The University of Minnesota recently gave an update on their five-year study involving the Iron Range and its relationship to mesothelioma. The presentation on the $4.9 million project of the rate of lung cancer among taconite miners was held on Thursday at the Mountain Iron Community Center.

In partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health and the Natural Resources Research Institute in Duluth, the University of Minnesota hopes to gain a clearer understanding of why taconite miners are passing away from Stage 4 mesothelioma, which is a form of cancer almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure.

Ian Greaves, a medical doctor and professor with the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health, said, “We need to obtain scientifically based sample in a meaningful way.”

The Natural Resources Research Institute will be analyzing iron ore samples of the taconite, as well as dust contamination in the air of the Iron Range communities. This will be done to better understand the geological composition of the taconite and whether it could be contaminated with asbestos. According to the U.S. Geological Survey and the Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR), the Iron Range area has a history of containing naturally occurring asbestos.

Like asbestiform minerals, taconite is a silicate mineral that is found among layers of shale. Scientists have already agreed that the fibers in the rock are similar to asbestos, but mining companies say they are not asbestos and even claim there are no fibers at all on the site.

The researchers that are part of the study are trying to determine if there is a relationship between exposure to taconite dust and mesothelioma.

In addition to sample testing, the study will include health screenings of Northeastern Minnesota miners and their families, which will begin this spring. Researchers are hoping to complete a random screening of 2,000 people at the Virginia Regional Medical Center within a six to nine month period.

Research from these important studies will hopefully provide conclusive insight into the plausible asbestos contamination of the taconite, as well as the potential that taconite may cause mesothelioma on its own.

For more information on the causes of mesothelioma, visit the Mesothelioma Cancer Center.

While it is common knowledge that cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, much of the public is unaware that asbestos exposure can also cause the disease. In fact, those who have been exposed to asbestos and continue to smoke cigarettes, the risk of developing lung cancer is increased by as much as 90 times. These individuals are also at a greater risk of developing both asbestosis and mesothelioma.

There is hope for smokers who have experienced asbestos exposure. Evidence has suggested that asbestos-exposed workers who quit smoking can reduce their risk of developing lung cancer by up to 50 percent within five years of quitting.

According to statistics from the Environmental Working Group, about 5,000 people in the United States pass away each year from asbestos-related lung cancer.

Nonetheless, relief does exist for those afflicted with an asbestos-related disease, as law firms across the nation have helped and guided patients through legal recourse. To date, many asbestos exposure victims have had success in receiving compensation for medical bills with the assistance of a mesothelioma lawyer.

Asbestos exposure can occur at home or in the workplace through everyday products such as roofing shingles, floor and ceiling tiles, insulation, brake pads, boilers and more. Industries that have placed workers most at risk of exposure include the automotive, construction, electrical and shipyard industries.

Because of the long latency period that is associated with asbestos-related disease, it is absolutely crucial for exposed victims to seek medical examinations on a regular basis. Many patients are often diagnosed when the disease has already reached an advanced stage of development.

Household members of those working with asbestos should also receive routine examinations because secondary exposure is equally dangerous. In most cases, the fibers that make up asbestos are carried home on the skin and clothes of workers and are later inhaled by family members. Even pets are susceptible of inhaling or ingesting these fibers and contracting a disease.

It’s important to realize that any disturbance to an asbestos-containing material can result in the release of asbestos fibers. If inhaled, these fibers will often become trapped in the surroundings of the lungs and cause disease later in life. Medical checkups are especially important for anyone who may have been exposed to asbestos several decades ago.

For additional information on the effects of asbestos exposure, visit the Mesothelioma Cancer Center.

In one of President Bush’s final legislative pushes, aides are rushing to complete new regulations which would make it harder for the government to regulate asbestos and other hazardous chemicals.

Strenuously opposed by President Elect-Obama, the proposal would add a step or two in an already lengthy process of producing standards to protect the health of workers. Public health professionals assessing the bill predicted it would result in additional deaths and illnesses.

One of 20 bills the Bush administration is planning to issue in its final weeks, many notable politicians and environmental organizations have harshly criticized any regulations which would undermine human health and environmental safety.

In September, Senator Obama and four other senators introduced a bill to congress that would not allow the Labor Department from installing the rule it is now pushing to enact.

“It would create serious obstacles to protect workers from health hazards on the jobs,” Obama said.

Mesothelioma is a deadly form of cancer which develops through exposure to asbestos fibers.Pericardial mesothelioma is caused by inhaling asbestos fibers that travel the bloodstream from the lungs to the heart. Cells will undergo changes that may result in cancer. These fibers become lodged in the pericardial membranes that surround the heart.

