Another step towards Mesothelioma Research: Minnesota House approves a grant of US$4.9 million

MINNESOTA, April 12, 2008 - The Minnesota House of Representatives gives permission for US$4.9 million funds to help explore a study of Mesothelioma, a rare but deadly form of lung cancer usually associated with exposure to asbestos dust.

The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation discovered that at least 58 people in Minnesota State have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma cancer as of summer 2007. The average Mesothelioma rate across the country is one in 500,000 and the presence of the cancer hints at other lung-related ailments, for example Asthma, Bronchogenic carcinoma etc.

Passed by a vote of 88-45, the malignant Mesothelioma research project will include a collaborative between scientists at the University’s Duluth and the Twin Cities campuses, and is broken into four different studies. The causes of death in the iron ore miners and the health of current and former miners will be investigated in the first three studies. On the other hand, the fourth study will inspect air particle samples in different cities of northern Minnesota.

Action Mesothelioma Day – February 27

Action Mesothelioma Day was launched on February 27, 2006 as an initiative by British Lung Foundation (BLF) with the help of other groups, to build awareness about the killer cancerous disease, mesothelioma, caused due to asbestos exposure.

In continuation to the campaign set up in 2006, events related to support mesothelioma and spread awareness are conducted to mark the Action Mesothelioma Day, 2008 to be held on February 27.

On this day, a petition called the “Action Mesothelioma Charter” signed by one thousand people was presented to the Parliament, which enlisted the various changes to be undertaken, to help build awareness toward mesothelioma as well as support people suffering from mesothelioma in Britain.

The campaign has become a platform where people of UK can protest against the exposure of asbestos in various industries as well.

The fight against mesothelioma through Action Mesothelioma Day was supported by specialist industrial disease solicitors Matthew Garson and Gina Heather along with a number of MPs.

Action Mesothelioma Charter Demands

• better treatment and support to mesothelioma patients
• safety to people working in industries using asbestos to prevent future exposure to asbestos
• financial support towards mesothelioma cancer research
• avoidance of asbestos-related cancer deaths
• justice for mesothelioma sufferers

Many mesothelioma sufferers with their families and supporters actively participated in various events conducted across United Kingdom to mark Action Mesothelioma Day.

Mesothelioma deaths in UK:

Last year itself the number of deaths due to mesothelioma in Britain amounted to an estimate of two thousand people.

According to an American study conducted by a non-profit research organization, Rand Corporation, it is indicated as much as 73,000 people have gone in for financial support and compensation for asbestos related disease, mesothelioma.

According to Amicus’ Health and Safety Officer, Rob Miguel, “Mesothelioma can develop up to 60 years after and because of this long delay it has been calculated that the number of UK cases will continue to rise until 2015. At present, some 2000 people a year die from this terrifying disease in the UK and by 2050 it is anticipated that 95,000 people will have died from mesothelioma.”

This indicates:

• 1,900 people die from mesothelioma each year in the UK
• 95,000 people will die from mesothelioma by 2050 in the UK
• 250,000 people will die from mesothelioma in Western Europe by 2035

Mesothelioma update: Asbestos presence confirmed in toy products

Asbestos in toy products

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

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

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

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

Mesothelioma Statistics 2007

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

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

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

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

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

Mesothelioma and Life expectancy post- diagnosis:

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

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

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

Mesothelioma statistical research:

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

source : Health Magazine

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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