Pa health department says borit site is not hazardous to the public

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has issued a health consultation document stating that the BoRit asbestos site is not dangerous, saying the site poses “no apparent public health hazard to the community for cancer effects or no cancer effects.” Asbestos fibers have been found in soil, surface water, sediment, and air samples at the BoRit site over the years. The document was released on July 14 by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. The document was prepared at the request of the Region 3 Environmental Protection Agency, but the organizations also hope that the document will alleviate some of the public’s concerns about the safety of the BoRit site. The document includes details of a study carried out to “determine if levels of asbestos detected in the EPA’s 2006-2007 on-site and off-site ambient air sampling at the BoRit site in Ambler were at levels of public health concern.” According to the study, the site is not harmful to the public, but “exposures to asbestos fibers when on-site soils and asbestos-containing material are disturbed are a public health hazard to area residents.” Essentially, the site is safe for now, but could become a hazard once the clean-up begins. In addition, activities such as on-site sampling, which the EPA carries out to determine the extent of contamination at such sites, may disturb soil and materials to the extent that they may become hazardous to the public. The document also states that in dry weather conditions such as those seen in the area in September 2007 might cause an increase in airborne asbestos levels at the site and potentially create a public health hazard. This month, the EPA issued a fact sheet to be distributed to area residents, to let locals know that EPA contractors will soon begin preparing the BoRit site for clean-up. This work involved clearing vegetation, repairing fencing, and building access roads so that the site can be cleaned efficiently and safely. An EPA on-scene coordinator estimates that these preparatory activities will take around 45 days to complete. The public can read the Pennsylvania Department of Health health consultation document online at www.epaosc.net/borit, under the “Documents” heading. There is a 45-day comment period, which ends on August 31. Comments must be mailed to the following address: Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Epidemiology, Health Assessment Program, ATTN: Christine Lloyd, Health Assessor, Room 933, Health and Welfare Building, 7th and Forster Streets, Harrisburg, PA, 17120 (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

W.r. grace bankruptcy court sets bar date for zonolite claims

The Delaware Bankruptcy Court which has been overseeing the W.R. Grace & Company case has set a bar date for claims related to Zonolite attic insulation which are to be filed in the W.R Grace case. In order to preserve their case against the company, anyone who wishes to make a claim relating to Zonolite attic insulation must file that claim on or before the bar date, which has been set at October 31, 2008. For the purpose of the bar date, Zonolite claims are property-related claims. These may include the costs of asbestos abatement, and any reduction in property value or other economic loss which results from the presence of W.R. Grace-manufactured Zonolite in a home. Zonolite is a type of loose-fill, non-roll vermiculite insulation produced and sold by W.R. Grace & Co. The company mined the vermiculite from a mine located in Libby, Montana. The mine, the vermiculite, and all the insulation sold under the brand name Zonolite is contaminated with tremolite asbestos. The contamination of the mine where the substance was obtained is so severe that the entire town of Libby has been declared an EPA superfund site for almost a decade, with hundreds of millions spent on clean-up. More than 1,000 residents of Libby have been diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases as a consequence of working in or living near the mine. At the end of this year, the criminal trial against W.R. Grace and several of its top executives finally get under way. The consequences of the production and use of contaminated vermiculite are even more far-reaching than appears at first glance. Many more people than those residing in Libby may eventually be affected, as Zonolite is present in millions of American homes. Zonolite was sold from the 1920s up until the 1980s under several brand names, including Attic Fill, Attic Plus, Cashway Attic Insulation, Econofil, House Fill, Wickes Attic Insulation, Zonolite Insulating Fill, Sears Micro Fill, Quiselle Insulating Fill, Mica Pellets Attic Insulation, Unifil, and Ward’s Mineral Fill. Zonolite insulation may appear as a glittery granular substance. Granules may be silvery, gold, or brown in color, and their color may have darkened after being present in an attic for several years. Even homes with newer insulation may still contain Zonolite, as the substance may be found underneath newer rolled insulation. For more information about filing claims, interested parties can visit www.graceclaims.com, call 1-877-465-4817, or write to Claims Processing Agent, W. R. Grace & Co. Bankruptcy, P.O. Box 1620, Faribault, MN 55021-1620. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

More criticism for epa’s asbestos regulations plans

The federal Environmental Protection Agency continues to come under heavy fire over its proposed changes to asbestos regulations. This time, experts are accusing the EPA of watering down the regulations in an attempt to placate big industry. Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency announced plans to hold a public meeting to discuss the method of assessing asbestos-related carcinogenic risks as outlined by the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER). Many public health experts have subsequently spoken about their concerns with the EPA’s plans. The meeting, held on the 21st and 22nd of July, was attended by asbestos and asbestos disease experts, including Richard A. Lemen, a pioneering asbestos researcher and former Assistant Surgeon General, and Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization director Linda Reinstein. Currently the EPA uses methods which were developed in the 1980s, based on phase contrast microscopy as a measure of numbers of asbestos particles in samples being tested. This method was developed using existing data from cohorts of workers previously exposed to asbestos in various industrial settings. However, the EPA methodology currently in use does not account for differences between different types of asbestos, and varying sizes and shapes of asbestos fibers. OSWER is proposing that an interim method be developed which accounts for these and other factors when assessing asbestos exposure risks. The problem, some public health experts say, is that this may lead to some types of asbestos being considered “safer” than othersâ€"and that this is a dangerous way to regulate a highly toxic substance. Many high respected asbestos experts believe that all asbestos should be considered dangerous, and that there is no safe level of exposure. After the EPA’s meeting this week many of the attendees have denounced the plans, but according to recent reports the EPA may end up making the changes regardless. Another concern for experts is that the EPA’s proposal seems to be being rushed through the approval processâ€"many physicians and scientists in federal organizations who would normally have a chance to review such plans haven’t had so much as a quick glance at the EPA’s proposal. Even worse are the rumors that the EPA is rushing its proposal through in an effort to appease complaints from the automotive, mining, construction and chemical industries, all of which are feeling the sting of lawsuits from people who have developed asbestos-related diseases due to exposure over the past several decades. The EPA appointed twenty scientists to its Scientific Advisory Board asbestos panel, asking them to evaluate the agency’s plan to change the way chrysotile asbestosâ€"the most common typeâ€"is assessed in terms of the risks of exposure. Decades worth of research confirming that chrysotile is deadly were ignored by the EPA in favor of other studies claiming it does not cause mesothelioma. According to one report, lawyers who routinely defend corporations against asbestos claims say passage of the EPA’s proposed regulation concerning chrysotile would vastly increase their chances of winning lawsuits relating to diseases caused by exposure to this type of asbestos. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

Appellate decision may allow resurrection of thousands of asbestos suits

A decision from the 4th District Court of Appeal may help thousands of people with pending asbestos-related lawsuits, by invalidating a retroactivity law which was designed to limit the number of people who were eligible to sue. The ruling was a reversal of thirteen decisions previously made by Palm Beach Circuit Judge Elizabeth Maass, which upheld the retroactivity law. Some of the cases on which the ruling was based date back as far as 1999. This week’s decision now allows plaintiffs the chance to revive those cases. Not surprisingly, plaintiffs’ attorneys say the ruling is a new victory for thousands of people who are still waiting to have their cases heard in court. “It certainly means that there are thousands of cases that were in the pipeline that were retroactively thrown out by this legislation that now may see new life,” said one attorney. Another said that the new ruling could revive as many as four thousand asbestos-related lawsuits across Florida. On the other hand, lawyers working for defendant companies are less than thrilled. One said, the law was created to “put people who were sick at the head of the line,” but now that it’s been overturned, there is the potential for “people who aren’t really sick…[to be] cutting in the line ahead of people who are sick.” If the decision is appealed, it would likely be based partially on a conflict between District Courts of Appeal in West Palm Beach and Miami. The 3rd District Court of Appeal in Miami concluded that the retroactivity law was valid, and since the 4th District Court ruling in West Palm Beach disagrees, the conflict could allow for an appeal and review by a higher court. Judge Gary Farmer wrote for the 4th District Court’s unanimous decision that the Florida Asbestos and Silica Compensation Fairness Act “may not constitutionally be applied to eliminate the existing vested rights in the lawsuits pending when the act became effective [on July 1, 2005].” The Florida Asbestos and Silica Compensation Fairness Act set new impairment standards on which plaintiffs’ eligibility to file suit became based. People affected with asbestosis (a non-malignant disease) must have lost at least 20% of their breathing capacity, and people with lung cancer would have to have diminished breathing capacity and asbestosis (to rule out the effects of smoking as a causative agent in the cancer). (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

Boulder apartment fire prompts concern over asbestos

Boulder, Colorado â€" Fire and flames spread quickly when a burning bush ignited an apartment complex in Boulder, Colorado. Police and firefighters responded quickly and all residents of the complex escaped without serious injury. However, due to the presence of asbestos in the building, there are still concerns over safety and air quality. Fire investigators believe that the fire started when a juniper bush outside the apartment complex caught fire. The flames quickly spread from the bush to the building, and spread throughout the complex. Witnesses reported seeing the bush burning and igniting the building, but investigators don’t yet know how the juniper bush itself caught fire. Several of the units in the apartment complex were damaged by smoke and fire, but no residents or firefighters were injured. Firefighters were able to extinguish the blazing building quickly, fighting the fire from outside the building. Public Information Officer for the Boulder Fire Department Sarah Huntley confirmed that firefighters wore protective clothing while fighting the fire because it was suspected that the building contained asbestos. David Lowery, Chief Fire Marshall for the Boulder Fire Department, said “It was confirmed that there was asbestos in the sheet rock of the building material that was used back when this structure was built.” Ironically, asbestos was often used as a fire proofing and flame retardant material. On that basis it was added to many different types of construction products up until the mid 1980s. However, inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause cancer and other serious diseases, meaning that for residents and firefighters there are health and safety concerns. The hazards of asbestos made it necessary for firefighters to protect themselves from the possibility of exposure. During a fire, asbestos fibers can easily become airborne as burned materials disintegrate and are spread around by high-pressure water blasts. Residents of the burned building will return today to retrieve emergency items with the help of firefighters wearing protective clothing. The American Red Cross is helping to find accommodation for the fire’s victims, who will not be allowed to return to the building for several days. According to the fire marshall, air quality inside the building will need to be tested to ensure that the building is safe for residents. Those whose units were severely damaged may need longer term accommodation. However, the quick response of firefighters means that serious damage was minimal. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

