Asbestos And Mesothelioma Updates: 2011

Monday, June 13, 2011

Mesothelioma Risk in Massachusetts Following Tornadoes?

Almost immediately in the wake of tornadoes in Missouri that sparked fears of asbestos exposure amid debris and rubble, Massachusetts is now dealing with a similar situation after a string of tornadoes roared through their area as well.

Prior to 1980 when restrictions were put on when asbestos could be used, the fiber was included in thousands of vinyl flooring, insulation, roofing, mastics, and plaster building/construction products.

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With this in mind, residents in Massachusetts such as Springfield that were affected by deadly tornadoes that ripped through the state are worried the rubble surrounding them may contain exposed asbestos products.

Springfield Department of Public Works Director Jack Dowd told a local news station that residents should be careful debris they come across during the recovery process. Additionally, residents should rely on hazardous waste experts and disposal areas to make sure any potentially dangerous materials are removed safely.

In order to reduce the risk of asbestos particles being released into the air, residents should either wet down debris before it is handled or move it into leak-proof containers. Consulting with asbestos abatement experts is also recommended.

Companies that make products that expose individuals high amounts of asbestos fibers - despite the company’s knowledge that doing so was a health hazard - may be held legally liable for any mesothelioma diagnosis that results. If you feel the manufacturer of an asbestos product is at fault for your diagnosis, contact a mesothelioma attorney to learn more about possibly receiving an asbestos settlement that may be able to provide financial security for your family.

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Saturday, May 28, 2011

Company Fined $132K for Asbestos Violations

A construction company is being fined $132K by the state of Indiana for federal violations involving the removal and disposal of asbestos.

Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that was once used extensively in construction, shipbuilding, manufacturing and automotive products. Inhaling or swallowing even the smallest amounts of deadly asbestos fibers can lead to an asbestos-related disease, including asbestos lung cancer and mesothelioma.

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According to the Madison Courier, the Indiana Department of Labor found that Ford Lumber & Building Supply Inc. in southern Indiana committed 16 violations during a project in which its workers removed asbestos insulation from hot water pipes. Incredibly, the company failed to provide even the minimum of safety standards to protect workers from mesothelioma. It did not provide them with respirators and even allowed them to clean up the dusty, dangerous killer asbestos with brooms and dustpans.

Companies like Ford Lumber & Building Supply Inc. have been putting workers at risk of asbestos exposure for many years. As mesothelioma has a long latency period which can be as long as 40 years, some cases of negligent asbestos exposure are only now manifesting into full-blown mesothelioma from exposure that happened as far back as the 1960s. If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and have developed mesothelioma as a result, you may be eligible for a mesothelioma settlement.

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Doctors Object to Lung Removal Procedures for Mesothelioma Patients

Doctors at the 1st International Symposium on Lung-Sparing Therapies for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma in Santa Monica, CA have unanimously decided against using radical lung removal procedures to treat patients who are suffering from malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Experts and physicians at the symposium analyzed data gathered from both cancer centers around the U.S. and a U.K.-based Mesothelioma and Radical Surgery trial. Additionally, those at the symposium heard presentations from experts who addressed the potential complications caused by extrapleural pneumonectomies, or the removal of the lung.

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By the end of the day-long symposium, Dr. Robert B. Cameron, who is the chairman of the event in addition to being the director of the UCLA Mesothelioma Research Program, said that the attendants were

Asbestos Removal Planned After Fire Near Massachusetts Elementary School

Employees from the Massachusetts Public Works Department are monitoring the site of a fire that happened a week ago on Humphrey Street in Swampscott. The site of the fire, which destroyed several commercial and residential properties, was discovered to contain small amounts of asbestos.

Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral, is known to cause health problems including mesothelioma cancer. Before the public became aware of asbestos exposure and its potential health problems, asbestos was added to various construction products for its resistance to fire, heat, friction, electrical, and chemical damage.

The site of the fire shares a property line with Hadley Elementary School, which was shut down for multiple days last week due to air quality issues. The current plan, set by the Department of Environmental Protection, involves a perimeter set around the school where the air will be tested for asbestos twice daily. This is to ensure the safety of the students and teachers while crews outfitted in protective suits remove the building remains from the nearby site. In addition, the debris will be sprayed with water in an effort to keep any dangerous asbestos fibers from becoming airborne.

If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos or diagnosed with mesothelioma, a mesothelioma lawyer may be able to assist you.

