Donnette

Hawaii was first settled by Polynesian people. The process by which this took place is still a matter of debate among archaelogists, with some favoring in a theory of a single continuous migration, and others favoring a theory involving two separate waves of migration.

It is not certain when the Europeans first visited the islands, but it is possible that Spanish explorers may have reached the islands during the 16th century. When British navigator, Captain James Cook encountered the islands in 1778, he was surprised to find them, and named them the Sandwich Islands after the First Lord of the Admiralty, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, John Montagu.

Hawaii was united under a single ruler, Kamehameha I, for the first time in 1810. Until 1816, the chiefs considered the islands under British protection and flew the Union Jack. Hawaii then adopted a similar flag to the present Hawaiistate flag with a Union Jack in the canton (the top corner nearest the flagpole) and eight horizontal stripes representing the eight islands. In 1820, missionaries from a New England Congregationalist group arrived. Gradually they converted first the leading chiefs, and later the commoners to Protestant Christianity.

In the 1870s, Hawaii gradually drew closer to the United States. An 1874 treaty granted Americans exclusive grading rights. The 1876 Reciprocity Treaty allowed duty free importation of Hawaiian grown sugar and rice into the United States. Following these treaties, the Hawaiian landscape was greatly altered by the irrigation requirements of new sugar cane plantations. Additionally, an influx of immigrants from Asia (initially Chinese and later Japanese) was encouraged, in order to work the plantations.

During the 19th century, there were several periods of instability. This culiminated in the Hawaiian Revolution of 1893 when the Queen was overthrown, with the wrongful involvement of (according to the then US President, Grover Cleveland), of US diplomatic and military representatives. Grover Cleveland was however unsuccessful in his attempts to get the Queen reinstated, and eventually accepted the legitimacy of her overthrow and the new government of the Republic of Hawaii. In 1896, William McKinley became President, and two years later he signed the Newlands Resolution which annexed Hawaii to the United States.

After annexation, Pearl Harbor became (and still is) an important US Navy base. The Empire of Japan's attack on this base on December 7th 1941 was the trigger for the entry of the US into World War II. The Japanese attack resulted in severe damage to the US fleet, including the sinking of nine ships, four of which were battleships.

In 1935 and 1937, US Congress deliberated on whether Hawaii should be admitted as a US state. However, southern states opposed the admission of non-white majority territory, and the question was put on hold. In 1950, Hawaii began a new campaign for statehood by putting the question on its ballots. In 1959 the goal of statehood was finally achieved, and Hawaii was admitted as the 50th state of the Union on August 21st.

First published at http://www.vacation2usa.com/p1_state_hawaii_history.php

For more information about Hawaii, please visit http://www.vacation2usa.com/p1_state_hawaii.php

Many medical conditions can affect your hearing ability. A proper treatment at the right time would often lead to improving or restoring your hearing conditions. But, if left undiagnosed and untreated some conditions can lead to an irreversible hearing impairment or complete deafness.

With a mirror and good light, examine closely the ear skin and shell; look for any obvious blocking of the ear canal and test the ears hearing ability in the suggested manner.

1. Examine the external ear for any soreness, bleeding or discharge from the ear canal. These findings can mean infection, skin cancer or infection from the inner ear.

2. Gently pull the ear upward and backward, and use a double mirror to sight into the ear canal. Blockage prob ably means impacted wax, or if it is painful, an infection in the ear canal.

3. Tap the hard mastoid bone, directly behind the ear with the fingertips and note any soreness or tenderness which may indicate infection in the middle ear.

4. Achieve complete silence by holding a pillow to both ears, and note any ringing or buzzing noise, which usually means otosclerosis.

Most Common Ear Problems :

Infection of the Inner Ear:

Infections of the hearing part of the ear are called otitis media, and are usually seen in childhood, but rarely may begin after fifty. Accompanied by intense pain in the ear and high temperature, these ear infections are apt to be followed by a perforation of the eardrum with a running ear commonly following. With infections in the inner ear, as in other parts of the body, it is important that general health be maintained at a high level, to combat this lingering type infection. The aid of the experienced physician is necessary for the successful treatment of infection in the inner ear.

