Occupational Diseases: November 2006 Archives

Michelin Guilty in Asbestos Case

A French court found that tire manufacturer Michelin was guilty of gross negligence for exposing its workers to dangerous levels of asbestos. This lawsuit is one of 40 asbestos-related claims against Michelin. Michelin has not yet decided if it will appeal. "Asbestos was used as a thermal insulator at a time when the risks to employees were not well-known," Michelin spokeswoman Francoise Rault said. "Of course, if we had known that asbestos endangered employees' health, we would have done everything to eliminate the risks."

Court Finds Michelin Guilty on Asbestos

The court ruled in favor of a former worker and the wives of three others who died from complications from lung cancer. The workers were exposed in the 1960s and 1970s. The lawyer for the victims argued that the dangers of asbestos were known as far back as 1965 and that Michelin kept this information from its employees.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 12:26 PM | Permalink

Potter's Widow Gets $3 Million

The widow of a potter who allegedly contracted a fatal disease from asbestos fibers that he inhaled while working was awarded $3 million by a New Jersey jury. Carmen St. George, a lawyer for the widow, said that this is the first verdict in the nation dealing with asbestos in industrial talc. Billions of dollars have been paid in settlements over the past few decades to compensate those sickened by exposure to asbestos from construction and shipbuiliding.

Jury awards $3 million to potter's widow in asbestos case

The widow, Bonnie L. Parker, said that her husband, Peter Stanley Hirsch, began the lawsuit and fought to survive mesothelioma, but ultimately failed. "He had his life taken away prematurely. This verdict is where he is vindicated, where he does beat it," said Parker in an interview.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 12:16 PM | Permalink

OSHA Offers More Advice on Bird Flu

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is recommending that workers practice good hygiene, such as wearing gloves and washing hands, and, in high risk jobs, wearing respiratory protection, to avoid catching bird flu. Companies are thus far encouraged to follow the new guidelines, but are not required to do so.

OSHA Offers More Advice on Bird Flu

Poultry workers are encouraged to wear lightweight, disposable gloves or heavy rubber work gloves that can be sanitized. OSHA's new guidelines says that poultry workers also should wear disposable outer garments, safety goggles, and respiratory protection. Food handlers are told to avoid touching their mouths, noses, or eyes while handling raw poultry products. Frequent hand washing is recommended for all. Ed Foulke, OSHA's administrator, says that "we encourage employers and employees who are most likely to be exposed to avian flu to take the appropriate precautions. This guidance offers them practical tips, such as hand washing and the use of proper protective equipment for preventing illness.''

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 11:14 AM | Permalink

Nine Year Mesothelioma Survivor Inspires Patients

Paul Kraus, who has survived mesothelioma for nine years, will give another teleconference to mesothelioma patients and their families. Kraus was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 1997. The cancer had spread to the extent that his doctors simply recommended that he get his affairs in order. Kraus refused to give up, instead creating his own treament plan.

Nine-Year Mesothelioma Survivor Inspires Patients

Kraus has written a book about his recovery: Surviving Mesothelioma and Other Cancers- A Patient's Guide. To provide further support for cancer patients, Kraus offers free teleconferences. Mesothelioma patients must register for the December 14 teleconference as soon as possible.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 08:27 PM | Permalink

Daughter of BP Workers Settles

Eva Rowe, the daughter of two BP plant workers who died in the BP Texas City refinery explosion of 2005, has settled her lawsuit against the company for an undisclosed amount and a $32 million donation to health care, training, and safety education programs. Rowe's suit was the only fatality case from the accident that was going to court and originally sought damages of $1.2 billion. BP spokeswoman Sarah Howell said that Rowe had suffered a "tragic loss" and that BP is "happy we have settled."

Daughter of BP disaster victims settles

BP has taken full responsibility for the explosion at its plant and has settled more than 1,000 lawsuits related to claims made by those injured on the site, by family members of those who died, and from people who suffered shock. More than $1.6 billion was set aside by BP to resolve claims, a BP spokeswoman said. When asked by reporters in a news conference if she ever could forgive BP for what had happened to her parents, Rowe responded "I'll probably never say BP is a good company. They killed my parents to save money."

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 07:20 PM | Permalink

Firefighters at Higher Cancer Risk

New research suggests that firefighters are at a higher risk for certain types of cancer, including testicular cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, prostate cancer, and multiple myeloma. Researchers suggest that firefighters need to take precautions when fighting fires, especially if they have removed their protective gear and breathing apparatus. Dr. James Lockey, a professor of occupational, environmental and pulmonary medicine at the University of Cincinnati says that firefighters' exposures to carcinogenic toxins "occurs not when they are in the fire, but when they are in the vicinity of the fire."

Firefighters at High Risk for Cancer

Firefighters are exposed to many carcinogens, including benzene, diesel engine exhaust, chloroform, soot, styrene, and formaldehyde. The chemicals can be absorbed through the skin and exposure to the chemicals occurs both at the scene of the fire and at the fire station, where fire trucks produce exhaust. Lockey said of the increased cancer risk: "For testicular cancer there is a 100 percent increase in risk, for multiple myeloma there is a 50 percent increased risk, for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma it's a 50 percent increased risk, and for prostate cancer it's a 28 percent increased risk, compared with non-firefighters."

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 12:55 PM | Permalink

Hexavalent Chromium and Continued Problems with Permissible Exposure Limits

An industry association, a labor union, and a public health organization have settled a court case involving carcinogenic hexavalent chromium. Hexavalent chromium is used to coat metals. The Surface Finishing Industry Council, agreed to work to improve ventilation and make other engineering changes to reduce worker exposure levels under the condition that the United Steelworkers union would agree that workers only have to wear a respirator for certain jobs, unless they request one. Scott Nelson, a lawyer with Public Citizen Litigation Group, who worked with the union in getting the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to revise the standard, said that "it's a good trade off."

Chemical Rule `Tradeoff' Leaves Workers Exposed

However, as promising as this agreement is, the hex chromium rule covers hundreds of thousands of other workers and other court challenges still remain. Problems still remain in the process of setting "permissible exposure limits" for chemicals in the workplace. Many recommendations are still based on recommendations from studies from 30 years ago. ``We can't simply say a substance is dangerous,'' said Joseph Woodward, the associate solicitor for OSHA at the Department of Labor. ``We have to do quantitative analysis and determine there is a significant risk. It's not a simple undertaking.''

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 05:14 PM | Permalink

November 30, 2006

Michelin Guilty in Asbestos Case

November 29, 2006

Potter's Widow Gets $3 Million

November 28, 2006

OSHA Offers More Advice on Bird Flu

November 27, 2006

Nine Year Mesothelioma Survivor Inspires Patients

November 13, 2006

Daughter of BP Workers Settles

November 10, 2006

Firefighters at Higher Cancer Risk

November 08, 2006

Hexavalent Chromium and Continued Problems with Permissible Exposure Limits