The theory was that three lethal forms of asbestos: tremolite, anthophyllite and actinolite, were not to be found anywhere in Japan, however, one of this deadly trio - tremolite - has been found in three locations, one of which is a nursery school. The discovery raises the possibility that tremolite has been widely used in Japan as a building material. Earlier this month, it was learned that surveys by municipal governments had found the three types at eight public facilities in Tokyo, Chiba and Niigata.

The problem has arisen because many asbestos inspections have not checked for these three forms of asbestos, believing that none of them have ever been used in Japan. The worry now is that use has been widespread. In all three cases, the tremolite had been contained in spray-on wall coatings. Concentrations of tremolite in the sprays used hit 60 percent at the nursery, 20 percent at the condominium and 7 to 10 percent at the office building. In all three cases, the tremolite was found during inspections conducted before demolition or alteration work and all of these inspections were undertaken by foreign companies who worked to US standards.

Worrying for Japan but reassuring for the US.

Daily Yomiuri Online

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 10:55 AM | Permalink

Eleven councils in the west of Scotland have called independent experts in to inspect schools, social work homes and offices after the errors came to light at Glasgow Scientific Services, a council-run laboratory.

The number of mistakes made by the laboratory's asbestos unit will not be known until independent inspections, which began 13 months ago, are completed.

So far, it has come to light that there were six mistakes made in five schools and a changing pavilion. Mistakes made could mean that 157 council workers and contracts have been exposed to asbestos.

Four out of the six-person asbestos unit have been fired.

BBC News

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 10:03 AM | Permalink

Back in the summer and fall of 2006 a research project was undertaken to ascertain if trees growing in asbestos rich ground released asbestos (amphibole) fibers when felled.

Assessments were undertaken in Libby, Montana, in the Kootenai Forest. This area falls inside the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) restricted zone surrounding the former W.R. Grace vermiculite mine. As a control, the same assessments were undertaken near Mizoula in Montana.

Measures were taken of asbestos concentrations in air in the personal breathing zone (i.e. air that would be inhaled) and also from surface wipes of personal protective clothing and each task was performed by four investigators (to measure intra-observer variations).

The results demonstrated amphibole fibers were present in meaningful quantities in both the personal breathing zone samples and the surface wipe samples. The trial concluded:

"Each of these three simulations were consistent in demonstrating that amphibole fibers are released from tree reservoirs during firewood-harvesting activities in asbestos-contaminated areas and that the potential for exposure exists during such activities."

For more detail, click here

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 11:55 AM | Permalink

De Soto Hospital in Shreveport failed to follow proper asbestos notification and removal regulations and now faces possible enforcement action by the local Department of Environment Quality.

Renovation work, which had been under way since mid-September, was halted when Mayor Curtis McCoy learned that hospital officials had failed to obtain the proper permits required under the state's new stringent construction code. After the shut-down, which took place earlier this month, samples were taken from the planned expansion area for the oncology outpatient clinic and asbestos was found.

Prior to the cease and desist order being served, interior work, including the partial removal of a wall, floor and ceiling tiles, had already been carried out by an in-house team and a contractor. No asbestos analysis was undertaken and, although board members had talked about asbestos abatement, no action was taken.

It is reported that the partial renovations undertaken did not cause any of the asbestos to become airborne.

Shreveport Times

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 09:39 AM | Permalink

Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology have developed a new technology for the removal of asbestos.

Using strong infra-red rays from a newly developed gasket, it has been possible to transform asbestos into a liquid within a few seconds, the liquid asbestos then quickly solidifys. This means that the lethal mineral can be removed without the dust becoming airborne. And all without damaging the concrete, too.

Heat melts away asbestos danger

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 03:19 PM | Permalink

In Colorado, a burst water pipe in a thrift store has caused more than just water damage; the ground floor of the building was revealed to contain asbestos in the drywall texture. A specialist removal contractor is to be hired to remove the asbestos but the owner of the store, in Loveland, is concerned that all stock will have to be destroyed. The store sells items to raise funds for a local medical center.

