Canada Considers Re-opening Asbestos Mine Despite Dangers & Protests

Chrysotile Asbestos

The Canadian government is considering re-opening an asbestos mine in order to get new supplies of chrysotile asbestos.  A proposal to convert Jeffrey Mine, an open pit mine that supplied much of the export supply of chrysotile asbestos, into an underground operation is being considered by the government despite global protests and knowledge of the dangers of exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral, is well known for its heat, fire and erosion resistant properties.  For almost a century, until the early 1980’s, asbestos was added to thousands of industrial and construction products.  In the early 80’s, many developed countries began imposing bans on the use of asbestos, as well as regulations for management, removal and disposal of asbestos due to its toxic nature.

Asbestos, decades after exposure, causes serious and fatal illnesses, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.  Over a hundred thousand a year worldwide die of an asbestos related disease each year, and it is estimated to be the cause of one third of all occupational cancers.

Canada itself is in the process of removing asbestos from its buildings and products and has a ban on the use of asbestos in most circumstances.  However, Canada continues to export tons of chrysotile, also known as white asbestos, to developing countries, such as India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Korea and Japan.

Despite the known risks of exposure and also the knowledge that often developing countries do not provide training or protection of workers using asbestos, the Quebec government is considering providing a loan of just under $60 million as a guarantee of the project to convert and reopen the mine.  Jean Charest, current Premier of Quebec, claims that they would require a guarantee that those receiving the asbestos would follow the rules of “safe use of chrysotile effective in Canada.”

The problem is there is no “safe” level of exposure and there is no way to guarantee that importing countries will use asbestos in a way that protects workers and the general public from exposure.  In fact, the current reality of rising numbers of asbestos related diseases both in Canada and in other countries reveals that indeed importing countries will not protect and even with protections and warnings, deaths are on the rise.

Despite worldwide protests and 40 asbestos victims joint effort of a signed letter lobbying against the re-opening of the Jeffrey mine and continued export of the deadly mineral, Charest and others within Quebec continue to say that chrysotile can be mined and used safely.  Renowned medical and scientific organizations that oppose the move include:

Despite the show of global unity, the Canadian government is still considering the proposal.  One can only hope that the growing awareness and increased joint efforts to educate about the dangers and eradicate the use of asbestos worldwide will be sufficient to prevent the reopening of a mine that basically delivers a fatal poison.

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 30th, 2010 at 11:39 am and is filed under Asbestos. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

View the original article here

New York Contractor Convicted of Asbestos Violations

Mesothelioma Law Blog: New York Contractor Convicted of Asbestos ViolationsMesothelioma Law Blog« Attic-Stored Christmas Décor Could Pose Risk of Mesothelioma |Main

New York Contractor Convicted of Asbestos Violations

Rochester, NY - (Mesothelioma News) A federal jury in Rochester, N.Y., has convicted a contractor of violating the Clean Air Act and exposing workers and the public to cancer-causing asbestos. The verdict, reached on Nov. 12, focused on the actions of Keith Gordon-Smith and Gordon-Smith Contracting during a two-year demolition project at Rochester’s Genesee Hospital.

Prosecutors from the U.S. Department of Justice, who tried the case against the upstate New York contractor, said asbestos “fell like snow” on workers, who wore no protective suits.

Mesothelioma lawyers say the extent and duration of the violations are particularly troubling because the resulting asbestos exposure could put many individuals at risk of developing asbestos-related diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma, a nearly always fatal cancer that strikes the protective lining covering many of the body’s organs.

The heat- and fire-resistant qualities of asbestos made it a popular building material until it was scientifically linked to cancer. Even so, it is still present in many buildings, from homes and offices to schools, and its removal and disposal is strictly regulated by federal and state law.

Contractors, for example, must take special care when removing the material during renovation and demolition work. They are required to provide workers with adequate safety garments and gear, and to minimize the danger of asbestos being released into the air. When airborne, asbestos particles are especially dangerous, because they can easily be inhaled and lodge in the lungs, triggering diseases like mesothelioma, which manifests itself years, even decades, later.

Medical researchers have not fared so well in the fight to eradicate mesothelioma. To date, there is still no cure. The disease, which is almost always caused by asbestos exposure, is both physically and financially devastating.

Mesothelioma lawyers, on the other hand, have had great success in the courtroom, obtaining large, often multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements against those who knew about asbestos dangers but did little, or nothing, to protect others.

These civil cases are just part of the story. In recent years, courts have seen an increasing number of criminal cases brought against those who do not follow the rules when it comes to handling asbestos. The Rochester case is just one example of this increased focus on enforcement.

Gordon-Smith, who was convicted on eight counts of asbestos removal violations from 2007 through 2009 and then lied to hide those violations, now faces up to five years in prison, along with fines of up to $250,000 on each count.

Nor were Gordon-Smith’s actions an innocent mistake, according to prosecutor Ignacio Moreno, assistant U.S. attorney general for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. Instead, Moreno said, the contractor knowingly exposed workers and public areas to asbestos-and an increased risk of mesothelioma and other deadly diseases.

While Gordon-Smith’s exact prison sentence and fine will soon be known, those who were exposed to asbestos because of his actions will have a far longer wait to learn their own fate.

This news story was brought to you by the mesothelioma lawyers of Cooney & Conway. For more than half a century, we’ve brought relief-and recovery-to those injured by the negligence or harmful actions of others. In the process, we’ve litigated some of the country’s most significant asbestos lawsuits, helping victims of mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases get answers and justice.

Source

December 31, 2010 | Permalink

Comments Verify your Comment Previewing your CommentPosted by:  | 

This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.

Your comment could not be posted. Error type: Your comment has been saved. Comments are moderated and will not appear until approved by the author. Post another comment The letters and numbers you entered did not match the image. Please try again.

As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.

Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.

Post a comment Comments are moderated, and will not appear until the author has approved them.

Comment below or sign in with TypePad Facebook Twitter and more... You are currently signed in as (nobody). Sign Out (URLs automatically linked.)

Your Information

(Name and email address are required. Email address will not be displayed with the comment.)

