Asbestos News Roundup: 12.2.10

December 2nd, 2010. By LucyC

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

Asbestos Lawsuits

St. Clair County, IL: The daughter of recently deceased Paul Towell has filed an asbestos lawsuit naming two defendant companies. Towell developed asbestos mesothelioma and subsequently died on June 30, 1999.

Othella Carper claims her father’s exposure to asbestos began when he worked as a pipefitter, welder and carpenter at various locations beginning in the 1940s. The suit alleges that Honeywell International and John Crane caused Towell to develop mesothelioma after his exposure to asbestos-containing products throughout his career, and that the defendants should have known of the harmful effects of asbestos, but failed to exercise reasonable care and caution for Towell’s safety.

Carper further claims that her father’s asbestos mesothelioma resulted in his incurring medical costs and suffering great physical pain and mental anguish. Consequently, he became prevented from pursuing his normal course of employment and, as a result, lost large sums of money that would have accrued to him. As a result of her father’s death, Carper further alleges that she lost his companionship, society and services. (madisoncountyrecord.com)

Charleston, WV: The Edwards of Putnam County, have filed an asbestos claim naming 81 defendants who, they allege, are responsible for James R. Edwards mesothelioma diagnosis. 

Edwards was employed by Union Carbide Corporation from 1948 until 1980, according to a complaint. During that time, Edwards alleges he was exposed to various types of asbestos products that the 81 defendants manufactured, assembled, supplied, distributed and/or sold. He further alleges that the defendants failed to warn him of the dangers of the products and failed to take reasonable precautions to warn him about the products.

The 81 defendants named in the suit are: A.W. Chesterton Company; Amchem Products, Inc.; Anchor Packing; Aurora Pump Company; Bayer Cropscience, Inc.; Benjamin F. Shaw Company; 4520 Corp.; Brand Insulations, Inc.; Buffalo Pumps, Inc.; Burns International Services Corporation; BW IP, Inc.; Cameron International Corporation; Catalytic Construction Company; Certainteed Corporation; Cleaver-Brooks Company, Inc.; Crane Co.; Crown Cork & Seal Co., Inc.; the Dow Chemical Company; Dezurik, Inc.; Eaton Electrical, Inc.; Elliott Company; Fisher Controls International, Inc.; Flowserve US, Inc., f/k/a Durco International, Inc.; Flowserve US, Inc., f/k/a Flowserve FSD Corporation; Flowserve US, Inc., a/k/a Nordstrom Valves; FMC Corporation; Ford, Bacon & Davis, LLC; Foster Wheeler Energy Corporation; Foster Wheeler U.S.A. Corporation; the Gage Company; General Electric Company; George V. Hamilton, Inc.; Georgia Pacific, LLC; Gordon Gaskets & Packing Co.; Goulds Pumps, Inc.; Greene Tweed & Company; Henry Vogt Machine Company; Honeywell International, f/k/a Allied Signal, Inc.; Honeywell International, Inc.; IMO Industries, Inc.; Industrial Holdings Corporation; Ingersoll Rand Company; Invensys Systems, Inc.; ITT Corporation; John Crane, Inc.; Lockheed Martin Corporation; 3M Company; McJunkin Corporation; McNally Industries; Met Pro Corporation; Metropolitan Life Insurance Company; Meuller Steam Specialty; Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company; Nagle Pumps, Inc.; National Service Industries, Inc.; Nitro Industrial Coverings, Inc.; North Bros., Inc.; NSI Ventures, Inc.; Ohio Valley Insulating Company, Inc.; Onyx Industrial Services, Inc.; Owens Illinois, Inc.; Peerless Pumps, Inc.; Perkinelmer Instruments; Pneumo Abex Corporation; Rapid American Corporation; Riley Power, Inc.; Rockwell Automations, Inc.; Roper Pump Company; Schneider Electric USA, Inc.; SFB Companies, Inc.; State Electric Supply Company; Sterling Fluid Systems (USA), LLC; Stockham Valves & Fittings; Surface Combustion, Inc.; Tasco Insulations, Inc.; the Gorman-Rupp Company; the William Powell Company; Tyco Flow Control Company, LLC a/k/a Crosby Valve, Inc.; Tyco Flow Control Company, LLC a/k/a Lunkenheimer Valves; UB West Virginia, Inc.; Union Carbide Corporation; Uniroyal, Inc.; Viacom, Inc.; Viking Pump Company; Vimasco Corporation; Waukesha Cherry-Burrell; West Virginia Electric Supply; and Zurn Industries, Inc.(wvrecord.com)

Jefferson County, TX:  An asbestos lawsuit filed against Chevron USA and BP Products North America was recently transferred to a multidistrict litigation panel in Harris County.

Kathleen Trahan and Chris Trahan sued Chevron in April on behalf of recently deceased Emery Trahan, alleging the company allowed him to work around asbestos-containing products which caused him to develop lung cancer. Court records show that BP was added as defendant later.

