Guest article written for us, by the Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center.

We’re all well aware of the debate surrounding the use of traditional fuel and energy sources. The current problem of rising gas prices is just one of the many issues we’re facing, but there are a plethora of other issues that we may not have considered, including the release of incredibly toxic air and water pollutants by oil refineries, as well as exposure to asbestos, a toxin that is most likely found in all refineries in the form of piping insulation. Exposure to asbestos is the only confirmed cause of mesothelioma, a fatal form of cancer that has no cure and is extremely debilitating.

Asbestos regulations vary throughout the world, but in the U.S. and several European nations, there is no ban on this toxin. Usage regulations may be in place, but the majority of federal regulations were not implemented until the mid 1980s, so any refinery that was constructed prior to the regulations probably contains dangerously high levels of asbestos. Asbestos is an excellent insulator, which made it an obvious choice for lining the extensive piping needed for the oil refinery process. What people didn’t
know when they were building these refineries was that asbestos exposure has incredibly devastating health consequences if it is disturbed or damaged, whether it is a result of natural corrosion as the insulation ages or occurs during a fire or explosion. If damaged, asbestos-containing insulation in
refineries can release tiny asbestos fibers and dust into the air, putting oil refinery workers at risk of inhalation. The workers are not the only individuals at risk, however: residents who live within a several-mile radius of a refinery which has caught fire or experiences an explosion are also at risk of inhaling these dangerous fibers, as they can be transferred via wind currents after they become airborne. Additionally, other harmful chemicals, including benzene and methanol, are released from oil refineries
on a daily basis, creating an even larger environmental and health issue.

If inhaled, asbestos fibers can situate inside the lining of the lungs for decades before an individual may begin to suffer from common mesothelioma symptoms, including shortness of breath and chest pain. Once diagnosed, an individual will most likely lose their battle with this particularly aggressive form of cancer in less than 2 years. Mesothelioma, also known as asbestos cancer, is totally fatal, and less than 1% will survive.

It’s obvious that our use of traditional fuel and energy sources is a serious issue, and when you consider the lesser-known health effects in addition to the environmental and economic effects, it makes far more sense to shift to alternative sources of energy, such as wind power, and less environmentally invasive forms of fuel, such as ethanol. By decreasing our dependence on oil use, we’ll eliminate the need for refineries and subsequently see a decrease in the number of individuals who are exposed to
asbestos and develop mesothelioma cancer.

For further information on the environmental and health consequences of oil refinery use, please visit www.maacenter.org.

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