Thrift store flooded

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 09:30 AM | Permalink

Marine Atlantic's mission, according to its website is to:

provide a safe, environmentally responsible, and quality ferry service between the Island of Newfoundland and the Province of Nova Scotia in a reliable, courteous and cost-effective manner.

Well, it may well be reliable, courteous, and cost-effective but, back In October 2007, the corporation posted asbestos warning signs aboard the Atlantic Freighter, raising fears that employees were exposed to material for years without realizing it.

What pretty much scuppers the safe and environmentally responsible part of the Company's mission claim is the fact that asbestos was first discovered aboard the ship back in 1990 and, although encapsulation did take place at the time, it was never maintained and personal protective equipment ordered for workers never arrived.

The Atlantic Freighter is currently out of service for the winter but workers are due to return this spring.

However, since testing started at the back end of last year, health problems have started to come to light - seven out of the 58 participants who underwent testing in December were told to see their family doctor for further tests because potential problems were found. Three of the seven were told their issues could be related to asbestos.

Sue Irvine, representative of the Canadian Auto Workers union (CAW), which represents 600 Marine Atlantic employees said: "To me, those at the highest risk have not yet been addressed." She based her observation on the fact that those tested were present employees, but there are many retired employees who spent years working aboard the Freighter in jobs where they would have high chances of exposure. There are also, of course, dock workers, truck drivers, and other workers who may have been in contact with the asbestos.

Members of the CAW were hoping that all asbestos would have been removed by the time the boat went into service again this spring but this has not happened and, once the ship has been judged a safe workspace by environmental inspectors, employees do not have the right to refuse to work.

The company initially planned to remove all asbestos from the ship, but that could take up to a year, according to Ms. Irvine. That's time Marine Atlantic doesn't have.

It has been seeking a charter vessel to replace the commercial ferry, but to date has not reached a deal with any ship owner. The company are remaining circumspect on the matter while negotiations are in progress.

More asbestos testing for some employees

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 08:54 AM | Permalink

This from a press release by the Meso Foundation (link to the full release appears at the bottom):

The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (Meso Foundation) is excited to announce that, for the first
time, mesothelioma will be included as a research priority within the DoD's Medical Research Program, to begin February 2008. As a candidate research area within the program, mesothelioma investigators are eligible to compete for funding through the program's 2008 grant cycle.

This funding opportunity can serve as a vital resource to the meso community and is another crucial step toward advancing the research and treatment of mesothelioma. The Meso Foundation strongly encourages
mesothelioma investigators to consider submitting applications for funding in 2008, as the interest and engagement shown by the community will likely be a factor in whether mesothelioma is included as a candidate in future
years.

I know I've mentioned it in passing before but it is so important that the asbestos and meso community take this on board and make full and good use of this opportunity that I thought it worth mentioning again.

For full release, click here

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 09:12 AM | Permalink

Following a judgment by the Law Lords last October, which ruled that pleural plaques, a scarring of the lungs which can be a forerunner of deadly asbestosis and mesothelioma, is not a disease in itself, and is therefore not eligible for compensation, a protest group is heading to London later this month.

On January 29th, representatives from South Yorkshire, including trade unions, health groups, and law firms specializing in industrial disease litigation, are heading to London to lobby the Government in an attempt to get the decision overturned.

We will, of course, report on the protest when it happens.

The Star

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 08:57 AM | Permalink

PART TWO

Remember the prisoners from Chillicothe Correctional Institution who are suing the state because they say that prison officials knowingly exposed them to asbestos?

Well, today I can give you some background on that story:

Apparently, inmates collected a powdery substance from a dorm floor and snipped insulation from steam pipes. They sent these to an attorney, who had them checked out - they showed up positive for asbestos. YET, only last year prison officials told inspectors that there was no asbestos in housing areas of the aging prison, which opened in 1966.