More asbestos found in newton fire station

Newton, Massachusetts â€" More deposits of asbestos have been found in the Newton, Massachusetts-based Fire Station 3. The station was the site of a renovation project in which asbestos was discovered and dispersed while firefighters were present in the building. The exposure incident occurred on Wednesday, March 19 when contractors were working on a renovation project in Fire Station 3. During the incident, visible dust was created and debris from the ceiling fell near four nearby firefighters. One employee reported that dust had fallen onto him and onto his computer. Following discovery of the exposure incident an investigation was initiated. Initial tests carried out on the air and the dust in the incident area came back negative. A state report released on Friday March 28 indicates that the asbestos dust and debris did pose a health hazard to the workers carrying out the renovation work and to the firefighters present in the station. The area where the incident occurred has been cleaned, and the employees who were exposed have seen doctors, but any medical issues that may result won’t develop immediately. Both asbestosis and mesothelioma have latency periods before symptoms are noted. In the case of mesothelioma the latency period can extend for several decades. FLI Environment has since returned to the Newton Fire Station for yet another round of asbestos testing. In this round, asbestos has been discovered in two new locations: in the clothing of one of the workers, and in a rug in the Fire Station weight room. FLI Environmental has recommended that the clothing and the rug be disposed of safely according to asbestos-handling regulations. The two previous rounds of air testing at Fire Station 3 had concluded that the spread of asbestos had been much more limited. However, it seems now that the asbestos dust has spread. The city is now carrying out preconstruction surveys in all five of the fire stations that are scheduled for renovation projects, to make sure that any hazardous materials present in the fire stations are handled and disposed of safely. Mayor David Cohen said, “We are going to continue to [take] precautions as we do additional work in the fire stations to make sure that our workers are not exposed to asbestos and that we are making the work as safe as possible. The first priority of the city is the safety of the inhabitants of the fire stations.” (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

Ala report finds deaths from lung disease increasing

The latest report from the American Lung Association, entitled Lung Disease Data, indicates that death rates due to lung disease are on the increase, and death rates due to other leading causes of death, such as cancer, heart disease, and stroke, are decreasing. The American Lung Association publishes the Lung Disease Data report periodically to provide a resource with information about information about lung disease trends in the United States for the media, healthcare professionals, researchers, patients, and the public. The report indicates that lung disease rates are increasing so rapidly that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may be the third leading cause of death as early as 2020. Lung diseases include any diseases or disorders in which impairment of lung function is an effect or result of the condition. Lung diseases may be caused by cigarette smoking, exposure to smoke, air pollution, and exposure to occupational hazards such as asbestos and silica dusts. Bernadette Toomey, President and CEO of the American Lung Association, says, “Every year, about 400,000 Americans die from lung disease. With our report, Lung Disease Data, we hope to provide valuable information on lung disease to the public, especially to people who become ill and their family members who are caring for them.” Types of lung disease covered in the ALA report data include the following: • Obstructive lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, as well as chronic bronchitis and emphysema. All of these diseases affect the person’s airways, and limit or block the flow of air in or out of the lungs. • Lung cancer, caused by uncontrolled growth of abnormal lung cells. Lung cancer may be caused by a variety of factors, including cigarette smoking and exposure to asbestos. • Infectious diseases such as influenza, pneumonia, respiratory syncytial virus, and tuberculosis, caused by viruses or bacteria which can affect both lung tissue and the membrane which surrounds, protects, and supports the lungs. • Respiratory failure, pulmonary edema, pulmonary embolism and pulmonary hy-pertension. These diseases are caused by problems with gas exchange and blood flow in the lungs. • Pulmonary fibrosis and sarcoidosis. These diseases are characterized by stiffen¬ing and scarring of the lungs, which prevents normal lung function. • Occupational diseases, such as mesothelioma and asbestosis, caused by expo¬sure to hazardous substances such as asbestos and silica dust. These occupational diseases have no other known causes apart from exposure to inhalable toxic dusts. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

Immune system research identifies possible cancer vaccine

A protein which is found on some of the body’s immune cells could one day be manipulated into recruiting the immune system to attack cancer cells, say researchers from Toronto and Britain who recently completed a study on the cells. Scientists from the London Research Institute, the University of London, the University of Toronto, and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, carried out the research and published their findings in a recent issue of The Journal of Clinical Investigation. The lead author of the study, Caetano Reis e Sousa of the London Research Institute, said, “We have now found a tag on dendritic cells, called DNGR-1, which can be targeted by vaccines.” “Vaccines will carry a sample of the offending molecule and deliver it to DNGR-1 on the dendritic cells. The dendritic cell in turn will present the molecule to the armies of T cells and instruct them to attack.” Normally, the immune system does not attack cancer cells, because the cancer cells are recognized as being part of the body. Even though cancer cells are harmful, the immune system is not able to activate and destroy them, because cancer cells resemble normal healthy cells too closely. Immunotherapy strategies usually center on manipulating the immune system into recognizing cancer cells as being harmful so that the immune system can activate and kill them. The scientists who completed the research have identified a protein called DNGR-1 which they believe could, in conjunction with a genetically modified virus, signal the immune system and force it to attack and destroy cancer cells. The DNGR-1 protein, which was identified in mice, is present on immune cells called dendritic cells, which are an enormously powerful cell type which stimulates the body’s immune response to all types of pathogens, including bacteria and viruses. The dendritic cells use chemical signals to tell the immune system when and where to attack pathogens that invade the body. After having discovered the DNGR-1 protein on the surface of dendritic cells the scientists believe they could create a vaccine which includes the protein and molecules from cancer cells. They believe this might cause the body’s dendritic cells to ‘switch on’ an immune system reaction against the cancer cells. The researchers say that in addition to fighting cancer, this type of immune system-controlled therapy could perhaps be used to ‘vaccinate’ people against malaria and HIV. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

New asbestos lawsuit filed in national hotspot

New asbestos-related lawsuits filed this week include a petition filed in Kanawha County, West Virginiaâ€"one of the nation’s ‘hotspots’ in terms of the number of asbestos-related claims which are filed in this country. The popularity of the location for asbestos-related lawsuits has been high for some time, as these juries in these Kanawha County have a reputation for awarding fairly large sums of money to plaintiffs in these types of cases. Under current laws, a case can be filed in West Virginia as long as there is some type of connection between the state and the case. The new suit filed this week both involve a woman whose husband died from cancer after being exposed to asbestos while at work. Eleanor Richards filed a lawsuit in Kanawha Circuit Court on April 18, on behalf of the estate of Charles Richards, her deceased husband. Charles Richards died from lung cancer, allegedly as a result of asbestos exposure. According to the lawsuit filed by Eleanor Richards, Charles Richards was employed at the J.C. Hart foundry in Clarksburg as a molder, and was allegedly exposed to products containing asbestos while working there. As a result of the asbestos exposure and because the defendants failed to provide a safe working environment in which to work, claims the lawsuit, Charles Richards developed the lung cancer that eventually killed him. The lawsuit claims that “At all times relevant…it was feasible for the defendants to have adequately warned Charles Richards, tested their asbestos containing products, designed safer asbestos containing products or substitute asbestos free products.” In addition to the pain and eventual death suffered by her husband, Eleanor Richards claims that she has suffered from mental anguish, sorrow, and the loss of companionship once supplied by her husband, as well as the necessity of paying medical expenses and funeral costs. Eleanor Richards is seeking punitive damages as well as compensatory damages in the suit. Lung cancer suits are somewhat less common than mesothelioma suits, in terms of asbestos-related litigation. It’s often more difficult to prove that a plaintiff developed lung cancer directly as a result of asbestos exposure, because lung cancer has a variety of different causes, while mesothelioma is known to develop only as a result of exposure to asbestos. Lung cancer can, for example, develop more or less spontaneously, while this is virtually unheard of for mesothelioma. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

New asbestos suit filed in madison county

Madison County, Illinois - A resident of Florida who was diagnosed with mesothelioma has filed an asbestos-related lawsuit in Madison County Circuit Court, Illinois, on May 22. The man is Leo Flynt, who alleges that during the course of his employment as an electrician between 1946 and 1977 in Florida, Indiana, and Illinois, he was exposed to inhalable asbestos fibers which were released by asbestos-containing products he worked with or near. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma on January 1, 2008. Leo Flynt names a total of 59 defendants in his suit, including Bondex International, CBS, Chrysler, Federal-Mogul Asbestos Personal Trust, Ford Motor Company, General Electric, General Motors, Goodyear, Honeywell International, Ingersoll-Rand, International Paper, Lucent, John Crane, MetLife, Owens-Illinois, Philips Electronics and Trane US. The lawsuit claims that the defendants either knew or should have known that asbestos is a dangerous substance, and that asbestos exposure has a toxic effect which can lead to the development of asbestos cancer and other serious diseases. “The plaintiff’s exposure and inhalation, ingestion or absorption of the asbestos fibers was completely foreseeable and could or should have been anticipated by the defendants.” In addition, Leo Flynt’s lawsuit claims that the defendants continued using asbestos in their manufactured products even though substitutes for asbestos were available to be used. Flynt also claims that the defendants failed to warn that asbestos was dangerous, failed provide any instructions about working safely with or around asbestos, and failed to warn employees that asbestos fibers could be carried home on clothing. As a result, Leo Flynt alleges that he was negligently exposed to dangerous asbestos fibers, and developed deadly mesothelioma. Finally, the lawsuit also alleges that some of the defendants in the case destroyed documents relating to the use of asbestos, and that as a result Leo Flynt’s ability to build an effective case has been damaged. “Plaintiff has been caused to suffer damages in the form of impaired ability to recover against defendants and lost or reduced compensation from other potentially liable parties in this litigation.” Leo Flynt is seeking compensation to pay for treatment and lost income and for the physical pain and mental anguish he has suffered as a result of being diagnosed with mesothelioma. In addition he is seeking damages of at least $300,000 in punitive damages, due to the “damages for negligence, willful and wanton acts, conspiracy, and negligent spoliation of evidence” of the defendants. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

