Mesothelioma Lawyer Blog

As U.S. troops are getting settled in statewide after a long and deadly eight-year war in Iraq, it's a good time to talk about the risks that troops and veterans have of being diagnosed with mesothelioma.

This deadly and incurable form of cancer is more common in veterans, but it remains to be seen whether this current generation of soldiers will be exposed to asbestos and other materials that cause this form of cancer.

Our mesothelioma lawyers have seen many examples of older veterans who served our country faithfully for decades, only to have a frustrating end of their lives because of exposure to asbestos. In decades past, asbestos was commonly used in Navy shipyards.

Because it was a natural mineral and was flame-retardant, it was useful in making sure fires didn't break out aboard the ships. It was used domestically in insulating homes, coating pipes and in common products, such as car parts, ceiling tiles and ceramics.

But years later, as researchers found people were getting sick, exposure to asbestos was determined to be the root cause. In many cases, corporate bosses found out about the risks, but did little to address them. Many people were left to suffer.

When a person is exposed to asbestos, even a small amount or for a short period of time, the fibers can create tumors years later. They don't necessarily create noticeable symptoms, but can linger for years or decades before people are diagnosed. In some documented cases, people have been exposed to asbestos 50 years earlier before they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. By the time they are diagnosed, they usually only live another 12 months.

In other countries where military members may be deployed, the same restrictions on asbestos may not be in place. In the United States, asbestos is not officially banned, but it is no longer used. Presumably, the same rules apply to U.S.-owned military bases worldwide, as well. But cities and towns in other parts of the world likely have less stringent guidelines.

Mesothelioma is a constant issue because new forms of dangerous material that can cause it are being discovered every day. While older generations may be more likely to get this form of cancer from deacade-old exposure to asbestos, younger generations may not be any safer. Our veterans, who have put their lives on the line for our freedom, should be especially taken care of when they return home from duty. As troops continue come back from combat, our mesothelioma lawyers hope they don't come back to discover they are ill.

Continue reading "U.S. Troops and Veterans At Risk For Mesothelioma" »

As our mesothelioma lawyers have reported time and again, mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that takes decades to develop and is typically deadly within a matter of months once diagnosed.

Research has shown that mesothelioma has a direct link to asbestos, a natural mineral that for the better part of the 21st Century was used as insulation, in brake manufacturing, on naval ships, and in construction and building materials.

While asbestos is no longer actively used, it is still present in many buildings and old products. Laws have been created to regulate the use of asbestos and force both construction workers and developers to properly remove and transport this dangerous material.

When people break the laws and put the environment and human lives in danger, they can be prosecuted. That happened recently in Upstate New York. According to NBC News, a developer violated the Clean Air Act after workers allegedly handled large amounts of asbestos in violation of the law.

The 28-year-old is charged with hiring employees who had no training in asbestos removal to clean out a dumpster at a warehouse he owns in Livingston County. A grand jury indictment states the man now faces two counts of violating the Clean Air Act, which are punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The case was first investigated in December, when an inspector from the state visited the property after a complaint was lodged. The inspector saw large quantities of asbestos near a dumpster where employees worked. Nearly 100 bags of dried asbestos were found on site and were confirmed to be asbestos after testing.

The Clean Air Act is a federal law, but state laws also regulate how developers and construction workers must dispose of asbestos. It has been recognized as a major hazard, and while it is no longer actively being used, improperly disposing of the material can allow it to go airborne, which exposes all who come in contact with it to the risk of mesothelioma.

Many of the people who are diagnosed with mesothelioma today were exposed to asbestos as long as 50 years ago and didn't know the harmful effects it could cause. The next generation of mesothelioma patients may very well be unknowing people who were exposed to asbestos when workers improperly removed it, resulting in exposure.

Such exposure is preventable. Construction companies must do a better job of following the law. Regulations require that companies must hire specially-trained people who know how to remove asbestos without it damaging the area or getting into the air. When employers cut corners to save money, it puts everyone in danger. In other cases, apartment residents, students at school, or employees in older buildings where removal operations are ongoing could be unknowingly exposed to deadly conditions.

Continue reading "New York Developer Indicted On Charges After Asbestos Exposure" »

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic are looking to figure out if there is a connection between the measles virus and mesothelioma in order to possibly find a cure.

