Study: Residents Near Asbestos Plant Have High Mesothelioma Risk

A new study by doctors with the Cancer Epidemiology Unit of the University of Turin (Italy) of people living near an asbestos cement plant confirms that asbestos is a potent cause of mesothelioma not only among people working with the product, but also among people exposed through environmental pollution.

The conclusion published in the abstract for the article states: "This study provides strong evidence that asbestos pollution from an industrial source greatly increases mesothelioma risk. Furthermore, relative risks from occupational exposure were underestimated and were markedly increased when adjusted for residential distance."

The risk of mesothelioma from asbestos is so powerful that, according to the study, people living 10km from the source of the asbestos pollution were at increased risk for mesothelioma.

This article is published during a time when asbestos companies continue to claim that their products did not release sufficient asbestos to cause mesothelioma. Believe it or not, this argument is made in Court even when workers report seeing visible dust in the air coming directly from the manufacturer's asbestos products. The fallacy of this litigation argument is that government and world health agencies are in agreement: There is no safe level for exposure to asbestos.

For more information about mesothelioma - disease caused by asbestos, visit LPKLaw.com

Experimental Mesothelioma Treatment Tested in Clinical Trial at New York's Columbia Presbyterian Hospital

There is currently an experimental mesothelima treatment being tested in New York's Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. The researchers are trying to determine if oxaliplatin and gemcitabine will help patients who have been diagnosed with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma or malign pleural mesothelioma.

There are certain conditions that patients need to be aware of and for those wanting to learn more, they need to visit http://www.centerwatch.com/patient/studies/stu92728.html. Patients can also learn more about Dr. Robert Taub who is an expert in the field of experimental treatments for mesothelioma by visiting www.nyp.org.

The Facts About Pleural Mesothelioma

A recent article relating the facts about pleural mesothelioma states that pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of mesothelioma by far and accounts for 75% of all mesothelioma cases. Pleural mesothelioma affects the respiratory areas of the body such as the lungs. More specifically, the cancer attacks the lining of the lungs and ribs called the pleura hence the name pleural mesothelioma.

The main cause of pleural mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Only a couple of months of being exposed to the deadly dust and fibres of asbestos without protection can lead to pleural mesothelioma thirty to fifty years later. Elderly men of ages sixty to seventy are those most at risk to asbestos because this was the generation which worked with asbestos with little protection from the dust and fibres.

Due to the long latency period of pleural mesothelioma (30-50 years), these men are only just discovering they have the deadly cancer. Currently, many of these men are lodging million dollar lawsuits against the companies who exposed them to asbestos. Asbestos fibres get into the lining of the lungs by inhalation and become lodged inside the lungs.

The symptoms that are associated with pleural mesothelioma include persistent coughing, difficulty swallowing, facial swelling, weight loss, fever, rasping and coughing up blood. Patients may additionally experience shortness of breath because as the tumour on the lining of the lungs expands, this leaves less room for the lungs to function properly. Some patients also begin to feel severe pains in their chest and this is due to the spreading of cancerous cells. A lot of these symptoms are similar to diseases and conditions which are far more common than mesothelioma which means that pleural mesothelioma is often very difficult to diagnose until it is too late.

Treatment of pleural mesothelioma is limited and as yet there is no proper cure. Research is being conducted in labs all over the United States and many pharmaceutical companies are also testing for new treatments. Treatments for pleural mesothelioma include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. A patient’s age, medical record, weight and other such factors are taken into account before treatment. Generally, chance of survival is far more likely if pleural mesothelioma is treated aggressively in its early stages because once the cancer has developed and matured it is very difficult to cure.

Mesothelioma Clinical Trial in New York City Tests Cisplatin, Pemetrexed, and Bevacizumab

Researchers at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City are currently conducting a mesothelioma clinical trial to test a potential new treatment for mesothelioma. Patients who have enrolled will be given three therapeutic drugs--cisplatin, pemetrexed, and bevacizumab-which will be used together to see if this new drug combination has the potential to be a more effective form of treatment.

For patients to be eligible for this mesothelioma clinical trial, they must not have undergone prior chemotherapy for the treatment of mesothelioma or have been treated with any of the drugs under the consideration of this study. For this mesothelioma clinical trial, patients must also be willing to take B12 vitamin and folic acid supplements. New York City is the home of top cancer institutions such as Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. For more information about this hospital and its cancer treatments, please click on the following link: http://www.nyp.org/

Those interested in learning more about this new mesothelioma clinical trial testing the combination of Cisplatin, Pemetrexed, and Bevacizumab, please click on the following link: http://www.centerwatch.com/patient/studies/stu92726.html

San Diego Gas and Electric Convicted for Improper Asbestos Removal

According to a recent press release at the US Environmental Protection Agency’s website on improper asbestos removal, San Diego Gas and Electric was convicted for improper asbestos removal. A federal jury in San Diego found San Diego Gas and Electric Company guilty on three counts of violating asbestos work practice standards and one count of making false statements on July 13. The charges relate to the company's removal of asbestos from 9.23 miles of underground piping at the former Encanto Gas Holder facility in Lemon Grove, Calif., in 2000 and 2001.



In addition, Kyle Rhuebottom, the project manager for the prime contractor on the site, and David Williamson, a company employee, were each found guilty of one count of violating asbestos work practice standards.



According to court documents, the company knew the piping at the Encanto facility was coated with asbestos, based on analytical testing. Once the company decided to sell the property, they solicited bids for demolition and removal of the asbestos-coated piping. Despite knowing that the piping coating contained asbestos, the company began removing the pipe wrap without treating it as regulated asbestos containing material.



The jury found that the company, Rhuebottom and Williamson failed to contain the asbestos or place it in a leak proof container. The jury also found that the company failed to provide adequate notice in advance of the asbestos removal, failed to adequately wet the asbestos during removal, and falsely claimed that a company employee was a certified asbestos consultant.



The defendants are scheduled to appear before United States District Judge Dana M. Sabraw, Southern District of California, on Sept. 6, 2007 for further proceedings.