Former pipe-fitter files second asbestos-related lawsuit

Gliese Bergeron once worked as a pipe fitter. As a result of his work, he was exposed to asbestos and inhaled asbestos fibers. He developed an asbestos-related disease, sued, and received financial compensation. Now he says he’s developed a second asbestos-related disease and has filed a second lawsuit, hoping to receive additional compensation. Bergeron’s lawsuit was filed by his attorney on July 17 in Jefferson County District Court and names a total of nineteen defendants, including the A.O. Smith Corp, the CBS Corporation, and Zurn Industries. According to the petition, the A.O. Smith Corp and the eighteen other defendant companies knowingly and maliciously produced and sold asbestos-containing products. While the suit does not say where and when Bergeron worked as a pipe-fitter and was exposed to asbestos, is does say that his work as a pipe-fitter and maintenance planner “caused him to suffer from…industrial dust diseases caused by breathing the asbestos-containing products.” In addition the suit claims that the defendant companies were negligent due to their failure to test their asbestos-containing products before releasing them on the market, and also for failing to warn consumers of the dangers of working with and around asbestos without adequate protection from exposure. Specifically, the complaint says that American Optical Corp and the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Corporation (3M) are at fault for their production of defective masks that did not provide protection against asbestos inhalation. Bergeron has already sued and been compensated for having developed an asbestos-related disease, but the suit says that he “seeks damages against defendants not released in the previous actions pursuant to Pustejovsky v. Rapid-American Corp.” The Pustejovsky v. Rapid-American Corp decision referred to in the complaint was an opinion granted by the Texas Supreme Court in 2000. In this the court decided that a person who successfully sues for compensation for the development of an asbestos-related disease may sue a second time if he subsequently develops another disease. This decision overturned a long history of cases which had decided victims could only sue once for asbestos-related injuries, even if they developed a second asbestos-related disease at a later date. This can occur when, for example, a person first develops asbestosis and then later is diagnosed with mesothelioma. Gliese Bergeron is suing for exemplary damages as well as compensation for mental and physical pain and suffering, physical impairment, lost income, lost earning capacity, and medical expenses. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

Bellrive fire victims will be able to retrieve possessions

Houston, Texas â€" Former tenants of the Bellrive apartment complex in Houston, Texas may finally be able to retrieve their belongings, without having to pay for expensive asbestos removal, says the Houston Housing Authority. The dispute over who would pay for clean-up arose in March, when the HHA said tenants may have to pay up to $3,400 each to clean asbestos fibers from their personal possessions. The fire was caused shortly after Thanksgiving 2007 by a candle which had been left burning in a fifth-floor apartment. No residents were seriously hurt in the blaze, but tenants were distraught over the news that many of the clothing and personal possessions they were forced to leave behind were contaminated with asbestos. A total of 61 of the 210 apartments were affected by asbestos contamination, and more than 200 tenants were displaced due to damage caused by the fire. The hazardous mineral was spread throughout almost a third of the apartments during the fire and subsequent fire-fighting activities. However, the HHA said it didn’t have the money to clean up all the contaminated items, as certain porous types of items such as clothing and upholstery would be too expensive. The HHA then asked that tenants pay for the clean-up of porous items themselves, as its insurance wouldn’t cover the costs of cleaning those items. Tenants and advocates subsequently said it was unfair to expect low-income residents would be financially responsible for the clean-up when they were not responsible for any of the damage caused by the fire, and weren’t responsible for the fact that asbestos was present in the building. The dispute was resolved after attorneys from Lone Star Legal Aid intervened on behalf of the tenants whose belongings were contaminated by asbestos. HHA vice president for external affairs Regina Woolfolk says the HHA has now raised a total of $150,000 from private donors, to be used for cleaning up residents personal possessions. The agency hopes to be able to raise the remaining $60,000 needed soon. In the mean time, the initial money available for the clean-up means the work can begin almost immediately, and may be completed in as little as a few weeks. A few items won’t be cleanable, says the contractor hired to do the work, and the HHA has pledged to provide tenants with a small amount of vouchers they can use to replace any items they can’t retrieve. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

Libby, montana film receives emmy nomination

A pair of Missoula film-makers have been honored with an Emmy award nomination for their film, “Libby Montana,” which details the plight of the residents of the town. Libby and its residents have suffered greatly from asbestos poisoning caused by W.R. Grace & Company as a result of the vermiculite mine it operated in the area. The documentary, made in 2004 by Doug Hawes-Davis and Drury Gunn Carr of High Plains Films, has been nominated for an Emmy award in the “Outstanding Continuing Coverage of a News Story-Long Form” category. The documentary aired in 2007 on the PBS POV program. The film has gained some highly positive reviews since its release. Critics rate the film highly for its sensitive treatment of Libby residents, and for the voice it provides for the town and those who live there. In the “San Antonio Current,” for example, critics praised the film’s objectivity, and the way in which Doug Hawes-Davis and Carr allowed the story to tell itself. “If the political pressure to prosecute Grace’s executives to the full extent of the law persists, it will be due in part to this deeply moving film. Many critics have praised the “objectivity” of filmmakers Doug Hawes-Davis and Drury Gunn Carr; what they mean is that the directors let the headlines, residents, and Lovick tell the story. This time-tested documentary technique seems fresh in the wake of last year’s much-more-publicized and vocally political Fahrenheit 9/11, but at its root is the recognition that Libby, Montana isn’t a red-state or blue-state story. It is a story about American democracy and American capitalism, and the battle that must constantly be waged to keep the latter from consuming the former.” At the PBS POV web site, quotes from Doug Hawes-Davis and Carr themselves highlight the importance of remembering the story of Libby and the tragedy the town has suffered. Carr said, “Even as we documented the history of the town and the cleanup efforts, the story of Libby took on a larger life as Congress was forced to consider what to do about the millions of homes and other buildings in the U.S. filled with vermiculite from Libby.” And to that, Hawes-Davis added, “Libby is a hardworking, blue-collar community that personifies the American Dream, but the story we had to tell was about the dream gone horribly wrong. Industrialists, politicians, workers and ordinary citizens all play a role in this American tragedy.” The award’s winner will be announced in New York, in September. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

Some marycrest stores not told of asbestos danger

Joliet, Illinois -  A full day after state health officials shut down a section of the Marycrest Shopping Center in Joliet, Illinois, some businesses were still operating in the center, unaware of the possible asbestos dangers. One business was ordered not to open due to the possible asbestos threat, but stores on either side were not told of the danger and were allowed to remain open. Marycrest Shopping center is made up of multiple buildings each with its own ventilation system, and all stores in one of the buildings were supposed to be ordered closed, while stores in other separate buildings could remain open. However, it was subsequently discovered that many of those businesses were supposed to be ordered shut, but had not received the order due to an oversight. A section of the Maycrest Shopping Center in Joliet, Illinois was closed after state health officials became concerned about the possibility of asbestos exposure. Officials ordered that work on the now-closed section of the shopping mall be stopped on Wednesday June 4, as they believed flooring was being removed without proper safety precautions being taken. The shopping center was built in the 1950s, is now half empty, and is undergoing renovations. However, this week sees the second time that officials have ordered that renovations be stopped due to concerns over possible asbestos exposure, said Joliet director of inspectional services David Mackley. Mackley said that a state inspector called health authorities to the renovation site on Wednesday after the inspector noticed that work had been carried out in an office area which was known to contain asbestos. Site inspectors subsequently ordered that the work be stopped, as they believed the tiles which were being removed were of a kind that was glued to floors with an asbestos-containing adhesive. Tests carried out by the Illinois Department of Public Health subsequently showed that asbestos was in fact present in the adhesive. An Illinois Department of Public Health spokesperson said the owners of Maycrest will be required to hire contractors who are licensed to handle asbestos. Another health department spokesperson, Melaney Arnold, said the law would require an inspection to be carried out before work could start. Whether or not those in the stores which were supposed to be closed were exposed to asbestos won’t be known for some time, possibly decades, as asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma cancers have long latency periods. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

