Asbestos News Roundup: 1.28.10
January 28th, 2010. By LucyC
A roundup of recent asbestos-related news and information that you should be aware of.
Asbestos Lawsuits
St. Clair, IL: Leonore Hall has filed an asbestos lawsuit on behalf of her father, Leon Hanger, who recently died from asbestos lung disease. She has named 43 companies as defendants, alleging that her father’s fatal illness was caused from exposure to inhaled, ingested or otherwise absorbed asbestos fibers, and therefore his death was wrongfully caused.
Hanger worked in the US Air Force from 1949 until 1953. From 1953 to 1986 he worked as a manufacturing mechanical foreman.
Leonore is seeking economic damages of more than $150,000, compensatory damages of more than $100,000 and punitive and exemplary damages in excess of $50,000. (St. Clair Record)
St. Clair, IL:Thirty seven companies have been named in an asbestos lawsuit filed by Clara Conley on behalf of her husband, Albert Conley, who recently died from asbestos mesothelioma.
Clara claims that Albert’s death was wrongfully caused, because he was exposed to asbestos through his work as a machinist at Paper Ball from 1955 to 1956, as a printer at Beaumont Enterprise and Journal from 1956 until 1957, as an aviation machinist mate in the US Navy from 1957 until 1977, and as a self-employed salesman from 1977 until 2007.
In her lawsuit, Clara claims that Albert incurred substantial medical costs as a result of the disease, as well as experiencing great physical pain and mental anguish. (St. Clair Record)
Asbestos Hot Spots
Martinsburg, CA: The Dunn Building at 400 W. Stephen St, which houses several Berkeley County government offices and the Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, was recently closed for asbestos removal. An “asbestos hot spot” was found around the skylight above the central atrium of the building. The skylight and roof are part of a $4.3 million renovation which includes replacing the heating and air conditioning systems in the building. Consequently, the decision was taken to close the building, and encapsulate and remove the asbestos. (The Journal. com)
Asbestos Violations
Newport Naval Station, RI: Three entities involved in a demolition project at the Newport Navy Base violated federal requirements for the safe handling and disposal of asbestos during recent demolition activities. They have agreed to pay a penalty in reparation.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) complaint, the United States Naval Station – Newport, Goel Services, Inc, and A. A. Asbestos Abatement Co, Inc. all violated the Clean Air Act and the National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Asbestos (Asbestos NESHAP) requirements during the demolition operation.
Specifically, the EPA alleged that the three parties failed to properly seal asbestos-containing waste materials in leak-tight containers while the materials were wet. Under this settlement, the three parties must pay a $14,238 penalty and certify that they are currently operating in compliance with requirements. (Environmental Protection Online)
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