United States Navy or Merchant Marine veterans may be at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases as a result of asbestos exposure during their time in the military, according to a law firm press release.

The exposure comes from the fact that many vessels used by the United States Navy or Merchant Marine had parts or equipment containing asbestos up until the 1970s. People who served in the military may have been exposed to asbestos particles if they served during that time. Since it takes a long time to detect mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer linked to asbestos, people who served may have not thought to link their illness to the exposure.

Veterans who believe they may have developed health problems as a result of the asbestos exposure during their service are encouraged to seek legal council to discuss their options.

Posted by Astrid Scott at 01:55 PM | Permalink

A recent study in the American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology found that exposure to asbestos actually causes damage to DNA that can turn cells cancerous.

Researchers hope this discovery will help others find new ways to screen for mesothelioma and other dangers associated with asbestos exposure.

The problem right now, according to a write-up of the study, is that mesothelioma can go undetected for many years. Therefore people who have been exposed to asbestos may be suffering the damages without knowing it until its too late. The researchers associated with this study hope screening tests of the future will be able to detect damage such as mesothelioma early on, thus allowing doctors to intervene early and raise the survival rate.

Currently, mesothelioma is often found in very late stages and is often deadly.

Posted by Astrid Scott at 01:50 PM | Permalink

After a recent fire gutted the Estes Park's Park Theatre Mall in Colorado, officials found evidence of asbestos.

The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has worked to contain the asbestos, but it is an ongoing project.

It is not rare to find asbestos in buildings as old as the Estes Park's Park Theater Mall, which was built in the 1910s and renovated in the 1970s. Many old buildings such as that one may still have asbestos insulation.

Workers on the scene identified that quickly, as to avoid risking asbestos exposure. Asbestos has been linked to mesothelioma, a rare and often deadly cancer.

Posted by Astrid Scott at 12:58 PM | Permalink

Officials from a school in Long Island have taken responsibility for an error in judgement for not hiring a specialist to work with an asbestos-insulated area within the school.

The school said in a letter to parents that they had conducted air-quality testing and found no signs of detectable asbestos.

Because of the risks associated with asbestos, including links to mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, the state law in New York requires contractors who work with asbestos to have special permits. The school did not hire any such workers to work in the area.

Instead, they had an unlicensed worker run conduits through an asbestos-insulated area below the school.

An inspector visited the school after a complaint was filed regarding the incident.

Posted by Astrid Scott at 02:15 PM | Permalink

Early next year, a project will begin to remove asbestos from a public library in Oregon.

Officials wanted to put new lighting in the library, but were unable to do so because of asbestos. The lighting plan will go forward once the asbestos is removed, making the renovation safer for construction workers.

The asbestos is believed to be "encapsulated," which means that it is not hazardous to library patrons and workers as long as it remains untouched. The drilling associated with the lighting project would have made the asbestos risky, as it has been linked to health issues such as mesothelioma.

According to reports, the city has been hoping to remove the asbestos for years.

Posted by Astrid Scott at 10:38 AM | Permalink

In the News You Should Already Know By Now category, researchers have recently learned that workers who have had a somewhat low exposure to asbestos were still at a high risk for mesothelioma.

It has long been believed that only workers who were exposed to asbestos for long periods of time risked contracting mesothelioma, which is a form of cancer, but that is no longer the case. A study recently found that all workers who had exposure to asbestos were in danger.

The study also found risks in man-made vitreous fibers, which is a common asbestos substitute. More research is needed to determine if that material does in fact pose a risk.

Posted by Astrid Scott at 05:22 PM | Permalink

After a four-year legal battle, federal prosecutors have asked a judge in San Diego to dismiss a workplace asbestos violation case against a private contractor and two San Diego Gas & Electric employees.

According to the case, the workers were accused of mismanaging an excavation project back in 2000. Residents in the area claim that their failures resulted in their exposure to toxic materials.

San Diego Gas & Electric said that numerous tests did not find any asbestos following the excavation project.

Not happy with the decision, residents are not giving up. A local blog says some residents are considering civil action against the company.

Posted by Astrid Scott at 01:54 PM | Permalink

Asbestos is one of the leading causes of mesothelioma, a rare cancer that is often deadly. Even light exposure to asbestos can be dangerous, so when people remove it from sites they must take certain precautions.

A New Jersey based contractor recently failed to follow these precautions when removing asbestos from a local high school, Roosevelt High. The contractor allegedly improperly removed the asbestos and their own workers were at risk, as they were seen not wearing proper respirators while doing their work.

After the work was completed, staff at the school said debris began to fall into classrooms.

State investigators are currently looking into the situation.

The full story is here.

Posted by Astrid Scott at 01:29 PM | Permalink