Keryx biopharmaceuticals, inc. announces details of perifosine trials

Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that the company has selected abstracts relating to chemotherapeutic agent KRX-0401 (Perifosine) to present and publish during the American Society of Clinical Oncology Meeting which is taking place in Chicago, Illinois between May 31 and June 3, 2008. Keryx Biopharmaceuticals is a company which focuses on developing medically important, novel pharmaceutical agents for the treatment of life-threatening diseases, including several types of cancer. The company’s headquarters are in New York City. Abstracts presented at the meeting will present details of Perifosine used in the treatment of several types of cancer, including Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, which affects white blood cells, and renal cell carcinoma, which affects the kidneys. KRX-0401 (Perifosine) is a new oral anti-cancer chemotherapy drug which modulates signal transduction pathways called Akt, JNK, and MAPK. Signal transduction pathways are what allow cells to communicate with one another, and involve the production of body chemicals, including hormones and cytokines, which tell various body cells what to do and when to do it. The signal transduction pathways which Perifosine affects are associated with a cellular process called programmed cell death, as well as other processes including cellular growth and survival. These pathways are often involved in the development of cancers, because programmed cell death is a process by which mutated cells are induced to undergo a “suicide” sequence. Sometimes a mutated cell evades programmed cell death, and if that happens the cell may become cancerous. Scientists have previously discovered that the cellular pathway called Akt plays an important role in the development of most types of cancer, and also in the resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapy treatment. In addition, it has been noted that people with high levels of Akt activity have a poor prognosis and their cancer tends to be more advanced. So far, more than 1,700 people in the United States and Europe have been treated with Perifosine in clinical trials. The drug has been found to be safer and less toxic than many other types of chemotherapy agents. Perifosine doesn’t cause immune system depression or many other toxic side effects such as hair loss. However, it is known to cause low-level fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. In Phase I and II trials the drug has been shown to stabilize or cause regression of tumors. It has shown positive results in the treatment of mesothelioma, kidney and liver cancers, and other more rare types of cancer. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

Onconase fails to show expected results

Alfacell Corp. this week released a statement indicating that Onconase, a chemotherapy agent, did not meet the “statistical significance for the primary endpoint of survival in unresectable malignant mesothelioma.” Or, in plain English, the drug Onconase isn’t as effective at treating mesothelioma as the company had hoped. It had previously been hoped that Onconase would prove to be an effective chemotherapy treatment for people who had malignant mesothelioma and weren’t eligible for surgery. The most recently completed Onconase trial, Phase IIIb, was designed to show that Onconase mesothelioma treatment significantly improved overall survival times for people with inoperable malignant mesothelioma. People in the trial were treated with a combination of Onconase and Doxorubicin, another chemotherapy agent. The results obtained were compared with people who were treated with Doxorubicin only. While it had been expected that people receiving the combination therapy would have significantly improved survival time, that wasn’t the case. People receiving Doxorubicin alone had a mean survival time of 10.7 months, while those receiving Onconase and Doxorubicin had a mean survival time of 11.1 months, which, while a slightly higher number, isn’t enough to be considered statistically significant. However, although the trial results showed no statistically significant improvement for people with inoperable mesothelioma receiving Onconase and Doxorubicin, there was one positive result. Initial results from the trial indicate that a statistically significant survival time improvement was seen in people with inoperable malignant mesothelioma who had “failed” one prior chemotherapy treatment course. In this case, the mean survival time for people receiving only Doxorubicin was 8.7 months, while people receiving both drugs had a mean survival time of 10.5 months. The preliminary results with Onconase are based on clinical trials with a total of 428 patients participating. As a result of the unexpected positive, Alfacell plans to submit a New Drug Application to the FDA, and to eventually use Onconase for the treatment of this group of people, which, it says, represent a group of people with an unmet medical need. Onconase for the treatment of malignant meosthelioma has been granted “fast track” status by the FDA. The drug itself is a protein isolated from the leopard frog. Kuslima Shogen, Alfacell’s chief executive officer, said of the trial, “I am pleased that we have reached this important milestone for both Alfacell and Onconase. We are deeply appreciative of the cancer patients and clinical investigators who participated in this important trial.” (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

Asbestos removal a lengthy project in ma church

April 2, 2008, Massachusetts â€" The demolition of former church buildings in North Brookline, MA, highlights the continuing need for an importance of safety regulations for the removal and disposal of asbestos. The rectory of the former church, as well as two garages, is being demolished to make way for a new housing development that will accommodate more than thirty affordable homes. Most of the asbestos was removed from the church buildings in 2004. Remaining materials may include up to 7,500 square feet of asbestos-containing window caulking, roofing tiles, and other materials. The remaining waste is non-friable, meaning that the materials are solid and the release of airborne particles is not likely. This week, work crews began to remove asbestos waste from the St. Aidan’s former church site. Safe asbestos removal involves wetting asbestos-containing materials to reduce the amount of dust generated when they are disturbed. Following the removal of the materials they will be bagged in thick containers and disposed of at a landfill that is equipped to handle asbestos waste. However, neighbors are concerned because they want more information about the demolition. The project’s developer has promised neighbors daily updates during the project, but hasn’t provided locals with an exact date for the demolition of the buildings. Knowing that the buildings contain asbestos waste, some neighbors want to know the planned date of the demolition so they can arrange to temporarily vacate their homes and ensure the safety of their families. David Armitage, from the Planning Office for Urban Affairs, said “In construction, it’s very difficult to get a specific date, because you don’t know how fast the work is going to happen.” Project officials said that work areas would be covered with drapes, and workers would be equipped with air monitors that would detect airborne asbestos fibers. Contractors will also be using air monitors to test the air for asbestos and lead, and work will stop immediately if the monitors detect unsafe levels of asbestos. Some residents don’t feel that those measures are enough. They would prefer that the work be limited to school hours, to minimize the danger to children, and some have asked that neighbors be informed immediately if airborne asbestos is detected. Developers have responded saying that most work will take place during school hours, and contractors will be asked to avoid heavy work at times when students might be in the area. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

Linen company faces hefty fines for safety and health violations

New Jersey - North East Linen, formerly Morey LaRue Laundry Company, has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration for several alleged health and safety violations after the deaths of two workers last year. Among the fifteen counts are some which relate to the presence of asbestos on the company premises. The fines, which may reach up to $80,000, will be imposed for violations discovered after the deaths of Victor Diaz Jr. and Carlos Diaz. The two men were assigned to power wash a 20,000 gallon tank which contained dry-cleaning chemicals, but they had not been trained to do the job. Other allegations include that they were not provided with protective gear, or safety equipment that could have been used to assist in their rescue. The two men died from suffocation while attempting to carry out the work. OSHA began an investigation on the day the men died. The investigated resulted in fifteen violations, including twelve serious, two other-than-serious, and one willful violation. The fines for the violations total $79,250. “Serious” citations are those which may cause serious physical harm or death, and which the employer either knew about or should have known about. “Willful” violations are those which an employer commits with indifference or intentional disregard for the safety and health of employees. Robert D. Kulick, director of OSHA’s Avenel area office said, “North East Linen did not take the appropriate steps to train its employees about potential hazards and to ensure its employees did not enter the waste water tank, which led to this tragedy.” Louis Ricca Jr., acting administrator for OSHA’s New York region said, “This horrible tragedy underscores the need for all employers to implement effective safety and health management system. It also reinforces the need for employers to provide their employees with appropriate training, direction, personal protective equipment and engineering control, particularly when working in and around confined spaces.” Among the alleged health and safety violations of North East Linen are failure to provide hazard training, failure to provide adequate egress, failure to effectively prevent employees from entering the waste water tank, and failure to determine the presence and quality of asbestos-containing materials, and failure to label asbestos-containing materials. From receipt of the citations, North East Linen has fifteen days in which to contest them, after which an independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission is to be held. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

Grupo mexico offers billions for asarco asbestos claims

Grupo Mexico, the parent company of ASARCO, has offered up to $4.1 billion to pay off liability claims against its bankrupt subsidiary. With the month-long trial almost over, Grupo Mexico has made several proposals in its efforts to retain ownership of the Peruvian copper mine which has caused considerable trouble for both companies. Grupo Mexico is a mining conglomerate headed by Chairman and Chief Executive German Larrea Mota-Velasco. The company is the world’s third largest producer of copper, and has mining interests in several South American locations. ASARCO filed for bankruptcy in 2005, and during the process a bankruptcy judge removed Grupo Mexico’s control over the company due to allegations that the parent company was stripping ASARCO’s assets in an attempt to protect those assets from asbestos and environmental liability claims. One of those assets was the Peruvian copper mine which was ASARCO’s most valuable asset, and which was arguably the main reason for Grupo Mexico acquiring the company. Among ASARCO’s claims are that Grupo Mexico knew it faced potential liabilities of more than $1 billion when it acquired the ASARCO company in 1999, and also that the parent company knew it might also shoulder the responsibility of cleaning up to twenty Superfund sites. In addition, ASARCO claims that Grupo Mexico stripped the subsidiary of assets, including Peruvian copper mines that ASARCO once had a significant stake in and were the company’s most significant asset. ASARCO claims that Grupo Mexico did this to prevent the mines being used to pay ASARCO’s creditors. ASARCO also claims that Grupo Mexico used the fact that it controlled all the parties in the transaction to its own advantage, because this allegedly allowed the parent company to underpay ASARCO for the mines. ASARCO’s legal battle began Monday May 12, with the beginning of a multi-billion dollar civil lawsuit against Grupo Mexico. German Larrea Mota-Velasco was among those who testified at the trial. Larrea Mota-Velasco repeatedly denied that the Andes copper mines in question were a prime motivator for either himself or the company, and also stated that he had never intended ASARCO should be forced into bankruptcy. With the trial over, Grupo Mexico has offered a settlement worth more than $4 billion in its effort to prevent ASARCO being sold to Sterlite Industries, which had offered $2.6 billion. The parent company has repeatedly promised a “full recovery” for all of ASARCO’s environmental and asbestos-related claims. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

