Residents of 36 town homes in a Ventura, California complex may have been exposed to asbestos particles.

Tenants were assured that work on the homes’ popcorn ceilings would not be hazardous to their health–for the ceiling, as the owner claimed, did not contain asbestos.

That sentiment, however, has been proved untrue. Following a resident’s complaint, Ventura County Air Pollution Control District tested some of the materials scraped from the ceiling, and discovered elevated levels of asbestos.

Due to this discovery, residents are now concerned for their health. For when airborne asbestos particles are inhaled, those exposed are put at risk for contracting several asbestos related diseases. Mesothelioma is the most aggressive form to arise, and affects nearly 3,000 Americans each year.

Mesothelioma doctors often fail to diagnose patients with the disease for several decades following their exposure, and because mesothelioma symptoms mimic those of other diseases, the diagnostic process is even more complicated.

Owner of Ventura Village Green apartments, Tony Biedul, and contractor, Bill Bigler, have been issued multiple notices of violation, which may carry fines as high as $10,000.

Biedul claims he was unaware there was asbestos in the building, and told Bigler to go ahead with the work, which included repairing water-damaged walls and ceilings.

“What I should have done is have the asbestos abatement guy take care of it first, but I didn’t know asbestos was involved,” said Biedul.

Biedul has now hired a contractor to complete the asbestos abatement and fix the problems in the 36 town homes. While the abatement occurs, residents were given enough money to stay at the Motel 6 on Johnson Road.

A woman who lost her husband to mesothelioma is begging government officials to rewrite legislation in place that is currently preventing her and others like her from obtaining monetary compensation. Ms. Caroline Squires, a resident of the United Kingdom, believes she could be offered a six-figure payout from her husband’s former employers. There’s just one problem: she is unable to track them (and their insurers) down.

Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, is caused in almost all cases by exposure to asbestos-containing materials. There are about 2,300 cases of mesothelioma diagnosed each year in the UK, and that number is expected to increase each year, peaking around 2038. The disease typically lies dormant for up to fifty years before an individual begins to suffer from mesothelioma symptoms, and the majority of patients lose their battle with this cancer in less than two years following diagnosis despite mesothelioma treatment.

Mr. Squires, who also left behind two children and four grandchildren, was likely exposed to asbestos on the job with a heating company in Guildford between 1962 and 1964. Mrs. Squires told reporters that her husband had been trying to gain financial compensation for his mesothelioma disease before his death. “It was important to my husband to claim compensation,” she said.

He was worried about providing for his family following his death. It is difficult to believe that there are no records of who the insurers were. The quicker [changes are made to the system] the better, not just for me but for all victims of asbestos disease,” she told reporters.

A lawsuit filed in West Virginia’s Kanawha Circuit Court names 85 companies that one woman blames for the death of her husband. Deborah E. Boggs argues that her late husband, James A. Boggs, was killed by asbestos-related ailments caused by the products made by these 85 companies. Before his death, Mr. Boggs was employed as a production foreman and plant operator at Conoco Venco in Moundsville, West Virginia. Mr. Boggs died from a combination of asbestosis and asbestos-caused lung cancer, according to court documents.

Asbestos exposure is conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that most often affects the lungs. This form of the disease, known as pleural mesothelioma, affects thousands of patients worldwide each year. Mesothelioma can also manifest in the abdomen or the lining of the heart. While there are palliative treatment methods available, including chemo, there is no known cure for mesothelioma. Tragically, the majority of patients lose their battle with this cancer in less than two years following diagnosis.

Mrs. Boggs believes that the companies that manufactured the asbestos-containing products her husband was exposed to should be held responsible for their negligence. According to the suit, “The defendants knew or should have known that exposure to the asbestos-containing products would cause disease and injury.”

The companies named in the suit include: Armstrong International, Inc.; Aurora Pump Company; E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Company; General Electric Company; the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company; Honeywell, Inc.; Honeywell International, Inc.; Ingersoll-Rand Company; ITT Corporation; Lockheed Martin Corporation; Pneumo Abex Corporation; Warren Pumps, Inc.; Washington Group International; Waste Management, Inc.; Watson McDaniel Company; and Yarway Corporation.

