Mesothelioma Info and News

Asbestos discovery delays jail renovation

2007-12-31T00:03:00.000-08:00

A construction project at a Matagorda County, Texas jail has been delayed until late January 2008 due to the discovery of asbestos materials in the building under renovation. The discovery of the asbestos in some of the plumbing pipes and floor tile glue surprised at least one commissioner, who stated he never dreamed that something built as recently as 1982 would

Following an experimental demolition in Fort Worth, controversy continues over the safety of the method used to bring down an asbestos-laden building

2007-12-31T00:01:00.000-08:00

Despite concern on the part of some community residents, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) went forward with the demolition of an office building of a Fort Worth apartment complex using an experimental–and controversial–procedure. Although the accepted practice for tearing down buildings containing asbestos-containing materials is to remove the materials

Medical experts in India speak out against Canada's asbestos export to developing countries

2007-12-30T23:59:00.000-08:00

Medical experts in New Delhi have called Canada’s continuing export of asbestos to developing countries “criminal” and warn that asbestos is killing workers in India. The head of India’s occupational and environmental department, Dr. T.K. Joshi, reports that millions of construction workers and at least a hundred thousand factory workers are exposed to asbestos every

Firefighters trapped in their gear awaiting asbestos decontamination after industrial fire

2007-12-30T23:56:00.000-08:00

Firefighters in Sudbury, Ontario were trapped in their gear for a couple of hours while the fire department searched for a contractor to decontaminate their gear. The firefighters had been exposed to asbestos during the fire, and it had to be vacuumed from their gear before they removed it to prevent them from breathing asbestos-contaminated air. Although the Greater

The EPA says it may not have the money to complete asbestos cleanup in Klamath Falls, Oregon neighborhood

2007-12-21T14:05:00.000-08:00

After spending more than $2 million on asbestos cleanup in the North Ridge Estates subdivision of Klamath Falls, Oregon, the Environmental Protection Agency says it may not have the money to complete the cleanup. The EPA is trying to decide how to deal with extensive asbestos contamination in the soil from military barracks that used to occupy the area. The EPA had

Some critics worry that the EPA has failed to adequately address post-9/11 asbestos and other contamination in lower Manhattan despite EPA assurances

2007-12-21T14:03:00.002-08:00

The Environmental Protection Agency says that remaining contamination from 9/11 does not pose a problem. But the results of the EPA’s limited, voluntary residential sampling still show lead in a number of buildings and unsafe levels of asbestos in one apartment building. The EPA’s Test and Clean Program that produced these results has been widely criticized. U.S. Rep

British teachers' union calls for removal of asbestos from all schools to prevent mesothelioma among teachers and students

2007-12-21T14:03:00.001-08:00

The UK’s National Union of Teachers has taken the position that any asbestos poses a clear risk to students and teachers and it should be removed from all schools. Union documents declare that inadequate maintenance and high incidence of vandalism make schools particularly vulnerable to asbestos being disturbed and released into the air. Some teachers have died from

Boston area jails are crumbling and unsafe

2007-12-21T13:54:00.000-08:00

Boston area jails are old, extremely overcrowed and often unsafe. State jails intended to hold a total of 7,802 are now holding 11,126 inmates. Some individual facilities are operating at as much as 350 percent of their capacity. The Middlesex County Jail still houses inmates with nowhere else to go despite the fact that a judge ordered it closed in 2005 because of

W.R. Grace fails to get a rehearing on the criminal charges against it related to the asbestos tragedy in Libby, Montana

2007-12-21T13:52:00.000-08:00

After a three-judge panel of the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in September that W.R. Grace and key executives for the company would face criminal charges for decisions made in operating the company’s vermiculite mine in Libby, the company’s lawyers sought review of the decision by the full court. That request has been denied. Federal prosecutors have

Taconite plant in Silver Bay, Minn. wants relief from rule limiting asbestos release around Lake Superior

2007-12-21T13:51:00.000-08:00

Northshore Mining has asked a federal judge in St. Paul to overturn or clarify a long-time rule intended to protect communities on the shores of Lake Superior from asbestos exposure. The company’s Silver Bay plant has taconite pellets shipped in, then crushes the pellets and extracts iron with large magnets. The taconite also contains asbestos fibers, and when it is

Concerns arise that students may have inhaled asbestos after basement fire at their Cleveland school

2007-12-21T13:48:00.000-08:00

After a basement fire, initial tests of air quality convinced school officials in Cleveland, Ohio to continue holding classes in the school building. But an observer with the Environmental Protection Agency saw asbestos insulation on a 150-foot section of pipe in the school basement and called for additional air testing. The later tests show that asbestos levels at