Scientology cruise ship still locked down, still full of asbestos

A full six weeks after the Scientology cruise ship “Freewinds” was docked for repairs which led to the discovery of large amounts of asbestos, the ship is still locked down. It is now believed by some that the ship may never be able to take passengers again, due to the enormous expense of removing the large quantities of asbestos it contains. After being quarantined on April 26 at Mathey Warf in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, Curacao Drydock Company was contracted to carry out refurbishment and repairs on the ship, but the company quickly ceased work due to the risk of asbestos exposure. Large amounts of Crocidolite (blue asbestos) were found to be present onboard the ship, and a statement from the vessel’s captain indicates that there have been previous incidents where the asbestos was released into the ship’s onboard ventilation system, which could potentially have resulted in asbestos exposure for everyone on board. Several officials, including deputy head of the Department of Labor Affairs Christiene van der Biezen and local health department head Tico Ras, inspected the ship and took samples from paneling that was subsequently found to contain blue asbestos in significant amounts. Subsequently, the Executive Council held a meeting and decided that informing the public would be the best way to avoid rumors and other problems. Other reports say that allegations about asbestos onboard the ship were made at least seven years ago. Lawrence Woodcraft, an architect and former Scientologist, claimed to have filed an affidavit affirming that he encountered blue asbestos on the ship in 1987-more than twenty years ago-and informed Scientology leaders. After the Curacao Drydock Company withdrew its workers, a team from the U.S. then arrived in The Netherlands to clean up the Scientology cruise ship. The arrival of the clean-up team was reported by Amigoe, the longest-running daily news publication in Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles. The U.S. team was subsequently found to be comprised of members of Scientology’s own paramilitary organization, the “Sea Org.” The clean-up team has been transporting truckloads of asbestos from the ship to the Selikor landfill site at Malpais, which is located on the island. However, despite these cleaning efforts, which may be putting members of Sea Org at high risk of asbestos exposure, Netherlands Ministry of Environment officials say that the enormous cost of making the “Freewinds” safe for use once again may end up being much more than the ship is actually worth. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

Federal agencies announce $8m study of libby asbestos exposure

The United States Department of Health and Human Services, in conjunction with the United States Environmental Protection Agency, announced this week in a press release the launch of the Libby Amphibole Health Risk Initiative, a series of projects created for the purposes of understanding the health effectives of low-level exposure to the asbestos found in Libby, Montana. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt said, “My interest in Libby dates to the first of my visits with the people of that community with Senator Max Baucus, who deserves credit for his tireless and passionate work on behalf of that community. “Too little is currently known about exposure to lower levels of Libby asbestos. We hope this effort will expand our knowledge of potential and real health issues that could be facing this group of individuals.” The five-year initiative will cost $8 million, and will be jointly funded by the HSS Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the EPA. The study will focus on determine whether exposure to low levels of “Libby asbestos” increases the risk of developing lung disease, cancer, chronic illnesses, auto-immune diseases or other health problems. Currently, it is known that high level asbestos exposure can cause several types of cancer, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and colorectal cancer, as well as chronic lung and upper respiratory conditions. EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson said of the new initiative, “Since 1999, EPA has been working closely with the community of Libby to clean up contamination and reduce risks to human health. In collaboration with HHS, EPA will continue to help protect the health and well-being of the Libby residents.” The new project will ask for input and advice from residents and organizations in Libby, and will include the following features: • Comparison studies on people exposed to Libby asbestos during childhood, and people who weren’t, and their health status and conditions. • Extended evaluation of residents who were exposed to Libby asbestos, including people with differing levels of environmental exposure. • Assessment of the different types of adverse health effects that may result from exposure to Libby asbestos. • Continuation of a study by the HSS Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health which compares film and digital chest x-rays to determine which is best for diagnostic purposes. • Strengthening existing public health tracking systems such as the State Cancer Registry and patient health record databases to provide better links between exposure levels and expected health outcomes. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

Epa releases asbestos report on north ridge, oregon

The federal Environmental Protection Agency has this week released a feasibility report which lists and describes several different possible methods for cleaning up an asbestos-contaminated site at North Ridge Estates. The site is located around three miles north of Klamath Falls in Oregon. The asbestos contamination stems from the presence of United States Navy Marine Barracks on the site, which were built during the 1940s. Asbestos was a common component of construction materials between the 1940s and the 1980s due to its high fire resistance and other desirable factors. Asbestos was so cheap and had so many desirable properties that it was added to thousands of products, including many types of construction materials. Asbestos is therefore present in many residential, commercial, and industrial buildings built before this time. However, due to the hazards associated with asbestos exposure, many problems associated with its exposure are now arising. Inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause lethal diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma due to the chronic inflammation that the fibers cause in the lungs. These hazards mean it is necessary to take extra safety precautions when working with asbestos and asbestos-containing products. Exposure to asbestos can cause serious and lethal diseases, including asbestosis and an aggressive and treatment-resistant cancer called mesothelioma. The Marine Barracks constructed at the North Ridge Estates site included around eighty buildings, and asbestos-containing construction materials would have been used in most if not all of them. The buildings were demolished in the 1970s, and at that time the North Ridge Housing Estates were constructed. Since then, both the EPA and the state Department of Environmental Quality have been working to completely eliminate all of the asbestos present at the site. This week, crews were in the area raking a portion of land where the EPA has so far not observed any asbestos. This sampling method was used to mimic what homeowners in the area do to determine if asbestos is present in their soil. The EPA say this is the last time they’ll sample sites before formulating their final plan for cleaning up the area. Public Information Officer Judy Smith said, “Cleaning up asbestos to protect the health of people, we’ll do one of two things. One is to just fence off parts of the site so that people can’t come in contact with the contamination. Another way is to conceal it under a cap of clean soil.” The EPA plans to release its clean up proposal in September. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

Former ford assembly plant approved for tax credit redevelopment

Hazelwood, Missouri - The current owners of a former Ford assembly plant is to receive $5 million in tax credits for redevelopment of the former plant. Located in Hazelwood, Missouri, the former Ford assembly plant has been approved for remediation tax credits worth $5,023,272 from the Missouri Department of Economic Development, approved through the Brownfield Redevelopment Program. The Hazelwood assembly plant was closed and subsequently sold by the Dearborn, Michigan-based Ford Motor Company in Spring 2006 as part of the company’s plans to downsize some of its facilities. The sale price on the property was estimated to be around $50 million. Current owners Aviator Business Park LLC plan to convert the former Ford plant, a space of almost 155 acres, into a commercial and industrial complex which will create nearly 300 new jobs. The redevelopment project includes the construction of eleven new buildings with a total of 2.6 million square feet of industrial and commercial space. The Brownfield Redevelopment Program is designed to offer financial incentives for companies to redevelop old industrial and commercial properties which are contaminated with hazardous substances. The former Ford assembly plant qualifies for the program’s tax credits due to its contamination with asbestos-containing materials which were used in the plant’s construction and machinery, as well as soil and groundwater chemical contamination. Asbestos was a common component of construction materials up until the 1980s due to its high fire resistance and other desirable factors. The substance was so cheap and had so many desirable properties that it was added to thousands of products, including many types of construction materials. Asbestos is therefore present in many residential, commercial, and industrial buildings built before this time. It is likely that asbestos was heavily used in industrial plants such as the former Ford assembly plant, as the substance was ideal for use in heavy machinery due to its fire resistance. However, due to the hazards associated with asbestos exposure, many problems associated with its exposure are now arising. Inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause lethal diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma due to the chronic inflammation that the fibers cause in the lungs. These factors make asbestos remediation a costly venture, especially in a facility the size of the former Ford plant. The high costs associated with cleaning up this type of contamination is the main reason behind projects such as the Brownfield Redevelopment Program, which offer tax credits for companies which can then use the money to defray the costs of cleaning up contaminated industrial and commercial sites. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

School board provides details of asbestos management plan at renaissance middle school

The Montclair school board has released details of how it plans to deal with after the incident at Renaissance Middle School. The plan includes the implementation of an asbestos-management plan, which is required by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act. All schools with asbestos are required by the EPA to have such a plan. The management plan will contain details about the presence and condition of asbestos at the school, and the steps taken to manage it and prevent exposure risks. In addition, Schools Superintendent Frank Alvarez says that any and all future construction work at the school will only be carried out after parents have been notified. As well, activities which might potentially disturb asbestos, such as hanging pictures, will only be done after consulting the district’s director of buildings and grounds. This last issue is important because even minor disturbances of asbestos-containing materials can release asbestos fibers into the air, where they may be inhaled. Finally, Alvarez says the school’s principal and custodians will undergo a training program to receive education on the asbestos management plan and other important details. Meanwhile, the Renaissance Health and Wellness Committee and an independent group of parents known as the Concerned Parents at Renaissance (CPR) spoke at a recent town meeting and requested that the council fund an investigation into recent asbestos-related incidents at the Renaissance Middle School in Montclair, New Jersey. Jodi Godfrey, a Renaissance Health & Wellness committee member, says the investigation was suggested by “several Renaissance parents who are attorneys” who believe that “the facts must be gathered by an independent source while still available so that if health issues arise some 10-20 years from now, the information will be available to any person [or] family who needs it.” The Health and Wellness Committee and the CPR together requested that the council fund an independent task force to investigate the asbestos exposure incidents at the school. The council agreed to set aside $10,000 for the investigation. The school’s problems began on Friday May 16, when more than two hundred students and employees were evacuated after asbestos was discovered in the plaster of a newly-installed set of fire doors. A recent inspection had found asbestos which was judged to be safe. However, on Thursday May 15, it was discovered that the asbestos-containing plaster may have been disturbed during the after-hours installation of a set of fire doors. A local asbestos consultancy firm found that one of four samples collected showed a high level of asbestos fibers. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

