A new report on asbestos in U.K. schools states many do not have adequate safety precautions and management systems in place.  An alarming statistic of “3 out of four schools contain asbestos” per the Asbestos Testing and Consultancy Association report.  They are calling for increased awareness about the dangers of asbestos and safeguards for the students, parents and teachers.

The current policy is to leave unexposed asbestos in place instead of removing it.  Asbestos is believed to be safe if contained and not exposed.  When asbestos is exposed it can be released into the air and cause long term health issues including mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases.  92 teachers and lecturers died from asbestos-related illnesses between 2001 and 2005 according to the National Union of Teachers.  Advocates feel strongly action needs to be taken to remedy the current situation.

There are strict guidelines in place on managing asbestos in the schools, but unfortunately the schools are lacking resources to follow the standards.  16 schools were inspected and none were fully complaint with the current asbestos regulations.  The report states only four had “adequate standard of asbestos management.”  More concerning was the statement that half the schools inspected showed asbestos damage (potential for asbestos exposure).

Leaders in the field are asking the government to develop “a national audit of asbestos management” in schools to get a better idea of the problem and a plan to address it.

Read the original story:  How schools fail to protect pupils from asbestos danger

Alyssa Rubin is one of our Asbestos Case Managers and has been working with mesothelioma victims and their loved ones for over a year.  She writes about her experience at the Miles for Meso event below.

“This past weekend I travelled to Boca Raton, FL with a few of my co-workers to attend the Miles for Meso 5K Run/Walk.  The purpose of the race was to raise awareness and money to support research for mesothelioma. It was a great experience, as I spend most of my time speaking on the phone with those that have been affected by mesothelioma and other asbestos-related conditions.  I felt it was very important for me  to go out there and show my support.

It was rather chilly the morning of the race, especially for Florida, but nevertheless many people came out to participate. It was great to see a variety of age groups both running/walking in the race as well as volunteering.  I myself did not run/walk in the race, but handed water out to those crossing the finish line, and also cheered on my co-workers that did take part. We all handed out the bags of goodies that we had brought filled with information about mesothelioma and the efforts to ban asbestos in the US. I also very much enjoyed interacting with the community of people that attended, and providing information to those that wanted to know more.

I would say the best part of the entire trip was getting to meet Mr. Larry Davis. He organized the event and is a survivor of peritoneal mesothelioma. Mr. Davis has experienced this cancer first hand, fought it hard, and with his selfless efforts not only put together the race, but participated in it. He is an inspiration to all.

I had a great time this weekend and I hope that our efforts with the Miles for Meso 5K and any future events that we may participate in will pay off in our fight to raise awareness and ban asbestos.

My team and I just returned from the Miles for Meso 5K Run/Walk in Boca Raton, Florida.  The event was organized by a local peritoneal mesothelioma survivor who also ran the 5K.  Almost 400 runners and walkers participated in this fund raising event.  The Mesothelioma Resource Center (Sokolove Law, LLC) was one of the sponsors of the event.  Almost $15,000 will be donated to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation which provides support and funds research for mesothelioma victims.  Not only were funds raised to support this important cause, but we were also able to increase awareness about mesothelioma and the dangers of asbestos.

Myself and five colleagues each took part in our own ways.  Three members of our team ran in the race and one came in third in his age group.  Two of us passed out water for the runners and walkers.  And one of my colleagues captured everything in photos.  We all handed out gift bags with information about mesothelioma, the dangers of asbestos and our initiative to ban asbestos in the U.S.   We spoke with victims, families, advocates and anyone who wanted to learn more.  It was an amazing event and a good reminder of why we do our work everyday.

I’ve included a couple of photos of the team during the event and I’ll be posting a couple of guest blogs this week from my colleagues.  We are looking forward to participating in more events in the future.