Our mesothelioma lawyers have reported time and time again on our Mesothelioma Lawyer Blog that researchers are picking up the pace in terms of looking at mesothelioma. While this is a rare form of cancer, it is one that is devastating because it has no cure.

Mesothelioma is a cancer caused primarily by exposure to asbestos. It is unique in that a person can be exposed to this natural mineral and not feel any symptoms of the cancer for 20 to 50 years later. Typically, this cancer isn't discovered until it is in its most advanced stages.

Symptoms include heavy coughing, fluid built-up in the lungs, chest pain and other signs that could point to a variety of ailments. That is another reason why this cancer is so dangerous -- it can be masked as something less serious.

But researchers are hopeful that recent work may be able to put a dent into the number of people who die from this form of cancer. Typically, people with mesothelioma are treated with chemotherapy because surgery often isn't a sound option. This is because the cancer tends to form near major organs, such as the heart, lungs and abdomen.

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic are reporting there has been an increase of mesothelioma cases in Minnesota, so the clinic there is doing extensive research to find a cure. This is attributed to taconite mining in the Iron Range region, which is a large economic booster, but has shown to have some unknown medical risks.

The latest version of the measles virus vector is an engineered version of the measles virus that is safe to the patient, but carries a toxic payload and is targetable. Doctors are able to conduct imaging studies to follow the virus in a treated patient. And they believe that they may be able to administer a more toxic version into a mesothelioma patient to destroy the cancerous tumor.

Researchers have found that mice with mesothelioma were given treatment that doubled the life span compared to mice that didn't receive any treatment. The potential treatment was found by lab workers testing drugs approved to treat other forms of cancer.

When applied to mesothelioma cells, it seemed to make a difference. But researchers warn that this isn't a cure for mesothelioma. Still, they hope that the treatment could improve for these patients.

One researcher said the hope is that within four years, after proper testing and trials, that treatment can be offered in the form of a pill that could outperform chemotherapy. That would allow patients to have a less turbulent time getting help for this cancer. They also predict that this treatment would increase the patient's lifespan by about six months.

Continue reading "Researchers Working to Determine if Measles Help In Treating Mesothelioma" »

The Department of Defense is dedicating $16 million to research certain types of cancers, including mesothelioma.

This is critically important because many of our military veterans are suffering from mesothelioma after years of dedicated service to our country. Our mesothelioma lawyers are aware that this form of cancer can date back decades and many service men and women were exposed to asbestos before it became unpopular due to health risks.

The United States military was one of the largest users of asbestos, especially in Naval ships and shipyards. This natural mineral, which has a resistance to fire, was used in ships and in buildings on military bases and bases throughout the world.

While many veterans may have been exposed to asbestos decades ago, they are just now feeling the effects. Common symptoms of mesothelioma are trouble breathing, chest pain and fluid build-up, which are similar symptoms to lung cancer.

This is part of the reason mesothelioma is so dangerous. Many people tend to ignore the symptoms, assuming they are related to a different, already known illness or just a sign of old age. By the time a person goes to a doctor, who usually refers them to other specialists -- all of which takes time -- it's typically too late; the median life expectancy after diagnosis is 12 months.

Mesothelioma is incurable and it is 100 percent fatal. Usually, the lungs are the target of the asbestos-forming cancer, but also the heart or lining of the abdomen can be affected. This is a serious form of cancer unlike others because the treatment options are very limited. Operations are rarely a good idea in an older patient near a vital organ. Once it's discovered, it's typically well-developed.

But the Department of Defense is dedicating $16 million to researching cancers other than breast, prostate, lung and ovarian cancer programs that are already in place. The funds are to be used to research:

• Mesothelioma


• Blood cancers


• Colorectal cancer


• Genetic cancer research


• Kidney cancer


• Listeria vaccine for cancer


• Melanoma and other skin cancer


• Pancreatic cancer


• Pediatric cancer


• Radiation protection utilizing nanotechnology

This is a great opportunity for mesothelioma to get more attention and hopefully for more research to be done in order to find a cure or better early detection. Our mesothelioma lawyers are dedicated to keeping up with the latest research and most up-to-date information regarding this awful form of cancer.

The negligence of companies has caused the pain and suffering of many of our clients. We are dedicated to fighting on behalf of those whose lives have been cut short because of this preventable illness.

Continue reading "Department of Defense to Spend $16 Million to Research Mesothelioma, Other Cancers" »

More than 1,000 people who claim they were injured after the World Trade Center Twin Towers collapsed following the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York recently had to decide whether they wanted to pursue lawsuits or attempt to get money through a compensation fund, the Associated Press reports.

