Ex-Councilman Sentenced for Illegal Removal of Asbestos

The ex-councilman of East St. Louis Ill city, Charles Powell Jr. was sentenced to prison term of 15 months and two years of supervised release on Monday for illegal removal of asbestos during renovation of building, violating the federal Clean Air Act.

The ex-council man, who is also the owner of Powell’s Demolition Co., was tried in the federal district court for the Southern District of Illinois. In June, Powell had already pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the clean air act and one count of failure to notify the concerned authorities before removing the harmful asbestos material.

Powell is accused of removing asbestos materials from a 12 story Spivey Building in East St. Louis when he entered into a contract with real estate developer Phil Cohn in 2002 for converting the building into an office complex and shopping center. Powell did not take any preventive measures for workers during the renovation work and did not follow the EPA safety rules of wetting the asbestos before removing it. Along with this, Powell is also guilty of not consulting the contract waste haulers and notifying the Illinois Environment Protection Agency regarding the asbestos removal.

The other party in this case, Cohn has also been indicated and sentenced for his involvement in the renovation project to 60 moths jail and five years supervised release on the same changes in 2005.

Asbestos was commonly used in thermal insulation and other building material for its fire retardant properties. However, it is a deadly carcinogen too and causes malignant mesothelioma cancer and impairment of body organs that result in death. Due to the severity of diseases caused by asbestos, its use has been banned by the EPA of US. According to EPA safety standards, all asbestos material must be wet before it is handled to avoid asbestos exposure.

This case has been investigated jointly by the EPA and FBI and prosecuted by the US Attorney’s office for the Southern District of Illinois.

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Asbestos to be Cleaned from Boston School without Closing Down

According to news published in Boston Herald, asbestos has been discovered in a school in Newton, a community in the Boston area. As indicated by the news report, the authorities have decided to go ahead with the asbestos removal project from the school without closing it down.

Initially, it was planned that asbestos materials would be removed from the Newton North building site during the summer break. However, according to a new statement from spokesman, the asbestos materials will not be removed from the school until the students return in fall this year.

A licensed asbestos removal firm, McPhail Associates Inc. has been hired to remove asbestos materials from the school building. They say that the sporadic asbestos pieces found underneath the high school site in April do not belong to dangerous form of asbestos. They belong to the harmless category of asbestos and are not hazardous to human health. However, the state is taking all the necessary steps to ensure safe removal of asbestos products and for this purpose they have also hired a professional asbestos removal company.

However, the most important thing is the presence of asbestos in school and its consequent inhalation by the children. Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma, a deadly cancer and other lung diseases too. Although, the asbestos found here is said to be of the safest kind, yet it is important that all the precautionary measures are taken to make this process as smooth and secure as possible.

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Apartment Complex in Virginia Evacuated After Asbestos Scare

Four buildings of an apartment complex in Virginia have been evacuated by the authorities after it was discovered that they are contaminated with the deadly mineral asbestos.

These four buildings belong to the Oyster Point Palace Apartments in New Port News, Virginia. According to a story run on WWEC.TV, tenants of all the four buildings found a letter hanging from their doorknobs on Thursday. This letter stated that the walls and ventilation systems of their apartments are clogged with asbestos and they are at risk of mesothelioma cancer.

According to Twane Shelton, a relatively new resident at Oyster Point, there was no knock on the door and he calls it very sneaky and suspicious. Shelton shares the apartment with his roommate and both expressed their dissatisfaction with the management saying that they were placed into a filthy apartment when they moved in.

When an unlocked apartment in the complex was inspected by a TV station, a plastic sheet covering and asbestos warning signs were found a few feet away from the rooms Shelton and his roommate Ryan Spiker share. Both men are very angry and say that they were duped by the management into moving to an unhealthy complex.

Shane says that the management knew about it but did not bother telling the residents about the danger they are living in. They are also concerned as they spent all their money to rent this apartment and now they are broke without any other place to live.

Meanwhile, the management at Oyster Point Palace said that they had no comment to make on the situation.

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Threat of Asbestos Exposure after Fire in Building

Fire in Smith Steel Casting, an East Texas building has increased the risk of asbestos exposure in the area. Apart from being a steel casting building, it also held significance as a historic structure. It is reported that the neighbors noticed smoke coming out from the building around 6:48 pm. However, by the time fire department was called, it was already late for fire fighters to save the massive structure of 3,500 to 4,000 feet.

All the three Marshall stations brought in their personnel and equipment to the site to save whatever they could, according to City Fire Marshall Reggie Cooper. Cooper says that they had a hard time saving whatever they could and terms it as total loss. Moreover, the fire spread very rapidly from one end of the building to another and all the forces combined were unable to save it. Due to a large stack of old papers, it took very little for the fire to spread quickly.

Cooper further adds that the building owners are steeping up security and the fire department is also taking extra precautions due to unsafe structure of the place. Also, the interior steel members of the building are sagging and the metal roof may collapse any time, thus people are asked to stay away from the place.

Cooper also adds that the building is very dangerous right now as it is full of asbestos. People have been warned to stay away from asbestos for sake of their own safety. Asbestos is a very deadly mineral and can lead to mesothelioma and other lung diseases.

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Asbestos Particles a Constant Thereat to Beachgoers at Illinois Beach State Park in Zion

A team of scientists from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of US is carrying out additional tests to determine if there is any risk of asbestos exposure to people visiting the Illinois Beach State Park.