In Portland, Oregon, a recent fire that consumed a historic church in the southwest portion of the city has generated asbestos-laced smoke that could prove hazardous to human health. The church had been converted into a bookstore a few years ago, and the books that stocked the shelves of the store only provided fuel for the intense three-alarm fire. The inferno reportedly released unknown amounts of asbestos-filled smoke, according to Portland Fire & Rescue.

Asbestos exposure has been conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, as well as lung scarring and asbestosis. Mesothelioma affects less than 3,000 Americans each year, and while there are palliative treatment methods available, including chemo, there is no known cure. Inhaling tiny asbestos fibers, such as those released during a fire, can prove lethal in some cases. To date, no further information about asbestos released during the fire has been made public. However, a four-unit condominium complex next door was evacuated as a precautionary measure.

Fire & Rescue spokesperson Dave Centers explained the lay of the land that surrounded the church-turned-bookshop: "It’s a real old structure and we couldn’t get into it…[it was located in] pretty tight quarters in an old part of Portland, so we have a lot of close-in houses and other buildings around it…That smoke just laid down right on top of firefighters…it was just blinding and choking."

Many locals are sad to see the building go. "It’s just a heartbreaking loss that this building is going away," said local Steve Leflar.

A new study out of the Netherlands has concluded that an investigational vaccine for the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma is safe. The vaccine’s main agent is an immune system booster rooted in the body’s dendritic cells.

A group of Dutch researchers tested the vaccine, which infuses a patient’s own cells with antigens designed to combat mesothelioma tumor cells. The study was carried out on 10 patients, producing a T-cell response against malignant mesothelioma tumors.

This trial would mark the first time dendritic-cell immunotherapy has been used in patients diagnosed with mesothelioma.

While prognosis in those diagnosed with mesothelioma is typically quite poor, researchers hope that dendritic-cell immunotherapy will not only be able to extend survival rates, but also prevent the development of mesothelioma in those previously exposed to asbestos.

Traditional mesothelioma treatment regimens will typically utilize some combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Even with treatment, mesothelioma patients average only 12 months survival at diagnosis.

The study was published online March 4^th and will appear in an upcoming issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Following a Beacon Hill Roll Call, the approval of both House 155-1 and Senate 36-0 provided new and improved benefits to the veteran community of Massachusetts.

Both expand the current law which provides a one-time $1,000 “Welcome Home” bonus. This is given to those returning home from their first deployment. The expansion of the law would award an additional $500 for each subsequent home-coming that follows deployment.

Further, Massachusetts residents on duty will be able to cast their votes on an absentee ballot for the possible creation of a Medal of Liberty. This medal would be awarded by the governor to family members of service members killed in action or killed due to wounds received in action.

The house stood alone on voting for the version that would give disabled veteran-owned businesses the same advantage as women and minority-owned businesses when bidding on the state’s contracts. Veterans labeled disabled because of health ailments will now receive incentives to strengthen their businesses or even start up new endeavors. This bill promises to also give the nonprofit Home of the Brave additional funds to provide housing to veterans.

The expansion of support that the state of Massachusetts is providing to veteran focused non-profits and families of those who have served, is an initiative that is well deserved. Those who were left hindered by their service should not be penalized, rather they should be assisted.

Veterans suffering from mental illness such as post-traumatic stress disorder or physical ailments such as mesothelioma, asbestos-caused form of cancer, need ample aid for living with their service-caused health conditions. The hazardous environment that soldiers are faced with while in service is able to cause life threatening conditions. In the case of asbestos exposure, veterans make up the largest group of those diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Mental conditions such as PTSD are common among veterans coming home from their service overseas. Supporters of this bill noted that one in five U.S. veterans suffer from PTSD. Further, 11 percent suffer from traumatic brain injuries.

Health concerns that are often triggered by war can be detrimental to a veteran’s life post-war. Given this new state-wide support, the 44,000 Bay State veterans that will benefit from this bill will be able to worry a little less about their transition to civilian life and focus more on their new beginnings

Union workers in Lyndhurst, New Jersey were sighted protesting regarding asbestos on December 9th outside of what was formerly known as the Bedroc building located in Lyndhurst. The protesters were from the Laborers Local 78 Union and they were protesting what they believed to be unsafe practices regarding roof work being conducted by non-union members.

