A recent study by the Mesothelioma Victims Center has predicted that the United States might witness 2500-3000 patients of mesothelioma this year. The National Cancer Institute has revealed that at least one-third of the cases are found in retired personnel from the U.S. Navy.
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Asbestos exposure is the primary cause of mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer that affects the lining of the body’s vital organs. Unfortunately, exposure to asbestos is not something that is immediately evidenced by side effects. Instead, asbestos exposure’s effects can lie dormant for as many as 20 to 50 years, only to reveal themselves as the symptoms of asbestos related disease begin to emerge. Because of the seriousness of asbestos related diseases like mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is not something of which to be ignorant. Here are activities to watch out for that could unwittingly cause exposure to asbestos.
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On Monday April 5, 2010, a 30.3 million dollar asbestos verdict was upheld in a New Jersey Court of Appeals. This award is the largest granted in the long history of asbestos litigation in New Jersey.
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A recent report reveals four new cases of mesothelioma among workers engaged in taconite mining in Minnesota’s Iron Range. The report will add to the findings of a mesothelioma study being conducted by the University of Minnesota.
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In the mid 1970’s, government agencies and industries took various steps to caution and protect industrial workers that were exposed to asbestos. This was because associated health risks and asbestos related diseases like mesothelioma gained much attention during this time. In numerous cases, asbestos products were taken away from working environments, or employees were trained to use protective gear. However, the auto industry remains an exception to these precautionary trends.
Asbestos is still used in clutch facings and brake linings due to its heat resistant properties. Mechanics that repair or replace brakes could be in contact with asbestos regularly. New brakes are being made with asbestos, but the quantities have gone down. Removing worn out brakes to clean the brake drum can result in the accumulation of asbestos dust. Asbestos debris can also result from the beveling or grinding of clutch gaskets or new brakes, when they are being installed.
Tiny fibers of asbestos dust can get lodged deep in the lungs when inhaled. These needle-like fibers can cause irritation over time and eventually result in different kinds of lung problems including mesotheolima, the rare and deadly cancer. There is no doubt about auto workers being exposed to asbestos. However, whether auto mechanics, as a group, are at higher risk of contracting mesothelioma is yet to be decided.
In 1986, the EPA listed exposure to asbestos from clutches and brakes as the main cause of mesothelioma amongst auto mechanics. It issued official guidelines regarding the prevention of asbestos diseases in the auto repair industry. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer newspaper carried out a 4 month investigation and found alarmingly high rates of asbestos contamination in brake repair shops and gas stations. According to reports, some shops had exposure levels that were high enough to cause cancer in more than one out of 10 unprotected mechanics. Cancers like mesotheolima are considered incurable through conventional therapies.
Curtis Brumley, heir of the estate of Jimmy Brumley, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against 49 former asbestos product manufacturers, claiming that Jimmy’s death due to the asbestos related disease mesothelioma, was wrongfully caused.
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Bernard Dean was shocked to discover (upon visiting the doctor for what he presumed to be a bad cold) that his symptoms and tests indicated that he had the asbestos related cancer mesothelioma. The cause of mesothelioma is toxic asbestos Mr. Dean had inhaled during the course of his work as a joiner. Mr. Dean began to lose hope in the successful treatment of his cancer after he found chemotherapy made him extremely ill and no doctor would perform surgery on him. However, Dean’s outlook on life quickly improved when he was accepted to take part in the clinical trial of a new cancer drug LDE 225.
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A recent decree by the government of Bangladesh prevents the import of ships containing toxic chemicals such as asbestos to break yards.
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An Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, jury rendered a verdict of $50 million dollars in a case against 25 companies claimed to be responsible for the mesothelioma of Barry Baumener, a former worker at a steel mill in Reading, Pennsylvania. Baumener had sued the 25 companies, but all but one of the companies had settled out of court before the verdict.
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An asbestos awareness campaign launched by the UK’s Health and Safety Executive has been honored at the European Excellence Awards with a top spot in their health category.
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