The proposals are a result of years of campaigning by advocates, who have fought for better treatment, support and compensation for victims and their families even after the 2007 legal setback.

Included in the measures are:

• The creation of an Employers’ Liability Tracing Office, which helps victims track down a company’s insurer (at the time of exposure).  Since many manufacturers of asbestos products are no longer in business, finding their insurers from a given period has been extremely difficult.

• The creation of an Employers’ Liability Bureau which will act as a fund of last resort in the event the insurer cannot be found.  Victims will receive compensation from this fund, if necessary.

• Increased upfront payments for mesothelioma victims.

• A series of payments of £5,000 for people who had begun, but not yet resolved a legal claim for compensation at the time of the 2007 ruling.

• A pledge to increase funding for mesothelioma research.

A local coroner, William Armstrong, supports the plans.  He told the Norwich Evening News,  “I deal with a substantial number of inquests into people who have died from asbestos-related diseases and the numbers seem to be growing.

“There are unfortunately people who have been exposed to asbestos many years before the condition manifests itself and many of them die in very distressing circumstances.

“Anything that can be done to help their relatives and loved ones claim the compensation to which they are entitled is very much to be welcomed.”

Ministers have also vowed to set up a working group consisting of mesothelioma lawyers, unions, insurers, the judiciary and civil servants to review asbestos law practices and procedures for obtaining compensation.  They also hope to streamline the process in order to reduce the time it takes for cases to conclude.

Click here for the full article.

He was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a deadly cancer associated with asbestos exposure, in 2009 and had undergone chemotherapy treatment.  He passed away at a medical facility outside of Los Angeles, California.

Last year, Olsen filed a mesothelioma lawsuit against NBC Universal, 20th Century Fox and other companies, claiming his cancer was from negligent exposure to asbestos according to The Washington Post.

Olsen starred at Utah State University before going on to play professional football for the Los Angeles Rams, winning numerous awards and never missing a game.   He played in 14 consecutive Pro Bowls and was elected to the NFL Hall of Fame in 1982.  While playing for the Rams he earned a master’s degree in economics from Utah State.

After his playing career was over, Olsen made a seamless transition to television, spending 16 years as a broadcaster for NBC’s football coverage.  His colleagues praised him for his attention to detail and intelligent and insightful commentary.

“He was so thoroughly prepared, he should have been a lawyer,” his longtime NBC broadcast partner Dick Enberg told the Los Angeles Times in 2006.

He then became a television actor.  He was best known for his roles on the popular shows Little House on the Prairie and Father Murphy.

Olsen is survived by his wife of 47 years, Susan Olsen, three children, three brothers, five sisters and four grandchildren.

Click here for the article.

Citing a lack of standards or plans for asbestos management in schools (and other public buildings), the report backs the The Mirror’s “Asbestos Timebomb” campaign, which has called for a public register of asbestos surveys in all public buildings.

ATAC took a small sample of Britain’s 25,000 schools, and concluded that the problem of asbestos in public buildings is not being solved by current asbestos law that says it is safe if left undisturbed.

About 13,000 of the country’s schools were built between 1945 and 1974 when asbestos use was at its peak, according to The Mirror.

“The increasing number of mesothelioma deaths (an asbestos-related disease) amongst teachers and support staff is testament that the policy of management has failed,” the report says.

With the support of Members of Parliament, Teachers’ unions and asbestos advocates will take the report to the Minister of Schools and demand a change in the policy and asbestos law.  Supporters seek a public register of asbestos surveys in all public buildings, including schools.

Click here to read the article.

Click here to read the ATAC report.

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

In 2008, Canada exported 175,000 tons of chrysotile asbestos, almost all of it to developing countries such as India, Bangladesh and Indonesia.

Chrysotile accounts for about 94% of global asbestos production and is considered a carcinogen by the WHO (World Health Organization). It is estimated that tens of thousands of people worldwide are diagnosed every year with asbestos-related diseases, such as lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Anti-asbestos protesters are accusing the Charest government of hypocrisy for exporting the mineral to the developing world while, at the same time, spending millions of dollars to remove it from public buildings in Canada.

