Asbestos

What Gear Protects Workers From Asbestos Exposure?

March 31, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

Personal protective equipment is quite crucial when it comes to protecting oneself from asbestos exposure. If, for example, you work in an asbestos removal company, it is not enough that you use proper removal proceedings. It is important that you use personal protective equipment. Personal protective equipment can protect you from developing asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and asbestosis. In this article, we will talk about, among other things, the types of personal protective equipment that can protect workers from asbestos exposure.

What is Personal Protective Equipment?

Personal protective equipment or PPE is any clothing or covering that provides protection to the wearer from a potential hazard. According to the EPA, personal protective equipment is necessary to protect against the harmful effects of asbestos exposure.

Asbestos Exposure in Boiler Workers

March 20, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

Boilermakers are at a high risk of asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was used heavily in several industries in the 20th century. Asbestos is resistant to heat, corrosion, and electricity, and for those reasons, it was seen as an ideal mineral to use in boiler production and operation. Asbestos is an effective insulator for boilers, and manufacturing and insulating boiler equipment with asbestos can reduce the risks related to high temperatures. Indeed, many of the uses of asbestos that put many boiler workers at risk were banned, but the reality is that boiler workers are still at a huge risk of asbestos exposure.

How Boiler Workers Were and Can Still be Exposed to Asbestos

According to the Department of Labor, boiler workers include workers who produce and install the machines, known as boilermakers, and workers who oversee the daily use of boilers in boiler rooms or engine rooms, known as boiler operators. Asbestos poses a threat to both boilermakers and boiler operators.

What You Should Know About Global Asbestos Awareness Week

March 11, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

April 1 to April 7 is Global Asbestos Awareness Week. Every year, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) dedicates this week to bringing together experts and victims from across the globe to share, learn, and take action. If you are only hearing about Global Asbestos Awareness Week, you might be wondering what is so important about this week. Read on as we focus on the importance of Global Asbestos Awareness Week.

What is the Importance of Global Asbestos Awareness Week?

The main goal of Global Asbestos Awareness Week is to educate the public about the continued dangers of asbestos exposure and the health problems that come with asbestos exposure. The Global Asbestos Awareness Week focuses on educating people about how to manage asbestos in order to prevent asbestos-related diseases. This week is generally about equipping people with the tools they need to protect themselves.

Why are Mesothelioma Rates in Women Increasing?

March 6, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure. Some people assume that mesothelioma is a disease that only affects men. Indeed, historically, mesothelioma has been more prevalent in men. But, today, the balance is tipping. More and more women are being diagnosed with this fatal disease. So, why is there a growing increase in mesothelioma in women? Read on to find out.

Women and Asbestos Exposure

In the 20^th century, asbestos exposure in the workplace was quite common. Workers in numerous industries, including the following, were routinely exposed to mesothelioma;

Seven Myths About Asbestos Debunked

February 1, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

Despite all the available information, many myths about asbestos, the dangerous naturally occurring mineral that causes life-threatening illnesses, persist. Unfortunately, many people continue believing these myths, which can prevent individuals from seeking necessary medical treatment and/or exploring their legal options after a diagnosis.

Below, we will debunk seven of the most prevalent myths about asbestos.

Myth #1: All Asbestos Use Has Been Banned

New California Law Aims to Provide Justice for Surviving Family Members in Mesothelioma Cases

January 22, 2022 | Throneberry Law Group

California has allowed victims’ pain and suffering damages to die with them for decades. In other words, California has long barred surviving family members from obtaining pain and suffering damages. Usually, pain and suffering damages are the greatest sum of money at stake in a civil suit. For a very long time, California law limited the damages that surviving family members could recover to the loss or damage that the decedent incurred before their death, including punitive damages that the decedent could have been entitled to recover if they had lived.

Finally, in January 2022, amendments to the California law that long barred surviving family members from recovering pain and suffering damages went into effect. California’s new law now allows surviving family members to recover pain and suffering damages on behalf of their deceased loved ones. Senate Bill No. 447 (SB 447) increased the number of payable damages to include pain and suffering damages.

Before the passing of SB 447, liable parties used to take advantage of the fact that surviving family members could not recover pain and suffering damages, which often resulted in multi-million-dollar payouts. When companies and individuals were sued, they used to drag out the trial, hoping that the plaintiff would die, allowing them to save money. To some, the previous California law rewarded companies and individuals for bad behavior (prolonging court procedures). Hopefully, SB 447 will end the injustice by allowing family members to pursue suffering damages even if their loved one dies before their claims are resolved.