Our mesothelioma lawyers reported on our blog in September that a recent study showed that firefighters, medical personnel and others around the towers after the collapse were more likely to end up with exposure to asbestos compared to others who weren't near the aftermath that day.

As we have reported time and time again, asbestos exposure can lead to major medical problems, including mesothelioma. This is a rare and incurable form of cancer.

It is so devastating because patients don't realize they have mesothelioma until years and sometimes decades after they have first been exposed. Many men and women who were teenagers when they enlisted in the armed forces were exposed to asbestos before most realized it was dangerous and they are now suffering today. Others who worked in steel mills, in the oil and gas industry or in manufacturing may have worked on equipment or with products that contained asbestos.

On January 2, the deadline passed for people to decide whether they wanted to go forward with lawsuits claiming their health was ruined by dust and smoke from the collapsed towers or if they would rather drop the litigation and apply for benefits from the government.

Lawmakers set aside $2.76 billion in federal taxpayer dollars last winter, though that amount was lower than a previously proposed amount, that would pay for those who were diagnosed with illnesses that were a result of spending time in the disaster zone. As many recall, a haze of ash spread over the Ground Zero area for many months following the attacks.

Rescue crews scoured for live bodies, while recovery crews later worked to clean up the rubble from the giant towers. To be considered for part of the money, applicants had to dismiss any lawsuits and give up the right to sue ever again. Anyone who still had a lawsuit pending on Jan. 3 forfeited the right to apply for the compensation fund.

The program allows people to get money for their sickness without having to prove it was a result of the terrorist attacks. But it could take months or years before the applicants know how much money they could eventually get. They must endure the gamble of not knowing whether a trial would be quicker or more profitable. This program is as suspect as many other such government programs.

The other problem is that the fund was limited to some breathing ailments, such as asthma, scarred lungs and other respiratory problems. The list of illnesses doesn't include cancer, which scientists have yet to conclusively link to the toxins within the trade center. Some have dropped their lawsuits even if cancer is one day added to the list.

The article suggests that New Yorkers other than emergency crew workers could one day apply for the fund as well, spreading its money thin. If the list of illnesses is expanded, that could cut down on how much is available as well.

Continue reading "Tough Decision as Thousands Consider Whether to Pursue 9/11 Mesothelioma Lawsuits" »

The World Health Organization recently reported that nearly 100,000 people died between 1994 to 2008 from mesothelioma, a large number considering how many cases may go undiagnosed.

While this form of cancer is still rare compared to other forms, such as lung, breast and prostate, the difficulty of diagnosing it makes keeping statistics challenging. Mesothelioma is rare and incurable, which makes it among the deadliest known forms of cancer.

Our mesothelioma lawyers have seen many families devastated to learn that their loved one has cancer solely because they worked in an old factory, in a shipyard or in construction decades ago in their youth. That's because mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, which was common in the United States for most of the 20th century.

Asbestos was used as a form of insulation; because it resists fire, so many buildings were constructed with it in roofs and walls throughout. Piping was coated with it and boiler room equipment also used it. Manufacturers found uses for asbestos in making car parts, such as brake pads and other commonly seen things such as ceiling tiles, peat moss, wallpaper, cement, hair dryers and cigarette filters.

All kinds of companies used it. Then, people began getting sick. And dying. By the 1970s, researchers were beginning to find that asbestos was dangerous, though more than 800,000 tons of the stuff was being used commercially in the United States by 1973.

In the following decades, production tailed off. But there are many old buildings and products that still contain asbestos. Road crews sometimes still use asbestos in a mixture to create roads.

Yet, in other countries, the asbestos industry is going strong, despite the well-documented health risks. As our Mesothelioma Lawyer Blog reported in September, Canada is one of the world's biggest exporters of asbestos. New investors restarted the countries asbestos trade and ships large amounts of the mineral to India. Russia is also a big exporter. Brazil and other third-world countries are still using the mineral to build houses and buildings.

WHO reports that mesothelioma affects men more than women and the time it takes from exposure to diagnosis is usually longer than 30 years, meaning the disease can work and spread without someone knowing it for that long. Once diagnosed, the average survival time is only 9 to 12 months. Some estimates say 43,000 people each year die from the disease, but getting good numbers is tough.

