Mesothelioma Lawyer Blog

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" »

A Broward County jury awarded more than $20 million recently to a man and his wife after the husband was exposed to asbestos and diagnosed with mesothelioma in Florida. Mesothelioma lawyers at The Ferraro Law Firm -- which serves clients in Florida, New York, Washington D.C., and nationwide -- were able to secure the large verdict on behalf of the victim and his family.

In this case, the 61-year-old man was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2008 after spending years working in an environment that contained Union Carbide Corp. asbestos.

The Ferraro Law Firm's Juan Bauta argued that the man was exposed to the asbestos while working with Georgia Pacific's joint compound, which contained Union Carbide asbestos. The victim did the work in 1974 and 1975. He never saw any warning labels on the buckets of Georgia Pacific joint compound and didn't know it contained potentially harmful asbestos.

"It is remarkable to me that Union Carbide did not attempt to try to settle this case rather than put the Garrisons through more than two weeks of intense trial," said Bauta, who acted as lead counsel. Attorney Case Dam, also of The Ferraro Law Firm, assisted in the victory on behalf of another mesothelioma victim in Florida.

Asbestos exposure can lead to a diagnosis of mesothelioma years and sometimes decades later, which makes it a unique form of cancer, for which there is no cure. Someone could have worked at a factory or older building or by using common products such as car brakes, piping and insulation that contained asbestos without knowing it.

For years, buildings and parts were built by using asbestos, which companies later discovered was harmful to employees. Yet getting it out of their factories and buildings is expensive. In many cases, businesses put their profits ahead of their employees' safety, exposing many to asbestos. Now retired, they get the terrible diagnosis. Regardless of where a patient lives when diagnosed with mesothelioma, he or she should immediately seek the qualified legal representation of an experienced mesothelioma law firm.

This victim was exposed in the 1970s and wasn't diagnosed until 2008. But once diagnosed, the median lifespan is only 12 months, an especially quick time frame for a cancer that takes so long to manifest itself through its common symptoms.

Typical symptoms are heavy coughing, chest pain, fluid build-up and other respiratory problems that can often be confused with other sicknesses. It is important to visit a doctor who specializes in mesothelioma if you experience the symptoms of mesothelioma and believe you may have unknowingly been exposed to asbestos in a prior job.

Asbestos isn't regularly used in the United States anymore. But it still remains in many older products and buildings, including schools and apartments. It is widely known that asbestos is dangerous. Yet many officials have ignored the warnings.

Continue reading "Ferraro Mesothelioma Lawyers Win $20 Million Lawsuit in Broward County" »

For the last few months, Mesothelioma Lawyers have been reporting on the more than two dozen work sites across the country that were exposed to asbestos after processing vermiculite.

Both workers at the plants as well as their families and neighboring residents could have been exposed, which could lead to illnesses, including mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a deadly form of cancer linked to asbestos exposure. After a federal review of these sites by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, investigators tested soil and air samples to determine whether asbestos is still present even some two decades after these plants closed.

A mine in Libby, Montana, was responsible for producing more than 70 percent of the country's vermiculite from 1919 to 1990. But much of the vermiculite was contaminated with asbestos. While many people didn't know the ill effects of this natural mineral, they became apparent as years went on and workers and their families became terminally ill.

As microscopic asbestos flakes are ingested and travel through the body's bloodstream, they settle on the lining of major organs, such as the lungs or heart. There, they can stay for up to 30 or 40 years before a person has the typical symptoms of mesothelioma -- coughing, chest pain and other upper-body ailments. Once a person is diagnosed, their average life expectancy is 12 months.

While many companies and businesses may not have known of the problems caused by asbestos exposure when it was first used for insulation and other uses, they later became aware of it. Tragically, many employers failed to protect the health and welfare of workers being exposed to asbestos.

The purpose of this blog series is to inform Americans about places they or a loved one could have been exposed to asbestos and to educate the public about how this natural mineral can affect a person's body.

Mesothelioma in Dearborn, MI: This Zonolite Company/W.R. Grace site operated from the 1950s to 1990 and were exposed to hazardous levels of asbestos.

While the workers at the current site don't appear to have been exposed to asbestos, soil samples taken in the last decade indicate asbestos may still be in the ground.

Mesothelioma in Minot, ND: This former Robinson Insulation Company plant operated from 1945 to 1983 and received vermiculite from Libby.

