Asbestos News Roundup: 9.3.10

September 3rd, 2010. By LucyC

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

Asbestos Lawsuits

Madison County, IL: Ten new asbestos complaints were filed in Madison County in mid-August. They include a suit brought by Iona Frost of Washington, who worked at a laundromat from 1952 until 1962 where she claims she was exposed to asbestos. Frost also alleges that she was secondarily exposed to asbestos fibers through her ex-husband, Donald Hamilton, who worked as a laborer at Seattle Hardware Company from 1952 until 1968, and through her second husband, Jim Frost, who worked as a salesman at hardware companies from 1968 until 1990. 

Also, William and Carolyn Boughman of Indiana brought an asbestos-related suit alleging that William developed mesothelioma after his work as a laborer, mechanic, truck driver and operator at various locations from 1959 until 2000. 

And Sydney A. Rose of Iowa claims her recently deceased husband, Clarence A. Rose, developed mesothelioma after his work as a boilertender in the U.S. Navy from 1951 until 1955, as a boilermaker at General Services Administration from 1956 until 1986, as a shadetree mechanic in Missouri from 1956 until 1976 and as a drywaller and home remodeler from 1956 until 1977. (Madison Country Record)

Jefferson County, TX: Another asbestos suit was brought by the son of a deceased brick mason against 45 companies alleging the corporate defendants negligently exposed his father to asbestos and caused his death. Fred Brinkman Jr. filed the suit on behalf of Fred Brinkman Sr.

“Fred Brinkman died on Dec. 31, 2008, from a debilitating, disfiguring and painful asbestos-caused disease known as lung cancer,” the suit states.

Among the defendants named in the suit are Able Supply, Chevron, DuPont, Entergy, Shell Oil and Texaco. Brinkman senior worked as brick mason for Huber Construction and Able Supply at several Beaumont and Port Arthur refineries, including DuPont and Chevron.

Brinkman’s son accuses the defendants of conspiring to conceal the dangers of asbestos products and intentionally and maliciously exposing workers. (SE Texas Record)

Asbestos Hot Spots

Jeffrey Asbestos Mine, Quebec: The Canadian government, led by Stephen Harper, along with the provincial government of Quebec led by Jean Charest, have agreed to approve funding that will ensure the Jeffrey asbestos mine stays open and ships the toxic mineral to developing countries around the world. 

The move is aimed at saving the province’s’ failing asbestos industry, and results from a rapid approval by the Quebec government of a $3.5 million guaranteed line of credit, plus political support from Ottawa. The Jeffrey mine in Asbestos, Quebec is among the biggest open-pit asbestos mines the world. It is scheduled to reopen in September. (The Star)

Edmonton, Canada: Two companies have been charged for allegedly exposing employees to materials containing asbestos, a workplace health and safety investigation has found.  

The investigation was initiated after a 41-year-old worker fell from a second-story mezzanine in a decommissioned plant. He landed on a pile of scrap metal breaking several bones.

The owner of the site, Eco-Industrial Park Inc, has been charged with failing to ensure the injured worker’s safety and failing to ensure the health of all workers in regards to asbestos, which is a carcinogenic substance. The company faces six counts under Alberta’s Occupational Health & Safety Act.

The other company involved, Canadian Consolidated Salvage Ltd, faces nine counts under the provincial code and with failing to prevent the unnecessary accumulation of asbestos and waste material containing asbestos. (Edmonton Journal)

Columbus, OH: The county courthouse is set to  undergo an asbestos remediation project as part of a massive remodeling plan.  Constructed in 1973, The Franklin County Hall of Justice was built during an era when asbestos was widely used. Buildings from that era often used insulation, ceiling tiles and floor cements that contained asbestos. The renovation plan calls for the asbestos removal, as well as a new exterior, upgraded plumbing and added facilities. (mesothelioma web)

Virginia Beach, VA: Seven schools in Virginia Beach have been found to contain asbestos. The toxic mineral was found in the buildings’ wall sealant, which is a sealant applied to the walls during construction.

The sealant was disturbed during summer maintenance at Plaza Middle School. Following the asbestos discovery, school officials decided to test other schools in the district, and discovered similar sealant in six others.

Air testing was subsequently done and showed low levels of asbestos. “This air testing was conducted not because it was required, but because we believed it was the best action to take in order to ensure our students and staff were not exposed to any health risk associated with the wall sealant,” said schools spokesperson Nancy Soscia. (WAVY-TV 10)

Tags: Asbestos, Asbestos Mesothelioma

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