Kdhe issues post-storm asbestos warning

After recent storms the Kansas Department of Health and Environments has issued a general warning to remind residents of storm-damaged areas that asbestos exposure is a possibility which should be guarded against while cleaning up debris. Asbestos was a common component of construction materials up until the 1980s due to its high fire resistance and other desirable factors. Asbestos was so cheap and had so many desirable properties that it was added to thousands of products, including many types of construction materials. Asbestos is therefore present in many residential, commercial, and industrial buildings built before this time. However, due to the hazards associated with asbestos exposure, many problems associated with its exposure are now arising. Inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause lethal diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma due to the chronic inflammation that the fibers cause in the lungs. These hazards mean it is necessary to take extra safety precautions when working with asbestos and asbestos-containing products. Department of Health and Environments regulations require that if any resident hires a contractor to remove asbestos, the contractor be licensed. However, homeowners can opt to do the work themselves. In these cases, the DHE recommends that the following practices be used to help minimize the risks of exposure to asbestos: Wearing gloves, overalls and a respirator during removal, and thorough shower and washing after removal of debris to remove fibers and dust that might be on the body. The clothing which is used during removal should be kept separate from any other clothing and any uncontaminated areas. When removing materials which are suspected to contain asbestos, the materials should be wetted with low-pressure water, to minimize the dispersal of asbestos dust and fibers. Only materials which absolutely need to be removed should be disturbed, and breakage of asbestos materials should be minimized as much as possible. During any demolition and removal of asbestos, the materials should be kept wet. In addition, the materials should be kept wet and covered (by a tarp or similar item) during transportation to a licensed landfill. Asbestos must only be disposed of at approved sites which are equipped and licensed to handle the substance. The DHE also says that residents can consult with the department if they need additional help, including any on-site direction on how to safely proceed with asbestos removal. According to the DHE, materials likely to contain asbestos including ceiling and floor tiles, textured ceilings, roofing materials, siding, vermiculite insulation, pipe wrapping materials, acoustical panels, and cement materials such as pipes and millboard. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

Scientists work to reduce harmful asbestos-like effects of nanotubes

A new study, published in Nature Nanotechnology in May, found that longer threads of carbon nanotubes share some of the same properties as asbestos, including the ability to cause disease. In response, a chemistry professor in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Connecticut and his graduate students has published results showing that it may be possible to reduce the potential danger. The original study which showed the possible harmful effects indicated that tiny carbon nanotubes, which scientists have considered to be potentially important in future development of technology, might be as dangerous as asbestos. The work was carried out on a collaborative basis by researchers at British institutes and a U.S. based Project on Emerging Nanotechnology. The research involved injecting mice with asbestos or with samples of various sizes of carbon nanotubes. When the scientists examined the lining of the abdominal cavities of the mice, they found that longer carbon nanotube strands caused the same types of inflammation and lesions that were caused by asbestos fibers. Carbon nanotubes are currently available for sale, but the authors of the study say they are not certain the extent that the materials have already been used in industrial materials and consumer products such as electronics. Carbon nanotubes, the researchers say, are expected to eventually be used in composite metal structures and in consumer electronics, among other products. However, while the uncertainty over the extent of the use of carbon nanotubes still exists, the authors of the study hope that exerting pressure on companies which are developing products and technologies that use the nanotubes will prompt them to release details about the types of nanotubes they are using. Andrew Maynard of the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, one of the authors of the study, says the results of the study show that in terms of the possible dangers posed by nanotubes “there are no simple answers…” The new work, by Professor Fotios Papadimitrakopoulos of the University of Connecticut was published in “Nature Nanotechnology” and describes how Papadimitrakopoulos and his graduate students worked out a method of isolating nanotubes of particular chiralities. Chirality is a chemical property in which some chemical molecules have mirror image forms. In other words, two molecules of the same substance might have slightly different forms. In some substances, one chiral version of the molecule is harmless, but the other chiral version might be harmful. By isolating nanotubes of particular chiralities, says Papadimitrakopoulos, the possible harmful effects of the tiny nanoparticles might be reduced or eliminated. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

Rlr investments says epa asbestos claims are untrue

Last week, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency announced that Wilmington-based company RLR Investments, LLC would pay a large fine for violating state environmental asbestos standards. RLR Investments, LLC paid a penalty of $227,700 for violation of Ohio’s asbestos emission control standards. The violations occurred in downtown Dayton at a property known as the Urban Resort, according to the Ohio EPA. The case involves the largest civil penalty ever collected by Ohio State for asbestos-related violations. Ohio EPA Director Chris Korleski said in relation to the incident, “The asbestos regulations are intended to protect public health, which is why we take violations very seriously. We urge anyone involved in building demolition or renovation to understand the asbestos requirements and follow them to the letter.” This week, however, RLR Investments issued a statement via its Associate General Counsel, Daniel J. Brake, refuting the claims made by the EPA. “The claims of the Ohio EPA in the news release are false, and are contrary to the clear terms of the Consent Order filed with the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas. RLR believes that the claims brought by the Ohio EPA were without merit, and RLR only agreed to settle the case for the stated amount to avoid the significant cost of litigation with the State of Ohio.” “It is important to note that neither RAPCA (Regional Air Pollution Control Agency) nor the Ohio EPA issued a single citation to RLR Investments during the renovation of the Urban Resort. RLR retained one of the premiere asbestos remediation contractors in the state of Ohio to handle all remediation activities at the location. At no time was a notice of violation or citation issued to the remediation contractor.” According to the RLR statement, the statements made by the Ohio EPA are “false under the clear terms of the Court’s Consent Order and Final Judgment Entry…and directly contrary to the state’s express acknowledgment…that “the Court has made no finding or determination of any wrongdoing or civil liability on the part of Defendant and Defendant denies any violations at the Urban Resort property…” In short, RLR Investments claims that it settled with the EPA to avoid paying litigation fees, and that therefore the EPA has no right to state that RLR was guilty of any asbestos-related wrong-doing. The company’s statement closes with a warning: “RLR Investments took on the Urban Resort project as a good-will gesture to the city of Dayton…with the aggressive tactics of the Ohio EPA, investors like RLR are not likely to take on any such good-will project anytime soon.” (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

Former railroad worker sues employer for toxin exposure

Asbestos is the cause of mesothelioma, one of the deadliest cancers around. In the late 70’s asbestos was largely banned but unfortunately products already being produced were not recalled and asbestos still lingers in many peoples homes walls and office buildings. The following is a brief recap of how asbestos and mesothelioma can effect you today. If you live in an older home and are planning on tearing down walls in efforts of remodeling, it is encouraged you hire a professional to inspect your home first. By stirring up asbestos, you open the possibility of asbestos particles entering the ventilation system, which can effect everyone in the house. One such recent case was on a scientology cruise ship that has entertained the elite of the religion, including Tom Cruise. It turns out that the ship not only contained a dangerous amount of asbestos but the ship captain knew about it. This same sort of thing applies to office buildings. In New York City, for example, thousands of people were exposed to asbestos when the world trade center collapsed. The entire city was filled with a cloud of dust, and to varying degrees, asbestos. Hurricane Katrina was another huge disaster that contaminated many areas with asbestos. Even in parts of Illinois around Lake Michigan (Chicago area) residents have been warned about asbestos exposure at the beaches. Cancer from this exposure is rare but very possible and mesothelioma treatment is best when found early, so it’s suggested if you suspect exposure has happened, to see a doctor immediately. It should be noted, though, that if you are exposed it may take 10-15 years to appear so stay on your toes. Studies have recently shown that talc can cause a cancer similar to mesothelioma as well. Just like asbestos, it can cause mini cuts in your lungs or in the case of females, the ovaries. This is big news as everyday products contain talc such as baby powder, make-up and hundreds of other products. Many people use baby powder to stay fresh where the sun does not shine but based on the studies, it seems this can be a very bad thing, especially for women. So the moral of the story is that you should stay up-to-date on the causes and risks of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma. If you should discover exposure of any kind, than see a doctor and more than likely you will be ok. http://www.fccc.edu Joyce G. Nichols, Jr., once an employee of the Illinois Central Railroad, claims that exposure to toxins at his former jobsite has affected his life severelyâ€"so much so that he is suing the company, and seeks $100,000 or more in damages. Nichols worked for the Illinois Central Railroad between 1964 and 1982, and was employed as a carman. He claims that during the course of his employment he was exposed to a variety of toxins, including asbestos, diesel exhaust, environmental tobacco smoke, and various other toxic dusts, fumes, and gases. According to the Federal Employers’ Liability Act lawsuit which Nichols filed on July 2 in St. Clair County Circuit Court, Illinois, Nichols has developed permanent lung injuries due to the workplace exposure he suffered, and may one day develop cancer as a result of these lasting injuries. Nichols also claims that he suffers from “extreme nervousness as a result of his reasonable concern over the prospects of developing cancer caused by silica, asbestos, environmental tobacco smoke, and/or diesel fumes.” The lawsuit claims that the Illinois Central Railroad failed to provide Nichols with a safe workplace environment, failed to provide him with proper safety equipment, failed to provide Nichols with proper workplace ventilation, and failed to determine the contamination level of railroad equipment and buildings with regular inspections. In addition, the lawsuit claims that the company failed to warn Nichols that exposure to substances such as asbestos, silica, and diesel fumes was dangerous and could have lasting negative effects on his health. Nichols is seeking at least $100,000 in damages, plus his legal costs, as compensation for the toxin exposure he suffered, for the damage already done to his health, and in compensation for the fact that he may one day develop cancer as a result. The question is, how will a jury view the fact that Nichols is seeking compensation for a disease which he has not yet developed? Exposure to asbestos is the only known cause of a serious and lethal cancer called mesothelioma, for which there is no cure. However, not all people who are exposed to asbestos will develop mesothelioma. A jury may be likely to decide that Nichols is not entitled to compensation for a disease from which he does not suffer, even though such a history of toxin exposure vastly increases the likelihood of developing some type of cancer. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

