Vinyl Chloride and Angiosarcoma

The chemical Vinyl Chloride has been historically known to create a number of health problems for decades even before it was known to cause angiosarcoma. The federal government was aware of the risk of Vinyl Chloride and had regulated workers to only be exposed to 500 ppm (part per million) a day. Because Angiosarcoma takes decades to fully develop, the initial studies of vinyl chloride were observing more obvious conditions like liver disease and degenerative bone disorders. In the late 1960s the connection between Vinyl Chloride and Angiosarcoma presented itself as B.F. Goodrich workers were exposed to above average rates of the chemical. These workers had much higher rates of developing liver angiosarcoma. More studies were conducted after this initial discovery because it seemed strange that such a large number of workers in one plant could suffer from such a rare disease by coincidence.

Scientists have struggled to pinpoint the exact methods by which vinyl chloride causes liver angiosarcoma, but most thought that it was inhaled first, and then transferred into the bloodstream where the liver attempts to filter it. When the liver fails to filter the chemical, it causes serious mutations to the liver cells, resulting in angiosarcoma. Like the B.G. Goodrich cases, numerous more cases were seen in the hairdressing industry. It was later learned that these beauty shop workers used aerosol cans that have vinyl chloride acting as a propellant for the spray. As a result, the government revised the original protective measures to limit vinyl chloride to one ppm per day.

Related Links:

Back Pain Facts?

There are several causes of back pain: mechanical causes, eg lumbar disc disorders; degenerative conditions, eg degenerative disc disease; inflammatory conditions, eg ankylosing spondylitis; infective causes, eg osteomyelitis; neoplastic causes, eg primary benign or malignant tumours; metabolic bone disease, eg osteoporosis; referred pain, eg from duodenal ulcer; psychogenic pain - originating in the mind rather than the body.

Back pain is one of humanity's most frequent complaints and does not usually reflect any underlying disease. However, anyone with back pain that does not improve after a few days should first consult a Physician, as back pain can sometimes indicate significant and serious conditions which might not otherwise be diagnosed. Back pain is very rarely a sign of a serious medical problem. It is however important that the treatable medical causes are identified early on.

Back pain affects 50 to 80 percent of people in the U.S. at some point in their lives. In any given year, 10 percent of adults experience back pain or other symptoms, such as limited mobility or stiffness. Each year, Americans spend an estimated $24 billion on treatments for back pain - not including missed time from work nor the emotional costs of enduring pain and not being able to participate in daily activities. Imagine what it would be like to have problems working, golfing or enjoying playtime with children!

Back pain can be mildly uncomfortable, excruciating or anywhere in between. It can start slowly, sometimes a result of poor posture, or come on suddenly because of injury. If your question is not answered here, please contact one of our information specialists. Back pain can last for a few short days or can linger for weeks, months and even years. Arthritis is a common form of back pain. The earlier arthritis is diagnosed, the more steps can be taken to reduce disability in the future. Other factors that aggravate back pain include suffering from stress, not getting enough sleep, being overweight, having poor posture or not being physically fit.

Back pain should not be considered a normal part of aging; it is a chronic condition that calls for similar lifestyle changes as diseases like arthritis and diabetes do.