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Boston Construction Companies to Pay $100,000 Penalty to EPA for Improper Handling of Asbestos

A number of Boston-area construction companies that have been the focus of enforcement action by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have settled their cases and will pay a combined penalty of $100,000 for violating the Clean Air Act.

According to the EPA, GSA, Goody Clancy and Associates, ATC Associates, Suffolk Construction Company and Fleet Industrial Services were all singled out for violating Clean Air Act requirements and regulations when removing asbestos products during a 2007 renovation project.

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While working at the John W. McCormack Post Office and Court House Building in Boston, the construction and asbestos abatement companies were found to have improperly removed, handled, and disposed of asbestos-containing products they came across during the renovations.

The asbestos violations were uncovered by the EPA and the Massachusetts Division of Occupational Safety following a joint inspection of the site. The EPA immediately issued a compliance order, forcing the abatement companies and building owner to remedy their actions. The four companies agreed to settle and pay the combined $100,000 fine on March 2.

Because of the McCormack Building’s close proximity to Boston’s downtown, which has many office buildings and is near popular tourist destinations such as Faneuil Hall and Boston Common, any loose asbestos released into the air could potentially be inhaled by thousands of people at any time. While prolonged asbestos exposure increases the chances of eventually developing a disease such as mesothelioma, even minimal exposure to the fibers can be enough to make one sick as well.

For those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer that can be linked to asbestos exposure caused by a product or company, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney to learn more about your rights, and to see if pursuing a mesothelioma settlement is in your best interest.

Building Owner Pleads Guilty to Illegally Removing Asbestos during Renovation

The owner of the well-known Equitable Building in Des Moines is facing up to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty this week to conspiring to illegally removing asbestos from a well known building in downtown Des Moines.

Bob Knapp, the 61-year-old former owner of the Equitable Building until he lost it to foreclosure in 2010, pled guilty in a District Court to two charges related to illegally removing asbestos products from the building and violating the Clean Air Act during renovations that occurred between 2005 and 2008. The renovations were part of plan put in place by Knapp following his purchase of the building in 2005 to convert the upper floors into luxury condominiums.

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Russell Coco, the manager of the renovation project, had previously been indicted on similar asbestos removal charges. He pled guilty to the charges, and agreed to testify against Knapp if the case went to trial.

The maximum prison term that Knapp is eligible for is 5 years for each count. He also may be subject to a fine of up to $250,000 per count. This will be the second punishment for Knapp, as he agreed to pay a $500,000 civil fine to the State of Iowa for improperly removing asbestos products in 2009 as well.

Exposing asbestos products in the downtown area could potentially have serious repercussions, as anyone in the vicinity of the exposure site stands the risk of inhaling the deadly fibers. While increased exposure to asbestos increases the chances of developing asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma, even incidental or one-time exposure has the potential to make you sick.

Mesothelioma and asbestosis are both deadly illnesses that are caused primarily by prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers. If you have developed one of these illnesses, it may be worth pursuing a mesothelioma lawsuit that could potentially result in a substantial asbestos settlement. If you think that a mesothelioma attorney could help prove your illness was caused by a specific entity’s negligence, please contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation.

Friday, May 27, 2011

$25 Million Awarded in Asbestos Case Against Exxon Mobil

Last week, the jury of an asbestos lawsuit in a Newport News, VA court awarded Rubert Minton $25 million in his case against Exxon Mobil. Mr. Minton had spent ten years as a supervisor on commercial ships for Newport News Shipbuilding after seven years as a shipfitter constructing the vessels. As a shipyard worker, his responsibilities included repair work on 17 Exxon oil tankers. Years later, Mr. Minton was diagnosed with mesothelioma from asbestos exposure during his time at the shipyard.

Asbestos is a known carcinogen that can release fibers into the air which, when inhaled, can lead to a number of health problems including mesothelioma cancer. Shipyard workers and shipbuilders worked with asbestos products in different areas of the ship because of its resistance to heat, electrical, and chemical damage. Asbestos was used in over 300 products on ships until the 1970’s. In fact, it has been estimated that larger ships during this time period contained over 1,000 tons of asbestos.

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Legal actions against ship owners like Exxon Mobil, rather than against the makers of asbestos-containing ship parts, is a fairly recent turn in asbestos lawsuits. Also, Mr. Minton’s $25 million victory is one of the largest awards to date in a Virginia personal injury case. According to the jury, Mr. Minton's legal team was able to show that Exxon had been aware of the health issues associated with asbestos exposure (they began protecting refinery workers in the 1930’s), but still failed to warn shipbuilders and crewmembers on their oil tankers. Mr. Minton underwent major lung operations in 2009 for his mesothelioma and doctors believe his life expectancy was extended beyond 18 months to 3-5 years.