According to the Montreal Gazette, Charest drew sharp criticism from a group of Canadian physicians who accuse him of misrepresenting the position of the WHO.

On the trade mission, he told La Presse “Chrysotile (asbestos) can be used in a safe manner; this is what WHO reports say. It is not a banned substance. It is up to the government of India to put the necessary laws in place.”

The physicians sent the Premier a letter denouncing this claim.  “Premier Charest, you have the right to oppose the WHO position. However, and especially because of the public trust in your position, you do not have the right to misrepresent the WHO position as being what you perhaps wish it were, instead of what it is,” the letter says.

Click here for the full article.

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

Two workers claim they have disposed of asbestos into unit walls and the PHA dumpsters.  One of the carpenters took photos and samples of the debris to support his allegations.  He reports becoming concerned when he learned workers have been encouraged to “get the job done” despite possible asbestos exposure while completing repairs in the Housing Authority complex.  Robert Smith contacted the Daily News last month to express his concerns.  He states he made PHA managers, union leaders and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) aware of the practices and his concerns were not addressed.  Both workers are fearful of the long term consequences of asbestos exposure and losing their livelihood.

Asbestos removal and abatement can only be performed by trained and licensed contractors per local and state laws.  Unsafe handling can put workers, their families and the tenants at risk of future health issues.  Asbestos is known to cause mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses, but most asbestos related health issues have a latency period of 10-40 years.

PHA executives have denied the allegations and insist that workers follow asbestos laws.  They sent in a project manager who completed a visual inspection and then claimed the units to be safe.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the city Health Department decided to further investigate the carpenter’s claim.  They sent in their own investigators to complete “wipe samples” and air testing.  Lab results are expected today.  If the EPA investigation finds the asbestos handling rules were broken, PHA could receive civil sanctions and fines.

Read more at Toxic Haste

One advocate, Alison Seabeck, is also using this opportunity to ask for specialized treatment for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related disease victims.  Families, victims and advocates will continue to wait for this issue to be decided on.

Read the story “Pressure grows over payouts for disease”

Stephan Schmidheiny, the owner of Eternet, and Jean-Louis de Cartier de Machienne, the former managing director of the deny the allegations and have a team of 26 lawyers to defend their case.  The executives could face 12 years in prison if found guilty in this case.

The case has attracted much interest of victims, advocates and media.  Demonstrators have been present outside the court.  Inside the spectators, journalists and families if those involved filled three courtrooms. 

Many will be watching as this history making case progresses. 

Read more at “Mass Italy Asbestos Trial Opens”

Screenings and diagnostic tests for asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer are expensive.  This new grant will allow people to get initial screening and be tested more often.  Better screening can lead to earlier diagnosis, increased treatment options, and better quality of life.  The screenings began November 16th.

The health care component will assist in two ways.  For patients that have existing health coverage, the money will cover remaining treatment costs.  For patients without health insurance, the funds will cover their treatment costs.  Health benefits started on November 9th.

The second grant will allow a team of researchers to investigate the disease pathology in Libby and determine recommended cleanup efforts.  The project is know as the Libby Epidemiology Research Program and is a collaboration between Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Libby’s Center for Asbestos Related Disease (CARD), researchers from the University of Montana and Idaho State University, and a national scientific advisory group.  The $4.8 million grant is provided by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry of the federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

The research will cover three topics related to asbestos exposure in Libby.  The first area will focus on risks of asbestos exposure during childhood in the town.  The second area will compare lung scarring for residents exposed only in the environment (not their place of employment).  The last area being studied is the relationship between autoimmune disorders, autoimmune antibody abnormalities, and CT-scan evidence of scarring lung disease specific to the those exposed to asbestos asbestos in Libby, Montana.

Both initiatives should provide some relief to the residents who have been devastated by the affects of asbestos exposure for decades. 

For more information:  Federal Funding for Libby Health Care Begins and Study on asbestos-related diseases in Libby launched