Banks may upset w.r. grace plans to exit bankruptcy

June 17, 2008 â€" W.R. Grace & Company has plans to exit bankruptcy in 2009, but bank demands for approximately $100 million in interest payments may cause problems for the company. Paying the interest may upset an important deal with some of W.R. Grace & Company’s many asbestos creditors, and delay the company’s bankruptcy still further. The banks which are demanding the money have around $500 million out on loan to W.R. Grace & Company, and are demanding that the company pay interest at default rates. That, says W.R. Grace, is jeopardizing the company’s settlement with asbestos creditors and may even prevent the company exiting Chapter 11 bankruptcy status in 2009. The company highlighted the issue in papers it filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Delaware on Friday. According to the papers, W.R Grace & Company is, after many years of bankruptcy and litigation, “poised to proceed with the proposed asbestos settlement and emerge from Chapter 11.” However, the papers say, “The lenders’ most recent demand…threatens to derail that process.” The banks, says W.R Grace, have labeled the company’s Chapter 11 proposal as “unconfirmable” because. The banks believe that the proposal short-changes them because it fails to give them the default interest rate on the loans. With $500 million in loans at stake, the difference in interest rates means the banks believe they are ‘missing out’ on a substantial amount of money. W.R Grace & Company wants presiding bankruptcy Judge Judith Fitzgerald to decide whether the banks are entitled to the default interest rate as quickly as possible, because until the decision on the interest rate is made, the company doesn’t know whether it can make good on the asbestos deal it hopes to confirm. That deal is the basis for the company’s plan to exit bankruptcy. This highlights the fact that the W.R Grace & Company isn’t the only entity waiting for this decision: thousands of asbestos creditorsâ€"including people who have developed asbestos-related diseases as a result of asbestos exposure the company is responsible forâ€"are waiting too. The request for the extra interest was made back in April, when J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. made the request on behalf of itself and other members of the group which holds the company’s bank debt. If the banks win the ruling, W.R. Grace warns, the trial which was stopped in favor of a settlement will start up again, because the outcome of the trial determines whether the company has enough value to cover its debts and liabilities. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

Man dies after mesothelioma misdiagnosis and lung removal

United Kingdom - U.K. man John Turner was diagnosed with asbestosis and mesothelioma in 2006. The diagnosis turned out to be erroneous, and Turner died five months after the surgery. In the summer of 2006, Turner noticed that he was experiencing chest pains, and had been losing weight with no apparent cause. After visiting his family doctor, he underwent tests to determine the cause of the symptoms. X-rays and other test results were interpreted and gave Turner a diagnosis of asbestosis in his right lung, and mesothelioma. Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by repeated or heavy exposure to asbestos. When inhaled, asbestos fibers cause chronic irritation and inflammation in the lungs. Over time, this leads to the development of the scar tissue which is a characteristic of asbestosis, and which prevents normal lung function. Mesothelioma is a type of asbestos cancer which most commonly occurs in the lining of the lungs, and only occurs as a result of asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma often develops in people with asbestosis, as the cancer occurs due to mutagenic changes caused by asbestos fibers. Following his diagnosis of asbestosis and mesothelioma, John Turner underwent surgery to remove his right lung, a procedure which it was hoped would extend his lifespan by up to three years. However, when a sample of the removed lung was examined after the surgery, it was found to be healthy, with no signs of cancer at all. The lung had not needed to be removed. John Turner’s medical doctors withheld the information about the wrong diagnosis and unnecessary lung removal from Turner and his family. However, John Turner never completely recovered from the surgery, and died just five months later. Turner’s death is recorded as being from bronchial pneumonia. The disease is an upper respiratory tract infection which is a common complication of asbestosis, and also of the surgery Turner underwent. It was only after John Turner’s death that his family was told about the misdiagnosis of mesothelioma, and the wrongful lung removal. Deputy Coroner Alan Sharpe said the case tragically illustrates the problems which can occur when doctors do not communicate effectively, but says he cannot bring a “misadventure” verdict on the part of Turner’s medical team. In fact, mesothelioma is a cancer which is notoriously difficult to diagnose correctly, and this contributes to the cancer’s high mortality rate. Mesothelioma can be mistaken for other types of cancer which develop in the lungs, or even for non-cancerous diseases, and this can be a fatal misdiagnosis due to the aggressive nature of mesothelioma cancers. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

East liverpool still trying to dodge epa fine

June 17, 2008 â€" City officials in East Liverpool, Ohio, are still trying to negotiate to avoid paying the $30,000 fine the EPA wants to collect for asbestos violations. East Liverpool City Council Members met recently to discuss the fine, and Law Director Charles Payne says the city still plans to challenge it. Payne said, “Their demand of $30,000 is still the issue here. During our last meeting with the EPA, the city made a counter offer of $2,000 for a fine, and we basically tied that into the fine for Earl Taylor during the initial court case.” The incident that sparked the fine came to light in May 2006, says East Liverpool Mayor Jim Swoger. The incident involved Street Department Supervisor Earl Taylor, who hired a contractor to remove asbestos-containing pipe insulation from a city-owned building. Around 500 linear feet of pipe insulation was removed from the building, which Taylor then buried at a clean landfill site on property that the city also owned. Several days later, then-Service Safety Director William Cowan notified the Ohio EPA about the asbestos removal and disposal due to safety concerns. The removal and disposal of the asbestos turned out to be illegal. The asbestos removal was carried out with the knowledge or consent of the Ohio EPA. The agency also says the removal did not adhere to the necessary safety standards. In addition the asbestos that was removed was disposed of at a landfill site that was not equipped to safely handle asbestos waste. Asbestos removal must be carried out carefully to prevent the spread of asbestos dust, which can cause cancer and other serious diseases if inhaled. Typical asbestos removal includes wet-removal procedures to dampen materials and prevent dust dispersing. Disposing of asbestos safely is another important issue, as asbestos at landfill sites can present a health hazard to anyone working or visiting the site. Asbestos can only be disposed of at waste sites that are equipped to handle hazardous materials. Several days after the incident was discovered, workers from Cardinal Environmental Services cleaned up the remaining asbestos at the removal site, and cleaned up the landfill. Swoger doesn’t understand why the EPA has imposed the fine, because the asbestos has been cleaned up, and Earl Taylor had already been fined. In addition, says Swoger, city officials notified the EPA of the incident and didn’t try to cover it up. “When it came to light, the city notified the Ohio EPA and spent $14,500 to remediate the problem,” said Law Director Charles Payne of the incident. The EPA has already rejected the city’s counter-proposal of the $2,000 fine payment. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

City of olean may be fined for asbestos violation

The city of Olean in New York State has been cited by the Asbestos Control Bureau of the state Department of Labor for failing to carry out an asbestos survey before demolishing locker rooms and restrooms at the city’s Bradner Stadium. The work, which involved demolishing structures made of reinforced concrete, was carried out on June 2. Al Jakubowski, a supervisor and industrial hygienist with the Asbestos Control Bureau, said that the bureau issued the citation on June 12 after Department of Labor inspectors visited the stadium locker rooms. Inspectors also visited the location where concrete waste was dumped. After confirming that a citation had been issued, Jakubowski added only that if the city were issued any fines, the amount would be determined by the Albany Department of Labor. Alderman Frank Steffen of D-Ward 7 said he had been told by a Department of Labor official that the fine may be up to $5,000. However, though the fine is relatively small in comparison to the hundreds of thousands of dollars which can be issued for more serious asbestos violations, according to the Department of Labor official, the fine “could only be the beginning.” Olean’s Mayor, David Carucci, has said that no laws were broken during the demolition at Bradner Stadium, and also said that the Department of Labor had never indicated the city could be sanctioned in any way for failing to carry out an asbestos survey. Carucci says the letter from the department only asked whether or not the city had performed a survey. Carucci claims that a survey wasn’t needed, because city officials already knew that Bradner Stadiums’s bathrooms and locker rooms contained no asbestos. “There was a total renovation of the locker rooms in 1977. Because the place was totally rehabbed in 1977, there was no need for an asbestos survey. We’ve done our homework. After 1974, any rebuilding like that did not need an asbestos survey. This is because asbestos was banned by law as a pipe insulating material in 1974. The rehab work carried out in 1977 would have been required to remove any asbestos pipe insulation. However, Alderwoman Linda Edstrom of R-Ward 4 says she’s still concerned about possible liability for the city, and about whether workers at the site were exposed to any hazards. Several Common Council members have expressed opposition to the demolition because they say Mayor Carucci did not inform the council or the public about the work. In response, the Mayor said the council had already passed resolutions supporting the project, and he didn’t feel he would need to give them warning when the work began. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