Otosclerosis (Buzzing in the Ear):

Otosclerosis is a chronic disease of the ears hearing mechanism which reduces fine hearing and produces a buzzing, ringing sound in the ear. When the three small bones that transmit sound within the ear become diseased, they acquire a stickiness and pass a continual message. The result is the constant buzzing, ringing or roaring noise which seems loudest when it is most quiet, as in bed at night. This does not interfere completely with hearing and is least noticed in noisy public places. Otosclerosis is very common in the upper age bracket and is most difficult to cure, but a good ear doctor can be of considerable help in this disease.

Deafness Due to Ear Canal Blockade :

Occlusion of the external ear canal often is the sole cause of reduced hearing and removal of the block produces sudden and definite improvement. Wax is sometimes the offender, but occlusion may be due to a boil-like infection in the canal or a formation caused by accumulated dust particles. Irrigation of the ear with warm water is sometimes sufficient to clean out the ear canal and improve the hearing.

Deafness Due to Eardrum Difficulties :

Perforation or destruction of the eardrum may result in decreased hearing, but not a complete loss of hearing. Perforations of the drum are common, usually a result of old middle ear infections. The eardrum with a small hole in it will continue to function fairly well until the eardrum is almost all gone, and then clear distinct hearing is lost. Loss of the entire eardrum however, does not cause total deafness, since sound can still be conducted through the bones of the ear and the skull.

So, if you suspect that you or any of your loved one has a some kind of problem with their hearing, please ensure optimal hearing healthcare by seeking a medical diagnosis from a physician.

Visit common problems in ear for more info. Also, visit how to protect your health over 50 website for more detailed remedy for various health related problems.

He was only a child when it begun -and he played as children do- in his yard with his toy cars and tip trucks But his sand was asbestos blue

In December 1999, my husband and I were walking home from a game of lawn bowls when I became aware of his shortness of breath. I was surprised and concerned when he told me that he had experienced this on several occasions. Believing this to be due to chest a infection, I made a doctors appointment for him the next day.

Chest X-rays revealed fluid on the lungs, over two litres of which was drained, giving Brian immediate relief, but it was a tense wait for the pathology results.Through the Internet I had become aware of several conditions which may have been responsible for fluid on the lung; these included asbestos- related diseases. Brian had lived in Wittenoom as a child and I was afraid of his diagnosis. Not wanting to worry him unnecessarily, I did not mention my fears to him. I prayed that he had pleurisy or pneumonia but the pathology results revealed that there were cancer cells present.

When Brian finally received his diagnosis, my worst nightmare became reality. He had pleural mesothelioma, a terminal cancer of the lung caused by the inhalation of asbestos dust. We found it inconceivable that the disease was the result of Brian inhaling asbestos dust as a child and that it had lain dormant for forty-five years before become lethal.

We were still reeling from the shock when, without preamble, the young doctor gave his prognosis. His exact words were, Three to nine months, I reckon. That he could say this so unfeelingly amazed me. His total lack of compassion did not encourage even the small comfort of tears. I felt as if Brian and I had been shot and from that moment on we were waiting to drop.

Undoubtedly, were mortally wounded. We suffered shock, disbelief, anger, helplessness and utter despair; in fact all the symptoms of grief one feels when a loved one has actually died. Once again we found ourselves with no control over our lives. This time however, there was no light at the end of the tunnel. Our journey through terminal illness had begun.

Throughout the course of our married life my deep love for Brian and my determination to resolve difficulties had seen us through many trials. I found it hard to believe that nothing could be done to save his life and begun surfing the Internet for information regarding mesothelioma, all the time praying for a miracle, hoping against hope to find a doctor who had successfully operated on or cured someone of it.