Name is required to post a comment

Please enter a valid email address

Invalid URL

December 2010SunMonTueWedThuFriSat   12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031 Recent PostsNew York Contractor Convicted of Asbestos ViolationsAttic-Stored Christmas Décor Could Pose Risk of MesotheliomaLong Island town tries again to line up contractor for asbestos removalArizona town gets grant to remove asbestosN.Y.'s high court tosses asbestos suitMesothelioma Cases Rising in the United KingdomDisagreement over the use of surgery to treat mesothelioma patientsAsbestos group wants research not reviewMesothelioma Testing May Predict Cancer Development and Improve Prevention EffortsMesothelioma Treatment Improved with the Addition of Tomudex to Cisplatin TherapyCategoriesAnti Cancer TreatmentAsbestosAsbestos BillsAsbestos CasesAsbestos CleanupAsbestos CompensationAsbestos DangersAsbestos DeathsAsbestos in the WorkplaceAsbestos SettlementsAsbestos WisconsinColorado MesotheliomaConnecticut AsbestosCrocidolite AsbestosDetecting MesotheliomaErie County AsbestosFight Against CancerFiji AsbestosGeneral Mesothelioma NewsGeorgie AsbestosIllinois AsbestosLegal QuestionsLegal RightsLondon AsbestosMaryland AsbestosMasschusetts AsbestosMesotheliom ResearchMesothelioma AnswersMesothelioma CancerMesothelioma CasesMesothelioma CompensationMesothelioma LawMesothelioma law verdictsMesothelioma LawyerMesothelioma LawyersMesothelioma Legal NewsMesothelioma SettlementsMesothelioma StoriesMesothelioma Treatment OptionsMinnesota Minnesota MesotheliomaMissouri AsbestosNew Jersey MesotheliomaNew York AsbestosOhio ResearchPitsburgh MesotheliomaPreventing MesotheliomaSouth Carolina MesotheliomaTelomerase Gene SequenceTennessee MesotheliomaTexas Mesothelioma AttorneysUK AsbestosUncategorizedUnderstanding MesotheliomaVermont AsbestosVermont Asbestos LawVirginia AsbestosMesothelioma News From Topix.netBlog Created ByLawyers CourtOther Legal BlogsDUI SarasotaKent Washington Personal InjuryRenton Personal InjuryLynnwood Personal InjuryBellevue Personal InjuryEverett Personal Injury LawyerCriminal Tax BlogSecurities Law NewsSacramento DUI LawTax Litigation BlogSearch Engine BlogsExecutive SEO MarketingSearch Engine WatchSearch Engine LowdownGoogle BlogYahoo Search BlogSEARCH MARKETING NEWSSubscribe to this blog's feedAdd me to your TypePad People listOther Legal SitesChicago Medical MalpracticeClearwater DUI AttorneyKirkland Personal Injury LawyerChicago Personal InjuryPolk County Drunk Driving LawyersOrlando DUI Law FirmWashington Auto Accident AttorneysRenton Family LawyersFort Wayne Slip & FallDUI ExpungementDeer Park LawyerChicago LawyersSecurities Arbitration AttorneysMinnesota LawyersPalm Springs DUIChicago AttorneysIllinois Tax AttorneyChicago Securities LawSeattle Car Accident LawyerChicago Illinois AttorneyNew York Construction LawyerChicago Shareholder DisputesCalifornia DUI LawyersIllinois Antitrust LawyersWashington Accident AttorneySeattle Personal InjuryChicago Eminent DomainChicago Corporate LawyersPortland Real Estate LawIowa Injury LawyersChicago Business LawLegal DirectoryChicago Securities LawyerChicago Wills AttorneyChicago Probate LawyersChicago LawyersLegal News FeedsLaw Firm ConsultantChicago Tax LawyersAttorney SEOOther SitesChicago Gutter CleaningHospitality TrainingCredit InsuranceSun ProtectionChicago Career CoachWest Palm Beach BankJackson Hole ContractorsBoston LimousinesSun HatsChicago Web DesignArchivesDecember 2010November 2010October 2010September 2010August 2010July 2010June 2010May 2010April 2010March 2010More...

document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js'%3E%3C/script%3E"));COMSCORE.beacon({ c1: 2, c2: "6035669", c3: "", c4: "http://www.mesotheliomalawblog.com/2010/12/new-york-contractor-convicted-of-asbestos-violations.html", c5: "", c6: "", c15: ""});

View the original article here

Asbestos clean up continues in US schools

As the US realizes its error of long asbestos use and attempts to correct the problems now rampant across the country, reminders consistently pop up to clarify the daunting height of such a task. Ridding the nation of just one toxic chemical could take exponentially longer than it took to spread it through homes, buildings and machinery across the country.

Smith Middle School of Chillicothe City Schools in Ohio is one such reminder. The schools facilities were closed in 2007 following the opening of a new school. Administrators are now considering all possibilities for the property’s future. Regardless of whether the school is rebuilt, sold, or razed, however, aged asbestos materials used in its original construction and remodels over the years must be removed.

Asbestos poses no threat if contained inside secure components. As an example among countless other things, many floor and ceiling tiles manufactured and installed in the US have been made with asbestos. As long as the tiles stay intact and undamaged, there is no safety or health risk. However, over time such materials begin to wear out, allowing the asbestos fibers to become airborne. This is particularly so in municipal buildings like schools where high traffic is an almost daily reality.

Smith middle School was built in 1931, well before asbestos health risks were known. It was not until the 1980’s that the US began to regulate use and removal of asbestos. The Environmental Protection Agency now outlines responsibilities regarding asbestos use in its Clean Air Act. Regulations are showing up around the world as asbestos proves its harmfulness again and again. The World Health Organization includes asbestos on its Type 1 carcinogen list along with arsenic.

Asbestos causes several respiratory conditions including asbestosis, lung cancer and the rare cancer mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is most associated with asbestos as its almost exclusive cause. Inhaled asbestos fibers can begin a mutation in lung lining cells that grow into characteristically irregularly patterned malignant tumors of mesothelioma. There are mesothelioma treatments available—surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy among them—which directly attack the cancer. Many mesothelioma patients are choosing palliative treatments which focuses on quality of life and pain management, as there is no known cure for mesothelioma and it’s prognosis includes a short life expectancy.

Chillicothe City Schools have received a grant for $200,000, which will offset the total costs of $250,000 to have asbestos safely removed from Smith Middle School. These funds were awarded form the Ohio Department of Development as part of the Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 28th, 2010 at 7:59 AM and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

View the original article here

Asbestos illegally dumped in Toledo

The city of Toledo, Ohio is searching for the culprits of illegal asbestos dumping. Over the last two months three separate deposits of bagged asbestos material have been found throughout the city. Materials in the bags seem to be related, although there is no certainty as of yet that they came from the same source.