Prison officials have been accused of knowingly providing false information, and a lawsuit has been filed seeking damages for inmates who might have been harmed by inhaling asbestos fibers. The lawsuit also alleges that inmate work crews have been forced to remove or work with asbestos without proper training or protection.

This is not the first time that Chillicothe has been involved in an asbestos scandal, back in 1995 an inmate lawsuit alleging harm from asbestos exposure was dismissed.

This is one that could get interesting!

Prison lied about asbestos, suit says

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 11:39 AM | Permalink

Fifty per cent of samples taken from the scene of a fertilizer plant that was destroyed by fire last week were found to contain asbestos.

After analyzing samples taken from Royster-Clark Fertilizer Plant, the fire marshall said that 50 percent of the samples contained the flame-retardant material often used in insulation. Of those samples, more than half contained 75 percent or more asbestos.

Investigators find asbestos littering site of Royster-Clark blaze

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 09:42 AM | Permalink

Forty-nine year old Michael Jones, from Doncaster in the UK, died last Friday afternoon in a hospice. He had mesothelioma, which was discovered back in August 2006 following a biopsy.

Mr Jones had been a police officer for thirty years - and there lies the problem - at only one time during his career was he in contact with asbestos, and then it was for half-a-day only.

The only line of inquiry for the Doncaster Coroner is a day about 20 years ago when PC Jones is believed to have visited a garage workshop where car brake pads were being made. At one time brake linings were made from asbestos to increase their heat resistance under heavy braking.

Of that visit to a Ferodo garage, PC Jones' widow says, "t was just a half-day visit about 20 years ago and he remembered asbestos dust being in the air and that stuck in his mind."

Up until now it has been generally assumed that a person needs to be in regular, repeated contact with asbestos dust to be at high risk of getting an asbestos related cancer.

What now? We'll follow the story.

Doncaster Star

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 09:00 AM | Permalink

About 30 current and former inmates of Chillicothe Correctional Institution in Ohio have filed a lawsuit against the state for exposure to asbestos during their prison time.

They claim that, although prison officials had been aware of the existence of asbestos in the jail for years, the prisoners had been forced to work with the mineral or remove it without training or protective clothing.

The lawsuit filed Jan. 8 in U.S. District Court, Southern District, seeks damages, but no amount has been determined.

Inmates sue state, claiming asbestos exposure

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 10:44 AM | Permalink

As a follow on to my story that Alfacell have sold the licensing rights for Onconase, I have now heard that the Company has a new Chairman.

The board of directors has appointed David Sidransky as the company's chairman, a corporate governance move that separates the position from the chief executive officer's role. Shugen will continue to serve as CEO.

Alfacell employs 16 people in Somerset, New Jersey, and is developing Onconase as a potential treatment for malignant mesothelioma.

New Jersey.com

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 10:02 AM | Permalink

Par Pharmaceuticals have brought the licensing and commercialization rights to Onconase from Alfacell; the drug is currently in Phase III development.

Under the terms of the agreement, Par's Strativa Pharmaceuticals unit will make an initial payment of $5 million to Alfacell. It will also pay an additional $30 million upon approval of the drug by the Food and Drug Administration.

Alfacell will still retain royalty rights, along with co-promotion rights.

Par unit buys licensing rights for malignant mesothelioma drug from Alfacell

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 09:30 AM | Permalink

Firefighters were showered with asbestos as they battled a fire in Rangiora, New Zealand, that gutted two shops.

The fire started early yesterday in a car park behind the town's war memorial and the site was cordoned off as police and fire safety officers investigated what they believe may have been a deliberately set fire.

Chief fire officer, Ross Ditmer, said that seven appliances had been needed to fight the blaze, which took about an hour to get under control. He also said that the main problem was the asbestos contained in the roof of the building. He went on to say,

"At one stage, with the heat of the fire, the asbestos was exploding and the fire officers were showered with it. We had to be careful how we attacked it."

