Senator Joe Biden, vice-presidential nominee for the Democratic Party, allegedly has close ties to law firm Simmons Cooper, who specializes in asbestos litigation. Apparently Biden and his brother obtained financing from the law firm to purchase hedge funds totaling $1 million.

The funds, though, were subsequently retuned following the failure of the deal. However, contributions from the Illinois law firm have exceeded that of any other entity contributing to the Biden campaign. Furthermore, it is alleged that the law firm has benefited from the support of Senator Joe Biden in Congress.

Biden is said to have advocated for the right of asbestos victims to sue in court and is also a strong supporter of trial lawyers. Biden as well as Simmons Cooper oppose the proposed legislation that would set up a trust fund for asbestos litigants, arguing that the trust fund money may run out or lack the funds to pay adequate compensation to victims. Many individuals file asbestos lawsuits after developing mesothelioma cancer, a fatal disease that is only caused by previous asbestos exposure.

It is reported that Barrack Obama backed the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005, taking an opposing position to trial lawyers while Biden opposed and vetoed the bill. Some question whether these conflicting views will affect the 2008 Democratic campaign for the White House.

An former nurse from Ohio has filed an asbestos-related lawsuit after being diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer in May. Kathy Castle, who worked as a nurse from 1970 until 2008, names 13 defendant corporations in her suit, which was filed on September 15th.

Castle claims she was exposed to asbestos that was transferred to her home on the clothing of two of her family members who worked outside the home in the construction and manufacturing industries. The suit alleges that the corporations that employed her two family members should have taken thorough precautions to prevent asbestos exposure and that her diagnosis of mesothelioma could have been prevented.

Castle is seeking $100,000 in damages and is no longer able to work.

Asbestos removal at Thomas O’Brien Academy of Science and Technology (TOAST) in the capital city of Albany, New York will proceed after the district school board voted in favor of continuing the project.

The TOAST building was in the midst of extensive renovations that would cost an estimated nine and a half million dollars. Renovations began in July and the school was initially set to reopen in September of 2009. Workers discovered asbestos just three weeks into the project in window frames and ceilings. According to officials the asbestos had been inside the building for over 50 years and had not been removed when the school underwent renovations back in 1985.

The added cost for abatement is about $3,794,00, according to project directors. Parents of TOAST students, who are currently attending school in other district buildings until the TOAST building can reopen, are urging the school board to reallocate funds in order to begin the asbestos abatement as soon as possible.

The Holiday Inn on Route 1 in Peabody, MA has been forced to close temporarily for asbestos abatement after the toxin was discovered by construction workers.

Health Department Director Sharon Cameron told the media that the hotel “is currently closed” and that no guests or employees are allowed inside. Holiday Inn workers manned tables outside the building this week and answered telephones and conducted paperwork in the parking lot.

The hotel was in the midst of a $400,000 renovation project. Cameron expressed her disappointment after closing the hotel for business, stating that the Health Department and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection “try to minimize the impact on businesses” as much as possible when dealing with asbestos abatement.

No abatement permits have been obtained by the Holiday Inn management as of yet. Until asbestos is properly removed, Cameron stated that they will not permit the hotel to reopen, as the health risks surrounding asbestos (including the development of mesothelioma cancer) are too great.

Air quality tests conducted at Bethel High School in Connecticut did not reveal asbestos contamination, according to Superintendent Gary Chesley.

“There is no asbestos hazard in the building,” Chesley told media this morning. Students at Bethel High were evacuated yesterday after concerns that asbestos may have become airborne on the building’s second floor.

Students have reportedly been evacuated after an asbestos scare twice last year after construction workers inadvertently disturbed asbestos-containing materials during renovations.

The House of Representatives made a landmark decision to pass a bill that will work to stop the use of asbestos, the only known cause of mesothelioma cancer. Named for former House of Representatives member Bruce Vento, who died of mesothelioma in 2001, the bill is a groundbreaking step towards a complete U.S. ban on asbestos use.

Sponsored by Chairman Gene Green (D-TX) the bill is an amendment to the Toxic Substances Control Act and will fund public health programs that will provide asbestos education to the public.

Asbestos-usage regulations were put into effect over 20 years ago, but a complete ban on use of this highly toxic substance is not yet in place in the U.S.

Rhio O’Conner, a 7-year survivor of mesothelioma cancer, has written a book entitled “They Said Months, I Chose Years: A Mesothelioma Survivor’s Story.” The book is published by Cancer Monthly.

O’Conner was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma in 2001, and was given less than one year to live. Discouraged by his doctor’s advice to take a final vacation with his wife and then prepare to live his last months at home with Hospice care, O’Conner instead came up with his own aggressive treatment plan, which included taking over 100 supplements each day and meditating.

O’Conners unique message is that there are “other” ways to overcome cancer than just relying on the traditional treatment methods, such as chemotherapy or surgery.

“They Said Months, I Chose Years: A Mesothelioma Survivor’s Story” can be purchased on Amazon.com.

Bethel High School in Connecticut was evacuated earlier today after school officials became concerned that a construction worker may have accidentally disturbed asbestos-containing materials above a duct line on the building’s second floor.

Officials estimate the disturbance occurred before 10 AM today. Air quality testing is already underway in the building and should be completed before the end of the school day. Concerns over asbestos exposure and the related health implications, including eventual development of mesothelioma, prompted the evacuation.

After-school activities will be conducted as usual.

The search continues in Southeastern Texas for missing victims in the wake of Hurricane Ike, perhaps no more so than on the hard-hit Galveston Island.

Authorities have said that much larger challenges have presented themselves aside from simply clearing the road ways of debris.

In what is described as a “toxic soup” of asbestos, lead, gasoline, and human waste, authorities are concerned about health hazards on the island.

Dangerous levels of asbestos have appeared in preliminary air quality tests and will likely continue to do so as asbestos materials dry out.

Total damages to the city are estimated at $10 billion. Cleanup costs will include funding dedicated for the safe removal of all health hazards, including asbestos where it is found. Exposure to asbestos following a natural disaster such as Ike is of great concern, as exposure to this toxin causes mesothelioma cancer.

Two days after news had broken that asbestos had been found in the steel roof insulation of Park Elementary School, the district has announced that the school will close until the asbestos scare has been resolved.

Superintendant William Kinavey immediately closed the school after concerns were raised by parents at a school board meeting.

It was not immediately clear where, or if, the students would received instruction while the hazard was assessed, but the school’s teachers will report to another locations, district officials indicated.

The roofing contractor, Phoenix Roofing has submitted an asbestos abatement plan for the building. District officials were in the process of reviewing that document at last notice.

Asbestos has been conclusively linked to the deadly cancer mesothelioma and other respiratory complications. School closings amidst asbestos scares are not uncommon in the United States and are typically resolved within a few days.