In the last ten years, 140 teachers have died from the mesothelioma.

Jim Sheridan, the Chairman of The Parliamentary Group on Occupational Safety and Health’s described the report as, “a national scandal.

“Urgent action is needed to prevent more pupils, teachers and other staff being exposed to this deadly killer dust.

Asbestos was used as a construction material until the mid-1980s.

If inhaled, its fibers cause lung diseases including mesothelioma, lung cancer and debilitating asbestosis.

A separate study in the United States found that for every death of a teacher from asbestos-related diseases, nine children will die.

If you or a loved  is suffering from an asbestos related disease, that attorneys at the Asbestos Legal Center are waiting to help you, at 1-800-970-DUST.

Asbestos is not banned in the United States, and disturbingly, it’s use is on the rise.  “Every year, cancers caused by asbestos exposure claim the lives of thousands of Americans, whose deaths were entirely preventable. It is our firm’s mission to fight on in the memory of those we have lost, seeking justice and compensation on behalf of our clients.”, said Asbestos Legal Center founder Michael Mandelbrot.

The Absestos Legal Center made news in August, 2011, when it committed $500,000 over the next 3 years to a mesothelioma medical research, relating to the treatment of veteran within the Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System.

If you or a loved are is in need of help, and are suffering from an asbestos related disease, the attorneys at the Asbestos Legal Center are ready to help you, at 1-800-970-DUST.

The bill is presently in front of the U.S. House of Representatives Health Subcommittee. While discussing the legislation, Congressman Lance was joined by mesothelioma patient Bonnie Anderson Anderson.

Mesothelioma is a rare fatal cancer of the lining of the lungs, caused by exposure to asbestos, that affects approximately 3,000 people annually. The new legislation is intended to help advance research in the aims of finding new treatments and a cure for the disease, and 1000’s of other rare diseases.

The proposed legislation, is similar to another piece of legislation working it’s way through Congress, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Orphan Drugs Act, that was designed to create incentives for pharmaceutical companies to conduct research and develop treatments for rare diseases, such as mesothelioma.

According to attorney Michael Mandlbrot, the founder the Asbestos Legal Center, the increase in the use of asbestos highlights a public health risk, many in the United States are unaware of:  Asbestos is not banned in the United States, and disturbingly, it’s use is on the rise.  “Every year, exposure to asbestos claims the lives of thousands of Americans, who develop mesothelioma, an incurable and fatal cancer. In light of the statistics that use of asbestos in manufacturing is on the rise, it’s time for Congress to take steps to end this public health risk, and ban use of asbestos in the United States.”

The Absestos Legal Center made news in August, 2011, when it committed $500,000 over the next 3 years to a mesothelioma medical research, relating to the treatment of veteran within the Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System..  “So many of our Navy veterans who were exposed to asbestos in shipyards and on board vessels have developed mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Giving money to medical research targeting the veteran population didn’t just feel like the right thing to do, it felt like an opportunity to honor those who served defending this nation.“ said Asbestos Legal Center founding partner, Michael Mandelbrot.

Please join the Asbestos Legal Center, and attorney Michael Mandelbrot, and call on Congress to end the sale and use of Asbestos, by contacting your local Congressional Representatives.

Michael Mandelbrot, of the Mandelbrot Law Firm located in San Francisco (www.asbestoslegalcenter.org), expressed a resolve to continue to litigate and fight for justice on behalf of veterans.  “So many of our country’s Naval veterans have suffered, or are suffering from mesothelioma, and other asbestos related illnesses caused by exposure to asbestos in their service of our country. The Supreme Court’s decision will not affect my firm’s commitment to continue to seek justice on their behalf in the Courts.

The Mandelbrot Law Firm made headlines last year when it made a generous donation to new research and cutting edge treatments for Veterans suffering from mesothelioma, when it pledged $500,000 over the next three years to mesothelioma medical research.

Mesothelioma is a rare, incurable cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Many of those diagnosed with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos serving in the United States Armed Forces, or were exposed to asbestos performing construction and trade work.  It is estimated that 40% of the American labor force, or an estimated 27 million people, were exposed to asbestos between 1940 and 1980.  This large population is considered at risk for developing Mesothelioma. Researchers indicate that approximately 600 to 1000 Armed Forces veterans die every year from Mesothelioma. Many of these individuals served in the U.S. Navy.