There are many countries where the cause of death simply isn't recorded. Some places don't have the resources to conduct research about health facts like the United States and other rich countries can. So, really, it's difficult to know how many fathers, brothers, mothers and sisters are dying from this awful cancer.

Continue reading "WHO Estimates 92,000 People Died From Mesothelioma From 1994 to 2008" »

A recent article in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology found that there may be a breakthrough procedure to care for pleural mesothelioma.

As it stands, mesothelioma has no known cure. It is a rare form of cancer that takes years and sometimes decades to be diagnosed. It is caused by exposure to asbestos, a once commonly used mineral that provided insulation and was used in floor and ceiling tiles, brake pads, pipe covering and other uses.

Asbestos is ingested and can attach to the lining of major organs, such as the lungs, heart and abdomen. Pleural mesothelioma is when asbestos builds around the lungs and causes this form of cancer.

Our mesothelioma lawyers are constantly rooting for new information and cures to this fatal illness. Sadly, the median life span after diagnosis is only 12 months, so once a person finds out they have this form of cancer, there is little time left to enjoy life. We hope that new research and new discoveries help people fend off this fatal cancer.

Currently, there are limited treatment options for those with mesothelioma. People can opt for surgery, which sometimes is risky given the areas that are being discussed, chemotherapy, radiation or immunotherapy.

But according to the recent article, a technique called the positron emission tomography uses molecule flurodeoxyglucose to track metabolism as it happens. When combined with a CT scan, doctors can better track how the cancer is moving and can give them a better understanding of how to treat it.

Understanding the progression of the illness in one patient can lead to helping many others if researchers can find patterns that will help generations to come. But for those affected now, using this new technique may be able to stop the cancer from spreading.

The article looked at 44 patients between 2004 and 2008. The study tried different forms of treatment and tracked the disease in the patients through flurodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography. The article's authors suggest that a full study could help people determine if this can be a useful technique to further study mesothelioma in the future.

Healthcare costs for everyone are skyrocketing. For people dealing with major medical issues such as mesothelioma, they can be extremely high, especially when new techniques are being used. For companies who employed workers in old factories, buildings, on shipyards, in car-parts companies or other places where asbestos was used, they may be liable for the illness and its effects.

Companies should remove asbestos so that it can't harm people and they should have done it decades ago when they first found out. Many did not and many workers got sick. Stand up for your rights and get help for your medical bills.

Continue reading "New Medicine Imaging Tactic Could Improve Diagnosis of Mesothelioma After Asbestos Exposure" »

The Mesothelioma Center recently reported that Australia has tightened its restrictions on using asbestos after research showed that asbestos mixed into concrete can be lethal. It also reported that West Virginia has emerged as a hotbed for asbestos-related lawsuits.

Our mesothelioma lawyers represent clients and families dealing with this deadly diagnosis as a result of asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a natural mineral that was used for decades in construction for insulation purposes, but also to coat pipes and brake pads and other consumer products because of its resistance to fire.

But about 40 years ago, researchers began discovering that people who were exposed to asbestos were getting sick. Further research found that exposure for a short period of time can still cause mesothelioma some 30 or 40 years later.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that has been proven to be caused by exposure to asbestos. Sadly, it is fatal 100 percent of the time.

It can linger in a person's body for years or decades before a person is properly diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is because thought the asbestos forms tumors, typically on the lining of major organs such as the heart, lungs and abdomen, the symptoms are quite common. Older people who may have worked in a field 30 years ago where they were exposed to asbestos begin coughing, having trouble breathing or feel chest pain, which are common symptoms for a variety of medical problems.

Some victims ignore the symptoms or chalk them up to other things, which allows the cancer to spread. Because of where mesothelioma spreads, treatment options are limited.

But the more people can hear about this form of cancer, the better. It has gotten more attention in recent years and donors are spending money for researchers to study its effects and how to potentially discover it sooner or find a cure.

According to the article, officials have found that natural disasters, including earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding and tornadoes can put people at risk for asbestos exposure. When buildings containing asbestos collapse, they can spread asbestos throughout the air.

This happened during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York. Studies have found that many firefighters, police officers and rescue workers were exposed to asbestos and other carcinogens in the aftermath. The threat of natural disasters has caused Australia officials to work to clear the country of asbestos by 2030.