If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos or diagnosed with mesothelioma, a mesothelioma attorney may be able to help.

Massachusetts Company Charged with Illegal Asbestos Removal

An asbestos abatement company operating out of Lynnfield, Massachusetts has been charged with violating the Massachusetts Clean Air Act and Massachusetts Solid Waste Act after it was discovered that they were illegally hiding bags of asbestos at a storage facility. AEI Environmental was not permitted to keep the hundreds of asbestos-containing bags in that location. The asbestos had been removed from both public and private locations throughout Lynn, Beverly, and Marblehead.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber that can cause a variety of health problems including asbestosis and mesothelioma. Prior to the general public becoming aware of the health issues, asbestos was used in building materials due to its resistance to heat, friction, electrical, and chemical damage. Because asbestos exposure poses such major health risks, extra care is required concerning its removal from building sites and subsequent disposal. Unfortunately, these additional expenses and measures sometimes cause companies to take shortcuts.

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The charges against AEI Environmental claim that they failed to properly notify the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, they were not licensed to perform the asbestos removal at the time in question, and they filed false paperwork. The company was using the names of other contractors on job sites for the appropriate forms, but illegally performing the work themselves. Asbestos.net will keep you updated as further details in the case surface.

Have you or a loved one been exposed to asbestos or diagnosed with mesothelioma? A mesothelioma attorney may be able to assist.

Asbestos Claims Push UGL Laboratories into Bankruptcy

Facing hundreds of pending asbestos lawsuits, paint specialty and home maintenance product maker United Gilsonite Laboratories (UGL) has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization. The Scranton, PA company is looking for the help of the bankruptcy court to help it maintain its current business course.

UGL Laboratories seeks to create an asbestos bankruptcty trust to settle asbestos-related claims that are currently in litigation. It has petitioned the court to prevent any asbestos lawsuits from proceeding, so they can settle all claims through the trust. The company has already paid over $25M in asbestos-related claims, including more than $2 million over the last three months.

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Many of the asbestos lawsuits from the use of asbestos in joint compound, a construction sealant used until the late 1970s, according to court documents.

"Since the 1980s, these asbestos lawsuits have been coming little by little," UGL spokeswoman Michele Margotta Neary said to The Times-Tribune. "We went into this financially sound with absolutely no debt. As far as we are concerned, it's business as usual."

In a traditional mesothelioma lawsuit, claims are made against defendants and are litigated in the courtroom. In a bankruptcy claim, on the other hand, you file a claim with a trust that has been set up by an asbestos manufacturer for the sole purpose of compensating asbestos victims.

While large settlements in a traditional mesothelioma lawsuit can threaten a company’s ability to stay in business, settlement trusts are set up to ensure that funds are available for future claims. In other words, the compensation you receive from a mesothelioma settlement trust will not diminish the amount available to pay an asbestos claimant who files later.

If you have mesothelioma or another asbestos-related condition, you may be eligible for compensation from an existing or future bankruptcy trust. Additionally, if you were exposed to multiple asbestos products that were made by different bankrupt companies, you may be eligible to file claims against multiple, separate trusts.

Please keep in mind that even if the statute of limitations has passed for a mesothelioma lawsuit, you still may be eligible to file a bankruptcy claim. To find out if you may be entitled to compensation from an asbestos settlement trust, contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Click here for the full article.

NYU Study Shows Promising Results Regarding Early-Detection Mesothelioma Test

A study conducted by the NYU Langone Medical Center and sponsored by a leg of the National Cancer Institute has turned up promising results regarding a new technique that may be used to accurately detect mesothelioma at its earliest stages.

Utilizing a technique originally created by Somalogic that uses SOMAmers (or chemically modified single-stranded DNA molecules that bind only to targeted proteins) researchers at the Langone Center conducted a blind test involving 90 blood samples from patients diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma and 80 from participants who were previously exposed to asbestos.

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The test was designed to judge the ability of the SOMAmers to detect the presence and quantity of 19 protein biomarkers that manifest themselves in the earlier stages of malignant pleural mesothelioma cases. In that regard, the results were quite promising as the SOMAmers detected 15 of the 19 stage one or two malignant pleural mesothelioma cases amongst the samples.

