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EPA FINES W.R. GRACE FOR MONTANA DISASTER
May 12, 2008
Libby, Montana, a town of 3,000 people, finds itself in the middle of what will be one of the most expensive series of lawsuits in American history.
Some 112,000 people are seeking damages against W.R Grace & Company for what the Federal Environmental Protection Agency calls the nations worst environmental disaster. Every day, two and a half tons of deadly asbestos dust was created at the W.R. Grace & Companys vermiculite mine on Zonolite Mountain. The EPA has fined Grace $250 million. The company has set up a trust with more than $2.9 billion to settle the claims.
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ASBESTOS DUST AT CLEAR CREEK, SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA
May 12, 2008
Off-road motorcyclists and environmental groups are locking wheels on the proposed closing of 31,000 acres of the Clear Creek Management Area, rugged country straddling Fresno and San Joaquin counties. The EPA found an increased long-term cancer risk for those involved in recreational activities, particularly those that kick up dust.
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CANCER RISK IN CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
May 01, 2008
That asbestos is a human carcinogen is recognized by the EPA, OSHA, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and numerous other international and national agencies. The Clear Creek Management Area in Central California (CCMA) contains the largest deposit of asbestos in the United States. . The CCMA spans more than 75,000 acres across San Benito and Fresno Counties and includes the Atlas Asbestos Mine Superfund Site. It includes a 31,000 acre outcrop of naturally occurring asbestos. The CCMA is visited by hikers, campers, hunters, botanists, rock collectors, off-highway vehicle riders and others and has about 35,000 visitors per year.
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W.R. GRACE AGREES TO EXIT BANKRUPTCY PROTECTION
Apr 20, 2008
For many decades, W.R. Grace manufactured and sold a fire-retardant asbestos material that causes mesothelioma and lung cancer. Grace filed for bankruptcy in 2001, to avoid paying lawsuits filed by people who were sickened by exposure to asbestos. The filing put the asbestos victims claims on hold. Grace has now agreed to settle the outstanding asbestos-related claims with cash, future payments to a victims' trust and 10 million warrants that would allow claimants to buy company stock at a favorable price. The deal is worth about $1.8 billion. It would allow W.R. Grace to emerge by the end of the year after seven years of bankruptcy protection.
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ACANDS NEARS EXIT FROM BANKRUPTCY
Jan 02, 2008
ACandS Inc. is an insulation contractor that voluntarily entered Chapter 11 in September 2002. The company is a unit of Lancaster, Pa.-based Irex Corp. At the time it filed for Chapter 11, ACandS had already settled 247,000 asbestos claims, but had 300,000 left to deal with. The company now is in the final stage of its reorganizing.
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FEDERAL-MOGUL IS SET TO EXIT CHAPTER 11
Dec 27, 2007
Federal-Mogul Corp. has 45,000 workers worldwide and 1,300 employees in Michigan. It makes a range of auto parts including pistons, windshield wipers and bearings for sale to automakers and in stores. Federal-Mogul emerges from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on December 27th. This will end a six-year reorganization of the auto-parts maker. The company is expected to exit bankruptcy under the control of Carl Icahn. Icahn will own a quarter of Federal-Mogul when the company exits. Icahn also will have options to buy a total of 76% of the company's stock.
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ASBESTOS FOUND IN TOY FINGERPRINTING KIT
Dec 24, 2007
Recent tests have shown that a toy fingerprinting kit contains asbestos. Planet Toys is the manufacturer of the kit. Planet Toys has asked stores to stop selling its CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit. The company is planning to investigate the health risk posed by the kit. The U.S. government has not yet decided whether to issue a recall of the asbestos-containing kit.
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ASBESTOS FOUND IN SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Dec 21, 2007
Asbestos fibers, if inhaled, can lead to serious lung illnesses such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Medical experts believe it takes 20 years or more before symptoms of asbestos-related diseases begin to appear.
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FEDERAL-MOGUL TO RETURN FROM BANKRUPTCY
Dec 19, 2007
Federal-Mogul Corp. makes a range of products including pistons, windshield wipers and Champion spark plugs. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Oct. 1, 2001. The Southfield Michigan based auto supplier has been in bankruptcy more than six years. It has settled hundreds of thousands of asbestos lawsuits stemming from asbestos-containing products manufactured by companies that Federal-Mogul had acquired. The lawsuits were brought on behalf of people with asbestos diseases, including mesothelioma and lung cancer, which were caused by exposure to asbestos.
