A man from Point Pleasant, West Virginia, has filed a lawsuit against his employer, alleging that he was exposed to asbestos during the course of his work-related duties. Martin Randall Woodall Jr. claims he worked on a boat known as the M/V Leila Shearer, owned by defendant/employer Campbell Transportation Company. Woodall Jr. later learned that the vessel had temporarily been taken out of service for asbestos abatement.

Asbestos exposure is conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. Sadly, the disease usually kills within 24 months of being diagnosed by a physician. Mesothelioma affects between 2,000 and 3,000 Americans each year. The disease typically lies dormant for up to fifty years before the onset of symptoms.

According to the National Cancer Institute, “symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face. These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions.”

Woodall claims that he suffered from lung dysfunction, according to the complaint. This resulted in lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and pain and suffering. He is seeking damages, plus attorneys’ fees and other costs.

Asbestos removal has begun at the site of two Franklin County, Kentucky courthouse annexes, in preparation for a planned April 7^th demolition of the annexes to make way for a $30 million Franklin County Judicial Center. Gateway Environmental Service Inc., of Highland, Illinois, submitted the lowest bid for the demolition project, in the amount of $335,440.

Judge-Executive Ted Collins, chairman of the Project Development Board overseeing the judicial center’s construction, told reporters that while he was disappointed “the local bidder wasn’t in the running,” local laborers will still be invited to work on the project. “They’ll bring in their experts, supervisors and equipment and use a pool of employees from Frankfort and the Central Kentucky region,” Collins said.

The asbestos removal required by law prior to the demolition of the annexes will be tackled by Environmental Assurance Co. Inc., of Indianapolis. They submitted the lowest bid for asbestos removal and lead-based paint stabilization in the amount of $144,000. Asbestos removal is important in order to keep the material from becoming airborne during demolition, as inhaling airborne asbestos particles or dust has been linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. While there are palliative treatment methods available, including chemo, there is no known cure for mesothelioma. The disease typically lies dormant for up to fifty years before an individual begins to suffer from mesothelioma symptoms, and the majority of patients lose their battle with this cancer in less than two years following diagnosis.

Roger Lashbrook with Codell Construction Co., construction manager for the judicial center, is hopeful that bids for construction work for the new judicial center will be very competitive, due to the current economic climate. He said, “This is a very hot bidding market and hopefully that will continue through June when we bid the construction.”

In a sad twist of irony, a UK man has passed away in the very same English hospital where it is believed he was first exposed to the carcinogen that ultimately took his life. Trevor Bell was 59 at the time of his death on January 27, and the cause was malignant mesothelioma. It is believed that Bell was exposed to asbestos while working in his younger years at the same Lincolnshire hospital where he died earlier this year.

Bell was diagnosed with the disease in May 2007. It is quite common for mesothelioma to kill within only two years or so after being diagnosed. While there are palliative treatment methods available, including chemo, there is no known cure for this aggressive and rare form of cancer. The disease typically lies dormant for up to fifty years before an individual begins to suffer from mesothelioma symptoms, and the majority of patients lose their battle with this cancer within 4-24 months of being diagnosed.

In a statement written before he died, Bell recalled how he was employed as an apprentice electrician "At Lincoln County Hospital [where] the steam pipes in the basement were covered in asbestos lagging. I had to sweep away quite a lot of dust before I could begin my work which I believe contained asbestos from the lagging. Then I worked at the hospital in Derby – I think the asbestos levels at Lincoln were worse than at Derby."

Deputy Coroner Richard Marshall said, "It is clear from the evidence I have heard and the history given by Mr Bell himself, together with the expert’s report and the conclusion of the post mortem examination, that this was malignant mesothelioma linked to asbestos exposure during Mr. Bell’s working life."

Denver Water has released an official response regarding recent claims that they were involved in an illegal asbestos dumping scheme. The allegations, made by a number of former Denver Water employees, state that Denver Water buried asbestos-containing cement pipes on a water treatment property nearly two decades ago.

Asbestos must be handled properly in order to prevent the material from becoming an environmental of public health hazard. Asbestos exposure has been conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. Tragically, the majority of patients pass away from mesothelioma within 24 months after being diagnosed. Mesothelioma affects 2,000 to 3,000 new patients in American every year, but remains incurable at the present time.