Some bad news is that thalidomide, a drug used to treat people suffering from other forms of cancer, has been found by researchers to not be effective for mesothelioma patients. The Netherlands Cancer Research report came out recently.

The article also states that West Virginia has become an active state for lawsuits. A report found that asbestos claims statewide have been near the top of the list of examples of why medical and business professionals want tort reform in order to limit how much mesothelioma victims can get in jury verdicts.

That state has been known to have sympathetic juries, likely because there are many mines, steel mills, factories, oil refineries and other businesses where workers were exposed to asbestos.

Continue reading "There's Both Good and Bad News for Mesothelioma Patients This Week" »

With Veterans Day having passed in November, it is important that all of our military veterans be lauded for their efforts to keep us safe from harm -- which makes the freedoms we enjoy as Americans possible.

Sadly, however, many older veterans are struggling in the last years of their lives because after years of service, they were exposed to asbestos and now have been diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma lawyers have seen how service in the military has turned into a struggle to breath and we worry about the future for many of our veterans. Many ships and shipyards and other military installations used asbestos for decades.

Asbestos is a natural mineral that was used for insulation on buildings, coating for pipes, in brake pads, floor and ceiling tiles and other products. It was used extensively in the United States from the early 20th Century until around 1991, when studies conclusively showed that the effects of asbestos are life-threatening.

Asbestos exposure can lead to cancerous tumors forming on the walls and lining of major organs. After years of developing, they can spread throughout the body like other forms of cancer.

Mesothelioma has no cure. Researchers know that it is caused by exposure to asbestos, but they don't know how to cure people who have it. In fact, it's deadly 100 percent of the time. And given that a person can be exposed to a small amount of asbestos and live with the cancer for 30 years without knowing it, linking sickness to exposure can be challenging.

National Public Radio recently interviewed a veteran suffering from mesothelioma. Frank Currie, a Navy veteran who was stationed at Pearl Harbor, witnessed the attacks aboard the USS Tennessee.

He said he saw the USS Arizona get hit with a bomb and shoot 12 to 15 feet in the air. He said he wishes he could forget the death he witnessed that day, but he can't.

And along with suffering haunting memories of one of the darkest days in U.S. history, Currie suffers from mesothelioma. The article doesn't say whether his mesothelioma was a result of his service in the U.S. Navy, but many Navy veterans have made the link.

No segment of the population has been hit harder from mesothelioma than our veterans. The Navy was one of the largest consumers of asbestos, using its fire-resistant nature to ensure that large fires didn't break out in ships, causing them to sink.

But those who were around the flaky mineral may have survived their tour of duty only to realize decades later that nights working in boiler rooms or around other equipment inside a ship may have led to their death.

Our veterans should be honored all year, not just on one designated holiday. And they certainly deserve to be able to live healthy lives after serving, unlike many who have mesothelioma as a result of their service.

Continue reading "U.S. Veterans Should Be Applauded and Not Victimized by Mesothelioma" »

President Barack Obama recently signed an executive order that calls for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to address a shortage of prescription drugs that are designed to treat diseases and forms of cancer, The Washington Post reports.

The Mesothelioma Center believes that the executive order could benefit mesothelioma patients who may be struggling to get the medication they need to delay the effects of the cancer.

Mesothelioma lawyers certainly believe that there should be an abundance of medications and treatment options for those suffering from mesothelioma. As we have reported time and time again on our blog, there is no known cure, but those who are suffering from this form of cancer should have full and unfettered access to the treatment options and medications that are available.

Mesothelioma patients tend to find out about their cancer decades after they were first exposed to asbestos. The exposure can be over a period of months or years or a very short-term contact with the natural mineral.

When asbestos gets inside a person's body, it can cause tumors, attaching to the lining of the heart, lungs and stomach, as well as other major organs. Tumors form and yet symptoms can be hidden for years. And even once they present themselves -- chest pain, coughing, fluid build-up -- they can be masked as symptoms of old age or years of smoking.

Obama's executive order, The Post reports, forces the FDA to begin looking into why there is an unknown shortage of at least 232 drugs through October. This is a record number and includes drugs used to care for cancer patients, heart attack victims, accident survivors and scores of other ill people. The shortage has caused a spike in cost of medications.

The order, in part, calls on an end to price gouging and consumer protection. Experts believe the main cause for the shortage is that there are few manufacturers, so if there is a shortage of material to make the drugs, government crackdowns or a break down in machinery, a drug shortage is born.