The study also found that SOMAmers were approximately 80 percent sensitive in identifying diseases, and 100 percent specific in its diagnosis with no false positives.

"The only patients that seem to benefit from therapy in mesothelioma are those that are found in stage 1, and this is only 10 to 15 percent of patients," said Dr. Harvey I. Pass, the director of the Division of Thoracic Surgery and Thoracic Oncology at the Langone Medical Center and the NYU Cancer Institute. "Moreover, when found early, the magnitude of the operation necessary to reduce the burden of disease may be less, making the patient better able to cope if the disease recurs and the patient needs more aggressive therapy," he added.

Results of the study will be presented today at the American Association for Cancer Research 102nd Annual Meeting.

If you or a loved one are undergoing mesothelioma treatment and wish to take action against the entities that may be at fault, there may be mesothelioma lawyers who can help you file a mesothelioma lawsuit. If you would like your asbestos law questions answered, please contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation to see if you qualify for a mesothelioma attorney to begin the process of pursuing a settlement.

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Thursday, May 26, 2011

UK School Closed after Students Exposed to Asbestos

The use of ceiling products that contain asbestos in a UK school may be the reason that 70 students were exposed to asbestos following a mishap in the school’s science lab.

Kintbery St. Mary’s C.E. Primary School in Berkshire was forced to close some of its classrooms after science lesson involving a hydrogen balloon went awry and caused a sonic reaction went awry and caused a sonic reaction. The explosion that resulted lifted ceiling tiles in the room and released dust that fell onto the 70 students who were in the class.

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Following the incident, safety tests revealed that the dust contained trace amounts of asbestos fibers, prompting the room to be closed for further testing. Students in the room were sent home, but after changing into their gym clothes so their uniforms could be kept for additional testing as well.

"It is known that insulating boards in the ceiling contained low-level asbestos, so the 70 pupils in the hall, and the supervising staff, were evacuated and the hall immediately sealed off,

Tedeschi Food Shop in Massachusetts Fined for Improper Asbestos Removal

A popular convenience store chain location in central Massachusetts has been cited with violating state asbestos regulations during renovation work and has been fined more than $30,000 as a result.

Earlier this week, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection assessed a $30,100 penalty against a Tedeschi Food Shop located in Leominster. The fine was in regard to an August 2010 inspection of the store that found pieces of floor tiles that contained asbestos and had been improperly removed, handled, and stored on the premises.

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The tiles had been removed during renovations to the store that were never properly reported to MassDEP. State law requires that any operations involving the removal of asbestos-containing materials be reported so the dangerous fibers are disposed of properly.

In addition to the fine, MassDEP also required the Tedeschi's location to retain Massachusetts Division of Occupational Safety-licensed asbestos contractor to properly remove the asbestos tiles and decontaminate all affected areas of the store.

Asbestos Concerns Raise Renovation Price Tag on London, Ontario Police HQ

Four years after a $34 million project to renovate its police headquarters, the city of London, Ontario will need to pay an additional $1 million for asbestos abatement work at the site.

The cancer-causing material is present in ceiling tiles located in a section of the building that was not renovated. If one of the tiles were to fall and shatter, officers nearby could risk asbestos exposure.

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This story highlights a major problem in renovations of older public buildings that take place all over North America. Oftentimes, authorities will try and save money by not performing full asbestos abatement work when it becomes known that there is asbestos in a particular location. Instead of paying for a full asbestos inspection and asbestos abatement at the time, they are often forced to remove asbestos on a piece-by-piece basis at a later date. This was the case in London.

NYC School Safety Renovations Held Up Due To Presence of Asbestos Products

New York City school officials are running into trouble with a plan to remove lighting fixtures from some schools that containdangerous PCB chemicals, because asbestos construction products are also present in the buildings.

According to the New York Public Radio station WNYC’ news blog, the renovation plan by the NYC Department of Education has been significantly delayed after it was determined that many of the fixtures were insulated by asbestos.

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"Asbestos comes with its own special rules and containment procedures," Deputy Chancellor Kathleen Grimm recently told the City Council Committee, according to WNYC.

In order to prevent asbestos particles from being released into the air, any construction project that involves asbestos must be sealed off and performed under specific guidelines. While simply removing some fixtures could be done after school hours, the presence of asbestos makes the process more difficult. Because the school buildings are used so regularly, the only time that a school could undergo the renovations are on a weekend or holiday.