The World Health Organization classifies asbestos as a Type 1 carcinogen. Causing severe respiratory conditions including lung cancer, asbestosis and rare cancer mesothelioma, asbestos is a serious public health hazard. Used for decades in industries throughout America, and across the world, asbestos is present in countless building and structural materials.

Considered non-threatening when contained in other materials, asbestos fibers become a risk when airborne. In residential construction asbestos is commonly associated with floor and ceiling tiles. If intact, risks of asbestos exposure from such items are low. However, after much wear and tear, or in the event of demolition, asbestos fibers can become exposed, airborne and dangerous.

If inhaled asbestos fibers can begin a mutation in lung lining and lining of other abdominal cavities. This mutation grows into mesothelioma, a fatal cancer. Mesothelioma is characterized by a long latency period, between twenty and fifty years. Without knowledge of asbestos exposure, patients have no idea they could be developing mesothelioma. Following diagnosis patents average an eighteen-month life expectancy. There are mesothelioma treatments available, but no cure. Treatments include palliative care, which focuses on pain management and enhancing quality of life, as well as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

City of Toledo authorities found over 100 cubic feet of asbestos material dumped at two locations. A total of sixty bags were found in an alley on St. Lois Street in East Toledo and in an empty house in North Toledo. Just in the last two weeks another 29 bags were found on Champlain Street.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) takes asbestos exposure seriously as a health risk. In its Clean Air Act, the EPA describes guidelines for maintaining and promoting air quality, which includes proper use and removal of asbestos. In accordance with these regulations, Ohio contractors are required to have certifications and special licensure to remove asbestos. An Ohio EPA air pollution control permit is also required for proper disposal of asbestos materials in approved landfills. High costs can be associated with such work; cut corners and fraudulent reporting have become a more regular occurrence nationwide.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 5th, 2011 at 9:36 AM and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

View the original article here

Asbestos Dumped Illegally in Ohio

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) announced that would press criminal charges in an increased effort to find those who had illegally dumped 60 bags of asbestos waste in two areas in Toledo, Ohio. The dump was done sometime between October 30 and November 5. The Ohio EPA is asking any individual who has knowledge of the dumping to contact them. If identified, criminal charges could be filed – particularly if it can be proved that the dumping was both deliberate and negligent.

Investigators found 60 bags and a total of about 100 cubic feet of asbestos whose origin remains unknown. They assume that both the dumps were done by the same person and suggest that the waste likely came from a large building rather than a single-family home.

Mesothelioma, which is almost exclusively caused by asbestos, is one of the most deadly and aggressive forms of cancer and claims nearly 3,000 lives in the United States alone. These 3,000 lives were most likely exposed to asbestos used in the 1970's as a fire retardant and as insulation used in many buildings. Mesothelioma is caused by the inhalation of this mineral, but there are no early symptoms and it can take over 30 years to diagnose. Most victims do not realize they have the disease until it is too late.

A third dump site, which was just found contains an additional 28 bags of asbestos with materials that are similar to what had been found earlier at the other two locations.  The third site was located after an anonymous phone call was placed.

Contact Legal View anytime to learn how you and loved ones can protect yourselves from asbestos. LegalView has  lawyers available to help you determine your legal rights. Contact LegalView for a free mesothelioma law consultation at 866-9LAW-NOW. Our operators are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. 1-866-952-9669.

Tags: Asbestos, Mesothelioma

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 19th, 2011 at 7:18 am and is filed under Asbestos & Mesothelioma. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

View the original article here

Can Asbestos Exposure in Schools Lead to Mesothelioma?

Many Americans know that exposure to asbestos causes mesothelioma cancer. Asbestos is a substance that was commonly used in building materials in the last century. This is why when this lung cancer is mentioned, those that worked in the construction and production industries are thought of as the victims. This being the case: Can asbestos exposure in schools lead to Mesothelioma cancer?

Medical professional have documented that many of victims of Mesothelioma cancer are students and teachers that were exposed to asbestos on their campuses. Students and teachers did not know about the present of the substance and its deadly affects. The companies knew of the harmful effects of these materials however, they preferred the use them over other less harmful materials. Administrator did not mind the use of asbestos because of the cost of the materials and it fireproof qualities. It just made good sense.

American campuses had many types of asbestos products and student, teachers, and staff was not aware that even short-term exposure to asbestos could mean dealing with Mesothelioma cancer in the future. They were not only exposed during construction but also during repair and even during removal of the hazardous substance.

Teachers and students also unwittingly exposed others like parents, siblings and spouses. Even limited exposure to the substance increased the chance of a person developing mesothelioma in later years sometimes 30 to 40 years after exposure. The percentage of probability increases with the length of asbestos exposure.

When people inhale asbestos fibers into their lungs it clings to the thin lining of the lungs called the mesothelium. Then tumors develop around the fibers and sometimes in other parts of the body. When these tumors grow large enough, they cause the Mesothelioma cancer victim pain, discomfort and other symptoms.

The majority of the time Mesothelioma cancer is not found until the infection is too significant to be treated. Often treatment of mesothelioma is just for the comfort of the victim. These patients rarely survive more than a year or two. To date there is no effective treatment for this deadly form of cancer.

So, asbestos exposure on school and campuses can lead to Mesothelioma cancer in the future. Because of this, it is important for those who believe they have been exposed to asbestos on the countries campuses to be screened regularly even if they are not displaying symptoms. It is also vital that they contact an experienced Mesothelioma lawyer to see if they are due any compensation. Screening and treatment of this cancer is very costly.

View the original article here

Asbestos miners in India demand results of recent study

On January 4, in Ahmedabad, India, thirty members of Rajasthan State Mine Labour Union protested at the National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH). Protesters demanded release of a report covering the findings of a study conducted on asbestos miners. The study included one hundred sixty four mineworkers and the possible affects of asbestos mining on their health.

Asbestos is classified as a Type 1 carcinogen. It causes several fatal respiratory conditions including lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. Asbestos use has become highly regulated in many developed countries, as the safety and health hazards have become known. However, in developing nations, such as India, asbestos continues to be used regularly and without proper protective measures.