The Mesothelioma Center believes that the order could help those seeking help for mesothelioma as well. Where intravenous chemotherapy is used, the order will help those patients get the care they need.

The drug Cisplatin is on the FDA's drug shortage list and it is commonly used to treat mesothelioma patients. Alimta is not on the list, but is extremely expensive -- $1,700 per vial in some cases -- and the order may help lower the costs.

The shortage of Cisplatin comes because of an increased demand. With the order, the FDA will be able to more quickly review a drug application and streamline the process of providing information of price gouging to the Justice Department to ensure consumers are protected.

We certainly hope this order can not only provide the drugs and treatment that mesothelioma patients need and deserve, but ensure that they are more affordable. Mesothelioma patients who have been exposed to asbestos were usually impacted through no fault of their own and they deserve to have as peaceful a treatment period as possible.

Continue reading "Obama Executive Order Could Benefit Mesothelioma Patients" »

Mesothelioma has plagued our nation for decades, yet it only recently seems to be getting the kind of attention it deserves.

It is an odd form of cancer unlike lung, breast or prostate cancer. With mesothelioma, it can take only a little exposure to asbestos, whether at work in a shipyard, in an old factory or even in the insulation of a person's own house, to cause the illness.

But mesothelioma is different because the victim likely won't know they are affected for years or even decades after the fact. It isn't until they feel the typical symptoms, such as chest pain, trouble breathing or heavy coughing, that they get checked out by a doctor. And it can take several doctor visits before the diagnosis is given. Typical survival time after diagnosis is only about 12 months.

But there is hope.

As the Zimbabwe Guardian is reporting, researchers in the Netherlands are looking in to whether it's possible to detect mesothelioma from a breath testing machine. Others have also published research into early detection devices for this terrible disease.

Based on scientific articles written on the topic, the article reports that it's possible a new technology -- electronic nose -- could be the least invasive way to detect mesothelioma. Because it typically isn't diagnosed until decades after exposure to asbestos the elderly are often at risk. And because of their frail state, exploratory surgery often isn't an option.

Doctors in Amsterdam have been experimenting with a device called the Cyranose 320, which they hope will be able to tell the difference between a person who is healthy, one who has mesothelioma and one who has been exposed to asbestos, but who hasn't been diagnosed with mesothelioma.

The device is handheld and has a 32-sensor chip inside. It can be used to recognize many molecules with scent; there are more than 3,000 organic compounds in a single exhaled breath.

The study used 13 people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and another 13 people who were exposed to asbestos, but who haven't been diagnosed, the article states. Another 13 people who were healthy were considered the control group.

The article reports that the device distinguished the mesothelioma patients from those who have been exposed to asbestos with ease. Mesothelioma patients were also distinguished from the control group of healthy people as well. Several measurements and tests repeated results.

This is encouraging news as it means there may be a quicker, easier way for people to determine if they have mesothelioma. Rather than going from primary care physician to lung or breathing specialists, wasting months of wondering what could be the problem, it's possible that a simple breath test and analysis could hold the key to diagnosis. The quicker a person is diagnosed, the longer they may have to live and that's something everyone wants.

Continue reading "Breath Test Technology Could Lead to Mesothelioma Diagnosis After Asbestos Exposure" »

The Iron Range is a part of Minnesota in the northeast region of the state that borders on Canada and Lake Superior and is rich with bands of iron ore.

Yet, many people in this beautiful area of the country are being diagnosed with mesothelioma, at a far greater rate in 2011 compared to previous reports, the Duluth News Tribune reports.

Mesothelioma lawyers have helped victims throughout the country, from the west coast to the east coast, deal with the effects of mesothelioma and the asbestos exposure that leads to the deadly diagnosis.

Often diagnosis comes decades later when a victim is in retirement; some fail to ever make the link between illness and exposure at work. Median survival time after diagnosis is about one year.

Health officials in Minnesota have reported that 63 people died of mesothelioma last year and another 19 have died in 2011. Death records checked in other states by former Iron Range residents who have since moved away has increased the number of cases.

The mesothelioma rate, experts believe, is higher than it should be. Researchers have been working since 2008 to try to find the link between the region and the deadly cancer.

Some believed early on that the asbestos came from workers who dealt with commercial asbestos, such as insulation and piping, furnaces and boilers. But some speculate that the asbestos came from taconite rock that was released during processing.