It was a sad realization to discover that for Brian there were no miracles; however, I learned a lot and it helped me to accept that he was dying. With my acceptance came a fierce determination to ease his burden. I continued to seek information regarding mesothelioma and the pain and symptoms Brian would experience, due to the progression of his disease. In this way, I came to understand the importance of pain management and symptom control and realized that although I could not stop Brian from dying I could help him to live.

My acquired knowledge regarding pain and symptom management enabled me to communicate with Brian and to understand the type of pain he was experiencing and the intensity of that pain. I was then able to work hand in hand with his doctors, to bring his pain and symptoms under control. As my efforts resulted in his improved quality of life, I lost my sense of helplessness and gained strength.

Together, we achieved for Brian, a quality of life few thought possible, considering the nature of his disease. Testament to this, Brian survived for 2 years despite his prognosis of 3 to 9 months. Remained active and alert, drove his car for eighteen months after diagnosis and was not bed bound until three short days prior to his death.

Brian's courageous battle with mesothelioma came to an end on the 24th December 2001, he passed away at home surrounded by his loved ones. He was 54 years old.

Article written by: Lorraine Kember Author of Lean on Me Cancer through a Carers Eyes. Lorraines book is written from her experience of caring for her dying husband in the hope of helping others. It includes insight and discussion on: Anticipatory Grief, Understanding and identifying pain, Pain Management and Symptom Control, Chemotherapy, Palliative Care, Quality of Life and Dying at home. It also features excerpts and poems from her personal diary. Highly recommended by the Cancer Council. Lean on Me is not available in bookstores - For detailed information, Doctors recommendations, Reviews, Book Excerpts and Ordering Facility - visit her website http://www.cancerthroughacarerseyes.jkwh.com.

Screw Fixing your house sign: This is the most common method of fixing a house sign or house number and it is probably the simplest, but there are one or two things you will need to take into account. Choice of screw is vital, use either solid brass or preferably stainless steel. Ordinary steel screws will rust very quickly, brass coated screws will eventually corrode and even galvanised screws will rust if the galvanised coating is scratched, as it surely will be! The risk from rusting or corroding screws is not just the sign crashing to the ground, but that many house sign materials are susceptible to staining. Slate and stone will stain from rust, and marble will positively love to absorb rust or corrosion stains. Even granites may stain somewhat, though not quite as badly as other materials, but why take the risk?

Building your house sign into a wall: Many house signs are built into stone or brick walls, if this is this case you must specify that you do not want your house sign drilled! There are few problems to worry about with this method, however if your house sign is made from Yorkstone or Marble be sure to use a clean washed sand as the minerals in some sands may stain and discolour your house sign, avoid dark red sands and look for red mineral patches in the sand. Likewise watch out for your friendly bricklayer throwing his fag ends into the cement, nicotine stains are deadly! Slate and Granite house signs are largely immune to this problem as water does not easily pass through the material.

Hidden Fixings for House Signs: First of all, hidden fixings are normally only available on house signs of 20mm or thicker, if you want a hidden fixing, please ask whether your house sign is suitable. This method of fixing a house sign seems to frighten some people but it is in fact very easy! Our hidden fixing house signs are hung on one or two stainless steel pins fixed into the back of the house sign at a downward angle. The single pin fixing , used on the smaller house signs are simplicity itself to fix. Simply drill a hole in the wall at a downward angle and hang the sign into the hole. This is suprisingly secure, the hole does not even need to be drilled very accurately (as long as the house sign is centred!)as the drill hole can be much bigger than the pin. For a more secure fixing simply glue the sign into place. Fixing a larger house sign needing two pins is just a bit trickier, as levelling the house sign can take a few minutes more, but this is not difficult, and a bit of packing under one of the pins will usually do the trick.

Sticking your house sign to a wall: Sticking a house sign or house number in place with adhesive is not an option for large heavy signs but for your average size of house sign will avoid the necessity of drilling either the house sign or the wall..