It has been 10 years since it first came to knowledge that asbestos contaminated debris was washing up at Illinois Beach State Park in Zion, Illinois. It was very alarming as it posed a risk of asbestos exposure and subsequent deadly diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung scarring. Until recently, the state park was declared to be safe by federal as well as the state authorities. However, EPA raised concerns regarding the asbestos exposure that could take place at the beach and affect numerous people coming here.

To check for asbestos exposure, scientists were seen engaged in childlike activities while they collected samples from air and sand. Even last year, air and sand samples were taken from the state park to be checked for asbestos contamination. According to the results, very low levels of asbestos were found that do not pose a threat to environment. However, a national preview panel recommended that additional tests should be performed as they showed lack of confidence in the tests. However, the scientists believe that the results would remain the same.

What cannot be denied is the presence of asbestos fibers in the sand due to which there is a constant danger of asbestos diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis etc. and there are enough asbestos fibers on the sand to worry the people and state of Illinois. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources sweeps the beach every week and during the summer months they even went to the extent of 3 sweeps per week to check for any asbestos contaminated debris on the beach.

Each time asbestos fibers were found on the beach, it lead to concerns among the Illinois Dunesland Preservation Society, the founders of the park as well as the people who are aware of dangerous consequences of asbestos inhalation. These air and sand samples will be analyzed by the EPA and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) after which a final report on safety of the beach is expected.

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Asbestos Discovery at New Jersey School Raises Concerns

St. Mary’s High School in Rutherford, New Jersey has been detected with traces of asbestos that has raised questions and concerns regarding the safety of children in school. Asbestos has been found in ceiling of the locker room of wrestling team.

Officials believe that asbestos might have become air borne when the bathroom located above the locker was renovated in the past. After this discovery the EPA officials were called in who found traces of asbestos on a steam pipe in the high school cafeteria too. The pipe is said to be wrapped in asbestos and asbestos became loose when it was scrubbed after a leak in November 2006. At that time the officials believed that all asbestos has been removed from the school premises but it seems they were wrong and now their worst fears have been confirmed.

The officials have promised that the loose asbestos will be removed and the locker room will be cleaned properly following the EPA guidelines for asbestos removal. Air samples have also been collected at the high school but it will take a period of almost 6 weeks for results to be announced.

The parents of children coming to St. Mary’s High School were informed about this situation in a letter that was send by the parish last week. Many of the parents have raised concerns that even though the school authorities were aware of asbestos presence in school, yet they did not notify them.

The school authorities have promised that that they will ensure proper asbestos removal. They have also tried to over come their deficiencies that were earlier pointed out by EPA inspectors by coming up with a appropriate management plan for asbestos as required by the law and getting the school maintenance and custodial staff trained for handling asbestos.

Asbestos is a mineral fiber commonly used for insulation and fireproofing. However, it is a deadly toxic and its exposure can lead to various diseases especially mesothelioma cancer that can result in death.

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Excessive Use of Asbestos in Asia draws attention of International Ban Asbestos Secretariat

A rise in asbestos usage has been noticed in Asian countries especially in China and India. Based on this, the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat has published a report titled as Killing the Future: Asbestos Use in Asia.

This report mentions in detail the rising use of asbestos in Asia and the threat it poses to workers handling asbestos. Along with this, the report also mentions in detail the success of various campaigns that were run to lessen the importance of asbestos dangers as well the associated health risks. The report quotes an interview by Chairman of the Asbestos Cement Products Manufacturers’ Association in India who claimed in one of his media appearances that the asbestos used in India is free of all health hazards and poses no risk to health of workers.

The other Asian country to make excessive use of asbestos is China. It has been noted that although China is one of the top 5 producers of asbestos in the world, even then it imports sizable amounts of asbestos from other countries. Much of this asbestos is imported from Russia that is used in various industries to meet domestic demands.

According to statistics, asbestos usage in China rose 40% just in four years from 2000 to 2004. The report mentions the health risks caused by extensive exposure to asbestos that are caused when asbestos is handled. Even natural disasters like earth quakes and tsunami have played an important role in exposing people to this harmful toxic. Mesothelioma, the cancer of lungs was considered very rare in this region, however with time and exposure, asbestos and mesothelioma cases are increasing in number.

The report in general covers all the Asians countries that are using asbestos to meet their national and domestic needs and stresses on the health risks it poses to their workers. It also stresses the increasing number of mesothelioma and asbestosis patients being reported in Asian countries as more and more people are being exposed to asbestos and emphasizes on the need to eliminate the use of this deadly carcinogen.

Check out full report Killing the Future: Asbestos Use in Asia

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Steam Pipe Explosion in Boston Street showers Asbestos-Contaminated Water

A steam pipe explosion in Boston led to spray of asbestos contaminated water and debris over the Otis Street of Boston. Due to the explosion, Otis Street was closed to pedestrians and other people that caused problems for commuters who needed to pass this busy intersection at Otis Street and Summer Street.

Eye witnesses say that the explosion took place around lunch time and left people working near by stunned and shocked. According to one witness, she saw huge steam rising from the man hole going up at least 10 or 11 stories high. According to reports, at least 5 people had to be given emergency treatment to decontaminate them from the asbestos water and debris that were present at the site of explosion when it occurred. Four people are reported to be taken to hospital but none of the injuries were life threatening. The only danger here is exposure to asbestos that took place when the explosion occurred as asbestos exposure can create a risk for mesothelioma cancer and other fatal lung diseases.

The reason behind explosion of steam pipe remains a mystery as authorities are still looking for the trigger that sent asbestos contaminated water and debris over the busy street. Health officials from the state department and other workers are collecting dust and air samples to check out the extent of asbestos contamination in the debris while the cleaning is still in progress.