The US covers asbestos use in the Clean Air Act, the Environmental Protection Agency’s code of conduct regarding the quality and maintenance of American air. Currently, asbestos lawsuits are piling up in America, the UK and Australia as individuals and companies violate public health regulations. However, throughout the world thousands are working with and around asbestos without the benefit of such regulations or even the safety education to take personal precautions.

Asbestos is considered to be the exclusive cause of rare cancer mesothelioma, a cancer affecting abdominal cavity lining, most commonly of the lungs. Airborne asbestos fibers can begin a mutative process if inhaled. Mesothelioma takes decades to develop—typically between twenty and fifty years to show symptoms. Diagnosis is difficult as most mesothelioma patients have no idea they were exposed to asbestos, and therefore do not know what to look for. Coughing and wheezing are normal symptoms of mesothelioma, but often misdiagnosed as pneumonia or other respiratory infections.

In India and the developing world, testing and treatment centers for such a specialized disease are hard to find. Mesothelioma patients in India are hard-pressed from their beginning of unprotected asbestos exposure, through the end with limited adequate testing and mesothelioma treatment facilities.

Rana Sengupta, managing trustee of Mines Labour Protection Campaign (MLPC), reported that of the one hundred sixty four workers in the study, nineteen have already died. Results from the study would greatly help mining and union authorities to implement proper protective measures and to begin treatment for the miners already affected.

An NIOH scientist stated that of those tested 93 workers already showed signs of asbestos related illness. That’s about 65% of the workers still alive who were part of the study. The report however, has still not been released. Many believe there is more to this situation, as members of the NIOH who conducted the testing have suddenly resigned.

Protesters continue to make their demands and are threatening a hunger strike.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 19th, 2011 at 8:19 AM and is filed under General, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

View the original article here

ADAO to Host Seventh Annual Asbestos Awareness Conference April 1-3, 2011

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) has announced that it will conduct its Seventh Annual Asbestos Awareness Conference April 1-3, 2011 at the Atlanta Marriott Buckhead Hotel & Conference Center, in Atlanta Georgia. The conference will bring together researchers, scientists, physicians and educators from around the globe to discuss Asbestos: Impact on Public Health, Environment and Economy.

The conference is supported by the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute of Detroit Michigan which is one of 40 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States.  Attendees of the Conference are expected to hear about the “most advanced medical, occupational and environmental information to prevent home, school and work exposure,” according to ADAO’s press release.

ADAO was formed in 2004 by victims of asbestos and their families.  The goal of ADAO is to:

unite asbestos victims and give them and other concerned citizens a united voice to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure;educate the public and medical community about asbestos-related diseases;support research that leads to early detection, prevention and a cure;and ban use of asbestos.

According to its website, ADAO will not be influenced by “outside sources such as drug companies, law firms, or companies that manufacture or use asbestos.”

According to the ADAO, more than 107,000 people are estimated to die this year from asbestos-related diseases, thus making their mission of educating the public about asbestos exposure and fighting for a universal ban relevant and urgent.

This entry was posted on Saturday, January 29th, 2011 at 6:59 am and is filed under Mesothelioma. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

View the original article here

Asbestos in Older Homes and Buildings

Asbestos, a naturally occurring, inexpensive and readily available mineral that was known for its fire resistant and insulating properties, was widely used in the construction of homes and buildings from the early 1900’s until the early 1980’s.

Anyone who is buying, demolishing, restoring, renovating, or repairing a building constructed before the 1980’s will need to be aware that the presence of asbestos is containing products is likely to exist and take precautions not to be exposed.

Asbestos, despite it’s amazing insulating properties, is also carcinogenic and causes serious illnesses, such as mesothelioma (a fatal cancer of the lungs, heart or abdomen), asbestosis ( a scarring of the lung tissue) and lung cancer.  Asbestos containing materials when intact and in good condition do not pose a threat, however when disturbed in any way they create the danger of asbestos fibers becoming airborne, or friable.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, friable asbestos containing materials (ACMs) are any materials “containing more than one percent asbestos…that, when dry, can be crumbled, pulverized or reduced to powder by hand pressure.  Fires and natural disasters as well as demolitions and renovations can cause ACMs to become friable, and therefore more easily inhaled or ingested.

Products in older homes and buildings that are likely to contain asbestos are:

Ceiling tilesFloor tilesWall board, millboardCementPlasterGasketsRoofing, eaves, exterior shinglesPlumbing, pipe and electrical wrapping and adhesivesAll types of insulationAsbestos sidingAll types of heat retardant products

There are two ways to approach asbestos if found in a building:  removal (following federal and environmental regulations) or encasement.  If you as a homeowner, property manager or construction company know of or discover asbestos while working on a project, it is important to know that licensed, trained asbestos abatement professionals or specified training is required to remove or encapsulate any ACMs.  Also, any contaminated materials are to be disposed of at designated disposal sites, sealed in a certain way and clearly marked.

As with other toxic materials such as lead removal and mold remediation, protecting against the hazards of asbestos is to be taken seriously.  Failure to do so can lead to incurable illnesses years later.  In addition, consequences for violations of environmental laws that set these protections can be large fines and, in some cases, imprisonment.

This entry was posted on Monday, December 27th, 2010 at 11:10 am and is filed under Asbestos. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

View the original article here

Asbestos Kills Yet Key Stakeholders Block from Global Blacklist

Many hazardous substances have been placed on a global blacklist through the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (Rotterdam Convention) yet asbestos is still blocked from being added to the list, mostly due to Canada’s continued support of its use.

Exposure to asbestos causes thousands every year to die throughout the world, and yet the manufacture, distribution and unprotected use of this deadly substance continue, especially in developing countries.  Solid medical and scientific evidence shows that exposure to asbestos, even a single incidence of exposure, can lead to mesothelioma, a painful cancer with no cure, yet there is still no international ban on the use of asbestos.

Although the Rotterdam Convention does not necessarily cause an international ban on the use of hazardous substances and industrial chemicals, it can add them to a global “blacklist” of materials known to cause serious harm.  Once blacklisted, the Convention creates a legally binding obligation for the implementation of the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure, which dictates if and how a substance can be used so that human health and the environment are protected.

If the chemical is added to the list, called the Annex, then a document is created that gives information about the chemical and any decisions to ban or restrict the substance due to health or environmental reasons, and this is then circulated to all the parties.  After nine months, the parties will decide one of three things:

allow continued importation,disallow importation, orallow importation but only under certain strict safety conditions.