Because of this, city officials hoped that removing all of the fixtures in question from the schools that contain them could be done in the next five years, but acknowledged that the process could take up to ten years.

For those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer that can be linked to asbestos exposure caused by a product or former employer, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney to learn more about your rights, and to see if pursuing a mesothelioma settlement is in your best interest.

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Rwandan Government To Spend Over $23M on Asbestos Removal

The Ministry of Infrastructure of the central African nation of Rwanda has announced that it will spend over Rwf 14bn ($23 million) on asbestos removal following last year’s ban on asbestos. Rwanda will be the first country in Africa to ban and remove all asbestos.

Public buildings throughout the country contain asbestos and, citing health risks to Rwandans, the government decided on removing the hazardous material. Many residents took it upon themselves to tear down and dispose of asbestos products in their homes, and the state has warned against this practice.

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When inhaled, asbestos fibers can do serious damage to people, causing scarring in the lungs. This can lead to asbestosis, pleural plaques and even mesothelioma -- an agressive and deadly cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Southern Illinois University’s Peck Hall is Undergoing Asbestos Removal

A several month long asbestos abatement project costing $325,000 is currently underway at Southern Illinois University. Peck Hall is the location on campus where the asbestos was discovered to be embedded in plaster on the underside of several balconies. The asbestos plaster is not likely to release any asbestos fibers, however, school authorities have made the decision for removal.

Asbestos is a mineral that, for years, was used in a variety of building materials before the public awareness concerning its potentially hazardous health effects like mesothelioma and lung cancer. Asbestos was in products was so common because of its unique resistance to heat, friction, electrical, and chemical damage.

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The removal of the asbestos will adhere to a strict set of safety guidelines to prevent faculty, students, and staff from any potential exposure to asbestos. The Facilities Management team has enclosed the work site with plastic sheeting and high efficiency air filters have been installed to clean any air that may escape the construction zone. All of the workers will be putting on breathing filters and showering and changing clothes before leaving the construction zone.

Have you or a loved one been potentially exposed to asbestos? An asbestos lawyer may be able to help.

Asbestos Removal Begins After New Mexico Fire

Yesterday, the Grant County Landfill located in Silver City, New Mexico received its first shipment of asbestos-containing materials resulting from the Quail Ridge Fire that burned through the Silver Acres neighborhood. The landfill was closed to the public as each shipment will be dumped and buried in an effort to protect the public from any possible asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used in numerous construction materials prior to the public awareness about its potentially hazardous health effects like mesothelioma and lung cancer. Asbestos was so commonly used because of its unique resistance to heat, friction, electrical, and chemical damage. Because of the dangers of potential asbestos exposure, there are special precautions that need to be taken regarding its disposal.

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The Quail Ridge Fire happened on March 7 and ultimately destroyed 13 homes and a number of other buildings. Although the Grant County Landfill does not normally dispose of asbestos materials, New Mexico’s Environment Secretary Dave Martin deemed the situation a conditional emergency and signed an order allowing the location to handle up to 1,000 tons of asbestos before May 9. Additionally, the order allowed the state to fast-track the hiring of Keers Remidiation, a commercial cleanup company specializing in asbestos.

Remaining homeowners, who have not had their debris tested for asbestos, are urged to contact the Southwest Solid Waste Authority to ensure that, should asbestos be present, a potential cleanup plan can be organized before the May 9 deadline.

Have you or a loved one been potentially exposed to asbestos? An asbestos attorney may be able to help you with your situation.

Colorado AG Indicts Hotel on Improper Asbestos Abatement Charges

Colorado Attorney General John Suthers has indicted the owner of a Colorado hotel and employees of a construction company for improper removal of asbestos products that led to the exposure of hotel employees and guests to the dangerous fibers.

The indictment, which was handed down this week, charges that Adam Pietraszek, Nikolai Semenshin, Yarek Gora, Richard Para, New Vision Hotels, and NVH Construction caused or contributed to a hazardous substance incident, and violated both the Air Quality Control Act and the Air Quality Control Act. The charges stemmed from the mismanagement of renovations that were performed at the Frisco Holiday Inn in October 2009.

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The renovations were begun before either the hotel or the construction company received the proper permits from the state government. Upon learning of this, as well as reports that asbestos products were not being removed properly and contaminating the rooms as a result, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment stepped in and halted the renovations. However, after the renovations were stopped, hotel management still sent its own cleaning crews into the rooms to remove any debris and proceeded to rent out the rooms to customers, potentially exposing even more people to loose asbestos fibers.