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Asbestos Contamination makes Demolition of Vacant Houses in Buffalo More Expensive

Buffalo has its share of vacant and run down houses that are becoming a nuisance to neighbors and others living nearby. According to an estimate, Buffalo has more vacant houses per capita than any other city in US expect for St. Louis.

These vacant houses have become a respite and heaven for criminals who carry out their illegal and prohibited activities here that often result in burning and straining fires causing problems and further expenditures on various state departments to keep them intact. These vacant houses also slow down the investment in nearby areas that is badly needed for progress. Now with mutual decision, it has been announced that these houses would be demolished in the next 5 years.

However, the estimate that was initially planned for demolition of these vacant houses has risen considerably. This rise in cost is due to presence of asbestos that needs careful handling to prevent asbestos exposure. The estimate for demolition of these asbestos contaminated houses is coming to $16, 040 per house. This is 31% more than the actual cost that was estimated to tear down these houses. It is because asbestos handling needs careful handling and machinery so that it can be removed without posing any health risk to people working on the site and living here.

However, the mayor of the city has promised to take care and spend more money if needed for safe removal of asbestos from these houses.

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Asbestos Cleanup Completed Along the Nashua River

According to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the US, the half-acre site beside Nashua River, next to the city library, has been cleaned up after digging 95 tons of asbestos contaminated soil. It took almost three week to clean asbestos completely from the riverside soil. Some special type of cloth and at least six inches of fresh soil was used to cover the area after the cleanup.

Throughout the area of Nashua and Hudson, a legacy of the Johns Manville Plant on Bridge Street, high levels of asbestos are present. The company actually supplied leftover asbestos to people who want the material for construction purpose, as it is commonly used for building fireproof building, roads, parks and parking lots for seven decades. Due to this, asbestos remains kept on been accumulating and were becoming more and more dangerous with the passage of time posing the risk of mesothelioma cancer and other deadly diseases to residents of the area.

It was discovered that the asbestos fibers were being released from the contaminated soil, which can cause mesothelioma if inhaled. After the investigations concluded that presence of asbestos was becoming airborne by erosion and mowing, the EPA team jumped in to clean this deadly toxic from the river bank.

The estimated cost for the clean up work was around $140,000, which was taken under control of EPA’s Emergency Response Program in New England.

It has been known that the south side of the Nashua River has been contaminated since long. It was discovered when a walkway was built, next to the library a decade ago. But, when the extent and dangers of asbestos were estimated, the EPA hastened with the cleanup process.

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Demolition of Buildings in Small Town Faces Problems Due To Asbestos Contamination

Dealing with asbestos contaminated buildings can surely put a damper on construction and renovation business. Also, it is very risky to deal with such buildings, as they can cost up to the entire small town’s budget not to mention the health hazards they possess to the population. “It was dangerous, but we couldn’t afford to do anything with it. It was mind-boggling,” said Mayor Jim Johnson.

The officials of Deer Trails, a small town, ran into a big problem when they decided to demolish a crumbling old building that was found to be contaminated with asbestos, a deadly carcinogen. The structure in question is the century-old Schindler building that never recovered from a 1965 flood and cannot be left standing any more due to asbestos threat nor cleaned up as the entire budget for its cleaning can exceed the whole town’s budget.

The demolishing of this building in Deer Trails began last year by a contractor but it was stopped when the building was discovered to be polluted with asbestos. This natural mineral was used in construction here till the 1980’s as a fire proof material.

On the Eastern plain, many building are asbestos contaminated and would eventually undergo demolition. However, it is very costly to clean up the asbestos contaminated buildings in a small town with proper technical cleanup equipment. “There’s a crying need out there,” said Mark Walker of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “There’s no cheap way for small towns to dispose off asbestos safely, and there’s no money.”

During the last months, contractors masked the left over of Schindler building with plastic sheets and cleared the walls of the fellow buildings from asbestos-laden debris and plaster. Now, when the site is standing vacant, it will be sold to a commercial buyer.

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Truck Hit Causes Asbestos Exposure, Destruction of Classroom and Teacher’s Work of 20 Years

Massive amount of asbestos was released when a truck hit through the wall of Northampton Primary School earlier this year destroying a classroom. The truck caused asbestos discharge, wasting 20 years’ work of a teacher. Each and every item in the classroom has to be replaced as it was contaminated with asbestos and was dangerous for the pupils. The teacher burst into tears when she came to know about her hard work being wasted.

The crash caused a lot of damage to the school building that is estimated to be more than £7,844. Although the monetary loss would be covered yet the loss to the teacher and the pupils cannot be covered up. David Bush aged 21, of Stanley Street, Semilong, is cited as causing the accident when he crashed the hot wired the truck into the school building. He was convicted in a trial at Northampton Magistrates’ Court for illegally smashing the truck into the school building causing damages.

It was mentioned in the court that the classroom became contaminated with asbestos because of the damage done by the truck hitting the wall. The toxic fibers of asbestos were released all over the room, after the truck shattered the asbestos insulation board.

“The head teacher was working inside the premises when he heard a loud bang. He thought it was workmen at the school, as building work was taking place at the school at the time,” Abigail Turner, the prosecuting attorney told the magistrates. She also remarked, according to her investigation, that the truck was being used for building work at the school. While the trial was proceeding, Bush admitted that he was driving the truck but denied the damage for which he was accused. He claimed that after he started the engine, another person drove the car and Bush jumped in the truck to save it from the hitting the classroom.

