Firefighters reach settlement with city in asbestos lawsuit (January 20, 2012): A group of Washington firefighters have reached an agreement with the city of Everett after filing a $9 million asbestos lawsuit. Under the agreement, the city will pay for any medical tests the firefighters could require as a result of asbestos exposure that may have occurred during a training program run by the city.

Shipyard worker wins Washington mesothelioma lawsuit (January 19, 2012): A Washington ship worker has won his mesothelioma lawsuit against his former employer. Roger Hammet was awarded $1.45 million after a jury found that Sea-Land Service Inc. was responsible for the mesothelioma diagnosis Hammet received after working on the company’s ship.

New York woman files asbestos lawsuit after husband’s death (January 14, 2012): A New York woman has filed an asbestos lawsuit against her husband’s former employers after he died from lung cancer. Carolina Malone alleges in her lawsuit that Alcoa Inc. exposed her husband to asbestos while he worked for the company, which caused him to develop cancer.

Environmental agency files asbestos lawsuit against contractor (January 11, 2012): The U.S. Department of Environment Protection (DEP) has filed an asbestos lawsuit against a Pennsylvania contractor. The lawsuit alleges that Lovett Contracting improperly removed nearly 3,000 feet of asbestos insulation from a commercial building and failed to properly dispose of the materials.

Accepting the award on her late husband’s behalf, Barbara McQueen expressed her gratitude to the ADAO for their work in spreading awareness of the health risks of asbestos:

Steve’s death was a long and painful ordeal and my heart goes out to those who have been exposed to asbestos as well as their loved ones. We’re all in the same family and I commend ADAO for the great work they do on behalf of asbestos awareness.

A noted auto enthusiast, McQueen was exposed to asbestos from the protective suits that he wore during races, as well as from asbestos on movie sound stages. However, the actor stated in interviews that his disease was likely the result of his service in the Marines, during which time he removed asbestos insulation from pipes that were found onboard troop ships.

McQueen was one of the first celebrities to be diagnosed with mesothelioma, a deadly cancer caused by asbestos exposure that can affect the lining of the heart, lungs or abdomen. Other celebrities who have died from mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure include NFL Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen and singer Warren Zevon, the namesake of the award given to McQueen.

Despite the tragedy of his death, McQueen’s celebrity help bring widespread attention to mesothelioma and the health risks of asbestos exposure for the first time. His courageous fight against mesothelioma cancer and the legacy of his career are an inspiration to the thousands of asbestos victims worldwide who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases.

• Tough choice looms for people suing over 9/11 health claims: to apply for gov’t aid or not (December 25, 2011): More than 1,600 people who filed lawsuits claiming that their health was ruined by dust and smoke from the collapsed World Trade Center must decide by Jan. 2 whether to keep fighting in court, or drop the litigation and apply for benefits from a government compensation fund. Although the fund would cover ailments such as asthma, scarred lungs and other respiratory system problems, patients who develop mesothelioma or other forms of cancer are not eligible for compensation.
• Asbestos victim awarded $2M in mesothelioma lawsuit (December 21, 2011): A New York man who was diagnosed with mesothelioma in December 2010 was awarded $2 million in a mesothelioma lawsuit filed against his former employer. Gerald Failing received the verdict after a jury found a materials company for responsible for exposing him to cancerous asbestos fibers.
• Settlement reached in Missouri mesothelioma lawsuit (December 15, 2011): A mesothelioma lawsuit filed against U.S. Engineering Co. in Missouri has been settled for $10 million. Nancy Lopez filed the lawsuit alleging that the company failed to follow proper procedures in removing asbestos from the courthouse where she worked.

• Former worker alleges asbestos safety violations by companies (November 22, 2011): A Montgomery College student has alleged that asbestos safety violations were commtted by several asbestos abatement companies where he worked. Ernest Ojito alleges six companies throughout Marlyand, Washington D.C. and Virginia put workers at risk by exposing them to asbestos while ignoring federal safety requirements.
• British university fined for alleged asbestos exposure (November 17, 2011): The University of Lincoln in the United Kingdom has been fined for failing to take adequate steps to remove asbestos from four of its buildings. The British Health Service Executive fined the university more than £22,000 after it was discovered that officials at the university took four years before ordering asbestos removal from the buildings.
• Asbestos victim awarded $2M in mesothelioma lawsuit (November 8, 2011): An Australian man who was diagnosed with mesothelioma was awarded more than $2 million in his asbestos lawsuit. The Australian Supreme Court awarded Simon Lowes the sum after he alleged that he was exposed to asbestos as a young child at an orphanage.
• High rates of mesothelioma found among Iron Range workers (November 3, 2011): An ongoing study has found 82 deaths from mesothelioma in the Iron Range of Minnesota, up from the 63 previously reported in 2010. Lead researchers for the study have found the mesothelioma rate is considerably higher than it should be for the region.