From 1967 to 1983, the plant processed more than 16,000 tons of vermiculite. The Minot Parks Department purchased the property in 1993 and used buildings to store equipment. Homes site as close as 175 yards away. Under federal supervision, the buildings were torn down and soil containing Libby asbestos was removed and replaced with clean fill in the early 2000s.

Mesothelioma in Glendale, AZ: This Ari-Zonolite Company plant processed Vermiculite from 1951 and 1964. The CDC warns that former workers, family members and those who lived near the plant could have been exposed to asbestos.

Continue reading "Blog Series On Asbestos Exposure Sites Continues" »

As the Mesothelioma Lawyer Blog has reported for several months, there were sites across the country that received vermiculite tainted with asbestos, which can cause illnesses, such as mesothelioma.

These sites have since been shut down, but asbestos has never officially been banned in the United States. Many third-world countries use the material as an inexpensive insulator and mineral that can be used to create floor and ceiling tiles, peat moss and other manufactured products.

In the United States, vermiculite containing abestos was heavily used for years to insulate houses and businesses. And for years, people were exposed to microscopic asbestos dust, which they didn't realize could cause harm. The dust travels through people's circulatory systems until they attach to the lining of major organs, such as the lungs and heart.

Sometimes, they can stay undetected for decades, up to 30 and 40 years, before symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing, chest pain, fluid in the chest and other problems are discovered. Once diagnosed with mesothelioma, a fatal and incurable cancer, the patient typically lives for about 12 months. Those diagnosed typically experienced exposure in the workplace or as part of the manufacturing process. Those who worked in shipyards and members of the military are also at increased risk. The United States military was one of the largest consumers of asbestos and it was used on Navy ships and in shipyards.

Many employers knew the hazards of asbestos and chose to use it anyway, thus putting employees at risk. Mechanics, boilermakers, bricklayers, carpenters, insulators, roofers, plumbers and others who may have come into contact with asbestos may have been put at risk.

More than 70 percent of the country's vermiculite came from a mine in Libby, Montana and was shipped to more than two dozen plants across the country, where workers manufactured products with the raw mineral. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention studied these sites to determine the level of exposure to asbestos and potential risks to residents.

Mesothelioma in Easthampton, Mass.: This Zonolite Company site in western Massachusetts received vermiculite from Libby from 1963 to 1984 to produce attic insulation and fireproofing material. It continued producing products with vermiculite from other sources until 1992.

In the 20 years it received vermiculite from Libby, the site processed 183,255 tons of the mineral in producing manufactured goods. According to CDC data, about 1,400 people lived within a half mile of the stie in 2001. A preschool sits just a 1/4 mile northwest of the plant.

Mesothelioma in Ellwood City, Pa.: This site, located in far western Pennsylvania, was operated by the W.R. Grace and Zonolite companies from 1954 to 1969.

The CDC reports that not only workers, but family members of workers and those who lived near the plant are at a high risk for exposure to asbestos. If people have symptoms, they should consult with a doctor.

Mesothelioma in Marysville, Ohio: This site, in central Ohio, was operated by The Scotts Company LLC, which was formerly O.M. Scott and Sons Company. The plant was operational from 1967 to 1980.

Federal agent research confirms that the site exfoliated more than 430,000 tons of vermiculite in that time frame, with much of it coming from Libby. According to U.S. Census data, about 185 people lived within one mile of the facility in 1990.

Continue reading "Mesothelioma Lawyer Blog Reports On Northeast/Midwest Asbestos Exposure Sites" »

For several weeks now, Mesothelioma Lawyers have been detailing sites across the country that processed vermiculite, a natural mineral that can contain asbestos.

And exposure to asbestos can lead to a diagnosis of mesothelioma, a fatal and incurable form of cancer. Microscopic asbestos fibers can be ingested and travel throughout the body until they land on the walls of major organs, such as the lungs and stomach. There, they can sit for as long as 30 or 40 years before a doctor makes a diagnosis.

Asbestos exposure may have been most prevalent in the U.S. military, construction and automobile industries which were major users of asbestos-based products, including insulation, during the 20th Century. While asbestos has never officially been banned in this country, its use has been severely limited in recent years because of the knowledge of its damaging effects. It was used primarily in the construction of houses and businesses as well as in floor and ceiling tiles, peat moss, other garden products and manufactured goods.