Nonetheless, the magistrate declared that his version of the story could not be believed and sentenced him, after he argued in the entire trial that he did not cause the damage. Asbestos is a natural mineral that can lead to mesothelioma and other cancerous diseases if it is inhaled. It has also been declared as a legitimate cause of death by the US government; thus anyone causing damage to general health of public through asbestos is liable to a punishment by the state.

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Alimta®-Platinum Compound for Pleural Mesothelioma treatment

Clinical trials, conducted in Italy, have proved the chemotherapy combination of Alimta® (pemetrexed) with a platinum compound (Platinol® [cisplatin] or Paraplatin® [carboplatin]) respond well for pleural mesothelioma treatment.

The results, presented at the 2007 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, confirmed previous findings of the same, which were as follows:

• Chances of survival increased to about 64%.
• Cancer progression decreased by about seven months.
• Anticancer responses were higher by 26.3% for patients who took Alimta/Platinol when compared with 21.6% for those who took Alimta/Paraplatin.
• Blood cells’ level of Alimta/Platinol patients dropped extensively and frequently than Alimta/Paraplatin patients.

An active combination of Alimta/Platinum, i.e. Alimta with Platinol or Alimta with Paraplatin was given to 745 untreated patients who responded well to the pleural mesothelioma treatment.

Pleural mesothelioma, a rare cancer on the tissues of the lungs leading to the chest, is caused most often by exposure to asbestos. Diagnosed only in its last stage, pleural mesothelioma does not respond to the typical cancer treatments.

Mesothelioma patients may consult with their physician prior to the Alimta and platinum compound pleural mesothelioma treatment for risks and benefits, or visit the National Foundation for Cancer Research at their web site http://www.nfcr.org/ .

Source: National Foundation for Cancer Research

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ABSESTOS SAFETY- call for action worldwide

The recent fire breakout in the premises of a building in Texas (click here for details of news) has caused the emittance of the well-known cancer causing compound-asbestos. Residents are instructed to stay away for the next six months.

This is alarming not just for them, but for the entire nation as the rate of diagnosis of mesothelioma rises.

Asbestos, known for causing a deadly form of cancer-mesothelioma which, if not diagnosed early, proves fatal. It is waterborne as well as airborne and asbestos safety warnings are spreading through media as well as health organizations.

The discovery of the hazardous effects of asbestos in the 1960s caused uproar countrywide and litigations rose against companies who used asbestos-containing products. The heavy fines, however, could not compensate for the resultant numerous deaths, which continue to rise.

Presently, the awareness that the presence of asbestos resulting in mesothelioma cancer, is not only limited to miners and factory workers, but also exposed through household products, toys, building material and chemical products.

Countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom have imposed ban on the use of asbestos and citizens’ campaigning has risen to promote asbestos safety.

A major concern that has yet to be voiced is against one country that exports on a massive scale production range from toys to heavy duty machinery throughout the world and legal action could cost them heavily as well the large multinational corporations whose orders are placed with them.

The government, at its discretion, has taken precautionary measures by ordering companies whose products that have tested positive for asbestos after laboratory tests, to take their product off the market.

However, due to this discretion, companies continue to use asbestos and import them to places where the ban is yet to be imposed. The absence of a public message warning people against the use of asbestos containing products is of grave concern.

Advice on asbestos safety measures must be dealt with immediately before its too late!

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Mesothelioma Statistics 2007

The year 2007 has revealed an increase in the number of people with mesothelioma occurring between the ages of thirty and forty years.

Every year, as much as 2,000 to 3,000 new patients are diagnosed with mesothelioma. An estimated seventy-five percent cases are caused by direct exposure to asbestos is the main cause.

As a result, mesothelioma statistics may not accurately reflect the number of people who develop the disease. Statistics for the year 2007 indicate that men are more prone to mesothelioma than women due to exposure at work.

Statistics reveal, due to mesothelioma’s latency period, people between the age bracket of 50 and 70 years were commonly the sufferers

Based on industry and occupation, statistics indicate that mesothelioma is likely to be found in people working in industries like construction, railroad, shipyard, manufacturing, automobile industries with construction industry only having about 1.3 million people being exposed to asbestos.

Mesothelioma and Life expectancy post- diagnosis:

Mesothelioma statistics indicate life expectancy of people after detection of mesothelioma to be about an average of one year and with early detection and aggressive treatment as much as two to five years at the most. According to mesothelioma statistics, between 43,000 and 230,000 people have died from the cancer throughout the country. An average cost incurred by the patient is about USD 400,000 and USD 800,000 for treatment.

Mesothelioma is incurable. Owing to the fact that Mesothelioma treatments cost substantial amount of money, patients need to file lawsuits to recover medical and other costs related to this disease.

Mesothelioma statistics do not indicate the figures related to people who are susceptible to this disease or who are presently victims of mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma statistical research:

Companies using asbestos are initiating research in the field, as people diagnosed by this disease claim compensation for asbestos exposure. The National Institute of Cancer performs continuous Mesothelioma research on the cause, symptoms, diagnosis as well as cure and treatment of the disease. Mesothelioma statistics help to gain an insight into research conduction by focusing on areas that require attention.

source : Health Magazine

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Mesothelioma Day Celebration: Pectel makes a donation of £10,000

The Pectel Group, the premier harmful waste removal companies in the United Kingdom has donated £10,000 to the Specialist Kent and Medway Cancer Network Mesothelioma team, having their base operations at the Medway Maritime Hospital in Kent.

The Pectel Group had previously organized a dress down day on the 27th February 2008 to back up the national Action Mesothelioma Day 2008 and carried off to raise £10,000 funds.