• Colorado man files mesothelioma lawsuit (October 25, 2011): A Colorado man has filed a mesothelioma lawsuit against companies he alleges are responsible for asbestos exposure that occurred during his work as a laborer and electrician.
• Colorado landlord on trial for exposing workers to asbestos (October 18, 2011): A Colorado landlord is on trial for allegedly exposing workers to asbestos on the job without their knowledge.
• British company pledges free asbestos awareness training (October 13, 2011): British company Expedient Training Services has pledged to provide free training to educate employers about the dangers of occupational asbestos exposure.
• Inhalants may ease mesothelioma cancer treatment (October 12, 2011): Scottish researches have found that administering cancer drugs via inhalants to treat mesothelioma and other forms of the disease may reduce harmful side effects of treatment. 
• Concerns rise over cancer-causing mineral (October 7, 2011): A fibrous mineral, known as erionite, that is prevalent in western states such as North Dakota, Wyoming, Nevada, Oregon, Arizona and California has been linked to cases of mesothelioma.

According to a study conducted by scientists at Rutgers University (PDF), the dust that was spread after 9/11 contained a number of hazardous substances, including asbestos, gypsum, glass fibers, lead and other metal particles. Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma—a deadly cancer of the chest or abdomen—and many other cancers or respiratory diseases. Gypsum—which is found in drywall—has been linked to respiratory problems, while lead and other metals can be toxic to the brain.

Studies to examine the health of workers who were at Ground Zero in the wake of the 9/11 attacks have found increased risks of a number of respiratory and other diseases. According to a 2009 study conducted at Mount Sinai, 9/11 workers are twice as likely to suffer from asthma as the general population. Residents of lower Manhattan—where the World Trade Center was located—have also reported an increased asthma risk.

Health experts say that 9/11 responders have also been diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and the “World Trade Center cough” due to the redness, irritation and swelling caused by the dust from the Twin Towers. Over time, these symptoms can worsen, leading to scar tissue or chronic lung diseases.

A study of firefighters who worked at the World Trade Center site following the 9/11 attacks found that they were 19% more likely to have been diagnosed with cancer than firefighters who were not present at Ground Zero. However, because mesothelioma and other cancers are not covered under the bill, individuals develop these diseases as a result of exposure to the toxic dust from the World Trade Centers will not be able to receive financial aide for their illnesses.

Although the recent bill to cover 9/11 workers (PDF) will provide much needed health care and financial compensation to these individuals, the lack of coverage for victims of mesothelioma, lung cancer and other cancers caused by exposure at Ground Zero neglects thousands of individuals who answered the call for America in its greatest hour of need.

Join the free online screening and live discussion of "Breathtaking" by Kathleen Mullen on September 26 at 6:30 pm EST or watch the trailer for the film below.

Although some have reported that the number of new cases of malignant mesothelioma have fallen in recent years, projections by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Center for Health Statistics show the number of deaths from mesothelioma and asbestosis continuing to rise through at least 2016.

As a result of the rising number of mesothelioma lawsuits, many insurers and other companies who could be held liable for causing mesothelioma or other asbestos diseases have increased their financial reserves. Recently, American International Group announced that it was adding $1 billion to its reserves over its potential asbestos liability.

Although the asbestos industry continues to blame plaintiffs lawyers for the asbestos lawsuits filed against them, these cases are the result of decades of attempts to hide the truth about the hazards of asbestos exposure by the companies who made these products and their insurers. Insurance companies such as MetLife have been accused for decades of trying to hide information about the link between asbestos and diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.

While insurers and asbestos makers would prefer to blame the victims in these cases, their right to fair compensation is one of the few remaining recourses they have after being permanently harmed by the actions of these corporations.

Here are some of the latests mesothelioma and asbestos stories that we are currently following:

Some mesothelioma cases may be misdiagnosed as ovarian cancer (July 18, 2011): A new study has uncovered evidence that some women who were suffering from mesothelioma may have been wrongly diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The study is one of the first pieces of evidence that some ovarian cancer cases may have actually been misdiagnosed cases of mesothelioma.

Libby woodchip contamination reignites asbestos fears (July 15, 2011): An investigation by the Associated Press has revealed that officials with the Environmental Protection Agency have known about the existence of asbestos-contaminated woodchip piles in the town of Libby, Montana for at least three years, but failed to notify residents about their potential danger.