About the Asbestos Legal Center

The San Francisco asbestos lawyers at Asbestos Legal Center have over 20 years of combined experience representing individual and families affected by asbestos. The Asbestos Legal Center can help mesothelioma patients litigate and negotiate fair asbestos settlements, and obtain fair compensation for mesothelioma and it’s terrible symptoms. As a San Francisco mesothelioma law firm, they strongly protect every human’s right to be in safe and healthy environments when working and strive to provide the resources and knowledge necessary to protect their clients and their loved ones through asbestos ligation and asbestos lawsuits.

The Household Hazardous Waste Facility, (located at 501Tunnel Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94134-2940), will accept asbestos from San Francisco residents, and will accept asbestos from San Francisco businesses by appointment; however we do not recommend that you remove asbestos unless you are trained and specialize in asbestos removal.

Warning

During its removal, asbestos particles may be released into the air. The particles are so small that you can’t see them, and they can cause serious health problems if you breathe them in, including a lung disease called asbestosis, which may not develop until several years after exposure.

Hire A Professional

To “do it right” you need special air purifying equipment and clothing, including disposable coveralls and respirators with asbestos-filtering cartridges. In addition, depending on the type of material you plan to remove, you may need to construct a containment to prevent spreading contamination outside of your work area. For more information about specific requirements, refer to Bay Area Air Quality Management District Regulation 11, Rule 2 and, if you have employees, refer to the Cal-OSHA Construction Industry Standard for Asbestos.

Rather than remove asbestos yourself, whether you are a contractor or homeowner, we recommend hiring an asbestos abatement company that specializes in asbestos removal. These companies can be found in the Yellow Pages under “Asbestos Abatement.” We also strongly recommend hiring an asbestos consultant, independent of the asbestos abatement company, to assure that the work is performed properly and that it is safe to enter the area after the work is completed. Look for these companies in the Yellow Pages under “Asbestos Consulting and Testing.”

Our Requirements

If you do remove asbestos on your own, you may bring it to one of our programs for disposal if you prepare the asbestos as follows:

1. Wet the asbestos with water.
2. Place the asbestos in 4 heavy duty trash bags (1.5 mils thick), one inside the other, and close with duct tape. (If you can find them, you can also use 2 special plastic bags for asbestos or “contractor bags” (3 mils thick) available from safety supply companies. Whatever type of bag you use, the total thickness of these bags must be 6 mils. Ducts and pipes must be no longer than 5 feet. If you can’t find bags that are large, double wrap the ducts and pipes with heavy duty plastic and tape all seams with duct tape.
3. Each bag should weigh no more than 30 pounds.
4. Write “Waste Asbestos” on each bag.
5. The disposal fee is 25 cents per pound for small businesses, and they must schedule an appointment in advance. Only San Francisco businesses that generate less than 220 pounds of waste per month may use this program. Call (415) 330-1425 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
6. There is no fee for residents bringing asbestos from their homes, but there is a limit of 125 pounds per trip. The facility is open for residents Thursday – Saturday. Call (415) 330-1405 or visit our household hazardous waste page for hours, directions, and policies.

For More Information

San Francisco’s Department of Public Health can provide more information on asbestos. Call (415) 252-3951.

Please join us in our Mesothelioma ACOR longstanding tradition, as we light candles online and in our homes in memory of those we have lost on December 28^th and in honor of those still in the fight on January 4^th.

We will light a candle from 7:00 PM until 8 PM local time.  With Warriors from around the world, we can have candles lit for the entire 24 hours.

To add your loved one’s name to our 2011 list, please email acor@AsbestosDiseaseAwareness.org.

Deadline for new Warrior additions or edits is December 20, 2011.

Jill, you continue to keep the flame of hope and courage burning brightly in our hearts and minds.   We are deeply grateful to ACOR for bringing us together.

With love, The ACOR & ADAO Team

In loving memory of Mesothelioma Warriors - December 28^th

On December 28th, light four candles in loving memory of our Mesothelioma Warriors who have lost their courageous battle. “As we light these four candles in honor of you, we light one for our grief, one for our courage, one for our memories, and one for our love.”