Protesting Farmer Warns of Asbestos Danger: “Hold your breath for the next two kilometers”

David Mansfield has taken the government of the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) to court, after the state approved a basalt quarry near property he owns.

He has launched an appeal in the Land and Environment Court against the Minister for Planning and the Hanson Construction Materials, the company that looks to mine basalt. He says the approval for the quarry was rushed and that an investigation into the presence of asbestos was not done before approval of the development.

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The basalt mine sits on top of a former asbestos mine site and Mansfield believes that new mining operation will release asbestos fibers into the air. This will put his family, livestock and passing motorists at risk of asbestos exposure.

UK Electrician sues Mars, Nestle for Asbestos Exposure

A UK man who worked at factories for both the Nestle and Mars chocolate factories is now suing both companies for not protecting him adequately and causing the asbestos exposure that led to him being diagnosed with asbestosis.

A Bracknell newspaper recently reported that 66-year-old Charles Parker, a former electrician/technician who lives outside of London worked at both companies for a combined 30 years: 1969-1971 for Nestle and 1971-1999 for Mars. While working on the wires and pipes in factories for each company, Parker claims that he regularly came into contact with products that were coated with asbestos insulation.

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Furthermore, Parker also alleges in his lawsuits that both companies never warned him of the health risks associated with asbestos, and also put him in a number of other situations that left him at an increased risk of suffering bodily harm as well.

After initially complaining of breathing problems during his final years working at Mars, Parker was finally diagnosed with asbestosis and pleural plaques in each of his lungs last year. Currently, his lungs only work at 80 percent capacity, while doctors predict their functionality will decline by an additional 10 percent every 7 years.

In his lawsuits, Parker is asking for a combined

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

USA EPA Inspects Asbestos Abatement Work At Idaho Courthouse

The United States Environmental Protection Agency is inspecting asbestos abatement work being performed at Bonner County Courthouse in Sandpoint Idaho.

Ginno Construction is renovating the building and Kyron Environmental is assisting in the asbestos abatement work. Air quality analysis by EMSL Analytical has shown that no airborne asbestos exists in the building, but after receiving complaints from the public and reports about workers falling ill, the federal agency decided to perform an independent evaluation of the asbestos removal job.

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The century-old building has numerous asbestos-containing products in it, including flooring and insulation. Asbestos, a mineral common in many building products, can release fibers and dust into the air when disturbed. When inhaled, an asbestos exposure can lead to a number of health problems. These include asbestosis and the following cancers: mesothelioma, lung, esophageal, gastrointestinal, laryngeal, and pharyngeal.

Florida Apartment Complex Undergoing Asbestos Removal

An asbestos abatement project is currently underway at the Gifford Gardens Apartment Complex in Gifford, Florida. After a November 16th vote to demolish the vacant 55-unit complex that has turned into a hub of criminal activity recently, the process has begun with the necessary asbestos removal.

Asbestos is a mineral that, for years, was used in a variety of construction materials before the public became aware of its potentially hazardous health effects like mesothelioma and lung cancer. The asbestos in the Gifford Gardens apartment complex appears to be in ceiling plaster acting as a fire retardant. Asbestos use in building products was so common because of its unique resistance to heat, friction, electrical, and chemical damage.

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The removal of the asbestos will adhere to a strict set of safety guidelines to prevent workers and neighbors from any potential exposure to asbestos. The asbestos removal team from All Phase Solutions have enclosed the work site with plastic sheeting and created an asbestos shower in the entrance for workers to shower before leaving to eliminate the potential for asbestos to leave the work enclosure. Additionally, all of the workers will be putting on breathing filters before entering the construction zone.

Have you or a loved one been potentially exposed to asbestos or been diagnosed with mesothelioma? An asbestos attorney may be able to help you with your situation.

100 York Homes to Undergo Asbestos Removal Renovations This Summer

One-hundred houses in the UK will be undergoing renovations in the coming months to remove dangerous asbestos construction products that were damaged and potentially exposed during the winter weather.

Recent inspections of houses in the Nunnery Lane area by the City of York Council found that many structures had damaged soffits that were made using amosite (or brown asbestos) and could potentially be releasing the dangerous fibers into the air. The Council is currently setting up additional inspections of properties in the area to determine which houses have exposed brown asbestos.

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After the second round of testing, any brown asbestos that is found will be removed over the course of the summer. Brown asbestos is considered the second most hazardous form of asbestos.