And from 1919 to 1990, a mine in Libby, Montana produced 70 percent of the country's vermiculite. The mine would discover the mineral and ship it to plants from California to New York, where workers would exfoliate the mineral to use in manufacturing. But even two decades after the mine closed, the federal government has dedicated millions to cleaning up Libby. Thousands have gone ill and hundreds have died from asbestos-related diseases because a dust of asbestos would cover workers, vehicles, buildings, the grass and other parts of Libby when the mine was operating.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released reports after analyzing more than two dozen plants, along with the Libby mine for asbestos exposure. And the Mesothelioma Lawyer Blog has been reporting on these reports to keep readers informed about the potential hazards to asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma in Denver: This Western Minerals Products plant began operations before 1967 and processed vermiculite contaminated with asbestos from the Libby mine until 1990.

According to the CDC, the facility exfoliated vermiculite to manufacture insulation and other products -- more than 100,000 tons. And after 1990, the site has been occupied by Minnesota Corn Processors, a corn syrup manufacturer. The area is light industrial with a baseball field to the southeast. In 1990, about 13,000 people lived within a mile; so many people are at risk.

Mesothelioma in New Orleans: This Zonolite Company/W.R. Grace & Company site processed more than 148,000 tons of vermiculite when it operated from 1965 to 1989.

Based on 1990 U.S. Census data, about 5,100 people lived within 1 mile of the site, leading to a risk of exposure.

Mesothelioma in St. Louis: This Zonolite Company site was located within sight of interstates 44 and 64 in southwest St. Louis.

The facility operated from the 1940s to 1988 and processed nearly 140,000 tons of vermiculite from Libby. In 1990, about 13,600 people lived within one mile of the facility.

Continue reading "Big Vacation Spots Affected By Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma" »

Mesothelioma Lawyers have been working on a series about dozens of vermiculite refineries across the country that have been blamed for spreading harmful asbestos to different parts of the United States. In this next blog entry, we discuss some West Coast sites that could have harmed people.

Vermiculite is a natural mineral that contains asbestos. Asbestos was used for most of the 20th century to insulate houses, create floor and ceiling tiles and other manufactured goods. The United States military was one of the largest buyers of the material.

One particular mine in Libby, Montana supplied 70 percent of the country's vermiculite and shipped it to plants from California to New York. In processing it, workers were often exposed to asbestos, which has been linked exclusively to the deadly cancer, mesothelioma. In many cases, family members may have suffered secondhand exposure to deadly levels of asbestos. That small town has had thousands of people fall ill and hundreds killed because of exposure to asbestos. The federal government has earmarked more than $100 million to help provide testing and cleanup in Libby, some 21 years after the mine was shut down.

While asbestos has never officially been banned in the United States, most businesses don't use it because of its link to illnesses, such as mesothelioma. Microscopic asbestos fibers are ingested and make their way through a person's bloodstream and attach to the walls of major organs, such as the lungs and heart. They fester for sometimes 30 to 40 years before a person is diagnosed.

Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention produced a report on 28 sites that received vermiculite from the Libby mine. They put out public health alerts for citizens who may have been affected by exposure to asbestos.

Mesothelioma in Santa Ana: This W.R. Grace & Company plant operated from 1972 to 1993. It exfoliated more than 400,000 tons of vermiculite. W.R. Grace still owns the four-acre site and in 1990, more than 35,000 people lived within one mile of the plant.

The CDC warns that former workers, their relatives and others who may have lived near the plant could be at risk for asbestos exposure and related diseases.

Asbestos in Los Angeles: This Zonolite/W.R. Grace & Company site operated from 1950 to 1977 and exfoliated more than 120,000 tons of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite.

The facility consists of 2.75 acres of land on the north side of greater Los Angeles. According to the CDC, about 1,800 people lived within one mile of the site in 1990. Between 70 and 150 workers were exposed to asbestos when the plant was operational.

Asbestos in Newark: This W.R. Grace & Company plant operated from 1966 to 1993. And in that time, employees processed about 300,000 tons of vermiculite from the Libby mine.

The Newark plant produced gypsum, perlite and peat moss. The plant, which is on the southeast edge of San Francisco Bay, is in a mixed commercial, industrial and residential area. In 1990, about 10,000 people lived within a mile of the site.

Continue reading "Mesothelioma Lawyers Look at Large Cities Exposed to Asbestos" »

NBC News in Libby, Montana is reporting that the federal government is continuing to aid residents who were exposed to asbestos, even though the mine there closed in 1990.

