Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C.

The Monroe County, Pennsylvania, Housing Authority has undertaken an effort to remove asbestos pipe insulation from several housing projects in Stroudsburg, Stroud Township and East Stroudsburg, but assures residents there is no danger, according to a recent story in the Pocono Record. The measure is simply a preventative action to prevent future asbestos exposure, officials say.

The housing projects include residences along Garden Street, Hawthorne Terrace, Normal Street and Taylor Street, which were constructed in the 1950s. Asbestos in these structures covers pipes as insulation. According to the Pocono Record, an engineer hired by the Housing Authority has assured the organization that the asbestos materials are not hazardous in their present state, as they are not releasing any airborne particles that might be a threat for inhalation or ingestion.

Asbestos causes diseases including asbestosis, which is a severe scarring of the lungs, and mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and, more rarely, the abdomen.

The news report says the Housing Authority will hire a properly certified asbestos abatement company to remove the asbesots, and all precautions will be taken to protect residents during the removal. Work is expected to begin April 15.

A recent report by the BBC raised alarms in the area of Kent, in the United Kingdom, after an examination of schools in the South East showed 92 percent of facilities contain asbestos. However, the Kent County Council’s (KCC) property group maintains the asbestos is “contained” and managed so that it poses “minimal risk” to youngers and teachers.

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Demolition at a downtown Champaign, Ill., site continues today after a brief halt to remove asbestos-containing materials found last Tuesday. According to a report in The News-Gazette, asbestos was found covering pipes in the walls of a building on Neil Street.

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Feb. 5 that Anderson-Wilcox Corp. and Cutting Edge Concepts II LLC have agreed to pay a fine of $300,000 for improper removal and disposal of asbestos at a New Haven, Conn., site. This is a settlement agreement between the companies, the EPA, and the U.S. Attorney’s office for the District of Connecticut.

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The families of two workers who died of mesothelioma will each receive 17 million yen as part of a settlement agreement in a claim against the former Japanese National Railways (JNR), which is no longer in operation. The workers’ families claimed they developed mesothelioma as a result of inhaling asbestos on their job with the railway.

The story, reported by The Mainichi Daily News, says the settlement was mediated in Yokohama District Court. Two companies that now operate in place of JNR – Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency, and the Japan Freight Railway Co. (JR Freight) – will pay the settlement.

The News estimates about 100,000 former JNR workers may have been exposed to asbestos on the job.

A man diagnosed with mesothelioma earlier this year will receive a $7.5 million settlement against 11 defendants that reportedly made, supplied or distributed the asbestos-containing products he handled and was exposed to in the workplace, according to a story in the Times-Herald. Robert Hilt of Vallejo, Calif., is 64. It is believed he developed mesothelioma during his work as a marine machinist.

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According to an Associated Press report, on Friday the U.S. Supreme Court said it is reviewing consolidated cases against the Travelers Companies Inc., to reinstate a $500 million settlement and block any new lawsuits against Travelers. The original settlement was established in 1986 in relation to a group of asbestos claims against Johns-Manville Corp., which was once a leading asbestos producer. Travelers provided insurance policies for Johns-Manville.

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The Seattle Times reported Dec. 11 that the Washington Supreme Court ruled equipment manufacturers Griscom Russell (now Viad) and Saberhagen Holdings are not responsible for asbestos-related illnesses in cases involving two men who once worked aboard Navy Ships.

According to the news story, plaintiff Joseph Simonetta has lung cancer, and Vernon Braaten has mesothelioma. Simonetta worked on an evaporator while Braaten was a pipefitter. They claim they were exposed to asbestos during these jobs, resulting in their illness.

The court ruled 6-3 in favor of the defendants in each case, finding that “since the defendents didn’t make, sell or recommend the use of asbestos, they couldn’t be held liable,” according to the Seattle Times report.

The plaintiffs argued that the companies should be liable “because asbestos was key to use of the equipment,” the story states.

While the Texas Supreme Court reviewed an appeal by seven asbestos manufacturers in order to determine an appropriate forum for trial, plaintiff Austin Richards died of mesothelioma. According to the report published by BusinessInsurance.com, the defendants – businesses based in Texas – said trying the case in their home state violated Texas civil code, because Richards lived in Maine. They argued trying the case in Texas would be an “inconvenient forum” for them, as it would be difficult for them to travel to Maine to depose witnesses.

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The Louisiana Supreme Court is currently debating the merits of an appeal lodged by two companies held liable for the illness of Ray Rando, who was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in 2005.

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