Yet more evidence, as if any were needed, that fire officers are at high risk of asbestos induced cancers.

Firefighters work in asbestos rain

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 09:19 AM | Permalink

In an accident on Sunday, a large tractor-trailer believed to be filled with asbestos-containing materials dumped its haul on the Clearview Expressway in Queens. The truck apparently struck a median divider and overturned; it was about three in the afternoon. Clear up took hours.

The driver initially ran away but 39 year old Artur Gaska later returned, when he was arrested for leaving the scene of an accident. Police suspect that Gaska may have tried to escape because he was taking the asbestos materials to an illegal dumping ground.

A further investigation is under way to determine the truth of this suspicion.

Truck Carrying Asbestos Overturns

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 09:36 AM | Permalink

In Arkansas, an experimental method of demolishing buildings without first removing the asbestos has been trialled for the first time. The trial took place in a populated area and local residents are concerned that they may be exposed to airborne asbestos. Additionally the campaign group Public Interest has questioned claims that the method is a cheaper alternative.

Experimental asbestos removal method trialled in U.S. city

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 09:22 AM | Permalink

Diane McLellan and Lynne Squibb were so surprised by the myriad forms and legal complications when their father died from mesothelioma that they set up the Hampshire Asbestos Support and Awareness Group - HASAG.

But what started as a friendly coffee morning to help people who had been affected by the disease, has become a full-time occupation for the sisters and they hold regular events and even make home visits to offer their support.

Diane says:

"When our dad died we had no idea how much paperwork was involved and all the procedures with mesothelioma and the compensation forms. We were drowning in information and it was really good to have someone to talk to who knew what we were going through."

If you want to know more, the charity's website is here

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 09:43 AM | Permalink

Remember I told you about the Australian Government subsidizing Alimta so that folk don't have to pay for their own medication? Well it seems that there is additional news connected to this development.

Researchers say the subsidy has paved the way for a national clinical trial of Thalidomide as a follow-up treatment for mesothelioma sufferers.

The Australian Lung Cancer Trials Group plans to recruit 100 Australians who have undergone Alimta treatment to be part of the trial, dubbed MATES (MAintenance Thalidomide in mESothelioma).

Dr Pavlakis, who heads up the trial, said "The ultimate goal is that if we prove the hypothesis of the trial, which is that Thalidomide may actually delay tumour growth and maintain quality of life, ... we could argue for Thalidomide to be given as a standard after Alimta."

Way to go!!

Subsidy paves way for thalidomide trial

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 09:36 AM | Permalink

A press release on behalf of The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (Meso Foundation) informs us that it has awarded an additional $1 million to researchers at top national and international universities and institutions devoted to finding a cure for mesothelioma.

To spur the research critically needed to develop treatments for this long- overlooked, asbestos-related cancer, the Meso Foundation annually funds the top research projects from around the world through its competitive grant process. The recent award brings the funds the Foundation has awarded to over $5 million to develop better treatment options for mesothelioma sufferers.

To read the press release follow the link below:
One Million for Meso

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 09:19 AM | Permalink

Oh what a great leveler asbestos is! A conviction of gross negligence in exposing three former workers to dangerous levels of asbestos has been upheld against French tire giant, Michelin.

Two of the former workers have already died from asbestos induced cancer.

Michelin must now pay the widows of the two workers a monthly allowance equivalent to their deceased husbands' salaries in addition to compensation monies.

The company are planning their response.

Forbes

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 10:51 AM | Permalink

Following hot on the heels of yesterday's tale of the carpenter who was fired, we have the story of a steamfitter who says he was demoted because he questioned the presence of asbestos in several schools.

A press release from the lawyer of John Kielbasa says that the 22-year veteran steamfitter for the New York City Department of Education (DOE) has been reassigned to sweeping warehouse floors.

