The dangers associated with asbestos exposure have been documented back to ancient times. But despite all we know about asbestos and its ability to cause dangerous diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma, it is still used around the world in construction projects. This puts thousands at risk of serious illness or death.

Mesothelioma Life Expectancy: Scientists in Italy recently published a study on the effects of asbestos exposure on employees at an asbestos cement plant in the southern Italian city of Naples and the results were quite startling. The scientists focused on 1,247 laborers in the factory. They found a significant increase in deaths associated with respiratory diseases among the workers compared to the general population. The study looked at people who worked at the facility between 1950 and 1986, when asbestos use began to lose favor in Italy. It was eventually banned there in 1992.

The workers were tracked through 2005, and the study found that 240 subjects died as a result of respiratory diseases including pneumoconiosis, asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer from asbestos. The authors of the study concluded that this was similar to other studies performed elsewhere in the world.

The results are an alarming reminder of how dangerous asbestos is to those who are exposed to its cancer-causing fibers. Nearly 20 percent of subjects died because of the exposure and this number could rise as more victims die over the coming years. Sometimes it can take 10-50 years for mesothelioma symptoms to fully develop.

Mesothelioma Prognosis: Unlike our government, Italy has banned asbestos. Recently a court in Turin, Italy, convicted two businessmen of negligence stemming from the use of asbestos in their factory. In the United States, it is still legal to use asbestos for some applications and a ban on the substance has yet to be passed through Congress.

The evidence is clear; asbestos kills. Isn’t it time to reverse the disturbing trend of asbestos-related deaths? Isn’t it time we ban asbestos?

Throughout history, asbestos has been used for products ranging from textiles to building materials. It was prized for its ability to reduce fire danger in buildings. But asbestos also leads to deadly diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis, and, before we knew all the risks, asbestos was a popular building material throughout the 19th- and 20th centuries.

One product, which originated in Vermont, was Rutland Stove Lining, which was used to fix the interiors of cooking and heating stoves. The material was mixed with water and applied like paint. As with many asbestos products, Rutland Stove Lining was prized for its low cost and flexibility of use.

Mesothelioma Causes:  The Rutland Fire Clay Company, which still exists, no longer makes the stove lining, which was originally billed as a miracle product. However, asbestos materials are still used in a variety of products, ranging from building materials to protective equipment for firefighters. Asbestos was used widely in the United States through the 1970s and, despite the known risks, remains legal to this day. In many developing nations, asbestos products are an important part of the growing construction industry and in many places usage is actually increasing.

The advertising and marketing of Rutland Stove Lining and similar products may seem quaint and charming, but these items were flat-out dangerous. They have been the cause of thousands of untimely deaths and traumatic diseases over the past 100 years.

Mesothelioma Attorneys: Even though the stove lining isn’t sold today, asbestos is still in many of our homes and businesses. The potential for harmful health conditions – like mesothelioma – exists as long as the product is still legal to use.

A Canadian mayor’s decision to allow a Montreal company to leave asbestos debris in the town’s dump has many residents both angry and concerned for their health.

Mesothelioma:  The CBC recently reported on the situation in Gilliam, Manitoba, where Mayor Jim Goymer struck a deal with a Montreal environmental company to dispose of 540 tons of non-hazardous contaminated soil and 410 tons of asbestos materials within the town borders.

While the initial loads of waste were left in the community dump in bags that identified them as a “Cancer and Lung Disease Hazard,” many of the town’s residents are nonetheless angry that the deadly materials were allowed into their town in the first place.

“You go and dump a bunch of big bags marked ‘Caution, Danger, Cancer-causing Lung Disease Agents,’ and then don’t expect people to freak out? They give us no pre-warning, they never gave us the choice as to letting this happen,” said Julie Crawford, a resident who lives nearby the dump.

Cases of Mesothelioma:  Additionally, photos have been taken by town residents showing that some of the bags had been slit open and were spilling out grey powder, potentially releasing loose asbestos fibers into the air in the process.

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma after previously being exposed asbestos fibers, contact American Law Partners today to learn more about potentially pursuing a mesothelioma lawsuit.

The FDA has conducted an exploratory survey of cosmetic products that contain talc and cosmetic-grade raw material talc due to concerns the products may contain asbestos.