Tomorrow I’m getting on a plane to attend the Miles for Meso 5K in Boca Raton.  All the proceeds from this race/walk will be donated to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation to support research and treatment options for people suffering from this asbestos-related disease.  While we are out supporting this important cause something quite opposite is being planning close by.

Officials in West Palm Beach are planning an implosion of a 30 story building  that may contain asbestos for the same day.  This will be the third largest implosion to take place in the United States.  Residents close to the 1515  S. Flagler Drive Tower which is scheduled for  “controlled collapse” are concerned.  Experts and city officials claim this is the safest way to take the building down.  They report imploding the building with explosives has less risks than traditional demolition with a wrecking ball.  There is some debate about the safety due to past problems with other implosions.

There is also a concern about possible asbestos exposure.  Originally the building was said to contain asbestos.  A later test result showed levels of asbestos were not high enough to stop the plans for imploding the building.  Experts are saying the dust should fall straight down because it will be thick and heavy.  Critics would say any asbestos exposure is a risk.  It is known that asbestos fibers released into the air can cause future health issues including mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

Officials reports they are taking all necessary precautions and putting safeguards in place to protect the public.  Let’s hope that all goes smoothly.  And that our race gets as much attention as this story.

Read the story at Demolition team aims for controlled collapse of 1515 Tower

 James Hardie and CSR, the two main suppliers of asbestos products during the 1960′s and 1970′s in Australia, were accused of conspiring to influence regulators around asbestos use.  They are also being accused of deliberately failing to mark their asbestos containing products, which would make it harder to determine which company was liable for any future injury or disease caused by the products.

Both companies are heading into the trial of Robert Berengo who is claiming damages due to exposure to their products in the early 1970′s.  Mr. Berengo is dying from mesothelioma, a fatal disease almost always caused by asbestos exposure.  He claims he was exposed to Hardie and CSR asbestos products while going to jobs with his father during his childhood.  The allegations could have opened new opportunities for victims who have a difficult time proving which company’s products they have been exposed to and therefore which company should be held responsible for compensation.

The argument was heard in the Victorian Supreme Court and was declined.  Judge Terry Forrest stated the proposed amendments were not sufficient to be approved.  He did say future victims may be able to allege joint liability.

Read more at Hardie, CSR ‘colluded’, sufferer says and Judge denies late changes in asbestos case

 CSR’s application to spin out its sugar division was denied by Federal Court Judge Margaret Stone based on future asbestos liabilities.  CSR produced and sold products containing asbestos up until the 1970′s.  Because exposure to asbestos can cause fatal diseases including mesotheliomaand lung cancer, CSR is responsible for providing compensation for victims of these diseases.  CSR and the infamous James Hardie corporation share some joint liability asbestos-related claims.  I wrote about the challenges of these joint claims back in October – Asbestos Claims Delayed in Australia and about how the James Hardie Asbestos Fund May Run Out.

CSR applied to separate it’s sugar division into a newly listed company called Sucrogen.  This would leave a smaller CSR building products group which would be responsible for asbestos-related liabilities on its own.  CSR claims it would not have the same problems with estimating future liabilities as the James Hardie fund.  The company reports a thorough investigation of potential asbestos liability before making the proposed application.

The judges decision is based on the difficulty of forecasting these asbestos claims accurately and that CSR would not have access to Sucrogen’s assets if they ran out of funds for compensation.  CSR still has options including appealing the decision, retaining  or selling off the sugar division.

To read the full story:  History was against CSR on asbestos

The debate about compensation for people suffering from pleural plaques continues in the U.K.  Pleural plaques are a scarring of the lungs due to asbestos exposure.  Victims of pleural plaques are at risk for developing fatal asbestos-related diseases including mesothelioma and lung cancer.  The U.K. government has been reviewing a law that denies pleural plaque suffers compensation.  The debate has been taking place since the Fall.