Kielbasa, who is known as Serpico of the Schools by some colleagues has been reporting loose friable asbestos when he finds it New York City Schools for the last 15 years. Frustrated by the lack of response to his concerns, Kielbasa took to collecting the loose asbestos he found and sent it off for analysis. When all samples proved positive, the DOE allegedly chose to discipline Kielbasa, rather than address the asbestos issue directly.

Asbestos Whistleblower Says He Got Demoted

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 10:56 AM | Permalink

Carpenter, LeRoy Falconi Jr. worked for the US Coastguard Academy in New London, Connecticut until he was fired recently. Well, you may say, people get fired all the time. The newsworthiness of this particular incidence is that Mr Falconi believes he was fired for asking Academy officials if he could see the asbestos documentation for the two rooms in which he had been removing tiles.

After Falconi brought the potential exposure issue to the attention of academy maintenance personnel, an air quality consultant was hired. The consultant tested the area and found that the tiles did not contain asbestos but that the underlying mastic or glue did. A licensed asbestos contractor was hired to clean the area and dispose of the material, and it was after this work was completed that Falconi asked to see the documentation.

The Academy's response was to give him a 14-year-old asbestos survey, together with a pink slip that alleged he was not "fit for duty" due to health reasons unrelated to asbestos.

Falconi's lawyer is evaluating potential claims that could be made against the Academy, including violation of Falconi’s rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act, federal whistle blowing guidelines, negligence on the asbestos issue, improper medical diagnosis and subsequent wrongful termination.

School officials claim, of course, that hat Falconi’s termination had nothing to do with his concern about being exposed to asbestos.

Carpenter Says He was Fired after Questioning Asbestos Exposure

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 08:39 AM | Permalink

A study being undertaken by University Health Network, Toronto, is currently recruiting volunteers. In layman's terms, Early Diagnosis of Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma in Prior Asbestos Workers is looking at serial use of low-dose computed tomography as a means of identifying mesothelioma before the symptoms develop. The method is to look at pleural plaques and document the volume of individual plaques as well as the overall volume, noting their growth rate over time. I imagine the study will result in the acquisition of valuable information regarding the type of plaques that are likely to become malignant and the rate of growth of these plaques.

The study is to be undertaken on a non-probability sample, which means that, in terms of the wider population, the results may be of limited value. Basically, non-probability sampling means that the volunteers included in the trial have been chosen without regard given to the likelihood of their representing the wider population.

Of course, in this study, the sample is limited to those who have previously worked with asbestos, which means that non-probability sampling is just fine.

I have tried to find more information from the UHN website but with little success. However, the results of my search make interesting reading, and you can them for yourself here

More complete details of the low-dose computed tomography trial can be found here

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 09:05 AM | Permalink

If you are a mesothelioma sufferer living in Canada, the following information may be of interest:

The Alberta Cancer Board are trialling a new treatment that uses radiation to treat mesothelioma more aggressively than has been possible before. This new radiation technology goes under the name of tomotherapy and it is particularly adept at treating unusually shaped tumors, particularly those that are wrapped around sensitive, normal tissue - such as you find in the lung.

The trial is currently recruiting and the aim is to treat 17 patients with tomotherapy and assess the breathing, symptoms, and quality of life of the patients before and after treatment .

The trial is non-randomized, which means that both you and your doctors will know what treatment you are receiving. The downside of this is that the patient will possibly not be so objective about symptoms because s/he so wants the trial to work - the same could be said of the people administering the trial. In this particular study there is no control group either, meaning that no meaningful comparison can be done. The results will be compared against the breathing, symptoms, and quality of life of patients who have previously received 'standard' treatment.

Having said all that - any trial has to be better than no trial and perhaps the study group will move onto randomized, controlled trials when the results of this one have been analyzed.

If you are interested in reading more, click here

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 09:08 AM | Permalink

A hugely interesting article in the current Forbes Magazine warns us that the W R Grace lawyer, David Bernick, is planning an argument that will try to persuade a Delaware bankruptcy judge to value as worthless tens of thousands of claims stemming from lawsuits against Grace.