Lyndhurst, nj locals concerned over possibility of asbestos dust

Local frustration is high in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, over the actions of Bedroc Contracting, an excavation and demolition company. The company is under fire over its recycling center, which is located directly adjacent to a new recreation complex, and is also located near the town’s pre-kindergarten facility. Due to zoning regulations the recycling facilities can take in wood, metal, masonry and concrete materials. However, locals are particularly concerned about the large amounts of dust created by concrete crushing operations at the facilities. Many residents are worried over the possibility that some of the concrete contains asbestos and other harmful substances. One resident said, “I have issues with putting children on those fields without knowing what’s in that dust. I have serious concerns about it.” Asbestos, a naturally-occurring fibrous mineral, is particularly harmful when crushed or otherwise disturbed, as the act of crushing releases tiny asbestos fibers into the air. Once airborne these fibers can be inhaled. Over many years, inhaled asbestos fibers can cause a serious type of asbestos cancer called mesothelioma, which is aggressive, resistant to treatment, and ultimately fatal. The recycling center is allowed to accept construction waste, but isn’t zoned for crushing stone (or concrete). Bedroc Contracting has already been fined a total of $4,000 for six violations during April, but continues to crush concrete and stone. Town officials say there isn’t much they can do, as state zoning regulations allow the crushing to continue. One official said, “We’ve been complaining to the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission now for seven, eight months. We’ve been pursuing it as what we see is a potential health hazard. It’s a clear problem that needs to be addressed. These fines just aren’t enough to cause compliance.” The town has retained environmental counsel to deal with the matter. Eric Bernstein has so far documented conditions at the facility with photographs and complaints from locals about dust and noise. State officials say they are beginning to note compliance issues, and have found instances where the recycling center has violated the conditions of its permit. NJDEP spokesperson Larry Hajna said, “Solid waste inspectors visited the site in mid-April and noted that facility operators were advised they were out of compliance for various recycling center approval conditions.” However, the NJDEP has issued only one fine, in 2006, for $3,000. State agencies are finally beginning to come down on Bedroc Contracting for its violations, with six recorded in April at a cost of $4,000 in fines. In the mean time, residents are being encouraged to voice the complaints about the dust that’s being created at the recycling center. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

Homewood fire station asbestos tests negative

Homewood, Illinois - Test results from samples taken at Homewood Fire Station in Homewood, Illinois show that there is no asbestos present in the air, meaning that no exposure risks have occurred as a result of recent renovation work. Asbestos was discovered at the Homewood Fire Station at 17950 Dixie Highway around two weeks ago, and testing was carried out to determine whether airborne asbestos was present in the building. Village manager Mark Franz said a small amount of asbestos may have been disturbed during renovation work carried out on a water-damaged wall on the north side of the fire station. The work was carried out two weeks ago by a Homewood-based business, Rickoff Remodeling. “It was just a small amount [of asbestos] discovered,” said Franz after the asbestos was found. “Unless a major problem is discovered through testing, we don’t anticipate closing down any other part of the building. But if there is more asbestos found than expected we’ll do whatever cleaning is necessary to make the building safe.” The asbestos was removed by environmental consulting and contract service RCM soon after its discovery. Following the removal air samples and other tests were carried out by RCM to determine how high asbestos levels are and whether exposure risks are present in the building. According to Mark Franz, early asbestos tests indicate that one room on the north side of the fire station building may be above the threshold for permissible levels of asbestos. Since the discovery and removal of asbestos the fire station has been inspected by the Illinois Department of Public Health, and officials have requested that a large part of the building be cordoned off until the results of the asbestos tests are in. Four administrative buildings in the fire station were cordoned off to carry out the “aggressive” air tests which were recommended by the Department of Public Health. Asbestos was so commonly used in construction up until the 1980s that the discovery of asbestos inside the Homewood fire station is not a surprise. In fact, recent reports indicate that asbestos may be a common fixture in older fire stations. In Newton, Massachusetts, for example, the town’s fire stations will all be renovated over the next ten years, partly for the purpose of removing asbestos from the buildings. Recent renovation work in Newton’s Fire Station 3 exposed several firefighters to asbestos, and asbestos was also discovered at the town’s Fire Station 2. In the case of the Homewood, Illinois station, the asbestos was discovered without any apparent exposure risks occurring. According to Mark Franz, “The entire area has been cleared for occupancy by the Illinois Department of Public Health.” (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

Long wait for asbestos trust claimants

Many companies, when faced with massive numbers of asbestos-related lawsuits, respond by setting up trust funds from which claimants can be awarded compensation for the injuries they sustain after asbestos exposure. For some companies, it is vital for their existence, and is part of their bankruptcy settlements. However, many people must wait up to twelve months or even longer for compensation money after starting a claim. The Owens Corning/Fiberboard Asbestos Personal Injury Trust, for example, has a long list of claimants who are waiting for compensation, with many waiting for longer than a year. Since October 2006, when the trust was set up, it has paid $390 million to cover the claims of 70,000 people, most of whom are construction workers, ship-builders, and other trades people who developed asbestos-related diseases due to asbestos exposure caused by products which Toledo-based Owens Corning and its Fiberboard subsidiary once made. As part of Owens Corning’s six-year bankruptcy proceedings, the trust assumed responsibility for compensation of people who developed asbestos-related diseases that the company was found to be responsible for. The company funded the trust with a multibillion dollar settlement of cash and stocks. With 70,000 claims settled already, once might think the trust has already carried out its primary function and the creation of new claims must have slowed down: but since the trust was set up less than two years ago, it has received an additional 256,000 claims, and more come in every day. The statistics for Owens Corning’s trust are contained in the trust’s first detailed financial report, which was filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Delaware in the spring. The filing is a scant financial statement but doesn’t provide any commentary about whether the trust is meeting or exceeding any expectations in terms of factors such as claim number, size, and rate of completion. The report says, “The ultimate number of asbestos…claims to be filed and the liability for all such claims are not determinable at this time…The net assets available for the payment of claims at Dec. 31, 2007, may or may not be sufficient to meet all future obligations of the trust.” Currently the trust contains around $4.5 billion in cash and stocks. Around one third of that total is Owens Corning stock, and in fact, the trust holds almost a full quarter of the company’s stock, and is its biggest shareholder. So far, most claims for compensation have been for people who settled with OC many years ago, but had their settlement payments delayed by the company’s bankruptcy. The trust normally fills claims for compensation on a first-come first-served basis, except in situations where the claimant is extremely ill. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

Asbestos problems in south bay, san diego schools

June 13, 2008 â€" One South Bay school district has spent thousands cleaning up asbestos, but for one long-time school district maintenance worker, that’s not enough. George Gerber claims that asbestos is still a problem in several district schools. Gerber works in maintenance at the Sweetwater Union High School District and has been employed there for seventeen years. Recently he reported to a San Diego news team that almost all of the schools in the district contain asbestos, and says he’s concerned about possible exposure risks for students and staff members. Gerber also claims that he has repeatedly tried to get the school district to pay attention to his concerns, and has been repeatedly ignored or brushed off. Gerber says, “There are areas and rooms that I’ve been reporting for extended period of time that’s almost gone on in 2 years that haven’t been addressed.” The news team’s recent report on the problem initiated action from National City Vice Mayor Frank Parra, who is concerned because three National City schools are part of the Sweetwater Union High School District. Parra says of the issue, “We’re always an advocate for our citizens, our children.” Parra wrote in a recent letter to school district Superintendent Dr. Jesus Gandara, “… it has been brought to our attention that public health concerns have been raised that relate to asbestos…” and asks that the school district “… educate us on the mitigation efforts of the District as well as the School Asbestos Management Plan.” To deal with asbestos in schools, the EPA requires that all schools that contain asbestos maintain a management plan that details the location of asbestos, its condition, and the measures taken to prevent exposure. In schools where asbestos is present, parents and school employees can request to see a copy of the asbestos management plan at any time. Since 2000, National City and South Bay has approved a total of eight million dollars’ worth of expenditure for cleaning up asbestos in schools. However, seventeen district schools still contain some asbestos. One major problem is simply that asbestos remediation is expensive. Due to the health risks involved in asbestos exposure, there are several laws and requirements that control how asbestos-containing materials and buildings must be handled. These requirements tend to significantly increase the costs of any renovation or demolition involving asbestos. Asbestos must be treated with extreme caution, and special procedures must be used when handling or removing the substance. This often means tight school budgets are stretched even further by the need to hire licensed asbestos contractors. Another issue is that disposal of asbestos-containing construction waste is up to three times more expensive than disposal of non-hazardous waste. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

International mesothelioma symposium to feature seventh grade speaker

Joseph Miletto died of peritoneal mesothelioma in 2005, just ten weeks after diagnosis. This year, on June 27, his granddaughter Lexi Miletto will speak at the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation’s International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma gala dinner, about her grandfather and about the importance of finding a cure for mesothelioma. Lexi said, “I’m speaking at the Gala because we are the future and we have to pick up the torch to end asbestos and find a cure for meso. And because I think it’s important to tell my story of what happened in my family. I know Pop-pop would want me to talk about it …and I want him to still be proud of me.” Joseph Miletto worked as an aide for Laidlaw Transportation, was a brick-maker, and was in the Navy. At some point, he was exposed to asbestos, a substance so deadly there is no safe level of exposure. Lexi Miletto is an Honors student at Lower Macungie Middle School in Macungie, Pennsylvania, and will begin eighth grade in the fall. The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma will be held Thursday June 26 through to Saturday June 28 at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C. It will be attended by leading international experts as well as people with mesothelioma, their families, friends, and caregivers, and mesothelioma advocates. The Symposium is an annual event designed to highlight the latest advances in research and treatment for mesothelioma, to provide support for patients, families, and caregivers, and provide advocacy and volunteer opportunities for those who wish to provide their own support. Chris Hahn, Executive Director of the Meso Foundation, says that more than one hundred patients, family members, caregivers, advocates, researchers, and clinicians are expected to attend the symposium. The planned three-day program includes a gala dinner on the evening of Friday June 27, as well as daily meetings and discussions. Lexi Miletto will speak at the Friday gala dinner. Thursday June 26 is designated as advocacy day, and will highlight the need for legislation banning asbestos, and the need for more funding for mesothelioma research. Friday June 27, has been designated as science day, and will include discussions by international mesothelioma experts about recent advances in mesothelioma research and treatment, as well as upcoming developments. This day will also provide patients, family members, and caregivers the chance to talk with specialists and experts. Saturday June 28, is designated as community day, and is devoted to the mesothelioma community of patients, family members, friends, and caregivers. This will include support sessions for people coping with the effects of mesothelioma, and a tribute ceremony to memorialize people who have died from the disease. People interested in participating can register at www.curemeso.org. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)