West Virginia couple names 85 companies in mesothelioma lawsuit (July 6, 2011): A West Virginia couple filed a mesothelioma lawsuit against 85 companies alleging that the man received a mesothelioma diagnosis due to workplace asbestos exposure. Vincent and Antoinette Scriptunas filed the suit in Kanawha County in June 2008.

New tests may aid in early detection of mesothelioma (July 6, 2011): U.S. researchers have discovered significant biological differences, or biomarkers, that distinguished blood samples of patients diagnosed with mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is most commonly detected at an advanced stage, leaving the possibility of a cure minimal.

Canada silent on proposal to restrict asbestos exports (June 17, 2011): Days before a United Nations conference to consider new restrictions on the export of asbestos, the Canadian government has declined to publicly state its position on the proposal.

Mass. tornado raises risk of asbestos exposure for residents (June 16, 2011): Officials in Massachusetts have warned residents that debris from a recent tornado may contain asbestos materials. Because of the health risks associated with asbestos exposure, officials have issued guidelines on how to deal with the cleanup of these materials.

Indiana fines developer $132K over asbestos violations (May 23, 2011): Indiana labor officials have fined a building supply company and a contractor for failing to notify residents and business owners about asbestos contamination of a construction site.

Health officials have issued a warning about the health risks from asbestos debris from older buildings damaged after a recent string of tornados in the South and Midwest.

Because of their high populations and the high volume of industrial activity that goes on there, workers in states such as California, Texas, Florida and New York may experience a high frequency of diseases caused by asbestos exposure. However, asbestos workers in all states are at risk, no matter their size or population.

Because of its long latency period, workers and veterans who were exposed to asbestos decades ago may only now be showing the first symptoms of mesothelioma or another asbestos disease. Individuals who worked with asbestos and believe they may have symptoms of an asbestos-related illness may be eligible to undergo free asbestos testing to determine the potential cause of their illness.

According to a study published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine (“Rarity of malignant mesothelioma prior to the widespread commercial introduction of asbestos: The Mount Sinai autopsy experience 1883–1910”) researchers from the Department of Pathology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York analyzed the results of 2,025 autopsies that were performed at Mount Sinai Hospital between 1883 and 1910.

While the use of asbestos products has been restricted in this country, the United States remains one of the few industrialized nations that has not issued a total ban on asbestos. Although thousands of workers are still diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos diseases each year, groups that have led the campaign to ban asbestos hope that with their efforts, such cases will one day be rare as they were in the time of the Mount Sinai study.

Navy scraps plans to sink four of five retired asbestos ships (April 25, 2011): Environmental officials recently announced that the U.S. Navy has scrapped plans to sink four retired warships off the coast of Maryland, rather than recycling the retired vessels. The Delaware officials say that the decision will not affect plans to sink a fifth ship.

Asbestos worker’s family awarded $9M in mesothelioma lawsuit (April 20, 2011): A jury in Texas has awarded a $9 million verdict to the family of a former asbestos worker who died of mesothelioma. Jurors found that Robert Henderson was exposed to asbestos while working at a Dow Chemical plant in Midland, Michigan.

NJ Supreme Court upholds $7M mesothelioma lawsuit verdict (April 14, 2011): The New Jersey Supreme Court has upheld a $7 million verdict in a mesothelioma lawsuit filed by the wife of a former asbestos worker. Bonnie Anderson’s lawsuit alleged that she was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2001 as a result of exposure to asbestos fibers brought home on her husband’s work clothes.

• Turkish asbestos ban goes into effect (Feb. 17, 2011): A total ban on the use and manufacturing of asbestos-containing products went into effect in Turkey on New Year's Day.
• One in five mesothelioma cases goes unreported, study finds (Feb. 12, 2011): A new study has found that nearly 40,000 mesothelioma cases may have gone unreported over the last 15 years.
• North Dakota road material may increase mesothelioma cancer risk (Dec. 22, 2011): New evidence suggests that exposure to erionite dust may be linked to an increased risk of developing mesothelioma.
• Quebec health officials criticize Canada’s support of asbestos industry (Dec. 2, 2011): Canadian health officials have criticized the government for supporting the nation's asbestos industry depite evidence of its harmful effects.

Experts in the UK are unsure of why deaths caused by mesothelioma have risen so sharply among women. In an interview with the Daily Mirror, surgeon John Edwards states:

We don’t know why the incidence in women is rising. We need further research to determine the risk of low level exposure to asbestos.... The fact that the ratio has changed suggests that the pattern of exposure has changed.

