Asbestos News Roundup: 5.24.12 – Textile Worker Asbestos Exposure

May 24th, 2012. 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.

Textile Worker Asbestos Risk

Medical researchers at the University of Nebraska and Duke University have found an association between asbestos-related diseases and the incidence of lung cancer among people who work at asbestos textile mills.

The study, published this May in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine, tracked 6,100 workers employed at textile mills that used asbestos in South and North Carolina between 1954 and 1973. The employees’ health and vital status were tracked. Using historical dust samples, the researchers also estimated the size of asbestos fibers which the workers were exposed in the mills.

The study showed that the textile workers who were exposed to asbestos fibers—no matter what the size or diameter—had an increased risk of developing lung cancer. Interestingly, the data showed that the risk of lung cancer increased with the length of the asbestos fibers, so the longer the fiber, the greater the risk for lung cancer. The study supports the hypothesis that asbestos-related lung cancer is associated most strongly with exposure to long, thin asbestos fibers. (Occupational and Environmental Medicine)

Asbestos Lawsuit

BNSF is facing an asbestos lawsuit brought by two former railroad employees who allege they developed asbestos-related disease from exposure to asbestos-containing products while working for the Railway. Both men have asbestos-related lung disease.

In their lawsuit, William Schleicher and Frank Cox accuse the railroad of negligence and failing to provide them a safe place to work, as required by federal law.

According to their attorney, Cox was a boilermaker and Schleicher a blacksmith. Their main exposures were at the West O Street yards. Schleicher was in a reclamation plant that salvaged materials, and Cox was in a heating plant. Schleicher started work in 1943 at age 16, and Cox in 1968. They are seeking a jury trial and damages.

BNSF spokeswoman Suann Lundsberg said: “The claims filed are from former employees who have not worked for BNSF or one of its predecessor railroads for more than a decade. BNSF is currently reviewing the case and will respond through the legal process.” (journalstar.com)

Asbestos Settlement

Bridgeport, CT: A $2.4 million settlement has just been awarded in an asbestos lawsuit brought by the family of Hannibal “Scottie” Saldibar, a tile setter from New Haven, who died after contracting an asbestos-related cancer.

Saldibar, who was 84 when he died, worked as a tile setter for 30 years. He passed away in January 2010, just nine months after being diagnosed with asbestos mesothelioma.

According to a report by the CT Post, a Superior Court jury deliberated about three hours Tuesday before finding the Tile Council of North America liable in Saldibar’s death, and awarding his family $1.6 million. Judge Dale Radcliffe then ordered the association to pay an additional $800,000 in punitive damages.

Although it is a trade association, Kenney said Tile Council of North America developed the asbestos-containing mortar used by tile setters for many years. (Ctpost.com)

Tags: Asbestos, asbestos lawsuit, Asbestos Settlement, asbestosis, mesothelioma, Occupational Asbestos Exposure, Textile Mill, Textile Worker

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