Asbestos News Roundup: 4.9.10

April 9th, 2010. By LucyC

A roundup of recent asbestos-related news and information that you should be aware of.

Asbestos Settlements

Largest Mesothelioma Verdict in the History of New Jersey Asbestos Litigation

New York, NY: A unanimous decision issued on April 5, 2010 by the New Jersey Appellate Division has upheld a $30.3 million jury award in the New Jersey asbestos lawsuit filed by Susan M. Buttitta, both individually and on behalf of the estate of her late-husband Mark Buttitta. Mr. Buttitta died of mesothelioma, a rare and fatal cancer caused by asbestos exposure. The jury verdict is the largest mesothelioma award in the long history of New Jersey Asbestos litigation.

According to the published opinion, Mr. Buttitta was exposed to asbestos in the workplace during the 1970s when he was employed at warehouses that distributed asbestos-containing materials including brakes and clutches. He worked as a “parts picker” which required him to handle asbestos products and sweep up dust that contained asbestos. The landmark mesothelioma verdict was decided against a supplier of asbestos fiber, which was incorporated into automotive parts, and the manufacturer of automotive clutch products that contained asbestos.  (prweb.com)   

Asbestos Hot Spots

Detroit, MI:  Demolition plans for 3,000 buildings in Detroit have been halted due to law violation warnings related to the project. As reported by The Detroit Free Press, the state Department of Natural Resources and Environment has alleged that the city failedto adhere to regulations pertaining to asbestos removal as well as requirements of providing notification about demolition plans to the state. 

According to the report in the Detroit Free Press, “It’s also a regulation virtually all demolition contractors are familiar with. How the lapse occurred this time around is unclear.” (wirednews.com) 

Klamath Falls, OR:  Clean-up of an asbestos contaminated site at Klamath Falls could cost up to $30 million, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says. The site is 125 acres in size, and housed structures made with asbestos-containing products, including single family homes, apartments, and medical barracks used by the US Marine Corps. 

A report by the Associated Press states that the site had been cleaned up in the past, however frost and erosion continue to bring previously buried asbestos to the surface. The EPA reported plans to evacuate the site and bury any contaminated materials under caps. (KTVZ.com) 

Anacortes, WA: Clean-up of the explosion at the Tesoro Corp refinery site in Anacortes last week, which killed five workers and critically injured two more, may be delayed due to the presence of asbestos. Because the plant was built in the 1950s it contains asbestos, a material commonly used in construction and insulation, even today.

“There is limited access right now…with asbestos all over the place,” Hector Castro, spokesman for the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, told reporters from Dow Jones News Wire. State inspectors visited the site of the explosion Monday afternoon from the safety of a vehicle. “It may still be a couple of days before they have free access” to allow a physical inspection, he added. 

Tesoro has received 17 citations and an $85,000 fine further to state inspections of the site. However the citations and fines were reduced in a settlement agreement in November 2009. (Nasdaq.com) 

Asbestos Mesothelioma, Taconite Exposure & The University of Minnesota Health Study

Four new cases of asbestos mesothelioma have been identified by the Minnesota Department of Health, and will be included in a study of the effects of taconite exposure by the University of Minnesota. The study is focusing specifically on respiratory issues in Minnesota taconite miners and their spouses. Some 69,000 people worked in Minnesota’s iron industry from the 1930s to 1982. 

The four new cases bring the current total of asbestos-related cancer diagnoses to 63. More cases are expected as asbestos mesothelioma or asbestos cancer can take as much as 50 years to manifest. 

The University of Minnesota is hoping to evaluate the respiratory health of 1,200 current and former taconite workers and up to 800 spouses. The survey includes spouses because they may have been exposed to dust brought home on workers’ clothing. People who have questions about the survey or are interested in participating in the survey should call the University of Minnesota, toll free at (888) 840-7590.  (Lake County News Chronicle)

Tags: Asbestos, Asbestos Mesothelioma

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