Asbestos &amp; Mesothelioma News

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Lung cancer is more than a smokers’ disease

The world seems to turn pink each October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but little recognition is given to the month that follows. November marks Lung Cancer Awareness Month, intended to educate the public about the leading cause of cancer deaths among men and women in the United States. As smoking rates decrease, the rate of lung cancer cases are diminishing as well, but it’s still the second most diagnosed cancer in the United States. Just three years ago, more than 200,000 people were diagnosed, accounting for 14 percent of all cancer diagnoses. Lung cancer is also responsible for...

29 May

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Asbestos: Past risk or future threat?

Most people never think or worry about asbestos. Once deemed a miracle fiber, the substance’s use was largely eradicated after OSHA came into existence. What many don’t realize is the lasting effects of the carcinogen. At one time before the dangers were realized, asbestos appeared in a variety of manufactured items, from insulation to clothing. Exposure occurred from the products, in factories and from their loved ones’ work clothes. Use finally declined in the 1970s, but many countries (including the United States) haven’t implemented a ban, making it a worldwide threat. It serves as the largest cause of work-related deaths in the United...

29 May

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Recent rulings discipline careless asbestos handling

Three recent verdicts represent the lack of care still associated with asbestos removal. In each case, the defendants either performed botched removal jobs or exposed workers to the deadly fibers without proper protection. During the demolition of a vacant public housing facility in Buffalo, New York, two city inspectors failed at ensuring asbestos was safely removed and didn’t escape into the nearby community. William Manuszewski and Donald Grzebielucha worked for the city for many years and were trusted, law-abiding employees according to court documents. The pair admitted guilt for violating the Clean Air Act through negligent endangerment. Their clean records and...

29 May

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Mesothelioma treatments found in unexpected places