Three cyclists riding 1,200 miles to raise awareness about asbestos-related diseases are receiving support from those impacted by asbestos illnesses along the way.

Katrina London, Paul Glanville and Jason Addy departed June 20, 2009 from Glasgow, England and will conclude their journey July 4 in Southampton. The three activists are riding to raise money to be donated to the search for a cure for asbestos-related cancers.

During their journey, the cyclists will deliver a petition to the Canadian consulate in Birmingham, calling for an end to the mining of asbestos in Quebec. They will also stop in London to meet Members of Parliament who are campaigning for increased asbestos awareness.

The cyclists have already stopped in Derby, England and received a warm welcome from those affected by asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure. Valerie Pepper, whose husband passed away from malignant mesothelioma two years ago, greeted the group upon their arrival in Derby.

Pepper noted the importance of raising money for mesothelioma research, stating, “There’s lots of money spent on research into other cancers, but very little on mesothelioma. If you don’t do research, you won’t know if there’s a cure.”

Cyclist London said the group has met “amazing women who have lost their husbands and then channeled their energy into campaigning and fund-raising.”

One such woman is Carol Anthony who lost her husband to mesothelioma four years ago and now serves on the committee of a mesothelioma research group at a Leicester, England hospital.

Prior to departing on the 1,200-mile ride cyclist Addy said, “It will be tough going as we will be cycling up to 100 miles a day, but it is for a very important cause and promises to be a breathtaking journey to raise awareness of the legacy caused by asbestos.”

Additional information about mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases may be found through the Mesothelioma Center.

In an attempt to distinguish the relationship between mesothelioma cancer and taconite dust, a team of researchers from the University of Minnesota are conducting a study that will involve 1,200 taconite and Iron Range workers and 800 of their spouses.

The Iron Range region is located in the northeastern section of Minnesota. Taconite, similar to asbestiform minerals, is a silicate mineral that is found among layers of shale. Some scientists have already agreed that the fibers in shale rock resemble those found in asbestos, one of the primary mesothelioma causes.

The $4.9 million study being supported by Minnesota’s Department of Health is in its beginning stages. Current and former Iron Range taconite workers will soon receive letters inviting them to participate in a screening program. The health screenings are scheduled to begin this fall at the Virginia Regional Medical Center.

To date, 59 Iron Range residents have passed away from mesothelioma. Dave Trach, who worked for LTV Steelmining Company for 38 years, said, “There’s a lot of people that I worked with, that I rode to work with that are gone now, because of this asbestos thing. It’s not an easy thing to go through. It’s a tough way to go.”

The selection of the participants will be based on employment records and will incorporate workers of multiple ages who have a variety of years in the taconite industry in several different locations.

Dr. David Perlman, a University of Minnesota researcher who will be working on the study, said, “This is really the first comprehensive attempt to look at the exposures of the dust from taconite mining and to try to get a real sense of what the health effects of exposure to that dust are.”

Researchers at a recent meeting said having a high level of participation for the study will be critical in determining if there is a direct relationship between Iron Range workers and taconite mining.

This particular respiratory health study is just one of five being conducted by the University of Minnesota to analyze the health of taconite workers. The results of the study will be completely confidential between the patients and their doctors and are expected to be ready by late 2010.

Additional information about mesothelioma may be found through the Mesothelioma Center.

Arthur and Shaun Amaral were indicted by a Massachusetts grand jury on charges alleging that the brothers violated the Clean Air Act on five counts related to the improper removal of asbestos.

Arthur, 49, owns Northeast Demolition and Removal while his brother Shaun, 37, serves as a site foreman for the company. The charges against the men state the brothers failed to file the proper notice with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) prior to completing asbestos removal and demolition projects.

According to the state attorney general’s office, the brothers also instructed workers to demolish buildings that they knew contained asbestos-contaminated products prior to removing the products according to guidelines created by the Environmental Protection Agency and MassDEP.

The asbestos-contaminated waste from the demolition projects was then placed in drums and stored in a storage facility. The drums containing asbestos were uncovered by MassDEP Environmental Crimes Strike Force, comprised of environmental police, prosecutors from the state attorney general’s office and investigators and engineers from MassDEP.

The five charges filed against the men include failure to file a 10-day notice with MassDEP, knowingly demolishing asbestos-containing buildings, failure to adhere to certain safety procedures including wetting the toxic mineral and wearing respirators, disposing the toxic mineral in an unsafe manner and discarding it in an unauthorized location.

According to Jill Butterworth, spokesperson for the attorney general, the five counts against the brothers each carry potential penalties of up to one year in jail or a $25,000 fine, or both.