In their suit, the Trahans allege Emery Trahan worked as a helper, electrician and operator at Gulf Oil Corp’s Port Arthur facility, which is now owned by Chevron. They allege that during his career, Emery Trahan worked near asbestos dust and fibers; that the defendants negligently failed to timely and adequately warn its employees of the dangers of asbestos; and that they failed to take the proper steps to ensure Emery’s non-exposure to asbestos. As a result, the suit alleges, Emery developed lung cancer and subsequently died from the disease on October 24, 2008. (setexasrecord.com) 

Asbestos Hot Spots

ADEQ gives Money to Parker to Clean up Asbestos

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials have just announced that a $56,000 grant has been awarded to the Town of Parker for the cleanup of small quantities of asbestos in three town buildings which the town wants to bring in compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

The town received a community development block grant for the barrier removal project, to make the buildings more accessible for the handicapped, but funds from that grant can not be used for asbestos cleanup. The work will be performed at the town hall/police station, the library and at the community/senior center.

“We commend the Town of Parker for taking action to accommodate all of its residents and redeveloping in an environmentally sensitive manner,” ADEQ Director Benjamin H. Grumbles said. “Our state response grant program is all about partnering with towns like Parker to reduce environmental hazards.”

Town officials have said the asbestos in the structures is stable and does not pose a health hazard. The buildings were constructed between the mid-1960s and 1983, when asbestos was used as a common material for insulation. 

Miami, FL: After being closed for several days due to possibility of asbestos contamination, the Miami Science Museum has reopened to the public. 

The museum was closed Friday after a sample of insulation from a small mechanical room tested positive for a type of asbestos. The mechanical room was not accessible to the public.

After closing the museum, an abatement crew was sent in to remove the asbestos-containing insulation. Since then, all air quality testing has proved negative for any asbestos and the buildings reopened Wednesday.  (CBS4.com) 

West Springfield, MA:  A 5.75 acre site containing industrial condominiums and half a dozen businesses and industries has now successfully undergone capping of asbestos pits at the West Springfield Trade Center. As a result, the city can start marketing space at the complex at Day Street and Western Avenue.

“It is a huge milestone. We have been working on this for seven years,” Community Development Director Joseph Laplante told MassLive.com.

The project involved capping four concrete pits that were scattered around the site. Together, they totalled nearly 5,000 square feet. They were capped with six inches of asphalt. Asphalt was also applied about two feet beyond the pits.

Tighe & Bond, the company that capped the pits, is now in the process of registering data about the pits at the Hampden Registry of Deeds so future developers will be aware of their locations. The state Department of Environmental Protection required that that work be done before the city redevelops the land it owns at the trade center.

“The good news is the pits are capped and perfectly safe as long as the caps remain in place,” Laplante said. (masslive.com) 

Asbestos Conference

Redondo Beach, CA: The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), the largest U.S. organization serving as the voice of asbestos victims, presents its 7th Annual Asbestos Awareness Conference, Asbestos: Impact on Public Heath, Environment, and the Economy. 

The event will be held April 1 – 3, 2011, at the Atlanta Marriott Buckhead Hotel & Conference Center. Presentations will include occupational and non-occupational exposure issues, detection and treatment advances, environmental and economic impact, national and global policy.

The international conference brings together experts from around the globe to collaborate and enhance efforts to completely ban asbestos. Attendees will hear about the most advanced medical, occupational and environmental information to prevent home, school and work asbestos exposure; as well as disease prevention and treatment. The conference will also quantify the economic impact of asbestos exposure to individuals, business and the government. Speakers will represent the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, and Germany. 

Linda Reinstein, President/CEO and Co-Founder of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, knows first-hand the pain that can result from asbestos exposure after losing her husband in 2006 to mesothelioma, a leading asbestos caused cancer. “ADAO is dedicated to the three core principles—education, advocacy, and community—as reaffirmed by this year’s powerful conference,” stated Reinstein. “This year’s event brings together some of the world’s most important voices, including leading professionals from different fields who play a pivotal role in globally uniting efforts to end asbestos disease. We welcome them and thank our many generous sponsors who are helping to make this event possible. There is indeed power in knowledge.” 

According to Michael Harbut M.D., MPH, FCCP, of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, “The ADAO conference is one of the best educational and awareness opportunities for physicians, public health representatives, caregivers and other advocates. We all have an opportunity to make an impact on preventing asbestos-related diseases. Whether you’re a medical professional or someone who deeply cares about the health of your loved ones, this conference offers an important network for everyone.” 

The weekend will provide information and inspiration for those impacted by asbestos-related disease as well as others who advocate for safe environments. 

The conference also will recognize those who have demonstrated exceptional service to enhance asbestos awareness. The Unity and Remembrance Brunch on April 3 will honor and remember loved ones lost to asbestos exposure, as well as support others impacted by asbestos-related diseases. (businesswire.com)

Tags: Asbestos, Asbestos Mesothelioma, asbestos_mesothelioma

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