Asbestos News Roundup: 1.10.14 – Get Your Furance Checked for Asbestos

January 10th, 2014. By LucyC

A roundup of recent asbestos-related news and information that you should be aware of. An ongoing list of reported asbestos hot spots in the US from the Asbestos News Roundup archive appears on our asbestos map.

Hot Air Furnace Asbestos Risk

Just a reminder, as almost all of North America is in a deep freeze—or under several feet of snow right now that if you have an old furnace that has just gone—or you’re thinking or replacing—beware—it could contain asbestos!

While asbestos has been banned from use in furnace gaskets since the 1970s in Canada, and likely the US as well, furnaces purchased and installed before then may still be in operation—they have a lifespan of some 50 years or more.

As the gaskets in hot air furnaces disintegrate with time and wear and tear, they can spread asbestos fibers throughout the house, exposing the inhabitants to long-term exposure and potentially fatal asbestos disease including asbestosis and lung cancer—without them even knowing it. If you suspect your furnace could contain asbestos, get a professional in to take a look at it.

Asbestos Lawsuits

Madison, IL: Georgia-Pacific and John Crane Inc, have been named as defendants by Robert Cowger, personal representative for the heirs and estate of Barbara Cowger, deceased, and her husband Bill Cowger.

According to the lawsuit, Bill Cowger worked as a drywaller from 1963 to 2008 for various contractors. During the course of this employment, his wife was exposed to and inhaled, ingested or otherwise absorbed large amounts of asbestos fibers emanating from certain products he worked with and around which were manufactured, sold, distributed or installed by the defendants.

The lawsuit contends that the defendants either knew or should have known the products had a toxic, poisonous and highly damaging effect upon persons inhaling, ingesting or otherwise absorbing them. Barbara Cowger developed lung cancer that ultimately led to her death as a direct and proximate result of one or more of the acts of negligence on the part of the defendants.

The defendants are also accused of several acts of omission amounting to willful and wanton misconduct.

Additionally, the lawsuit claims that conspirator defendants (both named and not named) as agents of one another and as co-conspirators, agreed and conspired among themselves and with other asbestos manufacturers, distributors and trade organizations to injure the deceased by willfully conspiring to publish false and misleading reports of the health hazards of asbestos.

Judgments in excess of $50,000 for each of the charges have been entered against the defendants. (madisonrecord.com)

 

Tags: Asbestos, asbestos lawsuit, Asbestos Mesothelioma, asbestos risk, Asbestos Settlement

This was posted on Friday, January 10th, 2014 at 12:18 pm and is filed under Asbestos Mesothelioma, Emerging Issues . Feel free to respond, or trackback. Read our comments policy.