So what has held up asbestos from being added to this list and importation banned or at least allowed but only with strict protective conditions?  The fact that the decision to do so has to be unanimous, and so far Canada continues to support the use and prevents the majority (90%) from being able to make this happen.

Once again, asbestos is one of the chemicals being considered for the upcoming Convention in Geneva, Switzerland in June of this year.  Attempts were made three years ago to get Chrysotile asbestos, the main type still in use and still being mined by Canada, added to the Prior Informed Consent list but were unsuccessful due to a few asbestos stakeholders who withheld consent.  Another attempt is being made this year; however hopes of success are not high as Canada is adamant about allowing importation and use of chrysotile asbestos.

Organizations and individuals worldwide who have personally or professionally seen the effects of asbestos have taken a stand against the continued use of this deadly substance. Many have lobbied, organized, and raised funds to stop production, importation and use of asbestos containing products.  Decades of research attest to how dangerous asbestos is, how fatal the results of exposure.   The question ultimately, as with so many other things where lives are at stake, is when will those in power put the value of human life above a profit margin?

For more on this, read our headline article:  International Skepticism About Placing Asbestos on the Global Blacklist

This entry was posted on Friday, January 21st, 2011 at 3:47 pm and is filed under Asbestos. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

View the original article here

Long Island town tries again to line up contractor for asbestos removal

Mesothelioma Law Blog: Long Island town tries again to line up contractor for asbestos removalMesothelioma Law Blog« Arizona town gets grant to remove asbestos |Main| Attic-Stored Christmas Décor Could Pose Risk of Mesothelioma »

Long Island town tries again to line up contractor for asbestos removal

A Long Island community is attempting to rid its town of a long-time eyesore, but has had trouble lining up a contractor to remove asbestos from the property at an affordable price.

According to Riverheadlocal.com, the town of Riverhead will solicit bids for the third time to award a contract for asbestos abatement at the former Weeping Willow motel. The town hopes to demolish the structure and develop the land as part of a riverfront greenbelt.

Asbestos removal frequently is done ahead of demolition to prevent fibers of the hazardous mineral from becoming airborne and causing a health danger to anyone in the vicinity. Asbestos exposure is linked to lung cancer, malignant mesothelioma and asbestosis and has been the focus of many asbestos settlements and mesothelioma lawsuits.

The West Main Street property was purchased by the town last year for $1.2 million, the community website reported.

The New York state Community Preservation Fund provided $500,000 toward the purchase price because the site is one of 150 parcels in the Wading River corridor that the state has identified as environmentally significant. The preservation fund is funded by the collection of 2-percent taxes on land transfers in local communities.

Source

December 07, 2010 in Asbestos Cleanup | Permalink

Comments Verify your Comment Previewing your CommentPosted by:  | 

This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.

Your comment could not be posted. Error type: Your comment has been saved. Comments are moderated and will not appear until approved by the author. Post another comment The letters and numbers you entered did not match the image. Please try again.

As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.

Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.

Post a comment Comments are moderated, and will not appear until the author has approved them.

Comment below or sign in with TypePad Facebook Twitter and more... You are currently signed in as (nobody). Sign Out (URLs automatically linked.)

Your Information

(Name and email address are required. Email address will not be displayed with the comment.)

Name is required to post a comment

Please enter a valid email address

Invalid URL

December 2010SunMonTueWedThuFriSat   12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031 Recent PostsAttic-Stored Christmas Décor Could Pose Risk of MesotheliomaLong Island town tries again to line up contractor for asbestos removalArizona town gets grant to remove asbestosN.Y.'s high court tosses asbestos suitMesothelioma Cases Rising in the United KingdomDisagreement over the use of surgery to treat mesothelioma patientsAsbestos group wants research not reviewMesothelioma Testing May Predict Cancer Development and Improve Prevention EffortsMesothelioma Treatment Improved with the Addition of Tomudex to Cisplatin TherapyFemale Mesothelioma Patients Live Longer After Surgery CategoriesAnti Cancer TreatmentAsbestosAsbestos BillsAsbestos CasesAsbestos CleanupAsbestos CompensationAsbestos DangersAsbestos DeathsAsbestos in the WorkplaceAsbestos SettlementsAsbestos WisconsinColorado MesotheliomaConnecticut AsbestosCrocidolite AsbestosDetecting MesotheliomaErie County AsbestosFight Against CancerFiji AsbestosGeneral Mesothelioma NewsGeorgie AsbestosIllinois AsbestosLegal QuestionsLegal RightsLondon AsbestosMaryland AsbestosMasschusetts AsbestosMesotheliom ResearchMesothelioma AnswersMesothelioma CancerMesothelioma CasesMesothelioma CompensationMesothelioma LawMesothelioma law verdictsMesothelioma LawyerMesothelioma LawyersMesothelioma Legal NewsMesothelioma SettlementsMesothelioma StoriesMesothelioma Treatment OptionsMinnesota Minnesota MesotheliomaMissouri AsbestosNew Jersey MesotheliomaNew York AsbestosOhio ResearchPitsburgh MesotheliomaPreventing MesotheliomaSouth Carolina MesotheliomaTelomerase Gene SequenceTennessee MesotheliomaTexas Mesothelioma AttorneysUK AsbestosUncategorizedUnderstanding MesotheliomaVermont AsbestosVermont Asbestos LawVirginia AsbestosMesothelioma News From Topix.netBlog Created ByLawyers CourtOther Legal BlogsDUI SarasotaKent Washington Personal InjuryRenton Personal InjuryLynnwood Personal InjuryBellevue Personal InjuryEverett Personal Injury LawyerCriminal Tax BlogSecurities Law NewsSacramento DUI LawTax Litigation BlogSearch Engine BlogsExecutive SEO MarketingSearch Engine WatchSearch Engine LowdownGoogle BlogYahoo Search BlogSEARCH MARKETING NEWSSubscribe to this blog's feedAdd me to your TypePad People listOther Legal SitesChicago Medical MalpracticeClearwater DUI AttorneyKirkland Personal Injury LawyerChicago Personal InjuryPolk County Drunk Driving LawyersOrlando DUI Law FirmWashington Auto Accident AttorneysRenton Family LawyersFort Wayne Slip & FallDUI ExpungementDeer Park LawyerChicago LawyersSecurities Arbitration AttorneysMinnesota LawyersPalm Springs DUIChicago AttorneysIllinois Tax AttorneyChicago Securities LawSeattle Car Accident LawyerChicago Illinois AttorneyNew York Construction LawyerChicago Shareholder DisputesCalifornia DUI LawyersIllinois Antitrust LawyersWashington Accident AttorneySeattle Personal InjuryChicago Eminent DomainChicago Corporate LawyersPortland Real Estate LawIowa Injury LawyersChicago Business LawLegal DirectoryChicago Securities LawyerChicago Wills AttorneyChicago Probate LawyersChicago LawyersLegal News FeedsLaw Firm ConsultantChicago Tax LawyersAttorney SEOOther SitesChicago Gutter CleaningHospitality TrainingCredit InsuranceSun ProtectionChicago Career CoachWest Palm Beach BankJackson Hole ContractorsBoston LimousinesSun HatsChicago Web DesignArchivesDecember 2010November 2010October 2010September 2010August 2010July 2010June 2010May 2010April 2010March 2010More...