If the total estimated claims of $6 billion were honored the company would become insolvent but Grace says that it can settle the mess for as little as $500 million.

Bernwick's argument is based on the alleged failure of claimants to submit evidence that they actually handled the company's building materials. He also alleges that, where claimants did submit such evidence, there was little or no evidence to link this contact with their subsequent medical problems.

To quote Bernwick himself, "We don't have to pay anything we're not legally liable for. If the evidence isn't there to support disease we caused, we shouldn't pay anything."

This case is simply more grist to Bernwick's mill - in the past he has just as fervently defended tobacco companies and breast-implant manufacturers.

The trial is due to begin in mid-January.

A Line in the Dust

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 09:43 AM | Permalink

From a recently released Occupational Health and Safety Newsletter, we learn that, at a military housing construction site at the federal White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, there have been twelve health and safety violations regarding the use of asbestos.

According to the article, Balfour Beatty Construction LLC, a UK based company, and C.F. Jordan LP, based in El Paso, Texas, are charged with allowing workers to allegedly remove underground concrete pipe containing asbestos from a military housing site. Not only did the contractors fail to wear protective clothing, they also failed to secure the site for containment of airborne asbestos.

OSHA is proposing to fine Balfour Beatty Construction,for three alleged willful and two alleged serious violations and and $145,000 to C.F. Jordan for two alleged willful and five alleged serious violations of its asbestos standards.

The companies have 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply with the orders or to request an informal conference with OSHA's area director. They may, alternatively, contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA fines two construction contractors combined $324,000 following asbestos exposure inspection

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 09:25 AM | Permalink

In my last entry I passed on to you the good news concerning the improved availability of Alimta in Oz but, just like a bad joke, here's the bad news...

According to an article penned by the Australian Associated Press (AAP), the president of the Asbesstos Disease Foundation of Australia (ADFA), Barry Robson, believes that thousands upon thousands of Australian homes still contain asbestos in attics, on roofs, and in walls. He believes the major reason that most home owners have not removed the dangerous material is due to the exorbitant cost of abatement. Not good eh?

In an effort to redress this situation, the ADFA are calling on the Australian Government and the new Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, for money to help subsidize the removal of asbestos from some homes. At the same time, the association will lobby the federal government to speed up the replacement of asbestos in Australian Defense Force equipment, which is heavily laden with asbestos.

Let's hope the Oz government want to keep the good news rolling.

Asbestos Group Calls for Help with Abatement

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 09:16 AM | Permalink

Hot on the heels of my news that Alimta is now widely available for UK meso sufferers, I now read of the same thing happening in Oz.

As of Tuesday January 1 2008, Alimta will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Previously, those who wanted to access the drug had to pay large amounts from their own pockets.

Prior to the decision to list the drug on the PBS, those who could afford it were paying $20,000 or more for six treatments. A price that kept sufferers – most of whom are blue-collar workers – from being able to obtain the drug. With the new plan, meso patients will pay a maximum of $31.30 for each prescription and some will pay as little as $5 per dose.

Australian Health Minister, Nicola Roxon, claims this is an important announcement following the death in November of Bernie Banton - a sad chapter that was covered extensively on these pages.

New Year Brings Drug to Australian Meso Sufferers

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 09:00 AM | Permalink

As I was trawling for valid research papers on asbestos and its associated diseases, I came across Keeping Junk Science Out of the Asbestos Litigation at the Social Science Review Network.

This is not medical research, as such, rather it is a paper that looks at the problems that may be encountered if invalid science is used for either diagnosing asbestos related illness or in litigation associated with such a diagnosis.

Once I have thoroughly read and digested the contents of this paper, I will post my summary and comments to the board. In the meantime, should you wish to look at the paper for yourself, you can find it here.

.

Posted by Dianne Sandland at 08:57 AM | Permalink