According to the FDA, no asbestos fibers were found in any of the samples. However, the results were somewhat limited because the FDA only received talc from four suppliers. The survey concluded that the results were informative but do not prove that all cosmetics containing talc sold in the U.S. are asbestos free.

Asbestos Exposure:  Talc is a mineral that occurs naturally and is composed of silicon, hydrogen, oxygen, and magnesium. Scientific literature that dates back to the 1960s has suggested talc may be linked to ovarian cancer.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by asbestos exposure, contact American Law Partners for a free legal consultation and to learn about your options.

Like many older buildings, the United Nations headquarters in New York City still contains potentially dangerous asbestos products that are only now being removed as part of a $2 billion renovation project.

Asbestos Cancer: According to the Associated Press, the UN headquarters is currently undergoing its first major renovation in its 60-year history ago. While many of the renovations are intended to increase the building’s security and safety in the event of a terrorist attack, asbestos abatement is a project that is being undertaken as well.

The abatement process has not been without its missteps, some of which may have put UN employees at an increased risk of developing illnesses such as asbestosis or mesothelioma. Some asbestos abatement work in the building began before U.N. staff were able to move from their offices to a temporary work location. The mistake led to accusations by the U.S Staff Union that the workers had been lied to about their safety during the construction.

Any level of asbestos exposure can be dangerous and increase the odds of developing an asbestos-related illness later in life.

If you have been exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos and now have mesothelioma, contact American Law Partners today to learn more about possible pursuing a mesothelioma claim.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has given the Oklahoma Department of Labor (ODL) more than $230,000 to help facilitate the process of removing asbestos from state schools that may be putting students and teachers at an increased mesothelioma risk.

The ODL will receive the $234,713 in the grant, which was formally awarded by EPA this week, that it will use to fund inspections encourage compliance with the state’s Asbestos in Schools Program.

Asbestos Settlements: The EPA details the Asbestos in Schools program as a “designed to protect the health of school children and other occupants as well as the community.” Asbestos was used in the construction products that schools built in the 20th century contain. Even with asbestos abatement strategies in place for decades now, students and teachers are still exposed to dangers levels of asbestos at schools, and therefore have a higher risk of eventually developing mesothelioma.

If you or a loved one wish to file for mesothelioma compensation following a diagnosis, contact American Law Partners today to learn more about how to properly pursue a mesothelioma claim by speaking with an attorney today.

Residents of a Manitoba town are in an uproar over a recent decision by the mayor to allow hazardous asbestos materials to be brought to the town and left in nothing more than flimsy bagging that can easily rip.

Mesothelioma and Asbestos: According to the CBC, a Montreal environmental company was recently granted permission by the Jim Goymer, the Mayor of Gilliam, to dispose and bury 540 tons of non-hazardous contaminated soil and 410 tons of asbestos within the town borders.

While the initial loads of waste were left in the community dump in bags labeled with “Danger” notice that says the materials they are holding are a “Cancer and Lung Disease Hazard,” many people in the town are angered that such dangerous substances were allowed into their town without further discussion.

“You go and dump a bunch of big bags marked ‘Caution, Danger, Cancer-causing Lung Disease Agents,’ and then don’t expect people to freak out? They give us no pre-warning, they never gave us the choice as to letting this happen,” said Julie Crawford, a resident who lives nearby the dump.

Mesothelioma Law:  To make matters worse, despite the mayor’s claims that all contaminated waste would be double-bagged so nothing dangerous would be released, photos have been taken by town residents showing that some of the bags had split and were spilling out grey powder.

While Goymer said that the materials would continue to be left at the dump, he added that the new loads would be buried underground.

If you or a loved one have been exposed to dangerous asbestos fibers and subsequently diagnosed with mesothelioma, there may be legal options at your disposal. Contact American Law Partners today to learn more about potentially pursuing a mesothelioma lawsuit.

Steve McQueen was one of the most cherished actors of the 20th century, appearing in such classic films as The Magnificent Seven, Bullitt, and The Thomas Crown Affair. His anti-hero persona allowed him to play challenging roles that most actors were not capable of undertaking. He remains a legend of American cinema.

Asbestos Lawsuit:  This March 24 would havemarked McQueen’s 82nd birthday. But sadly, McQueen died of complications from the deadly asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma in 1980 when he was just 50-years-old.