document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js'%3E%3C/script%3E"));COMSCORE.beacon({ c1: 2, c2: "6035669", c3: "", c4: "http://www.mesotheliomalawblog.com/2010/12/long-island-town-tries-again-to-line-up-contractor-for-asbestos-removal.html", c5: "", c6: "", c15: ""});

View the original article here

Punitive Damages Awarded in Asbestos Lawsuit

Plaintiffs of asbestos lawsuits in California can recover punitive damages if they can prove that the defendant, either the manufacturer of the asbestos containing product or the employer, was guilty of oppression, fraud, or malice.   Harm to the plaintiff can be as a result of direct malice or intentional trickery or deceit.

For almost a hundred years, asbestos was added to thousands of commercial, construction and industrial products.  Asbestos was affordable, available, and well known for its fire and heat resistant properties.  Initially, it was not known that asbestos also caused serious illnesses, such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer.  But as early as the 1930’s, medical researchers were linking exposure to asbestos with disease in workers.  This knowledge was shared in the medical and scientific worlds, as well as with manufacturers of products and employers using asbestos containing products.

Clear evidence shows that major manufacturers and employers knew of the dangers of asbestos and yet failed to warn or protect workers.  That is why asbestos and mesothelioma lawsuits often include punitive damages on the basis that defendants knew or should have known and taken measures to prevent harmful exposure.

A perfect recent example of awarding punitive damages was the recent judgment of $7.2 million for a plumber, Larry Stewart, and his wife.   Stewart was a plumber who developed a fatal asbestos cancer known as mesothelioma as a result of occupational exposure to asbestos (Stewart v. Union Carbide Corporation, B216193).  In this case, it was concluded that the manufacturer of the asbestos containing product knew of the dangers and yet failed to warn, prevent or protect employees from exposure to the carcinogenic mineral.

Punitive damages, unlike general damages or compensation for loss, are meant to deter others from causing physical harm that was foreseeable and therefore could have been prevented.   Had asbestos manufacturers and employers acted on the knowledge they had and been responsible, millions of people worldwide would not be at risk of fatal cancers and diseases now.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 15th, 2010 at 2:48 pm and is filed under asbestos attorneys. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

View the original article here

Workers exposed to asbestos at a UK university

UK Health and Safety Executives investigated another asbestos exposure incident, this one at Aston University in Birmingham. The school recently hired Access Fire and Security Ltd. to install cameras in their recreational center’s reception area. Two workers and a teenage trainee were assigned the job. Once work began, two members of the crew were exposed to asbestos when they began drilling to mount new security cameras.

Asbestos is present in countless building materials worldwide and in the UK, though in the latter concern is specific to materials manufactured and installed before 2000. Floor and ceiling tiles are common residential and commercial building materials containing asbestos. Roofing tiles, plumbing gaskets and insulation are among the many other items containing the toxic chemical.

Asbestos is the cause of many lung and respiratory illness including the rare and fatal cancer mesothelioma. Once asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can begin a mutation process in the cells on lung lining which develops into an irregularly patterned cancer. Mesothelioma takes decades to demonstrate recognizable symptoms and is often misdiagnosed as pneumonia.

There are no known curative mesothelioma treatments and prognosis is grim. Average life expectancy following diagnosis is eighteen months. Many mesothelioma patients are moving to palliative treatment regimens to manage pain and quality of life.

Health and Safety Executive inspector, Karl Raw, responded to the Aston University investigation. “While the amount of asbestos involved in this incident was small, two people now have to live with the knowledge that they may become ill from lung disease in the future,” he said.

Both Aston University and Access Fire and Security, Ltd. are being held responsible for this incident. Raw said, “Aston University failed to ensure university employees and others working across the site were aware of the presence of asbestos fibres. Surveys on the location and conditions of asbestos and materials containing asbestos had been carried out across the university but there was no procedure for communicating the details to contractors. Access Fire and Security Ltd, a long-term contractor with the university, had never been given any information about asbestos – and had never asked for it. They also failed to assess whether asbestos was present, what type of asbestos was involved and what condition it was in, before undertaking work.”

The case was heard in Birmingham Magistrates’ Court where Aston University and Access Fire and Security Ltd. pled guilty of violating asbestos control regulations.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 7th, 2010 at 7:45 AM and is filed under General, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

View the original article here

Removing Christmas Decorations may Pose Asbestos Threat

Caution while removing Christmas decorations stored in the attic! Removing your holiday tinsel and lights could carry a hidden health risk of mesothelioma a rare but aggressive form of cancer that is caused almost exclusively asbestos.

It is estimated that around 35 million homes in the United States are insulated with an insulation known as Zonolite which has been found to contain fibers of asbestos. Zonolite is most commonly found in older homes throughout the US but is unlikely to pose a health risk if left undisturbed. However, removing Christmas decorations could cause a disturbance. Zonolite has not been sold for years, but the longer it remains in homes, the greater the likelihood that it will become disturbed and produce dust.

In the past asbestos was once a popular form of ‘safe’ artificial snow.  It was mixed with mica and sold in the 1930’s as ‘snow drift’ to be liberally sprinkled indoors around Christmas trees, or used to flock their branches.  After the health risks of asbestos came to light, these products were taken off the market.

The EPA recommends that homeowners do not remove asbestos themselves and that it be left intact in its place.  Asbestos that must be removed should be removed by a trained abatement professional.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma contact Legal View to learn about your legal options at 866-9LAW-NOW. Our operators are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. 1-866-952-9669. Visit LegalView for more information about finding a potential mesothelioma lawyer and other information about environmental toxins, including asbestos.