Asbestos exposure can lead to the incurable cancer mesothelioma and can cause a host of other medical problems. Mesothelioma Lawyers have been publishing a series of blogs about the effects of the vermiculite mined in Libby from 1919 to 1990 and shipped to plants across the country. Vermiculite is a natural mineral that can contain asbestos. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos, either through mining or exfoliating the substance, through service in the United States armed forces or through older buildings that used it for insulation, consult with our firm today.

In Libby, thousands have become ill and hundreds have died because of exposure to microscopic asbestos fibers, which are inhaled and travel through the bloodstream, attaching to vital organs, such as the heart or lungs. The incubation period can last for 30 or 40 years before a person is diagnosed with an illness and many people don't know they are sick until it's too late.

According to NBC, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will offer additional medical benefits to Libby residents as part of a coordinated effort among several federal agencies. It wasn't until 2009 that the Environmental Protection Agency declared Libby a public health emergency, 19 years after the mine closed.

Until now, Libby residents have received benefits from temporary grant programs through the state and the Health Resources and Services Administration, NBC reports. The pilot program, though, will offer home care services, special medical equipment, help with travel to get care, counseling, nutritional supplements and prescription drugs not covered by Medicare.

In 2009, W.R. Grace & Company, which operated the mine, was acquitted by a federal jury of exposing the city's 100,000 residents for decades. The exposure has led to more than 200 deaths and 1,000 illnesses, CNN reports.

A CNN article published the same year reported that the EPA had dedicated more than $130 million to help clean up the area and aid in medical assistance. Through 2009, the city had received $33 million in aid from the EPA.

These numbers and the continued help Libby has received shows just how bad the situation is. With federal prosecutors seeking criminal charges against W.R. Grace & Company's executives, alleging they knew of the effects and did nothing, and the federal government pledging hundreds of millions of dollars to help the citizens, it is truly a disaster.

But what people must keep in mind is that while Libby was the epicenter of vermiculite mining, the company shipped millions of tons of the asbestos-laced mineral all across the country, from Florida to Massachusetts, Illinois and Texas. Millions of people, some in large cities, could have been exposed to this dangerous substance.

if you may have been exposed to asbestos, meet with a doctor who specializes in asbestos-related illnesses. If you are diagnosed with an illness, consult with our law firm, which may be able to help you receive aid for unjustly being exposed.

Continue reading "Public Health Hazard Due to Asbestos Exposure in Libby Montana Still Prevalent" »

Asbestos exposure, which can lead to the incurable cancer mesothelioma, can be devastating to many Americans. And because the disease is so deadly, and because it is typically diagnosed decades after asbestos exposure, linking the cancer to the responsible party and making a recovery can be a complex process.

Mesothelioma Lawyers are writing a continuous blog on the main cities across the country outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as being at risk for asbestos exposure.

These 28 sites were either plants or mines for processing vermiculite, a natural mineral that often contains asbestos. At the beginning of the 20th Century and leading up to the 1990s, many cities across the United States had operations that either mined vermiculite or shipped it out to be processed. And while the United States has never officially banned asbestos, most companies no longer use it because of the associated health risks and liability.

It has been used for decades to insulate houses and businesses, to form ceiling and floor tiles and the United States military was once one of the largest buyers of asbestos-based products. Exposure typically occurred through inhaling microscopic fibers that get into a person's bloodstream and eventually line the wall of major organs, such as the liver, lungs and heart. The fibers incubate for as long as 30 or 40 years before someone can be diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease.

This series of blogs highlights the areas where asbestos was most prevalent and whether today there are still risks to people living nearby. But people who were exposed to asbestos even decades ago and people who may have washed their clothes or lived with them could also be at risk. A vermiculite mine in Libby, Montana was responsible for producing 70 percent of the country's contaminated vermiculite from 1919 to 1990 and thousands of people have fallen ill and died in that town due to asbestos exposure and mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma in Dallas: This W.R. Grace & Company/Texas Vermiculite site operated from 1953 to 1992, according to the CDC.

In those 40 years, the site received and processed more than 396,900 tons of asbestos-contained vermiculite. The vermiculite was then "popped" or exfoliated and used to produce horticultural products for commercial growers and private consumers. According to researchers, the buildings on the 4-acre lot of land were demolished in 2001 or 2002.