With no mesothelioma cure, prognosis is poor and treatment is limited. Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 cases are diagnosed each year in the United States alone, adding up to three percent of all cancer diagnoses.

According to Bush administration officials, the concerns being raised are a result of misunderstanding the proposal.

“This proposal does not affect the substance or methodology of risk assessments, and it does not weaken any health standard,” said Leon R. Sequeira, the assistant secretary of labor for policy.

The Bush administration believes the proposal would allow for the best data and evidence from industries to assess the harm these chemicals commit. The Labor Department rule is among many that the administration is poised to issue before the White House is turned over to the next president.

An incoming president can reverse any executive orders issued by his predecessor once he takes office. However, it is difficult for a new president to change or disbar final regulations already put in place by a former president.

Obama and other congressional lawmakers are pushing the Labor Department to issue standards to protect workers against known hazards.

Representative George Miller, a California Democrat and chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor, believes the proposal would significantly weaken future workplace regulations and slow their adoption.

For more information on asbestos legislation, please visit the Mesothelioma Cancer Center.

More than a thousand local residents in Libby, Montana have been affected by asbestos-containing vermiculite since the 1920s. In fact, over 200 of these residents have actually passed away from an asbestos-related disease.

This is why the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has recently released a report identifying the groups of people most at-risk to asbestos exposure in this area. In addition, the report makes public health recommendations for asbestos-contaminated sites and lists 78 other sites that have received Libby vermiculite throughout the United States.

The three groups mentioned in the report that are most at-risk include those who worked in any of the exfoliation facilities, those who lived with any of these workers, and members of the community that had frequent and direct contact with vermiculite and waste rock from these facilities.

According to Dr. Cibulas, the goal of the report is to “inform the public and reach out to workers and families who may have been exposed and have not yet sought out necessary medical screening.”

ATSDR’s report also mentions the importance of continued health education for those who have been exposed to asbestos. To do their part, the agency has provided health education kits to health care professionals and members of the community.

ATSDR originally began evaluating the Libby vermiculite sites at the request of the Environmental Protection Agency. In May, 2008, the ATSDR and EPA announced an $8 million push to enhance the scientific understanding of the fibers that make up asbestos.

The vermiculite that was mined in Libby was contaminated with amphibole asbestos. This particular type of asbestos has been linked to several serious diseases, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Malignant mesothelioma, which is an extremely rare type of cancer, can develop in three different forms. These include pleural mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma, and peritoneal mesothelioma.  

Many of the workers in Libby experienced asbestos exposure through a process called exfoliation, in which the asbestos-contaminated vermiculite is heated up until it expands. Once the vermiculite expands, asbestos fibers are released into the air where they can be inhaled.

Those who may have been exposed to asbestos, whether living in Libby or any other part of the country, are encouraged to seek the advice of their doctor. ATSDR hopes the information provided in their report will help people understand the potential risks associated with asbestos and what steps they can take if exposure has occurred.

For more information on the effects of asbestos exposure, visit the Mesothelioma Cancer Center.

The discovery of extensive asbestos contamination in a big industrial compound in San Antonio, Texas illuminates many of the dangers associated with the harmful building material.

Found during a routine environmental cleanup, the discovery has put the completion of the process in serious doubt. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) will lead efforts in cleaning and restoring the old “Big Tex” site south of San Antonio.

Federal crews are already removing the contaminated soil by scraping off four to six inches in affected areas. They will also remove asbestos from two contaminated buildings on the site. In the heart of a populated area, workers are doing everything in their power to prevent any airborne asbestos to escape the site.

During the removal process, EPA crews will wear protective gear, including special respiratory masks that guard against possible airborne fibers. Not yet banned in the United States and other parts of the world, the findings highlight the risks workers and citizens face on a daily basis.

The inhalation of asbestos fibers may result in the development of mesothelioma and other forms of asbestos-related illness.

Used as a form of insulation throughout the 20th century, asbestos was known for its durability and resistance to fire and other conditions. Because of its widespread usage, millions of Americans were exposed to the corrosive material, which led to the development of terminal diseases.

There is a higher risk of asbestos contamination in homes or buildings which were built before 1980. As these fixtures age, they become more hazardous and can release asbestos fibers in the air for inhalation.

Occurring in a layer of tissue that covers the majority of your internal organs, research has found that it can take 20 to 50 years or more for malignant mesothelioma to develop.