Just sticking your house sign to the wall may not be as ridiculous as it sounds, as long as you can keep the house sign in place, and level until the adhesive holds, it should be no problem. Try holding the house sign in place with small pins or hold it up on a timber prop. Modern adhesives are fantastic and you could use any of the gunned gripfix or silicon types to fix your house sign, just be sure that it is suitable for exterior use. One tip, wash the back of your house sign before trying to fix it to remove any dust.

Steve Walker has been a craftsman in stone and marble for 40 years. In his long career has practised as a stone mason, letter cutter, restoration carver, marble mason, and fireplace designer/manufacturer. He is now the sole owner, and craftsman of http://www.stoneengravings.co.uk StoneEngravings, Engraved Natural Stone House signs.

Mesothelium cells serve the function of producing the lubricating fluid that enables the body organs contained within their cavities to move and slide freely. The lungs will move freely during the process of breathing. The mesothelium in the chest cavity covers the inner lining of the chest wall and is called parietal pleura. The lungs are also covered almost completely by mesothelium. This portion of the mesothelium covering the lungs proper is called parietal pleura. By their secretions the lungs move freely during inspiration and expiration.

The abdominal cavity has a similar configuration. The inner lining of the abdominal cavity is invested by mesothelium called the parietal peritoneum. The visceral peritoneum covers the surfaces of the intestines and other organs in the abdomen including liver and spleen. Some portions of the intestine are freely mobile and dangle on tissue pedicle called mesentery which is sandwiched on both surfaces by visceral peritoneum. Examples of these include most of the small intestine, transverse large intestine, sigmoid large intestine, and portions of the underbelly of the liver.

The intestines will move freely during digestion, the heart will move freely during its contracting functions, and the testicles will also freely slide in the testicular cavity. The development of mesothelioma will therefore either destroy the organs contained within these cavities by directly invading them or encase them restricting their movements like a "boar constrictor" only very slowly. As you can imagine, when these scenarios occur, the functions of the lungs, heart, and organs of the abdominal cavity will be severely compromised leading to a variety of unpleasant and life threatnening effects or symptoms of the disease and death.

Ike Uzoaru, M.D. http://www.nojargonmesothelioma.com

Mortgages are a complex borrowing and along with the monthly payments which we all expect to pay, there are some other costs which are not so obvious to take into account. As this type of borrowing is not one we do that often, it is often easy to miss or not understand some of the additional costs that may be incurred. Reading the terms and conditions is a good place to start, as most of the time it is here you will find in the small print any other charges.

When you take out a mortgage, one thing many of us fail to consider is what would be the consequences of ending that particular mortgage deal. With remortgaging becoming more popular and banks and building societies constantly reminding us of that better we could be getting if we were to switch a huge number of us are doing exactly that, remortgaging to get that better deal.

If you think you might consider remortgaging in the future then look into any exit costs that may be applicable. Though at the time you take out the mortgage deal the interest rates may seem very attractive and competitive, what could be a downside is how much money you will be required to pay the lender if you decide remortgage.

Some lenders may charge a fee for you to have the privilege of taking out a mortgage with them known as an arrangement fee. This can be anything from a few hundred pounds to a percentage of the amount you want to borrow. So this could add up to a huge amount so it is may be worth looking at other lender options.

An attractive interest rate with a particular lender may be one of the reasons you decide to borrow from them in the first place. Be sure to find out exactly how long this special rate is applicable for and what happens after that special rate period. To give you an example a two year deal with an exceptional interest rate might seem like a great option, but after that period the interest rate moves onto the standard variable rate which means your monthly payments go up considerably and you are tied into it unless you want to pay the penalty fee of exiting early. So what seemed liked a good option may turn out to be a costly one if not careful.

Please visit Mortgages UK for more information.