Asbestos is a toxic mineral known to cause serious illnesses such malignant mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer. Inhalation or ingestion of asbestos particles can cause tiny fibers to become lodged in the organs and body cavities, causing inflammation or infection. Overtime this can lead to the development of asbestos-related disease such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Additional information about mesothelioma and asbestos exposure may be found through the Mesothelioma Center.

A man diagnosed with mesothelioma fears he will not recover damages from a lawsuit his family filed due to a provision added to the Wisconsin state budget.

Caden Johnson, 67, learned of his mesothelioma diagnosis years after working in a boiler room of a hospital. Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure. Johnson’s lawsuit alleges he was exposed to asbestos particles while working at the hospital. The Johnson family is seeking damages from the companies who may have manufactured asbestos used in the boiler room.

Johnson’s wife, Debra, believes a new provision in the Wisconsin budget would limit the amount of lawsuits victims of asbestos exposure can file. She, and other supporters of asbestos lawsuits, claim the provision is worded in a way that allows companies that previously utilized asbestos, such as Crown Cork and Seal Co., to no longer be held liable to pay damages to victims of asbestos exposure.

Those who support the provision say it is written narrowly to aid Crown Cork and Seal Co. Crown has passed similar provisions in ten states which now defend the company from paying victims. Crown lobbyist Forbes McIntosh said no other company has used the provisions to defend itself against asbestos lawsuits.

The proposal would limit a plaintiff’s legal right to sue companies that merged with firms that made asbestos before 1972. The provision in the budget has not undergone public hearing, but lobbyists of the bill claim it will not affect asbestos lawsuits.

“I really do think this proposal balances justice for people who were wronged with common sense liability law,” said Rep. Kristen Dexter, D-Eau Claire. Dexter is concerned workers in her district could be affected by asbestos lawsuits against Crown.

In 1963 Crown merged with asbestos manufacturer Mundet Cork Co. and has since paid approximately $500 million to victims of asbestos.

The proposal included in the Wisconsin budget would protect companies by limiting their legal responsibility in asbestos cases. The company’s legal liability in asbestos cases would be limited to the present day value of the company that actually made the asbestos. In the case of Crown, this would be approximately $60 million. This means that in Wisconsin the company would no longer be liable for any asbestos-related damages.

Additional information about mesothelioma and asbestos may be found through the Mesothelioma Center.

After stating their move to the Netherlands from Australia was ineffective, James Hardie has announced intentions to move its headquarters to Ireland for tax benefits. The decision to move stems from changes between Dutch and U.S. tax laws and a dispute involving the U.S. Internal Revenue Service about whether James Hardie has “substantial presence” in the Netherlands.

Currently, a large portion of the company’s profits come from the United States and instead of keeping management stationed in the United States, James Hardie was being forced to have their management spend more time in the Netherlands in order to keep the tax costs low. As a result, the company felt they were unable to operate effectively in the United States.

The move has many asbestos victims worried about the company’s inability to add money to the Asbestos Injuries Compensation Fund, which was set up by the New South Wales government in 2006 to help victims of asbestosis and mesothelioma. In previous years, James Hardie manufactured building materials containing the toxic mineral asbestos, one of the proven causes of both asbestosis and mesothelioma.

The cost of the move to Ireland could reach as high as $71 million, which is money asbestos victims feel should be going into the fund. Since the U.S. housing market declined, James Hardie has suspended making payments to the fund due to a loss of $45.2 million in profits.

The fund’s CEO Dallas Booth expressed his concern about the move stating the fund would likely run out of money by early 2011 and would likely be unable to fulfill compensation payments.

Asbestos campaigner Karen Banton, whose husband Bernie passed away from malignant mesothelioma in 2007, questioned the move of James Hardie. “They say they can’t afford to pay compensation but apparently they can afford to move to Ireland, another country where they have no business. Every time they get a cold, they expect everyone to come to the rescue. It’s a lot of money that could otherwise go into the fund,” she said.

However, management of James Hardie believes the move will help long-term profits by allowing senior managers to spend more time in the United States. Currently, James Hardie is required to pay 35 percent of its free cash flow into the fund when profits reach certain levels.

James Hardie plans to complete the move by March next year, but has no immediate intention to move into the European building materials market. Chief executive Louis Gries mentioned that the company is working on a product for the European building market that was three to four years away from being finished.

Additional information about mesothelioma may be found through the Mesothelioma Center.

Three Baton Rouge, Louisiana companies face fines of $112,000 proposed by federal safety regulators after they failed to protect workers from possible asbestos exposure during renovations.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) stands to collect money from Louisiana Health Care Consultants, LLC, Dean Building Holdings and Bob Dean Enterprises, Inc. after the companies allegedly violated 13 health and safety regulations during renovations at the State National Life Building.