Denver Water appears to be implying that the employees claims are part of an extortion scheme, and their allegations are not based in fact. Denver Water agreed to conduct an investigation into the matter if the employees provided further information about the incident, which the employees did not do. According to local reports, Denver Water officials say that the employees threatened to go public with their information unless they received a certain amount of money.

Denver Water argues that even if asbestos was present, it would not necessarily pose a threat to the quality of local groundwater.

“We want the community near Foothills Treatment Plant to know the air is safe, the drinking water is safe and the ground water is safe,” the response stated. The response went on to state: “Denver Water’s job is to provide safe, clean drinking water to our customers and to protect public health. We take that charge very seriously, and we are extremely distressed that a recent Fox 31 news story has created unnecessary fear and concern among residents near our Foothills Treatment Plant in Roxborough. It is irresponsible to lead people to believe they are in danger when they are not.”

An asbestos-related lawsuit has been filed in St. Clair County, Illinois. The suit, which names 14 defendant companies, was filed by a husband and wife who allege that the companies named are to blamed for the lung cancer that has afflicted the man. Aubrey and Olive Roach claim Aubrey Roach’s lung cancer, which was diagnosed with the disease in December 2008, was wrongfully caused by these companies.

According to court documents filed earlier this month in St. Clair County Circuit Court, Aubrey Roach worked from 1946 until 1949 for the U.S. Army and from 1949 until 1977 as a combat vehicle mechanic for Red River Army Depot. He alleges that it was this line of work that exposed him to asbestos which caused his lung cancer.

Exposure to asbestos can lead to lung cancer, as well as mesothelioma, a rare cancer that can affect the lungs or various tissues in the chest or abdominal cavity. The cancer can take decades to develop, but once diagnosed, the cancer has been known to kill some patients within mere months. Sadly, there is no cure for mesothelioma.

The Roaches allege the asbestos-related disease “disabled and disfigured” Mr. Roach. The couple argues that the husband’s exposure to asbestos was both foreseeable and preventable, and that the companies should have taken action to protect Mr. Roach.

The couple is seeking “sums in excess of $100,000, punitive and exemplary damages of more than $100,000 and compensatory damages in excess of $100,000”, according to local news sources.

p>In Montpelier, Vermont, a December fire has been investigated by local officials and will likely be found to not be a case of arson. Vermont State Police arson investigators and Montpelier Fire Chief Gesualdo Schneider have investigated the fire at an historic apartment building that was once a schoolhouse.

"Investigators were over there (in December) looking at that," Schneider said. "They still need to get a little information. It is OK for tenants to go into the areas. They should work through the Police Department so we don’t have people wandering around there," said Schneider, adding that while the tenants can visit the site, the building will not be ready for occupants to live in full time for many months.

The massive blaze took 62 firefighters to bring under control. The building, while structurally sound, does have smoke damage. The building also contains asbestos, which will complicate renovations, according to City Manager William Fraser. Asbestos exposure is conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, which is known to affect less than 3,000 Americans each year. While there are palliative treatment methods available, including chemo, there is no known cure. The disease typically lies dormant for up to fifty years before the first symptoms emerge.

"It appears the building is salvageable," Fraser said, but added, "That floor will have to be demolished and taken out. That building will be closed for months, at least, perhaps longer as we choose what to do with it."

The community of Homer Glen, Illinois has dropped their deal to acquire the 98 acre Dunn Farm property. Homer Glen had wanted to use the site as a new community park, but unfortunately the deal has fallen through. Members of the village board voted unanimously to drop the deal, and the deal will be officially off the table as soon as Dunn Farm landowner Hickory Grove Investments returns the $10,000 in earnest money Homer Glen put up.

In addition to the poor economy, it is believed that asbestos concerns were also a reason that the deal is no longer being pursued. "I think we’re going to move back to square one," Trustee Laurel Ward, the co-chairman of the community and economic development committee, said. ”[A community park] is certainly something that is in our planning documents …. I would say it’s still an objective as the village. We can always benefit from hindsight, and when you know better, you do better."