Mesotheliomanews.com expands to provide information for mesothelioma victims on jobsites and trades with historically high levels of asbestos exposure

2007-12-21T13:46:00.000-08:00

Mesothelioma attorneys Baron & Budd, P.C. have expanded their website www.mesotheliomanews.com to provide information on jobsites where workers were exposed to high levels of airborne asbestos. The expanded website also provides information on trades in which workers have traditionally been subject to heavy asbestos exposure.This information can be helpful to

"Wet Method" to demolish asbestos-contaminated building in a Fort Worth neighborhood will create mesothelioma risk for people living or working nearby

2007-12-21T13:44:00.000-08:00

The city of Fort Worth, Texas along with the EPA, plan to use a controversial method to demolish an asbestos-contaminated building without first removing the asbestos materials from it. Instead, the building will be sprayed with a foaming material to try to minimize dust during the demolition and the building will be knocked down. The debris will all have to be

Canada's New Democratic Party criticizes Canadian government for allowing asbestos in children's toys

2007-12-21T13:36:00.000-08:00

Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP) says that the Canadian federal government has been influenced by lobbyists for the asbestos industry, and current regulations allow asbestos to be used even in children’s toys. Pointing to test results that should the popular toy CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit contains five percent tremolite asbestos, the NDP has called on the

WHAT IS MESOTHELIOMA

2007-12-08T08:06:00.000-08:00

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos.[1] In this disease, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs. Its most common site is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity), but it may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity) or the

Asbestos found in children's toys and household items

2007-12-08T03:48:00.000-08:00

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) has reported finding asbestos in a variety of consumer products, including some children’s toys. After spending $165,000 over 18 months to have three government-certified laboratories test hundreds of products, the asbestos victims’ group has reported that at least two labs found asbestos in powdered cleanser, various “do it youself” and

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

2007-12-06T15:23:00.000-08:00

Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath, cough, and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and cachexia, abdominal swelling and pain due to ascites (a buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity).

Initial asbestos cleanup along Frankfort, NY roadside is nearly complete

2007-12-06T03:53:00.000-08:00

An asbestos-contaminated area covering 1.75 acres along Southside Road in Frankfort, New York was discovered accidentally by EPA employees driving the road who witnessed trucks dumping construction debris. Testing showed asbestos in the soil and construction debris. EPA crews have covered up the contaminated soil and fenced the contaminated area as an interim measure to reduce the risk to

PLEURAL MESOTHELIOMA

2007-12-05T15:45:00.000-08:00

Pleural mesothelioma, also known as mesothelioma of the pleura, is a tumor of the lining surrounding the lungs. The pleura is a thin tissue around the lungs and the inside of the chest. In order to protect the lungs, the pleura produces a small amount of fluid which helps cushion the lungs, making the lungs move more smoothly during breathing. Benign (

PERITONEAL MESOTHELIOMA

2007-12-05T15:42:00.000-08:00

Peritoneal mesothelioma, also known as cancer of the peritoneum, is a cancer of the abdominal lining.One way doctors diagnose peritoneal mesothelioma is by looking inside the abdominal cavity with an instrument called a peritoneoscope. In this procedure, a cut is made through the abdomen wall and the peritoneoscope is placed into the abdomen. This test, called a

PERICARDIAL MESOTHELIOMA

2007-12-05T15:35:00.000-08:00

Pericardial mesothelioma is also known as mesothelioma of the pericardium or cancer of the sac that holds the heart.Your doctor may diagnose this cancer using a thoracoscope to perform a thoracoscopy, which might also involve opening up the chest cavity to remove the tumor.Patients who develop excessive fluid around the heart, called an effusion, may have a sample of the fluid taken to diagnose

CELL TYPES OF MESOTHELIOMA

2007-12-05T15:31:00.000-08:00

A patient’s doctor or medical records may refer to the “cell type” of the malignant mesothelioma. This refers to the type of tissue where the cancer first developed. For example, “epithelial” malignant mesothelioma refers to cancerous cells that develop in the “epithelium,” which is the membrane lining of the lung, heart, or abdomen. In contrast, “sarcomatous”

First successful wrongful death case by family of mesothelioma victim in South Korea

2007-12-05T03:55:00.000-08:00

For the first time ever, the family of an asbestos victim has won a wrongful death suit in South Korea. The court ordered the victim’s employer, an unidentified asbestos cloth manufacturer, to pay the equivalent of $135,000 to the family of a South Korean woman who died of mesothelioma in 2006 at the age of 46. She was exposed to asbestos at work between 1976 and 1978. The court determined