Due to the attention that the protest drew local officials became concerned also that improper asbestos removal may be being conducted as well. Because of this an investigation into the matter is now underway. Local officials are being aided by the Department of Environmental Protection.

Mayor of Lyndhurst, New Jersey Richard DiLascio has had previous concerns about asbestos at the site where the building is located earlier this year when asbestos was discovered in newly developed athletic fields in the town in close proximity to the site. The air around the fields was tested to be sure that dangerous exposure to the materials did not occur.

Exposure to even a minimal amount of asbestos can lead to the development of a number of asbestos-related diseases which include but are not limited to asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. These diseases often have a considerably long latency period which in many cases leaves the diagnosed with very few effective treatment options.

The mayor is hoping to establish a new ordinance that would require notification to the township of renovation projects being conducted within the town’s vicinity.

Building owners in Ontonagon, MI are concerned about asbestos exposure after several historical River Street buildings burned in a major fire.

City officials and the Michigan State Fire Marshall have informed building owners that they will need to make arrangements to have asbestos removed and disposed of safely before they can begin to rebuild.

“What’s going to happen is they’re going to contact the proper company to come in, contain it, put it in containing units, and haul it to a local landfill,” said Sheriff John Gravier.

Many of the buildings were over 100 years old and had been severely damaged in another fire almost a century ago.

Officials located asbestos in all burned buildings in the form of insulation, siding and floor tiles. All contaminated areas are roped off to the public.

EPA announced on Wednesday that it will consider including the Borit Asbestos Site in Ambler, PA to the Superfund National Priority List (NPL) in an effort to provide funding for asbestos cleanup and removal.

The site was previously used between 1930 and 1970 by Kane-Core, Inc. as a dump for asbestos-containing materials. The site has been divided into three areas – a waste pile still owned by Kane-Core, Inc., a water reservoir owned by the Wissahickon Valley Water Association, and a former Whitpain Township playground.

The Borit Asbestos site covers approximately six acres. The two-acre waste area includes insulation, piping, floor and ceiling tiles and other asbestos-laden materials. The eleven-acre former Whitpain Township park is situated directly over buried asbestos waste and was closed in the 1980s after officials deemed it a contaminated area.

The site has been added to the NPL list because EPA officials estimate that nearby residents were most likely exposed to errant airborne asbestos, as well as asbestos that may have been present in the water of Wissahickon Creek. Citizens and local officials are concerned about the potential long-term health consequences of ongoing asbestos exposure, including the development of mesothelioma cancer.

After a sixty-day period the NPL will make a decision regarding the admittance of the Borit Asbestos site. Another eleven contaminated sites throughout the U.S. are also being evaluated by the EPA and may also be admitted to the NPL list.

A Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal upheld a $3.2 million verdict on behalf of plaintiff Ray Rando against contractors Parsons Infrastructure & Technology Group, Inc. and Jacobs Constructors, Inc. Rando worked as a welder and pipefitter from 1965 to 1985 and developed mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure while he worked for the defendants. He was diagnosed with the disease in 2006 and the original case was heard about 15 months ago.

“Ray Rando’s employers tried repeatedly to evade responsibility for his injuries, but these committed attorneys convinced the trial court, and then the Court of Appeal, that these companies were responsible to their employees for exposing them to dangerous levels of asbestos,” said attorney Russell Budd in a recent press release.

“The appeals court confirmed that Louisiana’s 1952 Workers’ Compensation Act does not cover mesothelioma and so does not bar suits by mesothelioma victims against their employers,” the press release noted. Also, the Court of Appeal ruled that Rando’s case “was not barred by Louisiana’s 10-year preemptive period to bring claims for injuries arising from deficiencies in the construction of improvements to real property.”

The court also ruled that, because Rando’s employer, a contractor who did major “turn-key” construction jobs at a chemical plant, had “control over the construction” at the time of his asbestos exposure, Rando’s claims against his employer “fell within the statute’s exception and were not untimely.”