School maintenance workers will come to replace those tiles soon, says Mark Rains, the President of the Marshall County Education Board.

The tiles which were taken from the central office as well as next door in Marshall Tech were from the hallways only, says Ken Barnhorst with the AL Environmental, a Tuscaloosa-based asbestos abatement contractor. He said ceiling tiles had been removed also at Asbury Middle, but at that time, he was not immediately aware whether it was just from hallways.

Nathan Pee of the Birmingham-based Safety Environmental Laboratories & Consulting was there in the central office on Wednesday morning for carrying out air testing following the removal of asbestos. He conducted similar air quality tests in the Asbury Middle and the Marshall Technical School as well.

The tests were carried out with pumps which suck the air through their filters, gathering the particles which were examined for ensuring that the buildings were absolutely safe for tenancy after the ceiling tiles containing asbestos were disturbed at the time of removal. Asbestos is a fibrous mineral which occurs in soil and rock. It was once mined extensively because of many of its useful properties. Due to such properties and its low cost, asbestos was widely used as a construction material in the United States, especially until the 1980s. Strength, flexibility, ductility, durability, resistance to heat, electricity and fire etc. are some of the good features of asbestos. Despite all these features, asbestos is a very dangerous material which can cause respiratory problems and deadly diseases including cancer. For this reason, asbestos became a highly regulated material in the United States after the 1980s. Many countries have already banned asbestos. However, it is still not completely banned in the United States.

One main area of worry for the U.S. parents is the presence of
asbestos material in the school buildings. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) says asbestos-containing materials are there in a number of schools in the nation. According to the agency the material is present in more than 132000 schools that serve 55 million or more children. These schools are worksites for 7 million or more teachers, managers and supporting staff. If the school buildings are not relatively new, almost certainly it contains several asbestos products. But majority of the school buildings are old and the average age of a school building is 42 years in the United States.

Sen. Max Baucus called Marilyn Tavenner, the CMS (Centres for Medicare & Medicaid Services) head, on Tuesday before the senator’s committee and is saying he has Tavenner’s personal dedication for addressing the backlog.

Marilyn Tavenner is the present Acting Administrator of the Centres for Medicare & Medicaid Services, an agency of the United States Department of Health & Human Services.

In a press release, the Democrat said that in excess of 150 individuals in Montana are anticipating info from the CMS which is essential before they are able to finalize the settlements. Marilyn
Tavenner said on Tuesday that she believes majority of those cased would be settled before next month.

“In Libby, there have been different levels of injustice. This backlog should not be one among them. What I want is you to tell what you’re planning to do for accelerating the process for the individuals there who’ve suffered from diseases linked to asbestos exposure. They should the settlements that they deserve without any delay,” Baucus said.

In her response, Marilyn Tavenner said that she was aware of 100 or more cases which are going to be completed this month itself. Tavenner assured the senator her personal dedication for getting them all done.

“You have got my commitment that I will keep watch over that going forward,” Tavenner said.

Hundreds of residents in the area have passed away from illnesses
linked to the exposure to asbestos fibers and dust from the vermiculite mine near Libby, Montana. The mine was shut down in the 1990s. The mine was owned and operated by W R Grace when it was shut down. The company officials were indicted in the United States District Court, Missoula, on several criminal charges in year 2009. According to the indictment, Grace and 7 of its present and former employees were aware of the fact that their Libby vermiculite mine was releasing cancer causing asbestos fibers into the surroundings, but still concealed the info, endangering nearby residents and workers.

The employees allegedly conspired to conceal info regarding the dangerous nature of W R Grace’s asbestos tainted vermiculite products, hindering the federal government’s cleanup efforts. They were also charged with wire fraud. However, they were acquitted by a jury following the trial which lasted for a number of months.

Lonnie J Thompson got his lung cancer diagnosis on 17th February, 2011, a suit filed on 11th February in Kanawha County Circuit Court states. According to the suit, Thompson died on 14th October, 2011.

Virginia S Thompson, the widow of Lonnie J Thompson, alleges that the 55 defendant companies are liable for the lung cancer Mr. Thompson had developed prior to his death.

Lonnie Thompson had the habit of smoking cigarettes between 1960 and 2005. After 2005, he has not smoked cigarettes, the suit states. Asbestos exposure alone is enough for developing cancer in human beings. When asbestos exposure combines with smoking, the risk of developing lung cancer and mesothelioma significantly increase.

According to Virginia Thompson, her deceased husband was continuously exposed to asbestos or different products containing asbestos during his employment as a carpenter, pipefitter and drywall installer from year 1963 to 1999.