GENERAL DIAGNOSIS

2007-12-04T20:05:00.000-08:00

Diagnosing mesothelioma is often difficult, because the symptoms are similar to those of a number of other conditions. Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient's medical history. A history of exposure to asbestos may increase clinical suspicion for mesothelioma. A physical examination is performed, followed by chest X-ray and often lung function tests. The X-ray may reveal pleural thickening

PLEURAL MESOTHELIOMA DIAGNOSIS

2007-12-04T16:14:00.000-08:00

Your doctor may perform some of the following procedures to diagnose pleural mesothelioma. CT scan This type of X-ray provides a very detailed picture of the size and location of the cancer. The images taken are compiled by a computer to create a more complete image of the disease. The procedure is also called a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan. PET scan A procedure in which a small

PERITONEAL MESOTHELIOMA DIAGNOSIS

2007-12-04T15:16:00.000-08:00

One way doctors diagnose peritoneal mesothelioma is by looking inside the abdominal cavity with an instrument called a peritoneoscope. In this procedure, a cut is made through the abdomen wall and the peritoneoscope is placed into the abdomen. This test, called a peritoneoscopy, is usually performed in the hospital. Some patients develop excessive fluid in the abdomen. This is called an effusion

PERICARDIAL MESOTHELIOMA DIAGNOSIS

2007-12-04T14:17:00.000-08:00

Pericardial mesothelioma is also known as mesothelioma of the pericardium or cancer of the sac that holds the heart. Your doctor may diagnose pericardial mesothelioma using a thoracoscope to perform a thoracoscopy, which might also involve opening up the chest cavity to remove the tumor. Patients who develop excessive fluid around the heart, called an effusion, may have a sample of the fluid

Environmental cleanup in Michigan has already cost $760 million and is not over yet

2007-12-03T04:03:00.000-08:00

The state of Michigan has spent $760 million over the last 20 years attempting to erase Michigan’s legacy of industrial contamination. But it has been estimated that Michigan would have to spend $100 million every year for 20 more years (a total of $2 billion) to completely remove pollution from Michigan’s soil and water. Bonds approved in 1988 and 1998 to fund environmental have been nearly

Minnesota state lawmakers accuse Iron Range mining company Cleveland-Cliffs of misleading the public

2007-12-03T04:01:00.000-08:00

In a recent letter to the editor of Timberjay newspapers, several Minnesota state representatives—Tom Rukavina, State Rep. District 5A, Tom Alzelc, State Rep. District 3A, Tony Sertich, State Rep. District 5B, Loren Solberg, State Rep. District 3B, David Tomassoni, State Sen. District 5—accuse mining company Cleveland-Cliffs of trying to confuse and mislead the public and its employees about its

SCREENING AND STAGING

2007-12-02T16:20:00.000-08:00

Screening There is no universally agreed protocol for screening people who have been exposed to asbestos. However some research indicates that the serum osteopontin level might be useful in screening asbestos-exposed people for mesothelioma. The level of soluble mesothelin-related protein is elevated in the serum of about 75% of patients at diagnosis and it has been suggested that it may be

SURGERY

2007-12-01T16:34:00.000-08:00

In some cases, surgery may be indicated to alleviate symptoms or slow the progression of mesothelioma. Surgery may be performed in tandem with other treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation, also known as “multi-modal therapy.” Whether a surgery is recommended in your case will depend on factors unique to your situation, including the type and location of the cancer, the “stage” of the

CHEMOTHERAPY

2007-12-01T16:33:00.000-08:00

Chemotherapy uses certain chemical agents or drugs that are specifically destructive to malignant tissues and cells. Doctors may recommend single agent chemotherapy or a combination chemotherapy treatment. The single agent chemotherapy treatment involves the use one type of chemical or drug. The combination chemotherapy method involves the use of more than one chemical or drug. While it is not a

RADIATION

2007-12-01T16:32:00.000-08:00

Radiation therapy is an intense X-ray treatment to damage or kill cancer cells. Although not a cure for mesothelioma, radiation therapy nonetheless may be used at different stages of the disease to slow its growth. Radiation is often the main treatment for patients in weak health. Radiation is also used to destroy small clusters of cancer cells that may have been missed in surgery. When used in

SUPPORTIVE CARE OR PALLIATIVE THERAPIES

2007-12-01T16:28:00.000-08:00

Palliative treatments refer to those procedures that relieve symptoms and help make the patient more comfortable. Here are some palliative therapies that may be used to treat mesothelioma. PleurodesisPleurodesis is a procedure that is sometimes used to control pleural effusion, or the buildup of fluids between the lungs and the lung lining. Pleurodesis causes the