Is Mesothelioma Contagious?

December 30, 2021 | Throneberry Law Group

Mesothelioma, just like other forms of cancer, is not contagious. Touching, sharing meals, or even breathing the same air cannot spread mesothelioma. Generally, cancer cells from a cancer patient cannot live in the body of a healthy person because the immune system usually destroys foreign cells, including cancer cells from a cancer patient.

How Does a Person Get Mesothelioma?

Asbestos exposure is still the only known cause of mesothelioma. According to the American Cancer Society, about eight out of 10 people with mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is a highly toxic substance that was commonly used before the 1980s, especially in construction, because of its durability and heat-resistant properties. When asbestos is disturbed, asbestos fibers get released into the air. If a person inhales asbestos fibers, the fibers can get into the lungs. When asbestos fibers get into the lungs, they can travel to the pleural lining of the lung and chest wall. Over time, asbestos fibers that reach the pleura can cause inflammation and scarring and cause mesothelioma.

Ways Children Can be Exposed to Asbestos

December 9, 2021 | Throneberry Law Group

Usually, asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma take years to appear. For this reason, mesothelioma is not common in children. Mesothelioma is much more common in older people with a history of asbestos exposure. However, since mesothelioma takes years before developing, children exposed to asbestos at a young age risk developing mesothelioma in their adult years.

So, how do children get exposed to asbestos? There are many ways in which a child can be exposed to asbestos. Below is a look at some of the most common ways children can be exposed to asbestos.

Secondhand Asbestos Exposure

ADAO and its Allies Score Big Win as EPA Agrees to Broader Asbestos Risk Evaluation

October 22, 2021 | Throneberry Law Group

Across separate settlements, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) commits to accelerate and strengthen asbestos risk reevaluation under the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA). On October 13, 2021, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), an organization dedicated to preventing asbestos exposure, said that the organization and its allies had reached settlements with EPA regarding the toxic mineral that causes mesothelioma. These settlements come after a heated legal battle over a contentious risk assessment. ADAO and its allies have been pushing for a comprehensive second risk evaluation for asbestos for some time now and are glad they struck these settlements with the EPA. According to the president and co-founder of ADAO, Linda Reinstein, a more robust and comprehensive evaluation will better document the massive harm asbestos continues to cause in America.

As per the deal, the Environmental Protection Agency will finish the second risk assessment by December 1, 2024. The second risk evaluation is expected to address the deficiencies in the first risk evaluation. In an agreement, the EPA agreed to, among other things;

Expand its second risk evaluation to include all six asbestos fiber types instead of only chrysotile asbestos.

New York City Mayor Waives Asbestos Fees as Part of Hurricane Ida Recovery Response

October 18, 2021 | Throneberry Law Group

According to NYC Mayor Bill De Blasio, repair and re-occupation of buildings damaged by Hurricane Ida is essential to the public health, economic well-being, and safety of New York City. In an attempt to help NYC repair damage caused by Hurricane Ida, Mayor Bill De Blasio, in early September, declared free asbestos removal services in New York. Emergency Executive Order No. 235, signed on September 7, 2021, retroactively dated the fee waivers back to September 1, 2021. On top of waiving fees for asbestos removal, Mayor Bill De Blasio waived the 7-day advance notice requirement for asbestos projects. For an applicant to be deemed eligible for suspension of the fees, they only needed to submit a certification that such work was due to storm damage. Normally, NYC requires submission of asbestos abatement permits and workplace safety plans one week before work starts. Emergency Executive Order No. 235 took effect on September 7 and remained in effect for five days.

The waiver of asbestos fees was meant to relieve an additional burden for property owners who were already dealing with storm damage. NYC Mayor Bill De Blasio recognized that property owners would require permits, inspections, document filings, and applications associated with repair work as part of the recovery after Hurricane Ida. So, in an attempt to help property owners, the mayor allowed the Department of Environmental Protection to waive fees related to asbestos removal. On the other hand, the Department of Buildings was given the power to waive fees associated with construction document filing fees, electrical permits, special fees, and permit filing fees.

More Tools and Recommendations for Communities Cleaning up After Hurricane Ida