Asbestos at some of the buildings at the Dunn Farm site was a major cause for concern. According to the US EPA, there is no safe level of asbestos exposure. Asbestos exposure is conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a relatively rare form of cancer that often affects the lining of the lungs, abdominal cavity, or even the membrane which encases the heart. Mesothelioma affects less than 3,000 Americans each year, and while there are palliative treatment methods available, including chemotherapy, there is no known cure at the present time. The disease typically lies dormant for up to fifty years before an individual begins to suffer from mesothelioma symptoms, and the majority of patients lose their battle with this cancer in less than two years following diagnosis.

Village manager Paula Wallrich said that a meeting with a planning consultant might help solidify plans for a community park.

"There has been some question about whether everyone is on the same page," she said. "This would be a unifying exercise."

In New Hartford, Connecticut, the local selectmen are puzzled over the best course of action regarding the needed improvements at an area school. A $2 million renovation project is badly needed at Ann Antolini School, but may have to be delayed due to the current economic climate.

First Selectman Daniel V. Jerram argues that the project, recently endorsed by the Board of Education, should be delayed in order to avoid increasing taxes in an already difficult economic time.

"In the current economic climate, I’m unsure whether we should do this," Jerram said. "I think there’s a threat of jeopardizing the entire project."

The proposed project would include improvements to the school’s roof, windows, doors and boilers. Asbestos removal is also needed at the site prior to some of the work. Asbestos exposure has been conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that can affect the lungs or other organs and tissues in the body.

Mesothelioma affects less than 3,000 Americans each year, and tragically, there is no known cure. The majority of patients lose their battle with this cancer in less than two years following diagnosis.

According to Superintendent Philip O’Reilly, the number of projects have been piling up for many years while the school district focused on renovating the town’s other two schools that were in worse shape. However, some officials think that now is the perfect time to start a new project. Selectman Thomas T. Klebart argues that contractors are placing competitive bids in this economy, meaning that the town may actually be able to have the work done at a lower price than in previous years.

p>In Baryulgil, New South Wales, Australia, local officials are breathing easier after receiving the results of some recent asbestos tests. Asbestos-contaminated roads in the area were thought to have released dangerously high levels of asbestos into the air.

These airborne asbestos fibers can cause serious health problems if inhaled, such as lung cancer, lung damage, and mesothelioma, a rare cancer. This aggressive cancer can kill within weeks in some cases, but strangely can lie dormant in the body for decades prior to the onset of symptoms. During this long latency period, the cancer is asymptomatic.

According to recent test results revealed by a local council spokesman, “The air samples have revealed the problems are not significant. Of the five sampling points, established to record the presence of asbestos fibers, only one site, in Bulldog Road, produced a significant result and the fiber count there was below 0.1 fibers per milliliter, regarded as the health criteria for asbestos.”

Mayor Richie Williamson said, “While we are relieved to receive these sampling results, we continue to work with the relevant authorities to ensure the residents, council staff and visitors are not unnecessarily exposed to health risks.”

It is important to remember that while acceptable levels of asbestos have been set by most governments throughout the industrialized world, even a small amount of asbestos can be lethal if accidentally inhaled. According to OSHA and the US EPA, there is no safe level of asbestos exposure.

In Hope, Arkansas, the officials of Hempstead County have compiled their year-end reports, which outline the trials and tribulations of the last year. While County Judge Wallace Martin reported many difficulties with local roadways, Hempstead County Clerk Sandra Rodgers reported a great number of improvements at the county courthouse, including asbestos abatement.

“We had a tough year weather wise. We had a lot of equipment break down. We have good equipment, we just had a lot of break downs which gets us behind on our work,” Martin said. “We started off like a normal year until all the rain set in. We had a lot of problems due to the rain and weather. The last rains in the fall didn’t affect us as bad due to the previous work. We had damage but didn’t have to have a disaster declared. At one time we had about 16 roads with a problem…We are trying to get that worked through FEMA and that is a slow, slow, process.”

Meanwhile, thing progressed more smoothly at the county courthouse, with renovations and asbestos abatement wrapping up earlier this year. Asbestos exposure is conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. Mesothelioma affects less than 3,000 Americans each year, and while there are palliative treatment methods available, including chemo, there is no known cure. Therefore, removal of this carcinogenic substance is of the highest importance. The asbestos at the courthouse was present in aging flooring material.