Asbestos regulations were put in place to protect workers and the public from the hazards associated with asbestos exposure. If toxic asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested into the body and become lodged in organs, the particles may cause inflammation and infection. Overtime, an asbestos-related illness, such as malignant mesothelioma, may develop. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that typically affects the lining of the lungs.

“These companies failed to follow OSHA’s standards for asbestos-related projects in the construction industry,” said Dean McDaniel, OSHA’s regional administrator based in Dallas, Texas. “Employers must be committed to keeping the workplace safe and healthful to prevent injuries, illnesses and fatalities.”

The allegations against the three companies stated that they failed to alert workers of the removal of a ceiling containing asbestos and did not ensure employees’ use of protective gear. The companies also did not use engineering control to minimize exposure to asbestos.

According to McDaniel, the three companies have 15 days to respond to OSHA’s proposal.

Those exposed to asbestos may not present symptoms of an asbestos-related illness until decades after initial exposure occurred. In the case of mesothelioma, this can allow the cancer to progress to later stages of development when treatment can be difficult. Though a cure for mesothelioma does not exist, many patients elect to undergo treatment such as chemotherapy, radiation or surgery to combat the cancer.

Additional information about the dangers of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma may be found through the Mesothelioma Center.

According to a report by the Investor Environmental Health Network (IEHN), eight loopholes in the current system of securities and accounting regulation prevent honest recording of a company’s potential liabilities. The IEHN is a partnership of investment managers responsible for more than $25 billion in assets.

The report states that billions of dollars in potential litigation costs, much like that of asbestos litigation, are hidden from nanotechnology investors due to weak regulations governing disclosures and liabilities. Fortunately for investors, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Financial Accounting Standards Board are in the process of examining disclosure requirements and solving the eight loopholes identified in the report.

Many feel the litigation and health risks surrounding asbestos exposure and malignant mesothelioma cases may be repeated with the widespread use of nanotechnology in consumer products. Today, nanotechnologies are commonly used in sunscreen, cosmetics, food, clothing, sporting goods and packaging.

Carbon nanotubes have already been found to cause granulomas in the mesothelium of body cavities in laboratory animals. Granulomas are known precursors of mesothelioma, the most common type of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Many researchers have concluded that long, thin nanoparticles hold the same effects as long, thin asbestos fibers.

Despite these findings, many companies producing nanotechnology have failed to disclose to investors whether the nanotubes they are making are in the dangerous form and if there is a potential liability for future side effects of exposure to nanomaterials.

Sanford Lewis, author of the report and counsel in IEHN, said, “In the midst of the current crisis of investor confidence, our report flags a major new argument for demanding honest accounting. Investors cannot afford the repetition of another asbestos-like wiping out of billions of dollars of equity when it comes to new technologies like nanotechnologies that are seeking investment dollars now.”

The use of nanotechnology is growing at a very fast pace with worldwide sales of nanotechnology-based products doubling each year. Current annual worldwide investments in nanotechnology research exceeds $9.6 billion and more than two million people work in the development, production or use of nanomaterials.

The IEHN report concluded with stating, “Today, as potentially ultrahazardous nanotechnologies enter the market, the same regulatory weaknesses that allowed asbestos manufacturers to conceal information from investors are being abused once again to conceal information regarding the newer technologies. Regulators must act now to prevent a repeat of past financial disasters and to ensure that investors’ expectations of forthright accounting are met.”

Additional information about mesothelioma may be found though the Mesothelioma Center.

A mesothelioma patient was awarded $8 million in non-economic damages and more than $400,000 in economic damages following an asbestos lawsuit filed against a manufacturer and distributor of asbestos-containing joint compound.

Jack Reynolds was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma in 2008 after serving in the United States Navy for 10 years before working for a fellow Navy serviceman’s business installing and finishing drywall in residential construction.

Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure. Reynolds used asbestos-containing joint compound, a product manufactured and supplied by Hamilton Materials, Inc. The company was the supplier of Red Dot brand asbestos-containing joint compound from 1963 through 1977.

The joint compound was used to fill joints between sheets of drywall that were then sanded after application, causing asbestos dust to fill the air where fibers could be inhaled or ingested. Once asbestos fibers enter the body they can become lodged in organs, causing inflammation or infection and, overtime, the development of an asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma.

A San Francisco jury assigned 20 percent liability for Reynolds’ mesothelioma diagnosis to Hamilton Materials, Inc.

“We are very happy for Mr. Reynolds and his family as they are deserving, good people,” said Reynolds’ attorney.

Reynolds served in the Navy, primarily aboard two naval vessels, a destroyer (USS Mason) and an aircraft cruiser (USS Ranger), from 1954 to 1964. Aboard the vessels Reynolds’ worked as a painter and also served in the laundry service department. Following an honorable discharge, Reynolds worked as a drywaller until 1973, marking the last time he was exposed to asbestos in an occupational setting.