Lawmakers in 2008 approved a $4.9 million study to look into the issue and try to determine why so many people from that region are dying of the incurable cancer. Some results show that about 1,700 of the 46,000 workers who worked in that industry developed a form of lung cancer. It's unclear what caused that cancer.

The five-part series includes an exposure assessment to determine where the asbestos came from, a mortality study to look at causes of death, a cancer study to see where cancer rates are higher, an environment study to look at what is in the air now and a respiratory health study of living taconite workers and their spouses.

Researchers will continue to figure out where the exposure came from and how to prevent future problems. But the number of mesothelioma cases is expected to soar as baby boomers hit the doors to retirement.

In many cases, military veterans are at high risk -- particularly those who worked in shipyards, boiler rooms and other areas below deck, where asbestos was used in abundance because of its insulating and heat-resistant qualities. In other cases, contractors and subcontractors may be at fault for exposing workers to asbestos. Some of the nation's largest mining and chemical corporations have lost million dollar court cases accusing them of hiding the risks of exposure faced by employees.

Mesothelioma can be particularly cruel because of the long wait and the fact that it often strikes a victim in retirement -- robbing them and their family of too many good years.

Continue reading "Minnesotans in the Iron Range Dying of Mesothelioma" »

National Mesothelioma Awareness Day was recognized on Sept. 26, but there are more than a few people hoping to ensure that mesothelioma care and prevention are year-around efforts.

One such group is the family of Lance Ruble, a former mesothelioma lawyers client who died in 2008, about a year after being diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma. His family has made it their mission to spread the word about mesothelioma and the dangers of asbestos.

Ruble owned a construction company in South Florida and spent much of his time giving back to his community. But once he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, it only took a year for the incurable cancer to take his life.

What his family quickly discovered is that there is an enormous lack of funding for research, as many people haven't taken the time to look into this form of cancer. Mesothelioma just hasn't gotten the type of exposure as other forms of cancer, like those of the breast, lung, mouth or prostate.

The treatment options aren't very good and there are few skilled medical professionals who are quick to diagnose -- which is the best way to give those affected by this form of cancer a fighting chance at life.

The Ruble family created Mesothelioma Mission, a non-profit group designed to spread awareness of the cancer and raise money for medical research about it.

Mesothelioma, for those who are unaware, is a rare form of cancer that is developed by exposure to asbestos, a mineral that has never officially been banned by the United States, but one that is rarely used anymore. It was used for insulation, in brake pads, piping and other every day products until researchers discovered decades ago how toxic it could be.

Simple exposure to asbestos can lead to a fatal diagnosis decades later. After diagnosis, average survival is about 12 months.

As asbestos.com wrote, the Ruble family traveled to New York to wear bright orange "Cure Meso" t-shirts to wear on the set of NBC's Today Show in order to expose the world to mesothelioma's effects.

The family has held fund-raiser and awareness events in South Florida, got Fort Lauderdale to recognize the day locally, and funded research projects on mesothelioma nationwide. Their goal is to help others avoid the painful time Lance Ruble endured at the close of his life.

About 50 people showed up at the Today Show set early Sept. 26, hoping to catch the eye of a cameraman that day. Even a few shots on national television could reach millions of viewers, where curiosity could expose them to the truth about asbestos and mesothelioma.

Perhaps if only a few people recognized the painful experience of a mesothelioma patient from watching the show that day, it could lead to many more understanding the dangers of asbestos exposure.

Ideally, no one will have to suffer like Lance Ruble did. Or the many people diagnosed each year with this preventable form of deadly cancer.

Continue reading "Mesothelioma Requires More Than One Day of Awareness of the Effects of Asbestos" »

Until about 30 years ago, the general consensus was that only exposure to asbestos caused mesothelioma.

But when an area of Turkey began experiencing an increased number of mesothelioma cases, researchers found that another mineral, besides asbestos, could be at fault -- erionite. Because the mineral was abundant and easy to work with, natives began using it to build their homes.

As mesothelioma lawyers reported in July, researchers from Hawaii have traveled to parts of Turkey for years now to research erionite and determine how much of it is in the area and how it is linked to mesothelioma.

Some believe that erionite is actually more toxic than asbestos. But this isn't an issue Turkey only is dealing with. According to a U.S. Geological Survey, erionite has been found in every state in the western United States, including North and South Dakota. And the mineral has been used in road paving across the United States, MSNBC reports.