The Pectel Group, being a recognized asbestos cleanup pioneers multi-functional service company, have chosen the Medway area as they agreed on a Measured Term Contract with Medway Council for asbestos removal in all their council properties.

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Asbestos presence confirmed in toy products

Asbestos in toy products

Planet Toys’ premium toy, Planet Toys’ CSI: Crime Scene Investigation™ Fingerprint Examination Kit, tested by three laboratories indicated white “fingerprint dust” in the kits, which contained high levels of tremolite asbestos.

Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) appreciated Planet Toys’ decision to remove the toy from the US market that has tested positive for asbestos and wrote a letter to retailers requesting to stop the sale, which was immediately complied with.

Experts suggest a single exposure to tremolite asbestos is enough to increase risk of developing mesothelioma and other lung diseases associated with asbestos.

Planet Toys in New York City, the manufacturer and distributor of these toys claimed they have been checking the plants in China that make these toys. Chinese collections of plastic tools and different kinds of fine powder are found to contain asbestos. Doctors fear children playing with these toys will inhale the lethal substance leading to Mesothelioma.

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Honored ophthalmologist Dr. Robert Gale Martin dies of Mesothelioma

Dr. Robert Gale Martin, the originator of Carolina Eye Associates in Pinehurst, North Carolina, expired of Mesothelioma at the age of 65. Carolina Eye Associates (founded in 1982) was the first ophthalmic ambulatory surgery center east of the Mississippi. The ace ophthalmologist was diagnosed with malignant Mesothelioma two years before.

Dr. Martin was one of the earliest doctors to perform small-incision cataract surgery, corneal relaxing incisions and lens replacement. Previously, he was also a member of the 5th Special Forces Group during the Vietnam War and performed his duties as an army surgeon until 1971. He lived 5 years from the time of his diagnosis with malignant Mesothelioma cancer, but he continued operating and serving patients for as long as he could.

He authored about 165 publications and was one of the sharpest investigators for ongoing clinical research studies on lens implants used in cataract and lens-free vision procedures.

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Florida mesothelioma sufferer charges complaint in Madison County

Leo Flynt, a resident of Florida, suffering from mesothelioma cancer accused an asbestos suit in Madison County Circuit Court May 22, asserting his disease was caused in an unfair manner.

Flynt was actually employed as an electrician from 1946 through 1977 at different locations in Florida, Indiana and Illinois. He alleges that during the course of his employment and during home and automotive repairs he was exposed to and inhaled asbestos fibers emanating from specific products he was working with and around.

Flynt names 59 defendant corporations including Ford Motor Company, Chrysler, Bondex International, CBS, Federal-Mogul Asbestos Personal Trust, General Electric, General Motors, Goodyear, Honeywell International, Ingersoll-Rand, and International Paper etc.
He lays claim on defendants that they knew or should have known that the asbestos fibers contained in their products had a poisonous, lethal and highly harmful effect upon the health of people.

The case has been attributed to Circuit Court Judge Daniel Stack.

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International Symposium On Malignant Mesothelioma 2008

Contributing experts worldwide on the asbestos-related mesothelioma cancer, will join meso patients, caregivers, loved ones and advocates to allocate the most modern trends in mesothelioma treatment, research and clinical trials at the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation’s International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma, 2008, Thursday, June 26 - Saturday, June 28 at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C.

The Symposium, which is unionized annually by the Meso Foundation, will focus on the latest advances in research and treatment for patients and caregivers, provide psychosocial support to them plus those who have lost someone to the disease, and offer significant advocacy and volunteer opportunities for all who are intent on carrying off the vicious and terminal effects of this tragic type of cancer; mesothelioma.

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Mesothelioma Survivor Speaks

Mesothelioma survivor, Paul Kraus and his wife Sue spoke to another inspiring teleconference on June 06. They addressed over 30 newly diagnosed mesothelioma patients and their relatives. During the session, they talked about Paul’s diagnosis and prognosis, the physical treatments he pursued, the mental and spiritual approaches he used, working with doctors, and the caregiver’s perspective.
Paul was diagnosed in 1997, with widely disseminated mesothelioma cancer. Paul’s doctors expressed that his cancer was “terminal” and that he should start putting his activities one by one. Rather than giving up, he made his own path to remedial using many alternative and integrative therapies and modalities. At the moment, after 11 years of his “death sentence” diagnosis, Mr. Kraus is happily living.
Paul also wrote a book about his healing journey and named it “Surviving Mesothelioma and Other Cancers: A Patient’s Guide”.

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Pleural Mesothelioma - Facts, Diagnosis and Causes of Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural Mesothelioma is one of the three different types of mesothelioma menace. The other two types are pericardial and peritoneal. Out of the three types, pleural is the most communal to be diagnosed, at seventy-five percent of all Mesothelioma diagnosis.

Pleural mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs, which is called the pleura. When menace is in the pleura it is termed pleural mesothelioma, along with the lungs, there is a dilute film which is called the mesothelium, hence, the name of the bane. The mesothelium's meeting is to offer fluid for the lungs so that they can commit and inflate. The mesothelium is vital to breath.

Pleural mesothelioma develops when a role is constantly exposed to asbestos. A lot of patients who have pleural mesothelioma were exposed to the asbestos while at work.

When asbestos fibers are inhaled on a continual footing they become embedded in the pleura. When they embed themselves in the pleura it settles and causes inflammation. With the inflammation comes the danger of cancerous tumors. It could take living before the disease surfaces.

Symptoms for mesothelioma do not mostly strike pending the late stages. Some of the symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are tininess of breath, panting, coughing, and chest drag, fluid around the lungs, and difficulty words or hoarseness.