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ASBESTOS FOUND IN TOYS AND OTHER PRODUCTS
Dec 05, 2007
Studies confirm that breathing asbestos fibers is linked to increased risks of lung cancer, and mesothelioma - a cancer of the lining of the chest and abdominal cavity. The risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma increases with the number of fibers inhaled. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Consumer Product Safety Commission have banned several asbestos products and manufacturers have voluntarily limited asbestos use.
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ASBESTOS SCARE AT SHASTA COUNTY CALIFORNIA COURT HOUSE
Nov 19, 2007
Ten workers were allowed to return to their office in the Shasta County Courthouse two days after a warning of possible asbestos contamination in two offices. The employees had been ordered out after a construction worker renovating the offices suspected there was asbestos. An air quality sample was taken and the results came back showing no asbestos was present.
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W.R. GRACE & CO.S FUTURE IN LIMBO
Nov 07, 2007
W.R. Grace & Co. is a specialty chemicals manufacturer. Many of its products contained asbestos. Grace filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on April 2, 2001, in the face of mounting asbestos-related claims. Asbestos lawyers had filed many claims on behalf of their clients for diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. Grace must set up a fund to pay the claims in order to emerge from bankruptcy protection.
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W.R. GRACE ASBESTOS CLAIMANTS FILE REORGANIZATION PLAN
Nov 06, 2007
W. R. Grace & Co. is a global supplier of products to refineries, catalysts for the manufacture of plastics, specialty materials for industrial applications, chemicals, additives and building materials for commercial and residential construction, and sealants for food and beverage packaging. Grace currently has annual sales of almost $3 billion, 6,500 employees and operates in ore than 40 countries.
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CANADA CONTINUES TO MINE AND EXPORT ASBESTOS
Nov 05, 2007
Asbestos is one of the most widely recognized carcinogens and its use has been banned in 40 nations. Canada, however, has not banned the mining and exportation of asbestos. Two mining operations in Quebec continue to extract a large volume of asbestos and export it to developing countries. Asbestos is now rarely used in Canada. Yet the government promotes shipping asbestos to countries that do not enforce the measures necessary to ensure its safe usage.
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FEDERAL-MOGUL HOPES TO EXIT BANKRUPTCY
Oct 27, 2007
Federal-Mogul Corp. has reached agreements to resolve objections to its Chapter 11 reorganization plan. The auto-parts maker has been in Chapter 11 for several years. It sought relief in bankruptcy from thousand of lawsuits filed by asbestos lawyers on behalf of their clients suffering from various asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. Federal-Mogul could emerge from bankruptcy by year's end.
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JUDGE ALLOWS QUIGLEY'S PLAN TO GO TO A VOTE
Oct 26, 2007
Quigley Company for many years made asbestos-containing products. Pfizer bought Quigley in 1968. People exposed to the asbestos in Quigleys products developed asbestos related diseases, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. Lawyers representing clients with mesothelioma and lung cancer began filing claims against Quigley and Pfizer in the 1980s.
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ASBESTOS FOUND IN REDLANDS, CALIFORNIA FIRE OFFICES
Oct 17, 2007
While clearing a back up in the sewer lines, clean-up crews discovered asbestos in the citys fire offices on October 12th. As a result, the fire offices have been closed. The city is accepting bids on asbestos removal.
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THORPE INSULATION FILES CHAPTER 11 BANKRUPTCY
Oct 16, 2007
Thorpe Insulation Co. is a California based insulation supplier. The insulation contained asbestos for many years. Asbestos causes serious diseases, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. Asbestos lawyers have sued Thorpe on behalf of clients who developed asbestos related diseases
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AN OBJECTION TO FEDERAL-MOGUL CHAPTER 11 REORGANIZATION PLAN IS DROPPED
Oct 11, 2007
ederal-Mogul Corp. is an auto parts maker. Many of the parts contained asbestos. Asbestos lawyers filed thousands of cases against Federal- Mogul alleging that the asbestos had caused mesothelioma and lung cancer. The company filed for Chapter 11 protection, and has been in Chapter 11 for more than six years.
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BILL BANNING ASBESTOS PASSES IN SENATE
Oct 05, 2007 by Jack K. Clapper
In a bipartisan initiative, U.S. Senate votes unanimously to pass bill banning importation, manufacture, processing and distribution of products asbestos. EPA would be charged with enforcement. Bill also includes measure to create centers tasked with finding better treatment of asbestos related diseases.
