Spodden Valley, Rochdale's asbestos scandal

Six minerals are defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as "asbestos" including those belonging to the serpentine class chrysotile and those belonging to the amphibole class amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, anthophyllite and actinolite. There is an important distinction to be made between serpentine and amphibole asbestos due to differences in their chemical composition and their degree of potency as a health hazard when inhaled. However asbestos and all commercial forms of asbestos (including chrysotile asbestos) are known to be human carcinogens based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans.[4][5]


Chrysotile, CAS No. 12001-29-5, is obtained from serpentinite rocks which are common throughout the world. Its idealized chemical formula is Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4. Chrysotile fibers are curly as opposed to fibers from amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite which are needlelike.[6] Chrysotile, along with other types of asbestos, has been banned in dozens of countries and is only allowed in the United States and Europe in very limited circumstances. Chrysotile has been used more than any other type and accounts for about 95% of the asbestos found in buildings in America.[7] Applications where chrysotile might be used include the use of joint compound. It is more flexible than amphibole types of asbestos; it can be spun and woven into fabric. The most common use is within corrugated asbestos cement roof sheets typically used for outbuildings, warehouses and garages. It is also found as flat sheets used for ceilings and sometimes for walls and floors. Numerous other items have been made containing chrysotile including brake linings, cloth behind fuses (for fire protection), pipe insulation, floor tiles, and rope seals for boilers.[citation needed]


Amosite, CAS No. 12172-73-5, is a trade name for the amphiboles belonging to the cummingtonite-grunerite solid solution series, commonly from South Africa, named as an acronym from Asbestos Mines of South Africa. One formula given for amosite is Fe7Si8O22(OH)2. It is found most frequently as a fire retardant in thermal insulation products and ceiling tiles.[7]


Did you know that…..? 
According to a recent study (Dec. 2010) that a woman diagnosed erroneously breast cancer has a great negative effect on your quality of life?. This research, published in the British Journal of Surgery, on the effect of false positives of mammograms in the quality of life for women has been directed by A.F.W. van der Steeg. 


While it is true that through mammography breast cancer screening reduces mortality to detect in most early stages, never so far is had studied psychic on the woman in false positives, i.e. the emotional consequences in women which were diagnosed with breast cancer without it. This research was carried out between September 2002 and January 2007 and covered a sample of 152 women who were diagnosed with breast cancer and 233 who had a false positive result. Women answered a questionnaire that average anxiety and another on the quality of life, these questionnaires responded them before mammography and the 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the same. 


The conclusion was that women with a false positive diagnosis of breast cancer detected by mammography had a quality of low life and high scores on the anxiety trait.