LIGHT THE FIRST CANDLE:  ‘The light of this first candle represents our grief. The pain of losing you is intense. It reminds us of the depth of our love for you.”

LIGHT THE SECOND CANDLE: “The light of this second candle represents the courage it takes to confront our sorrow, to comfort each other, to change our lives.”

LIGHT THE THIRD CANDLE: “This third candle is a light to all of our memories of you. To the times we laughed, the times we cried, the times we were angry with each other, the silly things you did, the caring and the joy you gave us.”

LIGHT THE FOURTH CANDLE: “This fourth candle is the light of our love. As we go forward, day by day we cherish the special place in our hearts that will always be reserved for you. We thank you for the gift your life brought to each of us. We love you always.”

In honor and support of Mesothelioma Warriors courageously battling disease- January 4^th

On January 4th, light four candles in honor of our Mesothelioma Warriors to:

LIGHT THE FIRST CANDLE:  Remind us of love

LIGHT THE SECOND CANDLE: Renew our hope

LIGHT THE THIRD CANDLE: Give us courage

LIGHT THE FOURTH CANDLE: Strengthen our pledge to continue

The governing body of the Red Cross is tackling the sensitive topic of the private interests of Roshi Chadha at its January meeting, Postmedia News has confirmed.

As reported in the Vancouver Sun, Chadha is an executive of Montreal-based Seja Trade Ltd., a subsidiary of Balcorp Ltd. that has for years exported asbestos from the open-pit Jeffrey asbestos mine in Quebec to India. Her husband, Baljit Singh Chadha, is seeking to revive the Quebec asbestos industry as the president of Balcorp.

Roshi Chadha is also affiliated with Balcorp, which is leading efforts to open a new underground Jeffrey mine to export asbestos to Asia. In addition to private financing, Balcorp is working to secure a $58 million loan guarantee from the Quebec government.

The Canadian Red Cross is considered a leading humanitarian organization that provides disaster relief at home and abroad, and anti-asbestos campaigners say any affiliation with the export of asbestos to developing countries conflicts with its mandate to improve the lives of vulnerable people.

The Canadian Red Cross is going to consider Ms. Chadha’s status at it’s upcoming meeting in January.

Currently, the Red Cross does not specifically screen the private interests of its board members.

Leah Nielson, originally from Sarnia, Ont., got things rolling when she wrote to the organization recently, asking that Roshi Chadha be removed from the board. Nielson’s father, Bill Coulbeck, died in 2008 of mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos as a younger man. He worked as a labourer and electrician, and carried fibre asbestos home on his work clothes.

Nielson’s mother, Jackie Coulbeck, has a spot on her lung and is now being monitored at Toronto’s Princess Margaret Hospital as part of its mesothelioma early detection program.

Chadha declined to be interviewed about next month’s board meeting. When reached via email at Balcorp, she also declined the opportunity to provide a written statement.

Chadha was elected to the board of directors at the annual general meeting of the Canadian Red Cross in June 2008. She is one of four members-at-large on the 16-person board.

Earlier this summer, the federal government blocked the listing of chrysotile asbestos on Annex III of the Rotterdam Convention, a move supported by the asbestos industry in Canada.

Such a listing would have required Canada to receive “Prior Informed Consent” before the mineral could be exported. That would have allowed developing countries that import asbestos to, after being informed of the hazards, refuse to accept the carcinogen if they thought they could not handle it safely.

You can contact the Canadian Red Cross to voice your concerns, at WeCare@redcross.ca or 1-800-418-1111.

If you start to suffer any signs of a cold virus, you should discuss it with your doctor immediately, to prevent the virus progressing to pneumonia. Also remember to ask your doctor about these tips:

• Drinking plenty of fluids.
• Sleeping with an extra pillow.
• Using a humidifier, but first this must be discussed with your oncologist.
• There are also steroids available to aid your breathing as well, that your doctor can

prescribe.

We at the Asbestos Legal Center want to extend our Season Greetings and Best Wishes to all who are suffering from asbestos related diseases this Holiday Season. It as our honor to continue the legal fight on behalf of clients like you and your families, and to continue to work towards ending the injustices and suffering caused by asbestos exposure.

Wishing you a warm and happy Holiday Season with your loved ones.