Malignant Mesothelioma Cancer

Asbestos in Railroad

If you worked in a railroad yard or on the crew of a rail car, you were probably exposed to asbestos. It is important that you learn as much as possible about the material and about asbestos disease.

Railroads: Asbestos On the Line
Steam locomotives and some diesels were insulated with asbestos. Insulation was used around boxcars and cabooses, refrigeration units, pipes, and steam and hot water lines. One frequently–used high–temperature asbestos pipe insulation, Johns–Manville Therma–Wrap, consisted of amosite asbestos fibers enclosed in a wire mesh, and surrounded by an asbestos cloth jacket. Asbestos was also common in packing, rope, cement, gaskets, and in heavy–duty floor tiles for passenger cars.

Asbestos Insulation
Pipefitters and workers who installed insulation, removed it, or inspected it were heavily exposed to asbestos. When locomotives were inspected, asbestos insulation was stripped off the boilers. During this process, and when the asbestos was reapplied, asbestos dust often escaped into the shop or repair facility. As a result, others working in the vicinity were also exposed to asbestos–contaminated air.

Asbestos in Brakes and Clutches

Railroad brakes and clutches provided another source of contamination. Because asbestos is heat–resistant and strong, it was often used in brake and clutch linings. Railroad mechanics were routinely exposed to asbestos, as were those who breathed asbestos–laden air nearby.

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May 21st, 2008 | Asbestos, Asbestos Risk, Asbestosis, Mesothelioma Cancer, Mesothelioma Symtomps | Comments (0)

Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma During Prospective Surveillance of 1249 Asbestos Insulation Workers, 1963-1974

INTRODUCTION

In 1963, it was found that a large group of asbestos insulation workers in the New York metropolitan area had experienced unusual mortality during 1943-1962.1 Six hundred and thirty-two men had been on the union’s rolls on January 1, 1943. By December 31, 1962, 262 men had died, nine before reaching 20 years on the job. Of those who died after 20 years from first employment, lung cancer was found in marked excess; 6.02 such deaths had been expected, and 42 occurred. In addition, there were several deaths due to pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma and a modest increase in deaths due to, gastrointestinal cancer, where 9.71 were expected and 29 were observed. There were 12 deaths due to pulmonary asbestosis (see TABLE 1).

* Nine men died before reaching 20 years from first employment. Expected deaths are based upon white male age-specific death rate data of the U.S. National Office of Vital Statistics from 1949 to 1962. Rates were extrapolated for 1943-1948 from rates for 1949-1955.

†Rates are not available, but these diseases are rare causes of death in the general population.

* Supported by the Health Research Council of the City of New York (U-1272).

It had previously been established that lung cancer was a formidable hazard of asbestos factory workers and that termination of employment did not abort the risk: apparently, once sufficient exposure had occurred with continued retention of asbestos within the lung, risk remained. This factor was of considerable concern, because a significant number of men were known to have worked as asbestos insulation workers in the New York metropolitan area, and many were still in the trade.

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May 20th, 2008 | Asbestos, Asbestos Risk, Asbestosis, Mesothelioma New York Attorney, Mesothelioma New York Lawsuit | Comments (0)

International Mesothelioma Program

The Program is built on the existing multidisciplinary team collaborating on mesothelioma research and treatment: Brigham and Women’s Hospital - Division of Thoracic Surgery and the Departments of Anesthesiology, Dermatology, Pathology and Radiology; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute - Departments of Medical and Radiation Oncology; Department of Society, Human Development, and Health; Pain and Palliative Care Service; and the Thoracic Oncology Program; Harvard School of Public Health - Departments of Environmental Health and Cancer Cell Biology; Massachusetts General Hospital – Biostatistics Center.

The research interests of the program investigators span the range from basic MPM biology and target discovery (growth control, over-expressed genes, and expression of SV40 large T antigen) to clinical treatment of MPM (diagnosis, pathology, surgical techniques, improvements in treatment, outcome, and patterns of recurrence). Collaborations among the investigators have resulted in fourteen joint publications since 1993, as well as publications from the individual groups.

Founded by David J. Sugarbaker, MD, the International Mesothelioma Program (IMP) encompasses both a clinical program and a research program. Our clinical focus is on developing treatment strategies that can significantly extend the life of our patients. Our research focus involves a collaboration of basic, translational, and clinical research scientists whose aim is to understand the causative factors in the development of the disease and to translate these findings into improved therapy.

The success of our new program will be based on the concept of a multidisciplinary team. Ultimately, the objective of the program is to offer potentially curative therapy to patients with mesothelioma. Our success in the fight against MPM will be the direct result of the hard work and effort of dedicated professionals.

International Mesothelioma Program
Division of Thoracic Surgery
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
75 Francis Street
Boston, MA 02115

Tel: 1-866-MESO-BWH
Fax: 617-566-3441

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May 12th, 2008 | Asbestosis, Malignant Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma Cancer, Mesothelioma Pleural, Mesothelioma Symtomps, Mesothelioma Treatment | Comments (0)

St. Louis Mesothelioma Victim Receives $3.5 Million

A St. Louis area man and his family received a $3.5 million settlement after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a deadly asbestos cancer. The 60-year-old husband, father and grandfather was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, a form of mesothelioma that attacks the lining of the lungs, known as the mesothelium. SimmonsCooper LLC represented him in his case against the asbestos companies responsible.

The man worked as an automobile mechanic during his life, which caused his exposure to asbestos. He still lives in the St. Louis, Missouri area, and continues to fight his mesothelioma condition.

Mesothelioma Settlement info by SimmonsCooper LLC

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May 12th, 2008 | Asbestos Risk, Mesothelioma Attorneys, Mesothelioma Lawsuit, Mesothelioma Lawyer, Mesothelioma Pleural | Comments (0)

Mesothelioma and Asbestosis Mortalities Across the US

* 1 brown dot = 1 asbestos related death

We have seen first-hand how asbestos has wreaked havoc on Americans working in naval shipyards, automobile plants, and the construction industry. Most often this is through their employers’ conscious choice for profits over a worker’s health.

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February 16th, 2008 | Asbestosis, Malignant Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma Asbestos Winsconsin, Mesothelioma Attorneys, Mesothelioma California Attorney, Mesothelioma Cancer, Mesothelioma Houston Attorney, Mesothelioma Lawsuit, Mesothelioma Lawyer, Mesothelioma Lawyer California, Mesothelioma New York Attorney, Mesothelioma New York Lawsuit, Mesothelioma Pleural | Comments (0)