With no mesothelioma cure and thousands of people afflicted, this incident raises the argument for pushing extensive legislative action in regards to placing a permanent ban on asbestos.

Asbestos removal requires adherence to safety protocols and procedures to avoid lethal exposures to its fibers. Expected to cost $500,000 to clean up, the EPA will seek reimbursement from current owners of the location that are found responsible for the contamination.

For information on asbestos exposure, visit the Mesothelioma Cancer Center.

A recently published report performed by the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat (IBAS) states that India’s intense industrial activity has labeled the country an asbestos hot spot.

The dossier, which was circulated by diplomats and organizations at the recent Rotterdam Convention, lists the Indian city of Gujarat as the major hub for asbestos use.

Asbestos is a mineral with long fibrous crystals that has been used for more than a century as a form of building insulation and piping. Asbestos became popular in the late 19th century due to being resistant to heat and other deteriorating conditions. Exposure to its fibers becomes a health concern when high levels are inhaled over a long period of time.

Containing over 31,000 factories which involve manufacturing, ship breaking, and chemical use, these types of activities have caused routine exposure to the harmful building substance. Although the number of people in India who develop mesothelioma is growing, no compensation is received for their disease.

The overall asbestos consumption in India from 1960 to 2008 and is approximately around the seven million mark. In India, consumption of asbestos is currently rising by an alarming 12 percent. There is no reliable data on asbestos-related diseases among Indian workers

Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles or were exposed to asbestos dust. Despite current mesothelioma treatment with chemotherapy or surgery, prognosis is usually poor.

A Monitoring Committee of the Supreme Court of India on hazardous wastes concluded that asbestos should not enter India. With a large shipbuilding industry, activists say it is possible to decontaminate large ships but it is not cost-effective.

The current death rates have prompted former minister and environmental activist, Maneka Gandhi, to say what India now requires is a full-fledged campaign against asbestos.

“Our entire policy on asbestos needs to be changed. We must stop being the junkyard of the world,” Gandhi said.

Most shocking is the stance taken by the government of India along with Canada and Russia at the recent Rotterdam Convention. Due to their veto, nations that are importing asbestos will not be afforded any information on the dangers posed by asbestos and other chemicals to human health. Countries that ruled in favor of the bill and have banned the use of asbestos in construction projects include Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the European Union.

Ithaca, New York - Closed since the late 1980s, the Ithaca Gun Factory is now planned for demolition and remediation, but local residents are worried that the budget for the planned project isn’t big enough to get the job finished.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation held a meeting at City Hall to discuss the project, and several community residents voiced their concerns about the budget for the clean up, which is just $2.2 million. The proposed budget will cover both demolition and remediation for the site, and locals are concerned that’s just not enough money to complete the entire project.

Local Sara Steuteville, a member of the site’s Community Advisory Group, said, “We don’t want to get halfway through and have delay. The site just can’t have it. We’ve had enough delay.”

The Ithaca Gun Factory is contaminated with a range of harmful substances, including asbestos, chlorinated solvents (including trichloroethylene), and lead. All three are known to be hazardous: lead can have a negative impact on the brain development of children, and asbestos and trichloroethylene are known human carcinogens.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency made an effort to clean up the contamination between 2002 and 2004, sinking a total of $4.8 million into its efforts to remove the contamination. However, some areas of the former gun factory still remain heavily contaminated.

In response to residents’ concerns over the size of the budget for the present project, Kenneth Lynch, director of DEC Region 7, said the DEC is “very aware of the possibility of additional funding being necessary for this project. We do have a fairly good handle on what’s out there and what needs to be done. I will not, though, assure you that there’s enough money to complete the project.”

If necessary, Lynch says, the DEC will aid the city in identifying other sources of potential funding for the project. The worst-case scenario, he says, is that the state’s Superfund or EPA may have to step in and provide funds or complete the remediation project. “There is a contingency plan always in place,” says Lynch.

The current remediation plan involves decontaminating the site using the $2.2 million. Following that phase of the project, it is planned that developer Frost Travis will turn the site into a condominium development which will include a city walkway overlooking Ithaca Falls. This is, however, contingent on whether there’s enough money to complete the remediation.

Residents do have other concerns, in addition to the budget issue. In particular, the public is concerned about air quality during the project, and whether monitoring will be carried out while it is in progress. Susan Shearer, senior sanitary engineer with the state Department of Health, responded by saying that air monitors will operate continuously around the perimeter of the demolition zone. If the monitors detect heavy amounts of toxic dust construction methods can be adjusted to reduce dust levels.

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.

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.

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.