After his mesothelioma diagnosis, Reynolds underwent treatment including chemotherapy, pleural effusion drainings and talc pleurodesis, a procedure intended to prevent further fluid accumulation in the chest.

Additional information about mesothelioma and mesothelioma treatment options may be found through the Mesothelioma Center.

A new study presented by a senior Israeli health official has revealed that a town located in Northern Israel has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world.

Dr. Micha Bar-Hana, director of the Israeli Health Ministry’s Cancer Registry, elaborated on his findings at a conference held at the Rabin Medical Center. The town of Nahariya, centered in the northern part of Israel, had a mesothelioma rate of 5.72 people per 100,000 from 2002 to 2008. A total number of 19 patients were diagnosed with mesothelioma during that time.

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, Genoa, Italy is the city with the highest rate of asbestos-related diseases in the world, with a rate of 5.8 cases per 100,000 residents.

The city was once home to a prominent asbestos plant that was shut down in 1997 and Dr. Bar-Hana believes the number of mesothelioma cases will rise in the years to come due to the long latency period associated with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related cancers.

Asbestos gained widespread use in the 20th century in many applications in a variety of industries.  Due to its fire and heat resistant qualities, it was frequently used in insulation and piping found in ships, planes, power plants and homes.

The inhalation of asbestos fibers can result in the development of serious illnesses, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and other asbestos-related diseases. Mesothelioma patients often express symptoms 20 to 50 years after initial exposure to asbestos occurred. The long latency period, coupled with the fact that symptoms typically resemble less-serious illnesses, can make mesothelioma diagnosis difficult.

Mesothelioma cases have slowly risen each year in Israel with more than 30 new cases reported annually, mostly among men who worked at job sites where asbestos was used.

According to Dr. Avi Weiner, a physician at the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa, the largest city in northern Israel, people in close contact with those exposed to asbestos are also at risk of developing an asbestos-related disease. Weiner treated two women who became sick because their husbands carried asbestos particles into the home on their clothing.

Additional information about mesothelioma and asbestos exposure may be found through the Mesothelioma Center.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently issued a public health emergency for the town of Libby in northwest Montana. The decision stems from the significantly high rate of asbestos exposure and the development asbestos-related diseases in the area.

The town of Libby is the site where W.R. Grace & Company operated a toxic vermiculite mine that was contaminated with asbestos. In addition to the mine, several parts of the town were contaminated with asbestos as well, including fields, roads and playgrounds. Asbestos also reached people’s homes as W.R. Grace provided asbestos-contaminated soil for gardens and supplied an asbestos-contaminated insulation called Zonolite.

Previously in May, Senator Jon Tester proposed a new plan to clean up Libby and promote a better health care system for victims of asbestos exposure. Since the official closing of the mine in 1990, approximately 400 Libby residents have passed away from asbestos-related diseases such as malignant mesothelioma. With a population of less than 3,000, nearly 2,000 people in Libby have become sick with an illness related to asbestos exposure.

New EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, who promised to review the situation in Libby if she was elected, feels the conditions in the town present a significant threat and that declaring a public health emergency is appropriate.

“This is a tragic public health situation that has not received the recognition it deserves by the federal government for far too long. We’re making a long-delayed commitment to the people of Libby and Troy. Based on a rigorous re-evaluation of the situation on the ground, we will continue to move aggressively on the cleanup efforts and protect the health of the people,” said Lisa Jackson.

The government will spend more than $130 million on asbestos cleanup efforts and improve the health care system for those with asbestos-related illnesses. Approximately $125 million will come from the EPA over the next five years to clean up both Libby and Troy, a nearby town of about 1,000 people. An additional $6 million will be spent by the Health and Human Services Department (HSS) on medical assistance.

Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius said, “Now, we have come together with Senator Baucus and Senator Tester, Administrator Jackson, and agencies across HHS, to offer a new grant to provide short-term medical assistance for screening, diagnostic and treatment services in a comprehensive and coordinated manner in partnership with local officials on the ground in Lincoln County.”

The EPA has been working in Libby since 1999, which was the first time an Emergency Response Team was sent in to investigate the concern over asbestos-contaminated vermiculite. Since that time, the EPA has been working closely with the town to clean up contamination and improve human health.

Senator Max Baucus, a long-time advocate for the Libby situation, said, “Today is the day that after years of work we were able to succeed in getting this done. Yet, we won’t stop here. We will continue to push until Libby has a clean bill of health.”

Additional information about asbestos exposure and mesothelioma may be found through the Mesothelioma Center.