These symptoms can be, and regularly are, bemused with other regular illness, which makes pleural mesothelioma very hard to spot properly. In most suitcases the first symptom of pleural mesothelioma is chest sorrow. The chest bound is caused by growing tumors in the pleural liberty. The tumors also begin the pleural cosmos to block with fluid.

There is no cure for pleural mesothelioma but there are many remedy options and researchers are effective on more medicine options daily.

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Mesothelioma Prognosis: A Difficult Challenge to Face

Mesothelioma forecast and mesothelioma conduct options depend on the magnitude of the swelling, the platform of menace, ability surgical deduction of any growth, amount of fluid in the chest or abdomen, complete shape and age of enduring, certain kind of mesothelioma growth cell and, whether cancerous cells are found somewhere moreover in the body.

The mesothelioma prospects is determined through material examination and the outcome of several shape tests planned to evaluate the bloody asbestos scourge. Once a mesothelioma diagnosis is finally determined, then treating this aggressive and pink canker can instigate. Early diagnosis and alleviate are most important in looking for a favorable mesothelioma prospects.

Since mesothelioma is generally diagnosed at a higher playhouse, the statistics for one to five year survival are mostly unreliable.

The two most ordinary types of mesothelioma are peritoneal (abdominal) mesothelioma and pleural (lung) mesothelioma, with pleural mesothelioma being the most communal. Peritoneal mesothelioma can be tough to platform because of its scarcity. The primary symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are cunning and regularly ignored resultant in the swelling being higher when it is finally diagnosed causing it to be thorny to phase. However, because it is the most common of the mesothelioma cancers, pleural mesothelioma has manifold staging systems.

Unfortunately, patients who have been diagnosed with peritoneal or pleural mesothelioma are often advised of a grim mesothelioma diagnosis, one which can often be less than one year survival expectancy from the time of diagnosis. Of course every tolerant is so different requires a different mesothelioma conduct plan and as a product of the individuality of each tolerant, an accurate mesothelioma diagnosis must be individualized by your physician.

The mesothelioma scenario has some important factors such as the unwearied’s whole health at the time of diagnosis, demand enter of mesothelioma tumor, size of the mesothelioma tumor and specific location of the mesothelioma tumor. Normally mesothelioma is located near the necessary organs such as the mind and lungs which can root cruel consequences if the cancerous tumors start to prosecute on these essential organs. It is important to remember that the improved an unwearied is departing into action for malignant mesothelioma then the tolerant generally responds better to behavior and has a bigger chance of a prolonged survival.

After well-being diagnosed with mesothelioma and a mesothelioma scenario is made, the doctor and enduring will confer care options. Because there is no known cure for mesothelioma, medicine options are designed to relieve symptoms, try to avoid metastasis and to prolong life while maintaining an acceptable condition of life.

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Malignant Mesothelioma Diagnosis

The most perilous form of mesothelioma is the mean form. Known as cruel mesothelioma, the crucial causal aspect is asbestos infection. According to the US National Cancer Institute, "Malignant mesothelioma is a disease in which disease (malignant) cells are found in the sac lining the chest (the pleura), the lining of the abdominal void (the peritoneum) or the lining around the feeling (the pericardium)."

Mesothelioma can be classified into three types – pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma refers to a sarcoma of the lining of the lung (pleura), peritoneal mesothelioma refers to a melanoma of the abdominal opening (peritoneum) lining, and pericardial mesothelioma is a blight that occurs in the lining that surrounds the sympathy (pericardium). The subtypes of mesothelioma are of three vital types, one very aggressive, one least aggressive, and one deceit between the two extremes.

Malignant mesothelioma can be diagnosed through numerous imaging techniques. These imaging techniques allow physicians to assess mesothelioma. Once mesothelioma is suspected, patients are advised to undergo numerous tests, like X-ray, Computed Tomography (CT) check, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans, and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging. The doctor may also like to undertake unusual mesothelioma tests like thoracoscopy, peritoneoscopy and biopsy.

Learning about the arena of mesothelioma is a crucial aspect that helps physicians to determine the treatment intend. If the bane is confined to the pleura, mesothelioma is considered local. If the cancer spreads past the pleura and to other parts of the body such as the lungs, abdominal void, lymph nodes and the chest hedge, mesothelioma is considered to be in a difficult perform.

The oft used and the oldest organism for determining the stages of mesothelioma is the Butchart System. The Butchart System is based on the coverage of the first lump dimension vacant in an enduring. The logic divides mesothelioma into four stages. The TNM approach, faintly advanced logic over the Butchart System, determines enactment through variables of swelling in mass and the allotment, the lymph node involvement and metastasis. However, the latest order is known as the Brigham System, where staging is done the respectability and lymph node involvement. In nastiness of such present techniques, a definitive diagnosis of mesothelioma still skeleton probable through fluid diagnosis and bandanna biopsy.

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Mesothelioma Diagnosis Options

Mesothelioma plague is a very scarce and dodgy kind of diseases that could damage the person bodies in some regions such as pleura, peritoneum and pericardium. The pleura are the lining of lungs, the peritoneum is the lining of domestic organs in the abdomen and the pericardium is the sac that contains the spirit and the great vessels.

The diagnosis of mesothelioma blight is very arduous because the company of two reasons, the first intention is that the symptoms of hateful mesothelioma sarcoma take a very long time to be pragmatic, it may take at least 35 time to surface.