One of the most important benefits employed people enjoy is health insurance coverage. It is also the single most costly expense for self-employed entrepreneurs. So what can you do to reduce ever increasing costs of health care coverage? Here are a few tips.

1. If a medical bill seems excessive, try negotiating

Your doctor or the office manager who handles billing will probably be flexible, provided you make a valid case. When one woman in Texas was charged $900 for surgery and consultation, she explained that she had visited the hospital just once, for surgery; her bill was promptly cut by $370.

2.. Contact a medical bill auditor

Several services have a medical bill auditing system that evaluates your medical bills to determine if errors occurred in the billing process. Considering that 97 percent of hospital medical bills contain errors, its no wonder why out-of-pocket medical expenses are on the rise for consumers. Because the typical hospital bill is extremely complicated, often containing several hundred line-item charges, there is ample opportunity for computer mistakes and accidental human error. Do a Google search for medical bill auditors to find companies offering this service.

3. You may get a tax break on your medical bills

Keep all your medical bills together and add them up at tax time. If they exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income, you may deduct the excess. Please note that these items also may be included in the total: the cost of eye glasses, contact lenses, physical therapy, x-rays, hearing aids, psychiatric care, insurance and transportation to the hospital or doctors office (at 30 cents a mile). There are phase-outs in some cases based on adjusted gross income. Check with your professional tax adviser.

4. Deduct 100% of your healthcare costs from your taxes

The IRS allows all self-employed to deduct 100% of health care costs from their taxes by using Section 105 of the Internal Revenue Code. To receive this deduction, you must do the following:

a) Hire your spouse as an employee of your business.

b) Have your spouse receive health insurance in his or her name, and include the family on the policy.

c) Pay your spouse a salary that will cover the costs of the insurance.

d) Talk to your tax professional about planning for Section 105 on your taxes.

We all know your spouse is active in your business. Now, you can equally recognize their contribution he or she makes and get Uncle Sam to give you a tax break.

5. Help for families with kids -- CHIP

All states have established new programs that help lower income families with children to pay for health insurance for their kids. Financed partly by the federal government, the Childrens Health Insurance Programs (CHIP) operate either as an expansion of the states Medicaid program or a subsidy for basic private health insurance. Eligible families may be able to access coverage for their children at greatly reduced premiums which will vary depending upon family income. Contact your state Department of Health or Insurance for more information.

6. Shop around

Hospital costs vary widely, especially between urban and rural facilities. If your doctor has admitting privileges at more than one hospital, find out if you can be admitted to the one thats less expensive. Keep in mind that hospitals operated by non-profit foundations are usually less expensive than investor-owned, for profit hospitals. To find out how much your local hospitals charge, ask your doctor. Many states have Health Services Cost Review Commissions, which compile such data.

7. Check for free clinics in your community

You and your entire family can save hundreds of dollars by taking advantage of the many free screenings, immunizations, and other health clinics offered by your local community or a town near you. Numerous community hospitals and social services can provide blood pressure checks, shots for your children, free contraceptives and/or advice, and other preventative health care at little to no cost.

8. Get a second opinion out of town

Believe it or not, your chance of undergoing an expensive surgery or preventative procedure may depend solely on where you happen to live. Statistics show that the frequency in which certain medical procedures are performed varies widely from location to location. For example, residents of New Haven, Conn., are twice as likely to undergo a coronary bypass operation as residents of Boston, Mass. Whats the reason for this discrepancy? One Dartmouth Medical School expert, John E. Wennberg, M.D., M.H.P., explains that certain operations are simply more fashionable in some parts of the United States than others. So, if you plan to get a second opinion prior to surgery, consider going to a specialist in another city. In addition, try to find out what the surgery rates for your procedure are in different cities. HealthAllies.com also offers this service online at www.healthallies.com. To get the names of second-opinion doctors in your region, call the U.S. governments toll-free second-opinion hotline at 1-800-638-6833.