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RPM INTERNATIONAL HAS HIGHER ASBESTOS COSTS
Oct 04, 2007 by Jack K. Clapper
In spite of record sales, company experiences negative cash flow due to expenditure related to defending legal cases involving asbestos. Expenditures include payout of settlements to victims of mesothelioma and lung cancer.
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ASBESTOS WARNING IN CONNECTICUT SCHOOLS
Oct 04, 2007 by Jack K. Clapper
Clay used in art classes may contain asbestos warns Connecticut State department of Public Health. Claim disputed by attorneys defending product distributors.
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ASBESTOS TAKEN HOME FROM WORK CAUSES MESOTHELIOMA IN HOUSEWIVES
Sep 26, 2007 by Jack K. Clapper
Asbestos lawyers are filing lawsuits against the employers of workers because of secondhand exposure to asbestos brought into the home on clothing. In a typical case, the worker is male and s exposed to asbestos at his workplace. The asbestos fibers cling to his work clothes which he brings home. His wife lauders the clothes and is exposed to asbestos by doing so. The wife develops mesothelioma as a result of this exposure.
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ASBESTOS MINES IN CANADA MAY SHUT DOWN
Sep 24, 2007 by Jack K. Clapper
Canadian Cancer Society calls for ban on use and export of asbestos, possibly signalling end to LAB mine
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HUNTERS POINT NAVAL SHIPYARD ASBESTOS MEASUREMENTS
Sep 23, 2007 by Jack K. Clapper
Federal agency survey determines asbestos levels at shipyard do not pose health hazard.
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CHICAGO ILLINOIS ASBESTOS SCARE
Sep 23, 2007 by Jack K. Clapper
Chicago Department of Environment alert results in evacuation of 20 story building
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APPEALS COURT REVERSES ASBESTOS TRIAL JUDGES RULINGS
Sep 22, 2007 by Jack K. Clapper
W.R. Grace appeals result in reverse of pre-trial rulings in asbestos exposure illness case brought by U.S. government.
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ASBESTOS PROBLEMS AT CHICO STATE COLLEGE
Sep 20, 2007 by Jack K. Clapper
Repair and remodel efforts for buildings on college campus postponed due to potential for asbestos exposure to contractors, faculty, and students.
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IMPROPER ASBESTOS DISPOSAL INVESTIGATION CONTINUES
Sep 17, 2007 by Jack K. Clapper
Search warrant issued in law enforcement effort to obtain evidence related to potential illegal disposal of asbestos or other related hazardous materials from old Cambria Air Force station in San Luis Obispo California.
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CITY OF OAKRIDGE OREGON FINED FOR ASBESTOS VIOLATIONS
Sep 16, 2007 by Jack K. Clapper
Oakridge city government was fined on several violations related to abatement work on mobile homes the city demolished. All of the charges and subsequent fines involved disposal of debris containing asbestos.
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FEDERAL MOGUL GETS COURT APPROVAL FOR ASBESTOS LIABILITY RELATED LOAN
Aug 29, 2007 by Jack K. Clapper
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Fitzgerald in Wilmington, Del., ordered that Federal-Mogul may sign loan-commitment documents for a $3.5 billion finance package to aid moving the auto-parts maker out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
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HUNTERS POINT SHIPYARD ASBESTOS HAZARD LAWSUIT FILED IN SAN FRANCISCO
Aug 29, 2007 by Jack K. Clapper
The Center for Self-Improvement and Community Development (The Center) has filed suit in San Francisco Superior Court under Proposition 65 California's "right to know" law against Lennar Corp., and Lennar's subcontractor, Gordon N. Ball. The lawsuit alleges that Lennar and Ball failed to notify the community of the asbestos hazards created when an entire hilltop was graded at Hunters Point Shipyard in order to develop a 1,500-unit condominium complex.
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ALVISO CALIFORNIA TESTED FOR ASBESTOS
Aug 23, 2007 by Jack K. Clapper
Alviso California is a small city just to the south of San Francisco. Alviso was declared a Superfund site by the EPA in 1986 after tests found high levels of asbestos. EPA officials originally said the air was cleaned up in 1993. However, new and more sensitive equipment can now show whether even microscopic particles of asbestos remain in the air. The Environmental Protection Agency returned to Alviso this week to do more asbestos testing.
