Asbestos News Roundup: 3.6.14 – Asbestos Risk in Remodeling

March 6th, 2014. By LucyC

A roundup of recent asbestos-related news and information that you should be aware of. An ongoing list of reported asbestos hot spots in the US from the Asbestos News Roundup archive appears on our asbestos map.

Asbestos Risk in Remodeling

Recently, Bayshore Broadcasting published a report about new developments with the demolition of the former Hillcrest Public School in Orillia, Canada. According to the article, asbestos has been discovered and additional funds have been approved to have it safely removed. The structure is being demolished to make way for the construction of a new playground and park.

For many years, asbestos was added to a number of common building materials to increase their strength and durability, and to provide insulating and fireproofing properties. Many older buildings across Canada still have materials that contain asbestos in them. Some of the many materials that may contain asbestos in older structures include:

• Attic and wall insulation containing vermiculite

• Vinyl floor tiles and the backing on vinyl sheet flooring

• Adhesives

• Roofing and siding shingles

• Textured paint and patching compounds used on walls and ceilings

• Walls and floors around wood-burning stoves protected with asbestos paper, millboard or cement sheets

• Hot water and steam pipes coated with asbestos material or covered with an asbestos blanket or tape

• Oil and coal furnace insulation and door gaskets

• Heat-resistant fabrics

When asbestos-containing materials age or are disturbed, they can become friable and asbestos fibers can become airborne. During remodeling and demolition activities, such as at the former Hillcrest Public School, these materials can be easily disturbed and become airborne. If not properly handled, these fibers can pose a threat to workers and other building occupants and in this situation could have created a hazard in the soil of the new playground and park if the asbestos had not been identified and properly managed.

Asbestos Lawsuits

New York, NY: Larry H. Speer has named CBS Corp., Ford Motor Co., General Electric Co., Union Carbide Corp., Ingersoll-Rand Co., and Honeywell International Inc., among several others, in his recently filed asbestos lawsuit. Spear alleges his developing asbestos mesothelioma is directly linked to his asbestos exposure in a variety of products from packing materials to automotive parts to turbines. Spear was diagnosed with terminal, malignant asbestos mesothelioma in December 2013.

In his lawsuit, Speer alleges he was exposed to asbestos in products including but not limited to boilers, compressors, cement pipes, brakes and gaskets, and that he was unaware of the serious health hazards associated with asbestos at that time. Further, he claims the defendants failed to warn him of those hazards.

“In their release of respirable asbestos fibers into the air during foreseeable use or manipulation of these products, the products failed to perform as safely as an ordinary consumer would have expected them to perform,” the lawsuit states.

Mr. Speer is claiming strict liability over the allegedly defective products, as well as general negligence. His wife, Donna Speer, has made claims for loss of consortium.

New Orleans, LA: Frank G. DeSalvo has filed an asbestos lawsuit naming dozens of defendants that he alleges, caused him to develop asbestos-related lung cancer. DeSalvo claims the companies named failed to protect him from exposure to the lethal carcinogen, during the course of his work-related duties. DeSalvo states he was diagnosed with asbestos-related lung cancer in December 2012.

The defendants are: Huntington Ingalls Inc. also known as Avondale Industries, Inc. (f/k/a Avondale Shipyards, inc), Avondale executive officers Albert Bossier, Jr., J. Melton Garrett, Onebeacon America Insurance Company (as successor to Commercial Union Insurance Company), American Employers Insurance Company, American Motorists Insurance Company, Bayer Cropscience, inc. (As successor of liability to Rhone Poulenc AG company), Amchem Products Inc., Benjamin Foster Company, Eagle Inc. (formerly Eagle Asbetos & Packing Company, Inc.), Foster-Wheeler, LLC (formerly Foster-Wheeler Corporation), General Electric Company, Hopeman Brothers Inc., The McCarty Corporation (successor to McCarty Branton Inc. and predecessor and successor to McCarty Insulation sales, inc.), Reilly-Benton Company Inc., Riley Power Inc. (Babcock Borsig Power Inc., DB Riely Inc., Riley Stoker Corporation), Taylor-Seidenbach Inc., CBS Corporation (Westinghouse Electric Corporation), Maryland Casualty Company, Shell Oil Company, Shell Chemical LP, Entergy Louisiana LLC, Chevron Oronite Company LLC, Wyeth Holdings Corporation (American Cynamid Company), Lou-Con Inc. and its executive officer Bernard Lyons and Union Carbide Corporation.

From 1962-1966 DeSalvo worked as a welder for Avondale, during which time he claims he was exposed to dangerous levels of toxic substances containing asbestos. He accuses the defendants of failing to reveal, and knowingly concealing inherent dangers in the use of asbestos, including the ability to expose family members through clothing. Additionally, defendant Avondale is accused of reckless storage, handling and transport of asbestos, and failing to provide safe equipment, proper ventilation and medical monitoring.

In his lawsuit, DeSalvo is seeking unspecified damages for past, present, and future hospital, medical, pharmaceutical and nursing expenses due to his lung-cancer and other asbestos-related conditions he could likely incur, such as mesothelioma. Additionally, he is seeking compensation for his loss of earning capacity and permanent partial disability which will progress to full disability.(Louisianarecord.com)

Tags: Asbestos, asbestos lawsuit, Asbestos Mesothelioma, asbestos risk, Asbestos Settlement

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