A Special Education School in Rockaway, NY has threatening levels of asbestos as reported by the Department of Education. Public school 265 caters to students with emotional and learning disorders such as autism.
The school has already been examined back in July and results showed hazardous conditions but teachers and over 100 students still continued to have summer school which only ended last week. Parents had just recently discovered the degree of damage in their children’s school through evidences of rooms with peeling paint, crumbling walls, floors and ceiling tiles that were posted on the Daily News website.
A meeting will be held on August 19th by the Department of Education officials to evaluate the situation and plan for their next course of action. They were also concerned not only with the presence of asbestos which causes pleural Mesothelioma but also of lead in the school premises.
Source: Parents Upset By Asbestos in Special Education School
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The EPA disregarded its own guidelines according to the BoRit Citizens Advisory group by starting a clean up in a nearby community at Amber, Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the clearing actions of Environmental Protection Agency in a 38-acre BoRit site got angry responses from residents living close to the location which was first owned by a company that made milk of magnesia. It was recorded that in the middle of 1933 and late 1960’s industrial slurry and asbestos contaminated materials were thrown into the site and has been therefore deemed as a public health hazard.
BoRit on-site coordinator Eduardo Rovira Jr. affirmed that a notification email was sent to the chairs of the advisory group who should inform the community about the clean up project but then no email was received as declared by Co-chair Robert Adams. The EPA further says that the air testing operations resulted to only one asbestos fiber that drifted and all else were non-detect for asbestos. It was also observed that the workmen were not properly suited for the clearing project and the EPA had a change of position and required their workers to wear appropriate suits and protective gears while on the job.
Source: Group claims that EPA violated its own guidelines
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A film that tells the story of a small Montana town burdened by the ill effects that asbestos has brought their community was recently nominated for an Emmy award under the category of “Outstanding Continuing Coverage of a News Story Long Form”. The film documentary “Libby, Montana” has been praised since last August for featuring the situation that has befallen the residents caused by the existence of W.R. Grace and Company asbestos contaminated vermiculite mine in their town for more than 30 years.
It is believed that whether or not people will be held liable for what had happened in the lives of these people affected by asbestos, the film will hopefully advance knowledge and concern for the community and everyone who will be able to watch it.
Source: Asbestos Documentary Nominated for Emmy
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Two substantial proteins that make up tumors are part of a method that could tell in advance if a particular chemotherapy will carry out its purpose well. A protein that causes tumors to endure is then modified to work with chemotherapy and aid to reduce their resiliency. University of Rochester Medical Center researchers are keen on developing ways to distinctively assign treatments to tumors. Results would bring efficient and more tolerable medical treatments with less harmful or unpleasant effects for the patients.
Source: Quick Formula Could Forecast Which Cancers Chemo Could Kill
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A new task force that will see through violations of environmental laws in western Pennsylvania was organized. The Western Pennsylvania Environmental Enforcement Task Force will guarantee that area businesses as well as individuals will strictly follow laws with regards to air and water. Those who pollute the air and the region’s navigable waterways as well as violators practicing improper asbestos removal will be held liable. Federal, state and local law enforcement and regulatory agencies have all united to organize this task force that will fight against violations of different environmental laws in the western Pennsylvania area.
The formation of the unit was proclaimed a day after the Earth Day celebration where people all around the country declared a renewed obligation for looking after the environment.
Source: Pennsylvania Goes After Asbestos Offenders
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An online training program is being given by the University of Washington which will educate employees on how to detect asbestos and prevent it from becoming a threat to people’s health. Since the University’s buildings have been assumed to have asbestos especially those which were constructed earlier than the 1980’s, the program then aims to inform its trainees of where asbestos can be found and how to handle the situation if ever they do find it existing within their building. It is only when materials containing asbestos are damaged and its fibers are released into the air that it poses as a health hazard to the people exposed to it.
The employees taking the online course are told to inform their supervisors whenever parts of buildings need repair especially those which are believed to contain asbestos so as to initiate immediate action. Many employees have already taken the course and their number adding up to more than 2,000 in only 2 months.
Source: University Offers Online Asbestos Training
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Many mine workers in Zimbabwe are worried after the South African ban on asbestos was imposed. There were about 10,000 people working at two asbestos mines which produce $60 million a year in sales of chrysotile asbestos. These mines make irrigation and water reticulation pipes, brake pads and gaskets.
The new conditions regarding the industries that deal with asbestos would clearly affect the livelihood of many miners but it was stressed that anybody who has been affected by exposure to asbestos would understand the importance of this new rule.
South Africa has united with more than 50 other countries against chrysotile asbestos which is believed to be a highly hazardous mineral. The mineral has become more popular not because of its use but more so because of the bad effects to people who are exposed to it. There has been less use of asbestos worldwide after its harmful effects have been made known to the public.
Source: South African Asbestos Ban Spells Troubles for Mines
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Carbon nanotubes may have the same qualities as asbestos that is known to cause mesothelioma, a type of cancer which is indicated by exposure to this hazardous mineral. A study has revealed that long, thin carbon nanotubes showed the same results as long, thin asbestos fibers. They still have to find out whether or not people can actually be subjected to these carbon nanotubes by inhaling their fibers and eventually causing similar threats to people just like asbestos.
These carbon nanotubes are currently being advanced for use in drugs, energy-efficient batteries and futuristic electronics. Researches like the study conducted are needed to challenge a more safe and responsible research to develop nanotechnology.
Source: Carbon Nanotubes the Next Asbestos?
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Cape Breton Correctional Facility guards have ceased coming to work after knowing that their prison may be facing asbestos contamination. The guards have talked over at an emergency union meeting about the asbestos concern and they have made it clear that they will stay away from the facility until the testing is finished and results are given.
A standard air testing was made last May 8 and the asbestos mineral was found to be present in some piping within the building. Further tests revealed that no minerals were found that could cause cancer. They still await the outcome of the second round of testing within the facility which stood for 33 years now and was established back in the days where asbestos was known as a fire retardant.
Source: Prison Guards Fear Asbestos Contamination
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Mesothelioma claimed the life of a British woman who as a child played in asbestos ashes as if they were snow following a fire close to where she lived. Ellen Paddock before passing away, shared with her family and doctor that she knew her cancer was caused by the fire back in 1983. Her father agreed even recounting the time after the fire when he saw his daughter getting ashes in her mouth while outside at play.
It was affirmed that the Ministry Defense building at the Military base had asbestos and the fibers mixed through the air and were even on the ground after the fire. Ms. Paddock began to take legal action opposite the Ministry of Defense even before she died. The hearing is still in progress.
Source: Meso Victim “played in Asbestos”
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