9. Dont pay double for a second opinion

As you make arrangements for a second opinion, ask your doctor to send copies of your medical records, x-rays, and lab tests to the second-opinion doctor. These tests dont need duplication; your second doctor will have the information he or she needs and you dont pay double.

10. Emotional stability

Your mental health is equally important as your physical health. Do you have blue days once in awhile, or struggle with gray winters? St. Johns Wort, an over-the-counter herbal supplement, has been proven to increase positive moods. Before rushing to your family physician for medication to make you feel better, try supplements with a combination of expressing your feelings with friends and a healthy lifestyle. Mood stabilizers are some of the most costly medications on the market today. However, you should be aware of the signs of stress or even depression. Give yourself a simple screening test:

• Do you have feelings of sadness and/or irritability?
• Has there been a loss of interest in pleasure activities you once enjoyed?
• Have there been changes in your weight or appetite?
• Have you noticed changes in your sleeping pattern?
Are you feeling guilty?
• Do you have the inability to concentrate, remember things or make decisions?
• Are you fatigued or have a loss of energy?
• Do you experience restlessness or decreased activity noticed by others?
• Do you have feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness?
• Do you have thoughts of suicide or death?

If you answer yes to any of these questions, consider consulting your family physician. If they recommend mental health treatment, it is more cost-effective to have your family physician prescribe mood stabilizers instead of seeing a psychiatrist. However, follow your doctors instructions on counseling and referrals to mental health professionals.

11. Order your prescription drugs by phone, web or mail

There are many discount prescription drug benefits available for a modest cost. Communicating for Agriculture and the Self-Employed offers a free prescription card through PCS. This program saves its members up to 40 percent at over 55,000 pharmacies nationwide. On average, CA members save $9.39 per prescription order. You can enroll free on their Web site at www.selfemployedcountry.org.

12. Ask your doctor to prescribe generic drugs

Medicine marketed under its scientific name is usually 50 percent cheaper and just as effective as brand-name versions. In addition, look for generic drugs in the medicine you purchase over the counter. For example, 100 generic aspirin may cost $1.79; the same ingredients packaged under a well-known brand name can cost more than $5 for 100 tablets. Consider, also, just how important the new easy-to-swallow products are to your comfort. The lesser price of some medicines may be comparably easier to swallow when thinking about your budget.

13. Get enrolled in a group plan

For self employed people including those involved in small businesses, individual health insurance can be extremely costly sometimes as much as 30 percent of your take home pay. By joining associations like National Association for the Self Employed (www.nase.org), you have the opportunity to enroll in a group insurance plan with unique built-in cost controls.

14. Choose a higher deductible

Often for the healthy family, the number of visits to the doctor totals less than $250 a year, a normally low deductible rate. This low deduction rate, however, can end up costing you more in the form of higher premiums. If your family has enjoyed good health for a number of years, you may want to switch to a higher deductible of $500 or $1000. Youll notice greatly reduced premiums.

15. Pay premiums annually

You avoid the service fee and may also receive a discount from your insurance carrier. Check with your insurance agent about how much money you can save if you pay your premium one time during the year.

16. Make sure theres a ceiling for out-of-pocket expenses for catastrophic illnesses

About half of individual policyholders lack this important provision, according to insurance experts, who recommend a major medical policy with a stop-loss clause limiting policyholder payout to $2,000 or $3,000.

17. Get educated about your health

Invest in your health by becoming information-rich. Read publications about health care. Pay special attention to free wellness publications like Inside Mayo Clinic at www.mayo.edu/healthinfo/public.html or have on hand a book on medical self-care, like The AAFP Family Health and Medical Guide and The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. A wealth of information is also available on the Internet.