Rulings have already been made in Scotland and Ireland entitling pleural plaque sufferers to file a claim for compensation.  England and Wales do not allow compensation at this time.   Opponents to allowing compensation include insurance companies and government officials who fear a large increase in costs associated with asbestos related claims. 

The new proposal does include a package to assist people suffering some asbestos-related diseases.  Victims diagnosed with mesothelioma may have increased compensation.  The government also states a research center for diseases linked to asbestos exposure would be created.  And insurers would be required to set up funds for those dying of asbestos-related diseases that don’t have employers’ insurance.

To read more about both sides:  Asbestos victims could lose out and Aviva, Zurich May Face ‘Spiral” of New Asbestos Claims in U.K.

Dr. Robert Taub and his staff at the Mesothelioma Center of New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University Medical Center are recruiting pleural mesothelioma patients for a clinical trial of a new targeted radiation and chemotherapy treatment.  Their center will be the only one offering this experimental therapy nationwide.  Pleural mesothelioma patients typically undergo surgical and chemotherapy treatments with no significant increases in survival.  According to Dr. Taub, this study will investigate “whether a combination of chemotherapy and radiation targeted directly at the lung’s lining can improve outcomes while avoiding surgery.”

This could be good news for patients suffering from mesothelioma which is a complicated disease.  Often pleural mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose and patients don’t receive a diagnosis until they are in the later stages of disease.  Then the treatment options are limited and a patient’s prognosis is typically 6 – 18 months.  Patients, families and advocates have been calling for increased funding for research which could lead to better diagnostic tests and treatment options.  This clinical trial could be a step in the right direction.

The study is looking for patients over the age of 18, who have not recently undergone radiation therapy or chemotherapy and have not had Alimta chemotherapy in the past.  Patients can call #212-305-6837 for more information about the study.

For more details read:  Lung Cancer Trial Targets Asbestos-Related Disease

Last week, Times Live in South Africa posted an article about the tragedy facing thousands because of the asbestos mining industry.  They refer to over 5000 abandoned mines which pose long-term health and economic concerns for people living in the communities near the mines.  Residents of these communities are unknowingly being exposed to asbestos in water, air and food.  This exposure puts them at risk for future health issues.

They state an alarming figure that one of two people in Northern Cape communities will be affected by an asbestos-related disease.  Asbestos is known to cause fatal diseases including mesothelioma and lung cancer.  These diseases have a long latency period of 10 – 40 years.  Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases have devastating affects on victims and their families as their is currently no cure for this disease.

The author goes on to speak about the financial and economic hardships the mining industry has imposed on its workers and their communities.  Original article:  SA mining’s shameful history of exploitation

For me, this is another glaring example of the importance of increased awareness about the dangers of asbestos and a global asbestos ban.  Individuals and communities need to be aware of ways to minimize asbestos exposure.  But more importantly, leaders and government officials need to take action in safeguarding the people working in and living around these mines.

Two investigations have resulted from a worker’s claim that asbestos was improperly handled on the Parkway project in Florida last Fall.  The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has just completed their investigation into the initial complaint of asbestos pipe being disposed of without the proper precautions.  Now the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has begun to investigate the claim that the worker was terminated for “whistle-blowing”.

Rick Solis was working as a Survey Technician II for the county when he observed concrete asbestos pipe being dug up and disposed.  He reported his concerns about asbestos exposure and improper handling to his supervisors in September.  And was later informed his position was being eliminated due to budget constraints.  His attorney filed a complaint with OSHA claiming his “termination was a violation of the anti-whistleblower retaliation provisions…”  He feels strongly that he had no problems with his employment until after complaining of the potential health hazards.  Exposure to asbestos can cause future asbestos-related diseases including mesothelioma and lung cancer. 

Representatives for the County believe this is nothing more than a ”disgruntled employee” and feel the investigation will prove that.  OSHA reports the county has 20 days to respond to the allegation and the federal investigators will make a final determination.

For additional information read the News Sun article “Ex-county employee files whistleblower complaints”