The back cause is the truth of being the symptoms of wicked mesothelioma is very like to other regular types of diseases that not dodgy at all. In some luggage, the unwearied shows no any symptoms which make it very grueling to determine mesothelioma in the right time. The early discovering of cruel mesothelioma disease may help in the action manage.

The options of mesothelioma diagnosis can be by with radiations such as x-waves, the with of CT scans, the using of Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI, and other methods that could be positive in the healing handle.

To know what the most operative procedure to get your mesothelioma container diagnosed, you must consult your physician. As I mentioned above, the early discovering of mesothelioma cancer would be very obliging to get mesothelioma treated. So, let your doctor to hardship the tissue that surrounds the lungs to settle what the best policy for handling is.

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About Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma - The Rarest Cancer

Mesothelioma is a form of evil caused predominantly by excessive exposure to asbestos, the other causes as, yet strange . Mesothelium is a protective lining on the inner organs on which cruel cells form. In most gear, pleura, the plane lining of lungs and chest hole are precious. Mesothelioma on the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal crater) or the pericardium (the sac surrounding the nucleus) is also general.

Mesothelioma is categorized broadly as: epithelial, sarcomatoid and biphasic (i.e. combination of epithelial and sarcomatoid)

Sarcomatoid mesothelioma:

Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is the rarest form of mesothelioma scourge, affecting only 10-20% of patients. In this, cells transform as spindle-shaped model that overlap one another and occurs from sustain tissues such as cartilage, muscle, bone and fat. Localized mesothelioma is when the pest is only on the film face. In superior stages, it spreads afar the creative crust surface to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, chest fence, or abdominal organs.

Diagnosis of Sarcomatoid mesothelioma:

Sarcomatoid mesothelioma, typically diagnosed by extraction of precious tissue during biopsy, can be grueling because symptoms of mesothelioma are like to those of other diseases. It also responds poorly to medicine, resultant in death within a year of diagnosis.

Symptoms of sarcomatoid mesothelioma:

Symptoms of mesothelioma can seem numerous decades after exposure to asbestos. The most ordinary was smarting due to fluid retention in the pleural corner, cough and spinal bulge, credence slaughter and accumulation of fluid in abdominal crater. Apart from these, blood clotting abnormality, anemia, and fever are familiar.

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Meothelioma Risk Calculator

This is a sole fate calculator that has been expressly devised keeping in heed the seriousness and the importance of mesothelioma scourge. This mesothelioma danger calculator has been intended after generous wary consideration to the required conditions unhurried against the circumstances that can trigger mesothelioma.

The end significance is an almost accurate mesothelioma danger calculator that collects all the important information that might have a hand in causing mesothelioma such as asbestos exposure, smoking and other genetic or environmental factors which theater an important part to become victim of asbestos which product in deadly pest of mesothelioma or asbestosis disease.

After careful calculation, you get the effect for your mesothelioma imperil factors. Depending on the factors that you chose, your significance will reveal if you have any occasion of misery from mesothelioma evil or asbestos.

There are many of people who can allowance from this mesothelioma endanger calculator. If you fear you worked in a place where asbestos exposure could have full place or if you surprise that they symptoms you are experiencing stem from mesothelioma, this time for you to make use of this mesothelioma calculator and reinforce your doubts.

Mesoblog.org mesothelioma jeopardy calculator will tell you in fine language if you are misery from mesothelioma, if you are at peril of distress from disease or if you have any chance at all receiving this spiteful cancer. Calculate your mesothelioma risk for free.

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Asbestos Mesothelioma Attorneys

Asbestos mesothelioma attorneys can help victims in receiving compensation for asbestos-related mesothelioma. Many mesothelioma attorneys with wisdom in this business have effectively obtained compensation from asbestos manufacturers.

Mesothelioma attorneys can recapture remedial overheads, missing wages, and punitive fees for sufferers and their relatives. A mesothelioma attorney can be introduced to the sufferers to natter about lawful responsibility in mesothelioma gear.

An elder mesothelioma attorney will have the legal information and associations to force unwilling parties into admitting liability. Several mesothelioma attorneys help their clients gain compensation without ever having to go to sample.

Mesothelioma attorneys can help their clients phone the clients of other mesothelioma attorneys. If both parties consent, the attorneys can work together on their cases.

If a part has been unnatural by mesothelioma, he should get in upset with a mesothelioma attorney for legal opinion. Mesothelioma, like other kinds of evil comes in two forms – kind and hateful. By far the most many mesothelioma is the scattered spiteful pleural mesothelioma. This kind of swelling is all-encompassing and very destructive. It spreads swiftly over the slight of the lungs, abdominal organs and center.

Life expectancy for sufferers of this malady normally varies from four to twenty-four months, depending on the crux at which the disease is identified, the comparative fitness and punch of the unwearied, and other aspects. The normal unwearied with turgid mean pleural mesothelioma lives between four and twelve months from the commencement of symptoms. With courteous remedial worry, some sufferers have lived for several being.

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California Mesothelioma Lawyer & Mesothelioma Attorney Facts

Mesothelioma is a devastating form of evil, but also very uncommon. The disease stems from the inhalation or drinking of asbestos particles. These particles can prick the lungs, intestines and even core. Particularly these particles irate the mesothelium, a protective sack the secrets fluids allowing organs to move right. In addition, the mesothelium can upgrade cancerous tumors which can essentially swell throughout the body. Most people diagnosed with mesothelioma only live for around five days after the situation develops.

Mesothelioma primarily affects three organs of the body. Affecting areas involve the lungs, the gastrointestinal article and the spirit. The most normal form of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma. The flash most normal form of mesothelioma is peritoneal mesothelioma which destroys the stomach & intestines. The rarest form of mesothelioma is called pericardial mesothelioma, which attacks the film lubricates in the nucleus during circulation.