18. Take advantage of free health advice

For free information booklets from the U.S. government about nearly every health care topic you can imagine, simply write to the Consumer Information Center in Pueblo, Colorado. The government offers several dozen booklets on topics ranging from nutrition, medical problems, mental health, to drugs, exercise and weight control. To receive a catalog explaining these booklets, write to:

Consumer Information Center
PO Box 100
Pueblo, CO 81009
www.pueblo.gsa.gov (you can download booklets from this site)

Once again the U.S. Government comes through by providing a number of toll free health care information phone services. Topics are numerous, including hearing aids, cancer information, Alzheimers disease, drugs and pregnancy issues. For information on the health topics and phone numbers, call the National Health Information Center at 1-800-336-4797.

19. Brush up on first-aid skills and become CPR certified.

Proper treatment of various accidents may reduce the number of visits to the doctor, and can save lives in an emergency. Its important to always keep an updated medical kit in your home or office.

Here are the basics for your first-aid kit:

• bandage supplies, including a roll of 3 inch wide gauze, individually packaged 4 inch sterile gauze pads, a roll of 1 inch bandage tape, butterfly bandage tape, and scissors
• elastic bandages
• cotton swabs
• sterile dressings or towels
• pain reliever (acetaminophen or ibuprofen)
• anti-inflammatory medicine (ibuprofen)
• ipecac syrup (for use on advice of medical professional to induce vomiting)
• tweezers
• hydrogen peroxide
• skin creams, including hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion and antibiotic creams
• an antihistamine (diphenhydramine for allergic reactions)
• flashlight
• eye patch
• arm sling
• tongue depressors (to be used as a finger splint)
• ice pack
re-hydration fluids (such as Pedialyte or Infalyte)

20. Take a lifestyle approach to wellness every day

Take charge of your health by making simple changes in your lifestyle. By following these seven basic rules of good health, youll improve your chances of living a long, healthy, active life.

• Get eight hours of sleep per night.
• Eat breakfast every morning.
• Cut down on snacks between meals.
• Keep within 10 pounds of your recommended weight range. If youre unsure what your weight range should be check with your doctor.
• Exercise aerobically for at least 30 minutes three times per week.
• Dont smoke.
• Dont drink more than two alcoholic beverages per day.
• Take recommended dosages of vitamins and supplements.

Copyright 2004, Monikah Ogando, Ogando Associates, Inc.

Monikah Ogando is a highly skilled facilitator and charismatic speaker. She continues to inspire her audience through her expertise in Business Development, leadership effectiveness, individual accountability and the values that guide excellence. She practices what she speaks: an entrepreneur, Monikah leads her own two companies, consulting firm http://www.ogandoassociates.com and Exodus House Publishers and is a Team Member of http://www.solo-e.com

Find more articles like this at http://www.Solo-E.com, the lifestyle-inspired online learning and connection community. Visit now to receive a free copy of our special report, The Four Secrets of Solo Entrepreneur Success, plus a complimentary 30-day membership.

It was American workers on the world's first atomic bomb who became the first industrial victims of beryllium, a rare but especially light, stable and strong metal whose toxic dust can kill those who breathe it.

Now Seafarers doing ship maintenance and have used Jasons De-rusting and de-scaling guns (also known as J-gun or Jasons pistol) raise concerns about exposure to beryllium.

Unlike other metals, beryllium does not spark and was therefore used on tanker ships containing fuel.

Beryllium can cause a long-term lung disease (berylliosis) in some people by triggering an immune (allergic) response in the body. In general, significant exposure to beryllium in a respirable form is required for any disease to occur, and symptoms may take up to 20 years to develop even after exposure has stopped.

Beryllium dust can cause fatal and untreatable lung disease, similar to asbestosis.

The symptoms of berylliosis include shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, weight loss and fatigue. These symptoms are common, so that most people who have these symptoms do not have berylliosis. Occasionally, other areas of the body like the skin, eyes, mouth & nose may develop a rash following contact with dust containing beryllium.

There is no preventive or curative treatment available for berylliosis or chronic beryllium disease.

More information can on Beryllium, Mesothelioma and Asbestosis can be found at http://www.mesotheliomainfosite.com