In 1990, nearly 7,200 people lived within a mile of the site. Federal authorities believe that former workers, their families and also the public who lived near the Manila Road site were at risk for asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma in Minneapolis: Ore from the Libby mine was shipped to and processed at the Western Mineral Products plan located in Minneapolis. From 1938 to 1989, the plant received tons of the natural minerals.

After being exfoliated, left over ore was known as "crush rock" or "stoner rock" was left in piles outside the plant. People would use it in their gardens, driveways and yards and children would play in piles of it. Officials now know that the rock was contaminated with asbestos and put people at risk for asbestos-related illnesses.

Cleanup at the plant was completed in 2001 and the United States Environmental Protection Agency has been removing visible asbestos in yards at no cost to the homeowner.

Mesothelioma in Omaha: This Western Mineral Products site operated from 1940 to 1989. According to researchers the plant processed more than 166,000 tons of vermiculite when it was operational.

According to 1990 U.S. Census numbers, about 120 people lived within a mile of the plant. The area was mainly commercial and industrial. The building formerly used to process vermiculite is used by a gutter company and an archery club. A meat packing company is located across the street.

Continue reading "Mesothelioma Lawyer Blog Spotlights Large Cities at Risk For Asbestos Exposure" »

In our continuing series about the nation's most well-known asbestos exposure sites, this week takes a look at some sites in major cities, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Mesothelioma Lawyers are dedicated to fighting for victims who have been exposed to asbestos, which may cause mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer that develops in the body's organ lining. As previously reported by Mesothelioma Lawyer Blog, asbestos was never officially banned by the United States, but most companies no longer use the carcinogen once common in insulation and other products.

Mesothelioma is one of the most serious and deadly forms of cancer. Unfortunately, the incubation period is anywhere from 30 to 40 years, so many people don't link diagnosis to asbestos exposure decades earlier. Those most affected are military personnel and those who worked in mills or construction sites decades ago.

This continuing series aims to educate those who lived near (or worked at) some of the nation's most notorious sites, which have been documented by the federal government as having asbestos in the air and soil to this day. Many have a connection to the infamous Libby, Montana mine operated by W.R. Grace and Company, which affected thousands of people.

Mesothelioma in Chicago: This W.R. Grace & Company facility operated from 1974 to the 1990s and was contaminated with asbestos.

According to the CDC, the plant exfoliated vermiculite used to manufacture other products. In a nearly 20-year time frame, the plant processed more than 273,000 tons of vermiculite. Deposits of mined vermiculite can be contaminated with naturally occurring asbestos.

The plant closed in 1996 and sold the 6.4-acre site to Royal Corinthian two years later. That company manufactures marble columns and rails inside the building formerly used for vermiculite processing. The surrounding area is light industrial, with the closest residential area about one half mile east. In 1990, 3,000 people lived within a mile.

Mesothelioma in Phoenix: The W.R. Grace & Company and Solomon's Mines site was located at 4220 West Glenrosa Avenue in Phoenix.

The CDC offers little information about this particular facility, other than the Libby, Montana mine operated from the 1920s to 1990 and this particular site may have received vermiculite from Libby during those years. The Phoenix site stopped processing Libby vermiculite in 1992, but is still operational today.

Mesothelioma in Honolulu: The CDC identified a vermiculite site in Hawaii at 842-A Mapunapuna Street in Honolulu. The site operated from 1954 to 1983.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, believes people who currently live near, worked at, lived with someone who worked at or lived near the plant could be at risk for exposure to asbestos. Consult with a doctor who specializes in asbestos-related disease.

Continue reading "Mesothelioma Lawyers Continue Blog Series on Asbestos Exposure Sites " »

As our mesothelioma attorneys have continued to report, asbestos exposure causes Mesothelioma, one of deadliest forms of cancer. But experts say the cancer can incubate for 30 to 40 years, so patients often don't realize that the root cause of the cancer is that old.

As previously reported on the Mesothelioma Lawyer Blog, there are several sites across the country that have been accused of putting employees at high risk of asbestos exposure. Many handled contaminated vermiculite, a mined material which can contain asbestos. While asbestos was never officially banned in the United States, many businesses have stopped using the known carcinogen.

These blogs are part of a series based on reports by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And those who worked or lived in these areas are at high risk. Former employees who worked at similar sites or did similar work could be at increased risk of a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that develops in the lining of many of the body's internal organs. It is usually caused by exposure to asbestos and by people who have inhaled asbestos dust.

