Asbestos Exposure Linked to Increased Risk of Stroke, Cardiovascular Disease

April 11, 2012 - PRLog -- As a health risk, asbestos is most commonly linked to mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis, as well as a handful of other respiratory issues. However, a recent study published by Britain’s Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine has also linked asbestos exposure to an increased risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease due to its inflammatory properties.

The study included 98,912 British men and women in the asbestos abatement and manufacturing industries where asbestos was present. The research took place from 1971 to 2005, including a 19 year follow up period. Compared with the general population, men exposed to asbestos were 63 percent more likely to die from a stroke and 39 percent more likely to die from heart disease. Women are 100 percent more likely to die of stroke, and 89 percent more likely to die from heart disease after being exposed to asbestos.

Anne-Helen Harding, Ph. D. headed the study and states, “These findings provide some evidence that occupational exposure to asbestos was associated with cardiovascular disease mortality in this group of workers. Asbestos is an inflammatory agent, and there is evidence that inflammatory processes are involved in the development of cardiovascular disease.”

“EMSL laboratories have been performing asbestos analysis since 1981,” says Ed Cahill, Vice President of EMSL’s Asbestos Division. “Our 31 locations are equipped and accredited to test for the presence of asbestos in the air, soil, water, or bulk building materials.”

For more information regarding EMSL’s asbestos services please call 800-220-3675 or visit www.EMSL.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a full service testing company providing quality lab services under the same private ownership since 1981, including the corporate lab facility in Cinnaminson, NJ. EMSL Analytical operates over thirty laboratories nationwide in the US and Canada. We provide analytical services for environmental, indoor air quality (IAQ), industrial hygiene, forensic and materials science, consumer products, food safety, PCR, pharmaceutical, asbestos, lead, and radiological samples. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations, as well as state and federal regulating bodies. Please see our website for a complete listing of accreditations.

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EMSL Analytical Inc. is a nationally recognized accredited testing laboratory and locally focused provider of consumer product, environmental, microbiology, industrial hygiene, food and materials testing services to professionals and the general public.