Mesothelioma can affect people from all walks of life, and McQueen was an example of that. While some people are diagnosed with the disease know how they were exposed to asbestos fibers, others have never had noticeable contact with the substance. Shipbuilders, miners and construction workers tend to have higher frequency of mesothelioma exposure because their jobs often required them to come in contact with asbestos materials.

On the other hand, McQueen – who was an actor and stunt man for much of his professional life – did not have as clear a history of prolonged asbestos exposure.

As we remember Steve McQueen’s remarkable career and tragic death, we should also remember the deadly legacy that asbestos carries with it. For much of his life, McQueen could have encountered asbestos materials in building materials, car parts, cleaning supplies, fabrics, cigarette filters, and countless other products.

McQueen once said, “I don’t believe in that phony hero stuff.” He is, however, a hero to many for the way he took on on mesothelioma and tried to fight the disease that has has claimed the lives of so many, and eventually took his. When McQueen died, he was in Mexico still seeking treatments for his disease that American doctors warned could be fatal.

Individuals whose lives have been touched by mesothelioma may have various questions and concerns about the deadly illness. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos cancer and need help, call our convenient toll-free number 800-611-7080 to speak with a mesothelioma consultant, or fill out our simple contact form for a free, no-obligation legal consultation.

The use of asbestos came into prominence as a building material during the latter half of the 19th century, and became a standard material for construction projects by the 1920s. Many building material manufacturers flocked to the substance as an effective product that could prevent fire damage and provide effective insulation.

Asbestos Attorney: Companies like the Johns-Manville Co. would sell everything from shingles and siding to insulation products made from the toxic asbestos fibers. The advertisement featured here from 1925 touted Johns-Manville’s shingles, which were one of the first asbestos products marketed to the wider consumer market.

The advertisement, which was geared toward builders and people who sell building supplies, boasted that a store owner in Mississippi saw an increase of $10,000 in sales when he began selling asbestos shingles in his shop. When adjusted for inflation, that $10,000 is he equivalent to more than $120,000 in today’s dollars.

By the end of the 1920s, asbestos had yet to reach its peak global usage. That would happen later in the 20th century before the substance’s usage finally began to drop off in the 1980s. This advertisement shows just how valuable the asbestos industry was for those who chose to sell products using the deadly substance. Asbestos was relatively inexpensive and effective at preventing fires, which was a very real danger back in that time period.

Ultimately, the costs associated with asbestos use can be measured in lives which have been claimed by the diseases that are caused by inhaling microscopic fibers of the substance. Mesothelioma and asbestosis are just two of the many deadly illnesses that have been linked to the fibers.

Individuals whose lives have been touched by mesothelioma may have questions and concerns they need answered. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos cancer and need help, call our convenient toll-free number 800-611-7080 to speak with a mesothelioma consultant, or you can fill out our simple contact form for a free, no-obligation legal consultation.

Terrence McCann might not be a name that you immediately recognize, but in the late 1950s and early 1960s his dominance on the wrestling mat was legendary.

As a competitor for the University of Iowa, he won two Big Ten titles and two national championships. He eventually went on to win a gold medal for the United States in the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, Italy. He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1977. He is truly a legend in the sport of wrestling.

Mesothelioma Lawsuits: McCann would have turned 78 on this March 23, but he was a victim of the deadly cancer mesothelioma, which is caused by asbestos fibers. He died in 2006 of complications from the disease, which has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people around the world.

McCann believed he was exposed to the asbestos that caused his death while briefly working for an oil refinery in Oklahoma as a youngster. He contended that a boiler at the plant used asbestos as insulation.

Asbestos exposure of any length can cause a wide range of medical complications, most notably mesothelioma and asbestosis.

The United States took home three gold medals for freestyle wrestling in Rome, including McCann’s win in the bantamweight class. It was an Olympiad that highlighted the intense athletic rivalry between the United States and Soviet Union. McCann came home from the games an American hero. Later in life, Terry McCann spent much of his time taking on the powerful organizations that had been the root of several different health issues in his life, including his asbestos-related disease.

Mesothelioma Help: Individuals whose lives have been touched by mesothelioma may have various questions and concerns. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos cancer and need help, call our convenient toll-free number 888-360-4215 to speak with a mesothelioma consultant, or you can fill out our simple contact form for a free, no-obligation legal consultation.