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ASBESTOS SCARE IN MONTEREY CALIFORNIA COURTHOUSE
Aug 23, 2007 by Jack K. Clapper
The discovery of a possible asbestos release in the Monterey courthouse caused alarm among the county health workers. Several weeks ago a worker drilled through ceiling tiles containing asbestos. A nickel-sized hole was drilled into ceiling tiles containing asbestos. It was only weeks later that the drilling came to the attention of officials. On Monday, August 20th, specialized cleanup crews began work to determine the extent of asbestos contamination.
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SAN DEIGO GAS & ELECTRIC (SDG&E) TO APPEAL VERDICT IN ASBESTOS REMOVAL CASE
Jul 17, 2007 by Jack K. Clapper
San Diego Gas & Electric will appeal the guilty verdict a federal jury reached Friday involving the companys environmental asbestos abatement at a natural gas storage facility in 2001. The original lawsuit, against SDG&E's parent company Sempra Energy, involved the removal of pipes on a lot in Lemon Grove which had been home to the Encanto Gas Holder Station until it was closed in the late 90's.
The suit claimed that asbestos had been removed from those pipes in a way that was in violation of asbestos removal laws, which resulted, according to the lawsuit, in the asbestos turning into dust that was then scattered as a result of the methods used.
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SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC FOUND GUILTY OF ASBESTOS VIOLATIONS
Jul 16, 2007 by Jack K. Clapper
On Friday, July 13, 2007 a federal jury in San Diego, California found San Diego Gas & Electric guilty of violating asbestos work practice standards in its removal of asbestos from 9 miles of underground piping. SDG&E was also found guilty of one count of making false statements.
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STUDY: ASBESTOS DISEASE PATIENTS ARE YOUNGER NOW
Jul 12, 2007 by Jack K. Clapper
In 1990 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a study showing that a typical asbestos patient was male and approximately 70 years old. The study concluded that approximately 50 percent of asbestos patients had direct occupational exposure. Other studies have estimated that 80 percent of patients were men.
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U.S. TRUSTEE ACCUSES W.R. GRACE OF STALLING
Jul 10, 2007 by Jack K. Clapper
W.R. Grace & Co., based in Columbia, Md., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2001 to avoid paying lawsuits filed by people injured by asbestos in the company's products. Kelly Beaudin Stapleton is the U.S. trustee overseeing Grace's Chapter 11 case. Ms. Stapleton has asked the bankruptcy judge to end Graces exclusive control over its Chapter 11 case, saying there is no end in sight if the company retains exclusive control.
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MESOTHELIOMA VICTIMS LAWYERS SAY W.R. GRACE & CO. IS STALLING
Jul 09, 2007 by Jack K. Clapper
Lawyers representing clients with claims for asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, asked a judge on Friday, July 6, 2007, to push W.R. Grace & Co. to speed up its bankruptcy restructuring. W.R. Grace & Co. (Grace) was a producer of specialty chemicals that filed for Chapter 11 protection in 2001. Grace has delayed paying victims who filed lawsuits over asbestos products Grace once made.
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BILL TO BAN ASBESTOS TO BE READ IN CONGRESS
Jul 09, 2007 by Jack K. Clapper
A bill to ban asbestos will get a reading later this month in the Environment and Public Works Committee. This is the first time the bill has reached the markup stage. In addition to banning the use of asbestos in the United States, the bill also calls for spending $50 million for research and launching a public education campaign.
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TRAVELERS INSURANCE MAKES A SETTLEMENT
Jul 06, 2007 by Jack K. Clapper
The Travelers Companies Inc. is an insurance company that insured an asbestos contracting company called ACandS, Inc. Many asbestos victims, including persons with mesothelioma, brought claims against ACandS, which resulted in its filing a Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Travelers has proposed a settlement to resolve all current and future asbestos-related coverage claims against Travelers relating to ACandS.
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WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION CALLS FOR A HALT IN THE USE OF ASBESTOS.
Apr 30, 2007 by Jack K. Clapper
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) more than 200,000 people die each year from cancers related to their workplaces, many from inhaling asbestos fibers. WHO says about 125 million people worldwide are exposed to asbestos at work and every 10th lung cancer death is related to occupational hazards, which amount to at least 90,000 deaths each year.
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ASBESTOS IS THE MAIN CAUSE OF CANCER IN WORKERS
Apr 30, 2007 by Jack K. Clapper
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is an organization dedicated to serving as the voice of asbestos victims. ADAO, on International Workers Memorial Day, honored and remembered the thousands of workers who have died due to asbestos-caused diseases. Asbestos is the number one carcinogen in workers and causes 54% of all deaths from occupational cancer.
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