Some experts believe that the rise in mesothelioma cases among British women may be due to the increased use of asbestos tiles and ceiling panels in schools built during the 1960s and 1970s. Edwards states that some clinicians believe that many of these mesothelioma cases involving women were the result of low level exposure to asbestos, such as that which would occur from exposure to the asbestos-containing materials used to build older schools.

Although the number of female mesothelioma victims is lower than it is among males, these new statistics illustrate the dangers asbestos poses to women—even those who have never worked in the asbestos industry. In addition to teachers who may be victims of direct asbestos exposure, many women have suffered secondhand asbestos exposure from asbestos fibers that were carried home on the skin or clothing of husbands or fathers who worked in asbestos-related jobs.

According to a report in the New York Times, debris from the building fell into the arena during overnight cleaning of “asbestos-related materials.” After air monitors revealed elevated levels or airborne fibers, the building was temporarily closed to allow health inspectors to determine whether the debris contained asbestos particles.

While it is fortunate that Madison Square Garden’s asbestos scare did not create a health hazard in the building, the incident highlights the ongoing health risk posed by the presence of asbestos-containing materials in some older structures. Like many buildings constructed during the 1960s, Madison Square Garden was built with asbestos-containing insulation that was designed to act as a fire-retardant.

Most builders discontinued the use of these materials after the link between asbestos and cancers such as mesothelioma was widely publicized in the 1970s. However, asbestos materials can still be found in already existing structures, putting construction workers, school teachers and other individuals who work in older buildings at risk of developing an asbestos-related disease.

In a recent Associated Press article, Senator Gloria Romero, who proposed the bill, states that having an asbestos-containing substance as the Golden State’s official rock sends a poor public health message due to the link between asbestos and mesothelioma:

This is a question of health and public awareness. We know that California has the highest rates of mesothelioma deaths in the nation and we don’t think it’s appropriate to be celebrating as the state rock something which contains asbestos.

Enthusiasm about asbestos soon began to wane, however, as the public became increasingly aware of the link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, as well as other diseases such as lung cancer and asbestosis. Although the commercial use of asbestos declined drastically during the 1970s, because of the long latency period for asbestos diseases, many workers and other individuals who were exposed to asbestos decades ago are only now beginning to show symptoms of mesothelioma or other diseases.

While critics have dismissed the importance of the California bill, it is encouraging to see such close attention paid to the health effects of asbestos in a state where the mineral can be found in over 70% of its 58 counties. For decades, the asbestos industry denied the dangerous health effects of asbestos, leaving millions exposed to the harmful effects of this deadly substance. California’s proposed asbestos law is an important symbolic step in closing the book on the deadly legacy of the state’s asbestos industry.

Because of its long latency period, it may take up to 50 years after exposure to asbestos before the first signs of mesothelioma emerge, by which time many sources of workplace asbestos exposure may have closed or been demolished.

To better inform workers and veterans about whether they may be at risk of mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases, Hissey Kientz has created a list of jobsites and U.S. Navy ships where exposure to asbestos may have occurred.

The case, Collins v. Plant Insulation Co. [PDF], was filed by family members of former Navy shipyard asbestos worker Ulysses Collins, who died in May 2005 from mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure.

Over a period of nearly 35 years, Collins was employed at several jobs that required him to work extensively with asbestos. These included four years as a boilermaker welder at a Standard Oil refinery and more than 30 years at the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard and Mare Island Naval Shipyard, where he also worked as a welder.

At the close of evidence, plaintiffs moved for a directed verdict regarding the Navy, arguing fault could not be allocated to the service…. They claimed federal sovereign immunity precluded the Navy from being a ‘tortfeasor.’

Although the appellate court stated that “there is no dispute the Navy is immune from liability for plaintiffs’ asbestos claims,” it ruled that “the trial court erred in excluding the Navy from the list of entities as to which the jury could apportion fault.” The court remanded Collins’ lawsuit for a retrial to apportion fault among the Navy and other defendants already found liable by the jury.

While this ruling may at first seem like a victory for plaintiffs, because the U.S. Navy is entitled to sovereign immunity from prosecution, it cannot be held liable for damages, even if it is found to be portionately at fault for Collins’ injuries. Thus, the appellate court’s ruling—like the Texas Supreme Court’s 2007 ruling in Borg-Warner v. Flores [PDF]—ultimately will limit the ability of victims of mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases from receiving full and fair compensation for their injuries.