The legacy of decades of asbestos use is still with us.
A newspaper article from Australia reports on Prime Minister Howard’s willingness to re-engage in talks about an asbestos compensation deal. Like the United States, Australia is trying to cope with the legacy of decades of asbestos use the tragedy of people with mesothelioma. It’s a tough public policy problem, and I don’t envy the legislators […]
Australian government also working on asbestos claims Read More »
The Belfast Telegraph reports that the number of hospital admissions for asbestos diseases in Northern Ireland has approximately doubled in the past 10 years. “Many sufferers are former shipyard workers or tradesmen who used asbestos as a popular building material in the 1950s and 1960s.” Just like in the United States.
More asbestos cases in the hospitals Read More »
This article out of Australia describes the concern of geologists and health officials on the effects of natural asbestos. People living near these deposits can be put in danger when there is roadworks, construction, farming, or other disturbances. There has been no systematic medical assessment of this risk.
Geologic deposits of asbestos and their danger Read More »
The Hill has an article today on Arlen Specter and Patrick Leahy still trying to get Senate passage of a bill to replace the asbestos-litigation system with a $140 billion trust fund. Specter is quoted as saying this is the last chance for this bill, and there are significant obstacles to passage, including opposition from
Senators still pushing asbestos bill Read More »
Anyone who follows the asbestos tragedy is surely aware of the Libby, Montana situation. This mining town has experienced an epidemic of asbestos disease due to a vermiculite mine that W.R. Grace & Co operated there until 1990. The Libby residents have been battling for some redress and the Social Security Administration just announced that
Social Security Administration smiles on Libby victims Read More »
In article (opinion piece) out of The Herald (Scotland). Writer Joan McAlpine lays out the case for mesothelioma patients: the fact that asbestos companies knew of the hazards and continued to produce this hazardous material. “Mesothelioma sufferers already know what is killing them: exposure to asbestos dust. So they know who is to blame: irresponsible
Tour de Force presentation of evidence against asbestos companies Read More »
The Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia (ADFA) is holding a conference this weekend. One thing they are talking about is the legacy of the Baryulgil asbestos mine which operated between 1944 and 1976. There are all sorts of health problems in the area even today.
Australian conference on asbestos diseases Read More »
A few days ago we mentioned the SS Norway wandering the seas in search of a place to be dismantled. Asbestos and other hazards on board are scaring potential host countries. Now we see out of France, a naval ship in a similar situation. The aircraft carrier Clemenceau pulled into the port at Brest after
A couple days ago we mentioned the SS Norway. Today we learned from another blog that the ship was a “beloved 1960’s classic ocean liner” that was a star among Norwegian Cruiselines’ fleet. Also, Maritime Matters says the SS Blue Lady was recently sold, and speculates it is headed to Bangladesh and China for scrap.
More on the SS Norway Read More »
The evironmental activist groups Greenpease is criticizing the government of India for agreeing to accept the SS Norway ocean liner. This ship is apparently carrying over 900 tons of asbestos, and is also contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls and heavy metals. The owners of the ship want to have it undergo “ship-breaking” to recover salvagable materials.
SS Norway ocean liner causes controversey Read More »