INNOVATIONS IN TREATMENT

2007-12-01T16:24:00.000-08:00

Doctors and researchers are always on the lookout for new ways to treat malignant mesothelioma. The following innovations in treatment, while not a cure for malignant mesothelioma, show some promise in helping to treat the disease. Alimta Alimta, when given with another chemotherapy drug called cisplatin, is a chemotherapy drug recently approved by the FDA for the treatment of patients with

PAIN MANAGEMENT

2007-12-01T13:39:00.000-08:00

Here are some suggestions provided by www.cancer-pain.org to help you work effectively with your health care providers in assessing your pain: Put it in writing. If possible, written notes about your pain (see Pain Diary, below) are valuable in giving accurate and comprehensive information.Plan to ask questions. It’s important that you fully understand what your health care professional says to

MESOTHELIOMA AND LUNG CANCER

2007-11-30T16:41:00.001-08:00

Pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer are both serious illnesses, but they are not the same. Pleural mesothelioma – sometimes called “asbestos lung cancer” – is really not a form of lung cancer, but a cancer of the lining that surrounds the lung.A main difference between lung cancer and mesothelioma is that lung cancer is in the tissue of the lung. By contrast,

MESOTHELIOMA AND ASBESTOS

2007-11-30T15:43:00.000-08:00

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally-occurring fiber that, when released into the air, can be inhaled or swallowed. Asbestos has no smell or taste, and asbestos fibers are so small that they are not visible to the naked eye. Asbestos fibers can “stick” in the lung, abdomen and other body tissues and over time,

Cleaning up asbestos mine on Belvedere Mountain, Vermont could cost $500 million

2007-11-30T04:05:00.000-08:00

Vermont Asbestos Group’s mine on Vermont’s Belvedere Mountain closed in 1993 after almost a century in operation, leaving asbestos tailings scattered over the lower part of the mountain. In addition to the risk of asbestos in open piles, arsenic, magnesium and nickel have appeared at high levels in area streams. Asbestos has washed out of the tailing piles and into brooks and ponds that drain

PREVENTION AND EXPECTATIONS

2007-11-29T16:44:00.000-08:00

What can be done to prevent the disease? Since the 1970s, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration have regulated the asbestos industry in the U.S. In the past, asbestos was used as a fire retardant and an insulator. Other products are now used in its place. The controversy involving exposure to different forms of asbestos continues. There are two

MESOTHELIOMA : QUESTIONS AND ANDSWERS

2007-11-28T16:46:00.000-08:00

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body’s internal organs. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles. What is the mesothelium?The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. It

Fight continues over the fate of Pittsburgh's historic, asbestos-filled Schenley High School

2007-11-28T04:09:00.000-08:00

Built in 1916, Schenley High School is one of the most beautiful buildings in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and the first American high school to cost more than a million dollars to build. Its threatened demolition has initiated an enthusiastic “Save Schenley” movement. The historic high school has a Skinner pipe organ, as does the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. And the school has hosted

New research shows baseline CT screen helps detect early stage lung cancer in people at high risk because of asbestos exposure

2007-11-28T03:12:00.000-08:00

A new study by Italian researchers published in the November issue of The Oncologist suggests that CT screening may help in early detection of lung cancer among people with a history of asbestos exposure. Asbestos exposure increases the risk of developing lung cancer and mesothelioma, a rare cancer that attacks the lining of the lungs or abdomen. In a group of more than a 1,000 people exposed to

Redevelopment plans threatened by delays in environmental cleanup at La Porte, Ind. brownfield site

2007-11-27T04:14:00.000-08:00

New Porte Landing, a 150-acre commercial and recreation area in La Porte, Indiana, is undergoing extensive environmental cleanup to remove asbestos from the site. The site includes a former industrial facility and an old city landfill. No plans for redevelopment have been finalized, and there is concern that presence of asbestos, and the consequent length of the cleanup process, may cost La Porte

Contractors and owner of Oregon retirement home fined $64,058 for asbestos violations

2007-11-26T04:17:00.000-08:00

State officials are concerned that mishandling of asbestos during a 2006 remodeling project at the West Salem retirement community could have caused some residents or employees to be exposed to respirable asbestos fibers. An investigator with the Oregon Dept. of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) has said that the department cannot rule out the possibility that residents or workers at the facility

130-year-old Huntingdon, Penn. elementary school is set for demolition after asbestos and other hazardous materials are removed

2007-11-25T04:19:00.000-08:00

The 130-year-old former elementary school in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania will be torn down as soon as asbestos and other hazardous materials are removed from the building. The building belongs to the Huntingdon Community Center and is being leveled to make room for a larger activity center. Hazardous materials must be removed before a building can be demolished to prevent it from being released into