Tags: Asbestos, Mesothelioma

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 14th, 2010 at 7:31 am and is filed under Asbestos & Mesothelioma. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

View the original article here

New neighborhood planned on asbestos waste site

Developers in Australia’s Molonglo valley have come to a sudden halt in plans for a new suburban neighborhood. Excavating was stopped when an old landfill was found on the site. Possibly 100,000 tons of asbestos waste material have been dumped and covered under the ground.

Administrators in the development project are now considering options for proceeding. Safety for workers and potential residents is a priority. Asbestos dust and fibers cause severe respiratory illnesses including mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer with no known curative treatment.

Budget and government funding plays a big part in the decision as well. David Dawes of Land and Property Service wants to find a solution that will not require relocating the entire project, or the waste, to a new location. He said, “There’s quite good ways of dealing with that without the expense of pulling it all away and burying it in another hole. So we can actually look at different solutions that we can overcome with that and minimise any cost blowouts of the project.”

Project administrators are facing a heavy burden and a delicate decision as work has already started and plans are underway. Chief Minister Jon Stanhope responded to the find. He said, “I would not have agreed to this project, the Cabinet would certainly not have approved the project if it had come to us as say a $37, $38, $40 million job. I can’t walk away from the fact that these sorts of issues shouldn’t happen, they have and I’ll seek to ensure it won’t happen again.”

This particular piece of land does not have a hidden past. It was once used as a sewage plant as well as a waste site. Neil Savery, CEO of ACTPLA (Australian Capital Territory Planning and Land Authority) said, “It’s on the contaminated site register and that’s lead to investigations for the better part of five years. On the contaminated site register it’s essentially identified as a site of interested it doesn’t tell you exactly what’s there.” He continues, “We’ve done over 10 investigations to establish what’s in the ground, how extensive it is. The contractor has gone in and has started excavating, it’s taken a while to get down to the bottom level, and it’s found that asbestos – it’s solid cement sheeting – it is spread over a large geographical area, it’s not deposited in one or two locations.”

The project has been stopped until at least middle of next year.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 8th, 2010 at 7:59 AM and is filed under General, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

View the original article here

Whistleblower of Asbestos Wins Lawsuit

Ray Barker, a weatherization employee of the Genesee County Community Action Resource Department in Colorado, won a $250,000 settlement in his case claiming wrongful termination after warning of potentially exposing himself and customers to asbestos.  GCCARD is a local county department organization that assists low income residents.  One of the services they provide is weatherization to homes as part of reducing energy costs to homeowners.

Ray Barker was in charge of installing insulation for home owners as part of that free program to help homeowners who need new insulation but cannot afford to pay.  He would remove and replace old insulation, usually from older homes.  He became aware that most insulation in any home built before 1980 contained asbestos, a harmful fiber that causes serious illnesses such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.

Barker informed his employers that he suspected the old insulation to contain a form of asbestos called vermiculite, a mineral that come from a mine in Libby, Montana and used in the majority of insulations.  He also informed them that he believed the process of removing it was creating a risk of exposure to all in the vicinity.  Shortly after bringing this to his employer’s attention, he was fired from his job.

Barker filed a lawsuit, which was recently settled in his favor.  A whistleblower lawsuit is when a person, or group of people, raises an alert about an alleged wrongdoing that is putting the general public at risk.  In this case, Barker was afraid that the not only the removing but also installation of new insulation that still contained vermiculite created a danger to homeowners of exposure and the potential to develop asbestos related diseases.

The Executive Director of GCCARD, Steven Walker, denied that Barker was fired for pointing out the risk, and also that Barker is exaggerating the danger.  Walker points out that GCCARD researched the issue and made necessary changes to the process to ensure safety.

In the end, GCCARD now provides warnings to homeowners, training for workers, and safer installation procedures and Barker received a settlement in his favor.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 15th, 2010 at 11:29 am and is filed under Asbestos Exposure. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

View the original article here

Asbestos exposure in pre-school

Australia continues to face rising mesothelioma cases as past asbestos use is now taking its toll. A Queensland woman wishing to remain unnamed has been diagnosed with mesothelioma decades after her exposure to asbestos in a State pre-school.

Shailer Park State Pre-school was in prime condition in the early 1980’s. However after a quick double in class size administrators moved forward with an expansion of the facility. Regular classes were kept while construction was done. It is during this time that the unnamed woman, working as a pre-school teacher’s aid, was exposed to asbestos fibers.

Asbestos is known to cause several severe respiratory conditions including lung cancer, asbestosis, and the rare cancer mesothelioma from which this lady is now suffering. Mesothelioma begins when asbestos fibers are inhaled. Once in the lungs, they can start a mutation in cells of lung lining and lining of other abdominal cavities. Mesothelioma is characterized by irregularly patterned tumors which remain latent for years, most often twenty to fifty years. When symptoms are demonstrated mesothelioma can be easily mistaken for pneumonia or other treatable respiratory conditions.

There are mesothelioma treatments available which include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and palliative care. Palliative care focuses on pain management and quality of life without directly fighting the cancer. Life expectancy of mesothelioma patients following diagnosis averages eighteen months.

A worker’s comp claim was filed on behalf of those present and involved in Shailer Park State Pre-school construction. Hoping for additional evidence in the event of a class action lawsuit, the firm on the case asked people involved to register with their online database.  Trent Johnson, associate at Maurice Blackurn Lawyers said additional evidence would make future claims go smoother. He said, “Education facilities in Shailer Park were at a premium in the early 1980s and just a year after the original preschool was built, it needed to double its size to meet demand. Normal classes were conducted while the preschool extensions were under construction and everyone who was at the site during the building works in early to mid-1983 would have been exposed to the asbestos dust. Not everyone who’s exposed to asbestos will come down with an illness … but if we had a large number of people suffering from asbestos-related illnesses, anything is possible.”

Although the unnamed lady was a part of this worker’s comp claim, she is considering filing against Queensland’s government directly for past and future damages.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010 at 6:44 AM and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

View the original article here

Woman faces 230 years for asbestos related fraud

The US District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts branch, has aided in the discovery and conviction of an asbestos related criminal. Albania Deleon is now facing a potential 230 years of prison time. Deleon taught classes at Environmental Compliance Training, the largest asbestos removal training program in Massachusetts. It was found that between 2001 and 2006, the majority of Deleon’s students received less than adequate training before being placed in the work field. Worksheets and tests were provided to class participants with answers already filled in; students only needed to sign their names to be passed in the exercise.