In some villages that have been studied for their high mesothelioma rates, 40 to 50 percent of all deaths were caused by mesothelioma. Studies in animals show erionite is 100 to 800 times more toxic than asbestos.

While U.S. researchers had a flicker of interest researching the mineral in the 1980s, they have mainly moved on to other things. That has left this toxic mineral used in many projects throughout the country and sprayed across the western coast without warning to citizens who could be at risk.

While erionite-related medical incidents haven't been widely reported, that doesn't mean we're all safe. Like asbestos-related mesothelioma, it takes sometimes 30 to 50 years to develop, so many people may have been exposed and are dealing with a potential disease without knowing it.

The MSNBC story reports that workers in North Dakota used the mineral in gravel to cover hundreds of miles of unpaved roads, parking lots and recreation sites, including areas that children frequent.

While erionite doesn't get quite the same media exposure that asbestos does, it is important that citizens pay attention to this potentially dangerous mineral and one that has been linked to mesothelioma.

If asbestos can cause people to die prematurely and suffer awfully painful deaths, and researchers believe erionite is 100 to 800 times as dangerous, we must heed the warnings. And while western states have been tested, it's possible that rural parts of the Eastern seaboard and Midwest have erionite present.

Like asbestos, this mineral can become very dangerous once it breaks up and becomes airborne. Government officials must not ignore this dangerous mineral. If for 30 years officials knew of the dangers and did nothing, residents shouldn't be punished by getting sick and having no recourse.

Federal policies must be established to ban the use of eriointe, a step that has never been taken for asbestos. There is no good reason that this dangerous mineral should be used in the United States. We should stop the talk now so we're not talking about how it killed us in the future.

Continue reading "Along with Asbestos, Erionite Considered Linked to Mesothelioma" »

President Barack Obama's American Jobs Act by and large will provide $25 billion to invest in school infrastructure to update facilities and provide better learning experiences for children in 35,000 schools across the country.

"Every child deserves a great school - and we can give it to them," the President said. "We can rebuild our schools for the 21st century, with faster internet, smarter labs and cutting-edge technology."

Mesothelioma lawyers at The Ferraro Law Firm are on-board with this plan because a major component of the plan is asbestos clean-up at our nation's schools. As the Mesothelioma Lawyer Blog has reported time and time again, exposure to asbestos in New York, Florida, or anywhere else in the United States is a precursor to the deadly cancer mesothelioma.

When most people hear that a school is outdated, they probably first think of technology, such as computers or internet connections, maybe even what type of books children are using or what lesson plans teachers are using.

But what about the structure of the building itself? Many older school buildings are extremely outdated and many contain asbestos. For years, schools were built with asbestos in the insulation, piping, boiler room equipment and other areas that school children (and their parents) don't normally see.

When older schools were built, it's likely the contractors didn't know the dangers of asbestos. It was used regularly for decades in the United States -- from as early as the 1910s throughout the 1970s, when production steadily declined until it ended in the 1990s. While asbestos has never been officially banned in the country, it is no longer used.

But that has left half a century or more of buildings that were made with asbestos, which is fire-resistant and can keep the cold or hot weather out. But as people -- including children -- began getting sick, officials realized the source was the asbestos.

Even today, schools across the country are having to dedicate millions of dollars to cleaning up asbestos that has been discovered in gymnasium floors, ceiling tiles and back rooms.

When asbestos breaks up and gets into the atmosphere, it gets into people's systems and forms tumors, typically along the lining of the heart, lungs or stomach. But this form of cancer is different than other forms. Instead of relatively quick movement, the cancer can develop over years or even decades.

Ultimately, the tumors cause fluid build-up, chest pain, heavy coughing and other symptoms. Victims visit doctor after doctor to figure out what's wrong, if they end up with a mesothelioma diagnosis, the end is near. The average lifespan after diagnosis is only 12 months.

So, it is critical that schools do the right thing -- despite financial hardships -- and clean up their facilities of asbestos. As the Obama plan states, asbestos cleanup, greening and energy efficiency upgrades and modernization of science and computer labs are all key components of the plan.

While schools are always looking for new teaching techniques, new books, new lesson plans, new products and other ways to enhance learning, officials must look at what else is important -- the health of our children. We can't teach them all the newest things while setting them up for health problems that will render that knowledge useless.

Continue reading "President's Plan Calls For Asbestos Removal From Schools in New York, Nationwide" »