The defendant companies are being blamed based on the theories of violation of implied/expressed warranty, contaminated buildings, negligence, strict liability, misrepresentation, conspiracy, intentional tort and post-sale obligation to warn.

According to the suit, the companies negligently exposed Mr. Thompson to dangerous asbestos products. Even though they were fully aware of the risks associated with asbestos exposure, the companies did not warn Mr. Thompson regarding those dangers, the suit states. The defendants also failed to provide Thompson and his fellow workers with adequate safety wears while working with and around asbestos products. The companies failed to do anything to prevent Thompson from being exposed to the dangerous cancer-causing mineral, his widow argues. She says Mr. Thompson was unaware of the dangerous features of asbestos while dealing with the substance as part of his job. Thompson breathed in toxic dust and fibers of asbestos regularly during his job, as a result of which he developed lung cancer, the lawsuit says.

Mrs. Thompson is asking for a jury trial for resolving the issues. James F. Humphreys and Associates attorney Bronwyn Rinehart is representing her in this case.

3M Co, ACF Industries, Borg-Warner Corp, Brand Insulations, CBS Corp, Certainteed Corp, Cleaver Brooks Co, Columbus McKinnon Corp, Copes-Vulcan, and Crane Co are some of the defendants named in the suit.

The hall was constructed in year 1954 when asbestos was a very popular building material. It was compelled to close in year 2010 for asbestos removal and because of required finishes and upgrades of building system.

The complete renovation, including asbestos removal and furniture buyings, is expected to cost the Residential Housing $8.8M that will be covered through collected money reserves from housing rentals on the campus, says Peter Trentacoste, the Housing director.

The asbestos abatement, which the crew had to complete before going ahead with renovations, cost approximately $120000, according to Harry Wyatt, the associate vice president of Capital & Facilities Planning.

“Asbestos abatement is actually a routine thing and we do that whenever we do renovations. The project’s size doesn’t matter,” he said.

Asbestos is a common substance in old buildings because it was extensively used as a construction material before the 1980s. Removal of asbestos is a very expensive and time consuming process.

As the other renovation works within the housing plan starts, OH University has to begin to take on debt in addition to the cash reserves, said Trentacoste.

“We are quite aggressive with our plans, but I believe students will be really happy with the outcome,” Trentacoste said.

The renovation project will add some new features to the presently closed dorm, for instance, new furnishings, sinks, thermostats, staff offices, elevator and multipurpose room on the 2nd floor, said Sheets.

The room, which is a multipurpose one, could serve such as a classroom or a common room for students, according to Trentacoste.

“We are allowing it to become a space which could be transformed out with simplicity,” he said.

Dorm renovation works in the future will feature equally adaptable spaces, Trentacoste added.

“That is the aim, to ensure that this is really a lively place which could be changed accordingly with the requirements of users,” said Trentacoste.

The dorm is expected to reopen in 2014 January after renovations. This is actually an issue for the Residential Housing as most of the renovated dorms normally open at the start of school year, said Sheets.

“Before the demolition or renovation of a structure, contractors and building owners should make sure that any materials and areas involved in their work are checked as well as sampled to find out whether asbestos material is present there,” said Mr. Eric Worrall, the acting director of Northeast Regional Office of the MassDEP, which is based in Wilmington. “If asbestos is there, it should be removed properly,” Worrall said.

During the initial inspection of MassDEP on 7th September, 2012, investigators found pieces of tile and concrete debris containing asbestos outside and in the basement of the building close to the
door, mixed with soil in the backside and in a hole of that property. The DEP also noted that a thirty-yard container in the runway filled with renovation and demolition debris, carpeting and plastic bags. In addition, tile pieces were found in a plastic bag and on the carpeting in that container.

The DEP sampled all the suspect substances and discovered that they contained asbestos. Then the DEP worked to make sure that the property owners and Landworks hired an authorized asbestos abatement contractor for properly decontaminating the basement and the container, containerizing the debris, and disposing of all the waste materials containing asbestos properly.

The contractor was issued a fine of $53,937. Of this, $9000 will be paid to the Commonwealth. The remaining amount ($44937) is suspended provided that the company won’t commit any violations further over the coming 2 years. Kevin Nguyen and Tu Do were jointly fined $31,100. Of this $3000 is payable and the balance amount ($28100) is suspended provided that they won’t commit further violations within 1 year.

Asbestos can be an extremely dangerous substance if it is not handled properly. Asbestos exposure is linked to fatal diseases including cancer. Contractors or property owners with questions regarding asbestos-containing materials (ACMs); proper removal, management, packaging, storing and disposal methods; notification requirements, and the state asbestos rules and regulations may contact the nearby Regional Office of the MassDEP for assistance.

