Asbestos News Roundup: 8.5.10

August 5th, 2010. By LucyC

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

Asbestos Lawsuits

Madison County, IL: Claudine B. Hope of South Carolina recently filed an asbestos lawsuit alleging her recently deceased husband, William L. Hope, developed mesothelioma after his work as an insulator at North Brothers from 1945 until 1951, as a branch manager at North Brothers from 1951 until 1972 and as an area vice president in 1972. Her late husband also worked for International Paper Company in 1948, according to the complaint. 

A couple from Illinois, Douglas and Gwenetta Robinson have also filed a claim alleging that Douglas Robinson developed pleural plaques after his work as a laborer at Scott Air Force Base from 1964 until 1966, as a hand router from 1966 until 1968, as a machinist at Mitchell Manufacturing from 1968 until 1970, as a dump truck driver for Paramount Hauling from 1970 until 1975 and as a wire drawer for Laclede Steel Company from 1975 until 2002. 

Additionally, in her recently filed suit, Linda Roland-Henderson of Ohio claims her late husband, Louie Henderson Sr, developed lung cancer after his work as a laborer at various locations from 1970 until 1979.

And, Shirley Stultz of Indiana has also filed a claim alleging her recently deceased husband, Ronald Stultz, developed mesothelioma after his work as a machine operator, mechanic, laborer and welder at various locations from 1953 until 1999. (Madisonrecord.com) 

Asbestos Hot Spot – Jeffrey Asbestos Mine:

The plan to save the controversial Jeffrey asbestos mine in Asbestos, Quebec, may not get off the ground after all. According to a report in the Montreal Gazette, the cost of revitalizing the defunct mine has risen from $58 million to $73 million, an increase of 25 percent resulting from “stricter environmental standards introduced by the federal government and a newly approved contract with the mine’s workers,” the paper reports.

Consequently, Bernard Coulombe, the president of the mine, has been told by the Quebec government that he needs to secure new funding partners before the province will approve a loan gaurantee allowing the ‘revitalization’ of the mine to begin.

The past several months has seen repeated delays by the government over its decision to go ahead with the multimillion-dollar guarantee. There is suspicion that the deluge of letters from doctors, scientists and public health organizations across Quebec and the world who are opposed to reopening the mine may be having an impact on the government’s decision.  

“(Government officials) have been told by the whole world that what they are doing is unconscionable,” said Kathleen Ruff, an anti-asbestos activist and senior adviser to the Rideau Institute on International Affairs told the Montreal Gazette. “It’s bringing such shame on the Quebec government. These ongoing delays could be a sign that they are feeling the heat.” (Montreal Gazette.com)

Tags: Asbestos, Asbestos Mesothelioma

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