There is no therapy for mesothelioma, but victims of this terrible disease still have many options free for confirm. Besides joist from family & links, it is also important to get official backing. Mesothelioma victims have many lawful options to explore and it is very important that you dealings a practiced mesothelioma lawyer when promising.Mesothelioma is a devastating form of cancer, but also fairly uncommon. The disease stems from the inhalation or eating of asbestos particles. These particles can pierce the lungs, intestines and even spirit. Particularly these particles irate the mesothelium, a protective sack the secrets fluids allowing organs to move right. In addition, the mesothelium can come cancerous tumors which can essentially broaden throughout the body. Most people diagnosed with mesothelioma only live for around five time after the state develops.

Mesothelioma primarily affects three organs of the body. Affecting areas include the lungs, the gastrointestinal piece and the spirit. The most public form of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma. The back most universal form of mesothelioma is peritoneal mesothelioma which destroys the stomach & intestines. The rarest form of mesothelioma is called pericardial mesothelioma, which attacks the film lubricates in the feeling during circulation.

There is no alleviate for mesothelioma, but victims of this terrible disease still have many options existing for defend. Besides prove from family & contacts, it is also important to get legal support. Mesothelioma victims have many legal options to explore and it is very important that you associate a trained mesothelioma lawyer when probable.

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Mesothelioma and the Asbestos Time Bomb

Why we penury Mesothelioma Lawyers.

The one-time lonely bowed killer that was once such an indispensible, yet unseen, part of our daily lives for so many centuries, is now a feared rival. It is Asbestos (from the Greek for 'inextinguishable') and is the rationale behind thousands of overall compensation claims, through mesothelioma lawyers, against employers, manufacturers and processors of asbestos-related yield.

Anyone suspecting they may be distressed as an outcome of exposure to asbestos, would be well advised to request the army of specialist mesothelioma lawyers, whose experience with industrial diseases can be of great help in reducing the concern and uncertainty people may face charming confirmed suitcases through the sometimes long treat of legal compensation.

Many asbestos employees, and those unwitingly exposed to asbestos, have been given a mesothelioma diagnosis for which there is no heal, possibly just a little interim relief, pending the inevitable distressing fall a few months or a year or two after the first symptoms of are noticed. This is why it is important for assumed sufferers to link mesothelioma lawyers as quickly they realise there may have been exposure to asbestos fibres or dust, over no count how midstream a spot.

Mesothelioma is a time bomb because minus than a day's exposure to asbestos dust can be enough to construct mesothelioma, some 30-40 days later, when mesothelioma symptoms are first noticed. Though most mesothelioma victims are men, because normally they worked in those industries, sometimes their wives and family too are harmless sufferers from this disease, inhaling the asbestos dust shaken from their partner's/fathers' clothing, or beard, at the end of the effective day.

Whether the error lies with manufacturers & employers (arrogant they knew of the dangers) or the employees (did everyone diligently use respirator equipment and protective clothing, if it was complete?), is something for the mesothelioma lawyers, assurance companies and courts to trounce out.

Meanwhile, asbestosis & mesothelioma victims are fading a tender and inexorable downfall, before their bags can even come to patio or a settlement is reached. As there is no heal for mesothelioma or asbestosis, all that can be done is to make the sufferer's dilemma as comfortable as probable, before casualty finally brings timely relief.

Although several governments have introduced, albeit tardily, anti-asbestos legislation, mesothelioma lawyers sometimes find that in some suitcases the time limit for claiming compensation is unrealistically brief, given
the long time (30-40 years) before mesothelioma symptoms are first noticed. Many victims are final, before they get a risk verdict, or even before they get to risk. Unlike its Greek derivation, Mesothelioma and asbestosis victims are not inextinguishable.

The History of Asbestos.

It is doubtless not generally known that asbestos has been around since 4000 BC, when it was worn in lamp wicks and candles. Interestingly, it was also used in the cloth wrapping of Egyptian mummies. Maybe this is the genuine beginning of 'The Curse of The Mummy' stories; grim robbers, and possibly Egyptologists, could assume to get their just desserts! Clothing made from asbestos was greatly esteemed in ancient period to wrap the bodies of Kings, so that their ashes would not mix with the earth or other contaminants during money, and it is said the Romans minimally threw their asbestos napkins into a fire to wash and distil them.

The fact that asbestos staff developed respiratory illnesses, and died fresh, was known as far back as Roman time when Pliny the Elder commented that asbestos personnel seemed to have many shape problems, advising against wholesale asbestos-workings slaves as they "died childish." Obviously, there were no mesothelioma lawyers around then! The deleterious things of asbestos, in novel industrial period, have been recorded as far back as the gain of the 18th Century but little factory owners rewarded remark & Governments to the plight of asbestos employees - labour was stingy and life even cheaper; nothing should suffer in the way of the sacred cows of Industrial Progress and the profits of industrialists and politicians.

That it took awaiting the 1970s before more stricter legislation to inhibit its use and safeguarded workers was drawn up, is scandalous. Charitable logic for this inertia might be that asbestos had become so commonly used in almost every look of our everyday lives, delivering such tremendous payback, that there was great reluctance finally to admit that something so nifty, could also be so deadly. People who have expounded the virtues of, and made a lot of money out of, asbestos are scarcely probable suddenly to chuck up their hands and admit to be wrong. The alternative, minus charitable, explanation can only be that greed and profit were more important than employees' wellbeing.

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