Mesothelioma in New Jersey: The Zonolite Company and W.R. Grace and Company operated a site in Trenton through 1994. According to the CDC, the Mercer County site may have received vermiculite from the Libby, Montana site at any time from 1920-1990.

Libby was the main site from which the company mined its vermiculite and the death rate there was 40 times higher than the rest of Montana and 60 times higher than the United States. If you have lived near or worked at the New Jersey plant, you should speak with a medical professional experienced in handling asbestos related health issues.

Mesothelioma in Pennsylvania: The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry did an exposure evaluation of the former W.R. Grace & Company Site in New Castle, Pa., which is on the western edge of the state. The site operated from 1969 and 1992.

According to U.S. Census data, the population of Lawrence County has steadily declined since 1960. In that year, about 113,000 people lived in the county containing New Castle. By 1990, the population dipped to 96,000. In 2006, that number dropped to 90,000.

Those most affected are people who currently live near the processing site, those who worked there between 1969 and 1992, lived with someone who worked there or lived there during that time period. Asbestos fibers are so small that you can breathe them in and not even know it. They can get trapped in your lungs and cause cancer decades after exposure.

Mesothelioma in Maryland: The W.R. Grace and Zonolite Company operated a vermiculite processing plant in Beltsville from 1966 to the early 1990s, the CDC reports.

The facility exfoliated vermiculite to manufacture insulation, building products, agricultural products and fireproofing material. More than 93,000 tons of vermiculite was processed and shipped out of this site for distribution across the country. Since 1998, Atlantic Transportation Equipment has leased the property to operate a truck maintenance and repair shop.

The closest residential area is about a half mile away from the site and according to 1990 U.S. Census data, 320 people lived within one mile of the site. Officials found that Libby asbestos was detected on the site. Former workers, family members and others living nearby should consult with a doctor to check for possible exposure.

Continue reading "Mesothelioma Attorneys Continue Look at Nation's Top Asbestos Sites" »

As our mesothelioma lawyers frequently report, exposure to asbestos is what causes this deadly cancer. But because the incubation period is typically 30 to 40 years, too often patients fail to connect asbestos exposure in the 1960s or 1970s to a cancer diagnosis.

We reported recently on our Mesothelioma Lawyer Blog that asbestos was never officially banned for existing uses in the United States. However, most businesses and products have long since stopped using the known carcinogen. Some of those most at risk including military veterans and those who worked in mills or on construction sites through the 1970s.

For the next few weeks, our mesothelioma attorneys will publish a series of blogs taking a look at some of the nation's most well-known exposure sites, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those who worked in these locations are at high risk. Former employees who worked in similar jobs or on similar job sites may also be at increased risk of a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Mesothelioma in Florida: The Zonolite and W.R. Grace and Company Exfoliation Facility in Tampa is a known location where employees were exposed to dangerous amounts of asbestos, according to the CDC. The site has processed vermiculite since the 1950s and continues to do so today. Deposits of mined vermiculite can be contaminated with naturally occurring asbestos. Much of the nation's contaminated vermiculite came from a mine in Libby Montana, which was active until 1990.

Prior to 1991, the Tampa site processed nearly 50,000 tons of vermiculite from the Libby mine. The U.S. Census reports about 4,600 people lived within one mile of the facility in 1990. Former workers and their family members are encouraged to consult a physician knowledgeable in asbestos-related health issues.

Mesothelioma in New York: Similarly, the CDC reports the Zonolite Company/W.R. Grace Facility in Brutus New York (known as the Weedsport Facility), processed contaminated vermiculite from the Libby mine. The facility operated from 1963 until 1989. A cocoa husk mulch company then operated at the site until 2001. Currently, the facility sits empty.

About 1,200 people lived within a mile of the site, according to the 1990 U.S. Census. Current and former employees of the facility are encouraged to seek medical advice. Future disturbance of the soil or renovations at the facility could further expose workers to dangerous levels of asbestos.

New Jersey Mesothelioma: The Celotex Corporation in Edgewater, Bergen County New Jersey was a gypsum board manufacturer that used vermiculite from the Libby mine. The facility closed in the 1970s. The Zonolite Company, W.R. Grace Facility in Trenton, New Jersey also used vermiculite from the Libby mine and may have exposed workers to unsafe levels of asbestos. The facility closed in 1994.

Continue reading "Mesothelioma Lawyers Look at Some of Nation's Leading Asbestos Exposure Sites" »