a building and explains the different materials and components that go into building a house, specifically the health aspects of each. He follows up with detailed examples of three healthy houses along with a complete section of resource material..."
Abstract This paper addresses the issues and problems related to public health that tend to be exclusively found in urban areas and how several cities have implemented programs to address the health care needs of affected residents. It looks at how, since urban areas tend to have more people with lower incomes, the unique problems of public health that exist include a higher percentage of people without health insurance, lead paint and asbestos in homes, AIDS and HIV, tuberculosis, and mental health issues. Furthermore, this paper discusses how different cities, with the help of the states and federal government, implement programs that will improve their public health system. These government-funded programs are often the only access these people have to health care.
From the Paper "There are numerous programs in Jersey City that are offered to assist people with mental health related problems. The most common services associated with mental health include, the Jersey City rape crisis center, bereavement groups, support groups for new parents and child abuse and domestic violence prevention services. These programs and services are offered by the Jersey Medical Center hospital and are available to people who need them. The goal of these mental health services is to help these people overcome the problems they are facing and to prevent these issues from getting worse by addressing it early on. The primary sources of funding for these programs are grants from the State of New Jersey and Federal government."
Abstract This paper explains that International Paper, considering industry-wide overcapacity, would not necessarily lead to improved profitability, and the risks of owning Georgia-Pacific stock include the company's severe exposure to asbestos liabilities and environmental lawsuits and the high leverage on the balance sheet. The author points out that the stock market "bulls" state that IP occupies the industry's number one spot in coated and uncoated paper, bleached board and land ownership; the number two spot in softwood lumber production and the number three spot in container-board, which translates into scale advantages. The paper relates that the "bulls" state that the sale of Georgia-Pacific's low-margin construction-products distribution business will free up more than $1 billion to put toward debt reduction. Many tables and charts.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Strategy
Management
Financial Health
Growth
Valuation
Risk
Conclusions regarding International Paper
Bulls' Opinion
Bears' Opinion
Conclusions regarding Georgia-Pacific
Bulls' Opinion
Bears' Opinion
From the Paper "Over the past three years, International Paper has consolidated its position in the industry. Its strategy was to use acquisitions in order to build momentum and sell any assets that cannot be used in one of the company's three core categories. International Paper bought Champion International for $9.5 billion in 2000 and subsequently sold non-essential assets which were in total value of $3 billion. When it comes to strategy, Georgia-Pacific's intention is to distance itself from commodity wood and paper products, and move into high-value-added businesses, that also present the advantage to be close to the consumer. In 2001, the company spun off its timber operations and sold a portion of its pulp and paper assets. In 2002, the company sold its paper distribution business. Finally, in 2004, GP sold its construction-product distribution business and two pulp mills."
Examines the irony of raising consciousness for a worthwhile cause but at the same exacerbating fear in the public, as seen in Victor Kelleher's novel, "Slow Burn".
705 words (approx. 2.8 pages), 0 sources, 2005, $ 25.95
Abstract Victor Kelleher's 1997 novel "Slow Burn" is a young-adult science fiction novel which has been enormously popular in Australia and the United Kingdom. The paper shows that part of its popularity is perhaps due to its main concern, environmentalism, which has been a major media issue for the last 20 years, as increased urbanization and industrialization have put the natural world and even human life in jeopardy. The paper shows that while Kelleher treats these matters with urgency, he also provides teenagers with a tale of disillusionment, loss and betrayal to which readers may easily relate. The paper argues, however, that Kelleher's hero, Danny Fenton, formulates violent, non-constructive responses to his fears and rage; his solutions ironically become part of the problem and are not justified.
From the Paper "Danny assembles a group of easily influenced teenagers, forming bands of 'Eco-terrorists,' perhaps an oxymoron. These youths wreak havoc on society, exploding homes and other properties belonging to those they blame for environmental hazards. Naturally, they find themselves at odds against the Establishment, who, although they might agree with the message of the 'Eco-terrorists,' they are terrified and extremely dismayed by these acts of violence. As a result, the teenagers wage a full-scale war against the Establishment. Gradually, Danny's friends, one by one, are imprisoned; Danny alone remains energetic in his violent campaign to educate the world about environmentalism."
Abstract The paper gives an overview of toxicological issues and their effects on health aspects. The paper explains why smokers have a greater risk for manifestation of asbestosis than do non-smokers, the scientific content breakdown of aspirin poisoning, the clear link between a low protein diet and increasing blood levels of cadmium and lead and, lastly, the dangers of alcohol. It explains how the human body is a very delicate piece of machinery with very fine balancing mechanisms and the effects that the toxicological issues mentioned have on it.
From the Paper "Aspirin poisoning creates acid base abnormalities in the body and hence monitoring the blood and urinary Ph values are vital during the treatment. It is well known that blood is a well-buffered fluid system in the body and its normal Ph is 7.41. [DEHL] Since aspirin is quickly hydrolyzed into salicylic acid in the blood plasma there is an observed increase in acidity in the plasma. Increasing plasma salicylate levels leads to metabolic acidosis, which is compensated for by respiratory alkalosis resulting in fast deep breathing. The kidney, as an important homeostatic organ of the body, tries to compensate by absorbing h+ ions or HCo3 ions. An increase in urine ph in effect implies that there is an increase in acidity of blood, which the kidney tries to set right. Sometimes, alkaline diuresis maybe necessary to bring down the urinary and blood acidity levels and to facilitate the kidney in increasing the absorption and urinary elimination of salicylates. [eMedicine] Thus, in effect the blood and urinary Ph are vital statistics in the treatment of aspirin poisoning."