New Study Finds Drug that Limits Spread of Mesothelioma Cells

A new study that will be published this month has found a drug that was originally developed to treat kidney cancer may also prove effective in limiting the spread of mesothelioma in patients as well.

The research, which was conducted by the Institute of Cancer Research at the Medical University of Vienna and published in the May issue of the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, found that temsirolimus - the kinase inhibitor - was able to slow the growth of malignant pleural mesothelioma cells in patients.

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The drug’s ability to do this was linked to it being able to block mTOR-mediated signals, which in turn stopped the growth of the cells. The drug was originally designed to slow tumor growth and treat kidney cancer and renal cell carcinoma.

Even more interesting was the study’s revelation that the drug was able to limit the growth of cells that had been resistant to treatment by cisplastin - a drug commonly used in mesothelioma chemotherapy treatments.

"In our preclinical study, published in the

$322 Million Awarded in Largest Asbestos Settlement

Last week, a jury in Smith County, Mississippi granted Thomas Brown Jr. the largest asbestos verdict in the history of the United States. Brown, of Brookhaven, MS, filed his case against defendants Chevron Phillips Chemical (CP Chem) and Union Carbide Corporation and has been awarded $322 million to cover medical expenses, pain and suffering, and punitive damages.

Mr. Brown spent several years of his career from 1979 through the mid-1980’s laboring in the oil fields of Mississippi. He has since been diagnosed with asbestosis, a lung disease caused by asbestos exposure, and has been relegated to an oxygen breathing machine 24 hours a day.

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Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was a component in a wide variety of products because of its unique set of properties that make it resistant to heat, friction, electrical, and chemical damage. Asbestos was so widely used in the oil industry because of its fireproof qualities and the highly flammable nature of oil. Unfortunately, asbestos exposure has potentially hazardous health consequences which include mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.

Commenting on the case, one of Mr. Brown’s attorneys said,

Monday, May 23, 2011

Employees of Union Carbide Sue Company for Asbestos Exposure

Two men who used to work for Union Pacific Railroad Co. have decided to sue the company in a Texas state court for knowingly exposing them to asbestos and other dangerous fibers that have since hurt them physically and mentally.

Sixty-six-year-old Richard Ruby and sixty-three-year-old Ronald Zimmerman both pursued the lawsuit by claiming that the company violated the Federal Employer’s Liability Act by never told them about the health hazards associated with the chemicals and fibers they inhaled on a regular basis for more than 30 years.

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"Union Pacific has known since the 1930s about the hazards of asbestos, but it continued to use products containing asbestos," the lawyer representing the plaintiffs said, according to Law360.

In the last three years, both Ruby and Zimmerman have dealt with various health problems they attribute to the hazardous fumes and fibers they were exposed to. Their lawsuit is seeking financial restitution to pay for a variety damages including future medical costs, anguish, fear of cancer, loss of earnings, as well as damages.

Union Pacific is involved in a number of lawsuits involving workplace dangers and asbestos exposure. In 2010 alone the company spent $35 on asbestos claims since 2008.

Mesothelioma and asbestosis are both deadly illnesses that are caused primarily by prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers. If you were exposed to asbestos while working for a company and have since developed one of these illnesses, it may be worth pursuing a mesothelioma lawsuit that could potentially result in a substantial asbestos settlement. If you think that a mesothelioma attorney could help prove your illness was caused by a specific entity’s negligence, please contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation.

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Asbestos, Que. Residents Respond to Daily Show ‘Report’

Residents of Asbestos, Quebec seem to be somewhat divided regarding their feelings on the mining of asbestos within their borders and whether or not it should be stopped. However, in the wake of last week’s report on The Daily Show that mocked the town’s reliance on asbestos mining, the debate has become a topic of conversation in both Canada and the United States.

According to a Global Winnipeg report filed after the show aired, some residents of Asbestos support the mines and feel the criticism against their town is unwarranted. Steve Dion, a resident of the mining town for the last ten years, was supportive of allowing asbestos mining to continue. He argued that proper precautions had been put in place to keep individuals from being harmed by asbestos products

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"I don't understand why people are trying to ban it. The safety precautions they take now make it safe," he said.
However, Robert Olney, a 60-year-old mechanic who has lived in Asbestos his entire life, disagrees. Noting that his father had died from an asbestos-related cancer years earlier, Olney felt that the mines should be closed for good as a safety precaution.

