Tag

Asbestos

All articles tagged with #asbestos

us-supreme-court1 year ago

"Supreme Court Unanimously Backs Insurers in Bankruptcy Challenge"

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito abstained from participating in a unanimous decision regarding bankruptcy claims in the case of Truck Insurance Exchange v. Kaiser Gypsum Co. The court ruled that insurers with financial responsibility for bankruptcy claims are considered "parties in interest" under Chapter 11 proceedings, allowing them to object to reorganization plans. Alito did not provide a reason for his absence, which follows recent criticism over an incident involving an upside-down American flag outside his home.

legal-environmental1 year ago

"Unaware BNSF Railway Blamed for Asbestos Deaths in Montana Town"

BNSF Railway is facing a lawsuit over its alleged role in asbestos exposure in Libby, Montana, where hundreds have died from lung cancer. The company claims it was unaware of the asbestos in the vermiculite it hauled from a nearby mine, while plaintiffs argue that warning signs and conferences should have alerted them to the dangers. The case is the first of many against the railroad, and the judge has rejected the railroad's requests for verdicts in its favor, citing evidence that its actions fell outside legal protections due to maintaining a railyard with asbestos.

legal-environmental1 year ago

"Montana Asbestos Victims Seek Justice Against Warren Buffett's BNSF Railway"

BNSF Railway is facing a lawsuit over its alleged role in exposing residents of Libby, Montana to asbestos from a nearby mine, resulting in hundreds of deaths and illnesses. The railroad claims it was unaware of the asbestos hazards, while plaintiffs argue that warning signs on rail cars and historical knowledge of asbestos dangers should have alerted BNSF to the risks. The case is the first of many lawsuits against the company to reach trial, with the town's tragic asbestos contamination being linked to W.R. Grace & Co.'s operations.

legal-health1 year ago

"Montana Asbestos Victims Sue Warren Buffett's Railroad Over Fatal Pollution"

Victims of asbestos pollution in Libby, Montana, are taking BNSF Railway, owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc., to court for alleged negligence and wrongful death related to asbestos exposure from contaminated vermiculite transported by the railroad. Hundreds have died and thousands have been sickened, with the first trial set to begin soon. The EPA declared a public health emergency in Libby in 2009, and a cleanup has cost an estimated $600 million. The railroad denies responsibility, but victims seek justice as they battle asbestos-related diseases.

legalenvironmental1 year ago

"Montana Asbestos Victims Sue Warren Buffett's Railroad Over Fatal Pollution"

Victims of asbestos exposure in Libby, Montana, are taking BNSF Railway, owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc., to court, alleging negligence and wrongful death for failing to control contaminated dust from vermiculite shipments. Hundreds have died and thousands have been sickened from asbestos exposure in the area, leading to numerous lawsuits. The first trial is set to begin, with plaintiffs seeking accountability for the health crisis caused by asbestos pollution. The cleanup has cost an estimated $600 million, with ongoing health risks expected for decades.

health-and-environment1 year ago

"U.S. Finally Bans Chrysotile Asbestos After Long Delay"

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced a ban on the most common form of asbestos, chrysotile asbestos, after decades of industry pushback. Asbestos is a known carcinogen linked to tens of thousands of American deaths annually, and the ban aims to protect public health by prohibiting its use in certain products and phasing out its use in the chlor-alkali industry. Despite the ban, asbestos still exists in many existing buildings and products, and the EPA's action is seen as a modest step in reducing future exposures.

health-and-environment1 year ago

"U.S. EPA Bans Final Form of Cancer-Causing Asbestos"

The US EPA has announced a historic ban on ongoing uses of chrysotile asbestos, the last form of asbestos being used in the United States, citing its link to various types of cancer. The ban will affect industries such as automotive brakes and the chlor-alkali industry, with different transition deadlines set. While the move has been celebrated as a major milestone for chemical safety, concerns remain about legacy asbestos in old buildings and infrastructure. The EPA is also evaluating legacy uses of asbestos-containing talc, and lawmakers are urged to provide stronger protections for public health.

health-and-environment1 year ago

"Long-awaited EPA Ban Finally Ends Asbestos Use in the US"

The Environmental Protection Agency has announced a comprehensive ban on asbestos, a carcinogen that kills tens of thousands of Americans every year, marking a major expansion of EPA regulation under a 2016 law. The ban will end the ongoing use of asbestos in the U.S., with EPA Administrator Michael Regan calling it a major step to protect public health. Exposure to asbestos is known to cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other cancers, and the ban aligns with President Joe Biden's Cancer Moonshot initiative. The ban on asbestos in most products will take effect in two years, with some exceptions for specific uses, and has been hailed by advocacy groups as a significant step in protecting public health.

health-and-environment1 year ago

"U.S. EPA Enacts Complete Ban on Asbestos, Ending Decades of Its Use"

The EPA has announced a comprehensive ban on asbestos, a deadly carcinogen still used in some products in the United States, marking a major expansion of regulation under a 2016 law. Asbestos is known to cause lung cancer and other diseases, leading to over 40,000 deaths annually. The ban aims to protect public health and aligns with President Biden's Cancer Moonshot initiative. The rule will phase out asbestos use in chlorine bleach, brake pads, and other products over several years, with exceptions for specific industries. The EPA is also evaluating legacy uses of asbestos in older buildings to determine potential health risks.

health-medicine1 year ago

"UK Scientists Develop Breakthrough Drug Starving Asbestos-Linked Cancer"

A new drug called pegargiminase has shown promise in a phase 3 clinical trial for treating pleural mesothelioma, a deadly cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Patients who received the drug alongside conventional chemotherapy were four times as likely to be alive after three years compared to those who received a placebo. The drug works by degrading an amino acid called arginine, which many mesothelioma cells lack the ability to produce, leading to their struggle to function. The drug is also being assessed in clinical trials for other types of cancer.

health1 year ago

"Promising Breakthroughs in Mesothelioma Treatment: From Vaccines to Personalized Therapies"

Scientists have developed a new drug, ADI-PEG20, to treat mesothelioma, a cancer linked to asbestos exposure, in a major breakthrough after two decades. The drug, which cuts off the tumor's food supply, quadrupled three-year survival rates in an international trial involving patients from five countries. The study, published in JAMA Oncology, showed that the new drug, combined with chemotherapy, increased median overall survival by 1.6 months and significantly improved long-term survival compared to a placebo. The breakthrough offers fresh hope to those with mesothelioma and their families, and is a significant advancement in the treatment of this aggressive and deadly cancer.

health-and-science1 year ago

"The Dangers of Snorting Asbestos and Other Risky Behaviors"

A Redditor's mate accidentally snorted a line of asbestos at a house party, sparking questions about the effects of snorting everyday substances. According to ENT doctor Florian Bast, snorting asbestos can potentially increase the risk of lung cancer, but the timeline for any side effects is slow and survival is possible. Snorting salt, sugar, flour, drywall, concrete powder, Lemsip cold and flu powder, snow, coffee, desert sand, and talcum powder can cause nasal discomfort and irritation, but generally won't lead to fatality unless inhaled in large amounts over time. Dr. Bast has treated patients who snorted various foreign bodies, including super glue, chili, and even ants.