Asbestos material was there in the tape and sealant used in the hospital HVAC system’s duct work, says Melanie Mesaros, the spokeswoman representing the health & safety division.

“The material was discovered in the 2nd floor ceiling above an operating room,” Mesaros said.

Asbestos can be found in many of the building materials. The mineral can cause severe respiratory diseases and even cancer if its tiny fibers are breathed in. The fibers become airborne and easily inhalable when asbestos is disturbed.

The authorities also issued fines against subcontractors J K Guckenberger Electrical and F M Sheet Metal – two companies based in Springfield. F M was fined $1750 whereas J K Guckenberger was issued a fine of $1050. The companies are planning to appeal the fines.

Twin Rivers Plumbing, a Eugene-based company, also was cited for asbestos violations. However, it was not fined. Another company that was cited but not fined is Eugene-based Labor Ready. Labor Ready was the supplier of temporary employees for working in the site where asbestos material was disturbed.

Layton Construction and McKenzie-Willamette have until 6th March to appeal the penalties. According to Layton officials, the company does not want to appeal. It is not immediately known if McKenzie-Willamette is planning to appeal.

In a recent statement, officials with McKenzie-Willamette didn’t address specific statements in the complaint of the state. However, they said McKenzie-Willamette is dedicated to providing safe environment for all those visit their hospital – patients, visitors, contractors or employees, whoever it may be.

“We’ve fully cooperated with the OR Occupational Safety & Health Agency in their probe and we are following all their recommendations for reducing the chance of potential exposure to asbestos,” the medical centre officials said. They said potential asbestos exposure was in a hospital area that is undergoing an upgrade of heat & air conditioning by authorized contractors. According to the officials, that area wasn’t an active care area for patients when the work was ongoing.

“We haven’t received any notification of injury. Further asbestos identification & administration training has been given to all our employees and contractors who might come in touch with such dangerous materials,” the hospital said.

UTC (United Technologies Corporation) filed notice on Friday for removing the lawsuit filed by a Mississippi couple in November 2012 against the company and 19 other defendant companies.

In a personal injury lawsuit, Walter Leggett and his wife Ruby Leggett claimed that Walter contracted lung cancer because of his regular exposure to hazardous asbestos fibers released from the products of the defendant companies while he was serving in the U.S. Air Force. Walter served in the U.S. Air Force between 1957 and 1977. He was regularly exposed to the carcinogenic fibers of asbestos at the time of his job as a plumber, mechanic, construction worker, machine operator and electrician, according to the lawsuit.

The Leggetts state they knew in 2011 that Walter contracted lung cancer and learned later that the disease was developed because of
inhalation of asbestos fibers.

Among other allegations, the lawsuit states that the defendant companies failed to exercise proper caution and care for the safety of Walter by using asbestos – a known carcinogen – in their products. The suit also states that the companies were aware of the problems linked with asbestos exposure.

The plaintiffs seek in excess of $50000 in damages. The defendants are blamed for their negligence, willful misconduct, strict liability, destroying evidence and conspiracy.

UTC was served with this complaint on 11th January. The company removed the lawsuit to a federal court depending on the federal officer removal statute of the United States Code. This provision allows the parties in the case to remove lawsuits if they are able to prove that their action was under a federal officer’s direction, and to show a link between the performed acts and the claims.

UTC states that it can use the removal statute as the company acted as a federal contractor when it made aircraft engines supplied to the U.S. Air Force.

This is the second time that the provision is used this month for removing an asbestos case from Madison County to a federal court. Earlier this month, CBS Corporation removed a similar lawsuit filed last year by the estate of deceased Richard Spells. The lawsuit named 30 corporations as defendants and claimed that Spells developed the lung cancer that killed him because of his frequent exposure to asbestos fibers while he was serving in the U.S. Navy.

Phyllis Granville sued 13 defendant companies in her asbestos case. Granville is 89 years old.

Granville argued that the companies negligently made and marketed floor tiles which were harmful because of the presence of asbestos in them. Court documents say Granville’s husband Mr Donald Granville was regularly exposed to the toxic substance from the products of the defendant companies during his work. Donald, who was working as a tile installer, brought asbestos fibers home through his work clothes to which his wife was exposed.

“This was actually an unusually hard case to bring to court trial. Anyway, we are extremely happy that we were successful in providing Ms. Granville some sort of financial security as she fight the impacts of this terrible disease. In most of the cases, victims of mesothelioma had direct asbestos exposure. Though the theory is obvious that workers such as Donald usually bring asbestos fibers home through their clothes, such concepts are extremely hard to prove before a jury,” the plaintiff’s attorney said.

Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer caused by breathing in asbestos fibers.

The attorney said the asbestos-linked cancer has had a shattering impact on Phyllis Granville, making her incapable to breathe without using oxygen cylinder. The disease made her homebound. Her doctors believe that the cancer that surrounds and gradually destroys the lung is going to be fatal.

“I never ever imagined that the work of Donald would end up contributing me cancer. The makers did never warn him regarding the hazards of taking asbestos fibers home through his clothes. It is really hard for us to begin fight with my deadly cancer, but now my husband is worried that he also is going to develop the same thing,” said Phyllis Granville.

The lawsuit was filed in the Seattle King County Circuit Court in 2012 September. The case spent 4 weeks there at trial all through 2013 January. Following careful deliberation, jury entered an ultimate verdict of US$1.1M to be paid to the plaintiff as well as her husband.

Granville’s attorney said the verdict is a critical development in
asbestos-related litigation.

The long-anticipated document will decide when the cleanup of asbestos-containing dust from the vermiculite mine of W.R. Grace outside the northwestern Montana can end.

Numerous people in and close to Libby have either sickened or died because of their exposure to asbestos fibers.

So far, the cleanup has cost at least $447M since it began in year 1999. Deborah McKean, a toxicologist with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says, if possible, they will complete the risk study much earlier – perhaps by this year end. However, before that the EPA should do extra work recommended recently by the Science Advisory Board (SAB), a team of scientists from outside. The SAB has spent approximately one year deliberating the preliminary findings of the agency.

In the meantime, the cleanup is grinding on. Between 80 and 100 properties in Libby are lined up for the work this year, according to Rebecca Thomas, the project manager of the EPA.

Many properties in the area still require to be addressed. The list could expand substantially based on the risk study’s outcome.

Work on the vermiculite mine site, located outside the town, hasn’t started. The mine was closed in year 1990 and it remains W.R. Grace’s responsibility.

In spite of many deaths in Libby, the SAB said that the Environmental Protection Agency was right in using lung scarring for determining the amount of asbestos that poses a health risk. This could have implications even beyond Libby. A number of sites all through the United States got or processed the vermiculite from Grace’s Libby mine. Millions of houses in the country used it as insulation.

According to the SAB, the EPA should collect more information for backing up its position.

The industry groups and Grace itself have sharply criticized the proposal of the EPA for more stringent standards. The companies say the new standards are totally unjustified and almost impossible to achieve. The agency hasn’t yet responded formally to these comments. However, McKean says she doesn’t expect any significant change to the EPA’s newly proposed standards. She says the final standards will be established only after the additional work. After that, the study will take another 6 months to complete, she said.

Furious neighbors of the Lordswood site are supported by Tracey Elizabeth Anne Crouch, a British Conservative Party politician who has fought in the Parliament for more legal rights for the sufferers of asbestos-related diseases. Crouch is the MP (Member of Parliament) for Aylesford and Chatham.

Medway has the 2nd highest rate of death in the nation, because the carcinogenic fibers made in Halling were extensively used in the Chatham Dockyard.

Now the tenants have initiated a furious campaign in an effort to put an end to the proposals for the former gritting depot located at the North Dane Way’s southern end, close to the Albemarle Road junction.

David and Debbie Hales shifted their surveying company Asbestos First into that site in year 2012 and now would like to use that as a debris transfer station.

Up to 70 tons of asbestos waste would be taken in every week. They would double-bag it and store it in locked skips that are behind a fence of barbed-wire. Finally it will be transported to larger tips somewhere else.

However, ward councilors and the residents say though the station is almost 200 foot away from their residences, it is not far enough. Approximately 50 councilors had gathered there on Saturday for a protest. Lyn Reed, a retired nurse who resides in the adjacent Farley Close, say: “They might be doing it double-bagged. They might put it into containers as well. However, where their vans are coming from? They might have got something on the tires when come in from that site.” Reed is 64 years old.

“I know that people have died due to asbestos. All they had worked in the Chatham Dockyard. This is definitely a matter of concern,” Reed said.

Annabelle Eales was one among those who were not acknowledged regarding the Medway Council’s plan, even though she is residing very close to the station. Eales, who is 19 years old, has two children.

Regarding asbestos, Eales said: “That kills. That is extremely hazardous. It can stay on the lungs and kill you. What you are going to face is a slow, painful death.”

“That has to be disposed of properly. It should not be disposed of near schools or children’s houses. It is a very harmful carcinogen,”
she added.