Clapper, Patti, Schweizer and Mason

Industry spokesmen claim that the chemical industry and producers of sand, talc, taconite and gravel containing asbestos isn't harmful. Physicians and victims of asbestos poisoning show that death statistics disprove these claims. The deaths caused by exposure asbestos include mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer of the lining of the lung. Mesothelioma lawyers claim that the only cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Asbestos was declared a health risk more than 30 years ago but it continues to be mined and used in hundreds of products. W. R. Grace reportedly will pay $3 billion in claims to those harmed from toxic exposures to tremolite asbestos in their now-closed mine in Libby, Montana. Grace has spent years fighting the decision. The issue is expected to come before a judge again sometime in October.