Deleon also had a large number of illegal aliens in the program she taught, but failed to report these individuals to the proper authorities. Both illegal aliens and legal citizens who graduated from the program were paid under-the-table once they began work. Deleon used fraudulently prepared payroll documents to cover the financial illegalities.

The US requires specific training, licensing and certification for individuals and companies working with asbestos. The state-to-state requirements may vary, but all regulations are in line with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Air Act commitments to maintain and enhance the quality of air in America.

Asbestos has been used for decades in the US particularly in building and construction and some manufacturing industries. However, as associated health risks became known asbestos use has dropped and laws have been put in place to protect the public from the toxic chemical.

Asbestos causes severe respiratory conditions including lung cancer and asbestosis. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused almost exclusively by asbestos fibers which, if inhaled, can began a mutation process in lung lining and lining of other abdominal cavities which leads to this cancer.

Mesothelioma takes decades to develop, demonstrating symptoms like that of pneumonia twenty to fifty years after original asbestos exposure. Life expectancy following diagnosis is grim, averaging eighteen months. There are mesothelioma treatments available, but no known cure.

Deleon was found guilty in November 2008, on a collective 27counts of conspiracy to make false documents, making false documents, hiring illegal aliens, encouraging illegal aliens to live in the US, payroll tax fraud and mail fraud. She fled the state following conviction but was found almost seven months later in Santa Domingo.

In a press release Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, said, “Albania Deleon put communities at risk by issuing fraudulent asbestos-removal training certificates to hundreds of untrained workers.”  She continues, “This is yet another example of great teamwork and dedication of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, U.S. Marshals Service and our own special agents who protect the American people from environmental crimes.”

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 25th, 2011 at 9:54 AM and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

View the original article here

Mesothelioma Non Asbestos

mesothelioma non asbestos

The history of asbestos

Asbestos generally refers to long threads of silicate fiber compounds. The word asbestos actually comes from the Greek word for "inextinguishable" as they are resistant to heat, fire, and chemicals as well as non-conductive. These unique properties made asbestos a useful material in many industries including the shipbuilding, automobile, and construction industries.

In America, they were first mined and used commercially during the late 1800s, gaining popularity until the 1970s. It was then that the use of asbestos was finally banned for certain uses as the health hazards came to the forefront, including manufacturers of electric hair dryers.

In 1989, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned all new uses of asbestos; previously established uses, however, were still allowed. This was intended as a way to slow and then eliminate the use of asbestos in the United States, however it was overturned in 1990. Also in 1989, regulations regarding damaged or exposed asbestos in schools are also established.

Even today asbestos can be found in many products including:

- brake pads and shoes,

- roofing tar and roof shingles,

- caulk,

- clutch plates,

- fire blankets,

- the fireproof clothing worn by firefighters, and

- thermal pipe insulation.

Linking asbestos to cancer

Asbestos poses the greatest threat to those who work with it regularly as they are most likely to inhale the fibers. When asbestos is disturbed, as may occur when it is being fitted for a particular use such as insulating a section of piping or wall, the smaller fibers break off and become airborne. In this form, the people around them can easily inhale the asbestos fibers.

Once inhaled, the asbestos lodges within the lungs and causes irritation, scarring, and possible abnormal cell growth, resulting in tumors and cancer as well as other mesothelioma symptoms. Asbestos cancer is also referred to as mesothelioma, because it affects the lining of the body’s organs which is called mesothelium.

Workers in the following trades have the greatest risk of being exposed to asbestos and developing mesothelioma:

- Asbestos mining and milling

- Shipbuilding

- Construction/building, particularly working with insulation

- Asbestos removal workers

- Automobile workers

- Firefighters

- Asbestos textiles manufacturing

About the Author

If mesothelioma has entered your life through asbestos exposure please reach out and contact experienced mesothelioma attorneys such as those at Landry & Swarr. Over the years they have developed tremendous asbestos law experience and can help protect your rights. Article by: Andre’ Savoie

EcoPlanet

Tags: asbestos, cancer

This entry was posted on Saturday, December 4th, 2010 at 10:30 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

View the original article here

Asbestos Diseases: Are You at Risk?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that is very durable, heat resistant, and insulating.  Because of these properties, asbestos was added to thousands of industrial and construction products until its use became highly regulated by the government and environmental protection agencies in the mid 1980’s.

Asbestos is virtually banned in the United States because it is known to be highly carcinogenic.  Despite the ban, many homes, cars, ships and other buildings and products that exist today still contain asbestos.  Anytime a home, car, ship or building is damaged, repaired, renovated, or demolished, asbestos containing materials (ACMs) can become disturbed, releasing microscopic fibers and dust into the air.  If asbestos is inhaled or ingested into the body, years later it can develop into serious illnesses.

The most fatal and aggressive disease caused by exposure to asbestos is mesothelioma.  This is an incurable cancer that begins in the lining of the lungs (pleural), the abdomen (peritoneal), or the heart (pericardial).  Another incurable type of disease caused by asbestos is called asbestosis, a fibrosis in the lung which can cause severe dyspnea, or shortness of breath.  Other types of lung cancer can also be caused by exposure to asbestos.

Those most at risk of developing an asbestos related disease are men and women who worked in shipyards, aboard ships, in any branch of the military, auto mechanics (particularly brake mechanics), construction, maintenance and industrial workers.   The following locations are particularly high risk areas:

Shipyards throughout the United StatesArmy and military sitesConstruction Sites, Residential, Commercial and IndustrialPaper and Lumber MillsSteel MillsOil RefineriesBuildings Built before 1980:  Schools, Hotels, Churches, Banks, Shopping Malls, etc.Chemical and Power PlantsAsbestos Manufacturing FacilitiesDistribution, Mining, Water Treatment Plants.

In addition, to those occupationally exposed, family members who had close contact with anyone in these occupations, as well as those living near asbestos mines and manufacturing plants are at higher risk.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other asbestos related cancer, please contact our experienced mesothelioma attorneys for a free case evaluation that could provide financial compensation to help pay medical bills and cover other costs and losses.

This entry was posted on Friday, December 3rd, 2010 at 6:57 pm and is filed under Asbestos. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

View the original article here