School in Indiana To Be Demolished Amid Asbestos Concerns

Lowell Middle School, An Indiana school currently housed in an old building that still contained asbestos products, will finally be demolished this summer following an abatement project.

According to a recent report, the Tri-Creek School Board that the middle school is part of recently awarded a construction contract for asbestos abatement procedures, demolition, and restoration of the building to the Chicago-based Bradenburg Industrial Services Co.

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Work on the school will begin in June once the school year has ended and security fencing has been put up around the area. In order to make sure students are not put in harm’s way of any potentially dangerous asbestos fibers that could escape the work site during the projects, alternative walking routes on nearby roads that do not go near the work site will be built.

Because countless individuals and families have used household and/or commercial products that contain asbestos fibers for much of their lives, there is a risk that some may eventually develop asbestosis, mesothelioma, or some type of lung cancer as a result.

If you or a loved one is stricken with an asbestos exposure related cancer, speaking with an asbestos lawyer may help enable a lawsuit against makers of the dangerous products that could result in a substantial settlement.

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Texas Widow Sues Rail Company for Causing Husband’s Lung Cancer Death

A woman from Galveston, Texas is bringing an asbestos lawsuit against a railway company in the state that she claims exposed her late husband to dangerous amounts of the deadly fiber without warning him and led to his being diagnosed with lung cancer.

According to the Southeastern Daily Record, Elouise York recently filed the lawsuit against BNSF Railway alleging that it played a role in the death of her husband, Ernest B. York Jr, who worked for the company from 1957 to 1998 as a brakeman and conductor for steam and diesel engines.

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One decade after Ernest retired, he was diagnosed with lung cancer that eventually led to his death in late 2010. In her lawsuit, Elouise alleges that the lung cancer diagnosis and death of her husband was caused by his daily work near a variety of asbestos products.

"The decedent's exposure to asbestos and other toxic substances is herein alleged for the special period of time commencing with the onset of the decedent's railroad work through Dec. 31, 1976," the lawsuit reads, according to The Southeastern Texas Record.

Companies that expose their employees to high amounts of asbestos fibers, despite their knowledge that doing so was a health hazard, may be held legally liable for the mesothelioma diagnosis of a former worker. If you feel a former employer or the manufacturer of the asbestos product is at fault for your diagnosis, contact a mesothelioma attorney to learn more about possibly receiving an asbestos settlement that may be able to provide financial security for your family.

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Texas Town Sues Property Manager Over Illegal Asbestos Dumping

The city of Commerce, Texas is facing off against a New Orleans property management company in a lawsuit that alleges the company improperly disposed of asbestos from an apartment complex they owned in the city. The city of Commerce has filed a multi-million dollar suit against Fountainbleau Management for improper asbestos disposal after a 2008 fire at the company’s Live Oak Apartments. Following the fire an independent analysis by a Dallas company found that the complex had asbestos in the walls, ceilings and tiles.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fiber that, for many years, was used in building materials for its tensile strength and fireproofing qualities. Unfortunately, when it is disturbed, the tiny fibers can be inhaled into and become embedded in one’s lungs potentially causing numerous health problems including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.

Asbestos poses such dangerous health risks that special care must be taken in its removal from construction sites and subsequent disposal. Commerce has estimated that it would have cost Fountainbleau Management over $80,000 to dispose of the asbestos debris from the fire and alleges the company did not follow environmental regulations to save money. Commerce accuses Fountainbleau of filling public trash dumpsters with asbestos and burying other asbestos debris in a hole behind the property.
Commerce officials have stated that they learned of the buried asbestos from a tipster. Testing is being performed to determine if the asbestos has affected groundwater near the burial site and a criminal investigation is underway in the matter.

Have you or someone you know been exposed to asbestos and potential health problems? An asbestos lawyer may be able to help.

CategoriesAsbestos Legal Help (138)Navy Veterans (26)Mesothelioma Treatment (109)Asbestos Products (281)Asbestos Industry (212)Mesothelioma (768)Asbestos Cancer (124)Asbestos Exposure (608)Mesothelioma Research (112)Asbestos Legislation (138)Lung Cancer (56)Subscribe to RSSRecent NewsTexas Widow Sues Company for Causing Husband’s Lung Cancer DeathStreet Art Competition Used to Raise Asbestos Awareness in The PhilippinesSchool in Indiana To Be Demolished This Summer Amid Asbestos ConcernsAsbestos, Que. Residents Differ on Danger Level of Fibers