A Lifetime of Fear

Dallas, TXScott worked for the same company for 16 years. During the last two his employer began to demolish the building with asbestos still in the structure. Scott worked on those demolition sites until he quit. Recently, chest X-rays showed spots on his lungs, and his doctor told him he has bronchitis, which was very possibly caused by his exposure to asbestos.

"One day I was working on a building and the next day I came to work and the building had been demolished," Scott said. "That was the reason I quit. That building had asbestos in it. We were supposed to take the asbestos out of the building before it was demolished. What they did is illegal."

In fact, companies that conduct or contract for building demolition must notify the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in advance so appropriate agencies can ensure asbestos is properly removed and doesn't become a public health risk. Notification protects public health and the environment, as well as the construction workers on these jobs. In Texas in particular, there is a requirement for asbestos surveys prior to either demolition or renovation work beginning. In May 2001, the State of Texas passed Senate Bill 509 which requires municipalities to verify that an Asbestos Survey has been conducted prior to issuing Renovation or Demolition Building permits for public (schools, courthouses, etc.) or commercial (stores, restaurants, manufacturing, hotels, etc.) buildings.

"I called the EPA but they didn't do anything about it," Scott said. "And I called the Texas Department of Health. I also emailed them, explaining what was going on–but can you imagine–the State did nothing about it. They treat these violations like a regular traffic ticket. If the employer pays the fines–that's it. These guys can continue working. They don't care about their workers' health; it's all about making money.

Now I am really concerned about my health because I have spots on my lungs. I found out last August. They want me to have a CT scan but I can't afford it. I use an inhaler but I don't feel any better. I can't walk too far, because I get tired," Scott said.

Another consequence of all this is that Scott has great difficulty breathing, which is affecting his ability to work, and as he quit his work for safety's sake, he needs a job; he has a family to support.Unfortunately, Scott is now facing a lifetime of fear and uncertainty regarding his health. Mesothelioma, a form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, can take as much as 40 years to manifest, and presently there is no cure.

The Environmental Working Group Action Fund estimates that 10,000 people a year die from asbestos-caused diseases the United States, which includes one out of every 125 American men who die over the age of 50. Not surprisingly, asbestos mesothelioma lawsuits are on the rise in the United States as a result of the number of people exposed to this deadly chemical through work.