Fact Sheet Protecting Workers from the Hazards of Abrasive Blasting Materials Abrasive blasting uses compressed air or water to direct a high velocity stream of an abrasive material to clean an object or surface, remove burrs, apply a texture, or prepare a surface for the application of paint or other type of coating.
The most common gene associated with late-onset Alzheimer's disease is called apolipoprotein E (APOE). APOE has three common forms: 1  APOE e2 â the least common â appears to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's. 2  APOE e4 â a little more common â appears to increase the risk of Alzheimer's.
Scientists believe that for most people, Alzheimer's disease is caused by a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors that affect the brain over time. Less than 5 percent of the time, Alzheimer's is caused by specific genetic changes that virtually guarantee a person will develop the disease. Although the causes of Alzheimer's aren't yet fully understood, its effect on the brain is clear. Alzheimer's disease damages and kills brain cells.