June 26, 2023
California, and several other states, are experiencing an epidemic of advanced silicosis, progressive massive fibrosis (PMF), accelerated silicosis, acute silicosis, and/or pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, among fabricators, cutters, polishers, and installers of engineered stone countertops. Silica is an abundant mineral found in materials including sand, stone, and concrete. Artificial stone countertops, also known as engineered stone or manufactured stone, are popular due to their affordability and versatility. They contain up to 95% of tiny, fine, pulverized, crushed crystalline silica fibers. Popular manufacturers include Ceaserstone, Cosentino, Mohawk, and many others. While cutting, grinding, drilling, or polishing the artificial stone slabs, workers are […]
June 22, 2023
Gemstones sold at new-age stores in Australia have been recalled due to the inclusion of asbestos. A green-black gemstone, serpentine, that some believe can “detox the body and alleviate diabetes,” has been recalled due to it containing asbestos. The gemstones were sold at stores in Australia, but serpentine is also found naturally occurring in the United States. Serpentine is prolifically found in California and is the official state mineral. In 1965 serpentine replaced gold as the state mineral since it was viewed as an economically important mineral because it is a known source of asbestos. Serpentine is green, blue, and […]
June 14, 2023
Stephan Schmidheiny, a Swiss billionaire, was sentenced to 12 years in jail for aggravated manslaughter after his company exposed hundreds of people to asbestos. Schmidheiny was a main shareholder in the cement production company Eternit Italia. He was found guilty of causing the deaths of 392 people in Casale Monferrato, the town that housed six Eternit Italia factories until 1986. 60 of the victims were factory workers; the rest of the victims were living in the town or surrounding area. Eternit’s factories used asbestos to strengthen cement during the 1970s and 1980s. In addition, judges ordered him to pay about […]
June 2, 2023
After years of litigation, the Hess Corporation agreed to settle hundreds of asbestos exposure lawsuits filed on the island of St. Croix. The company will establish a $106 million trust for victims, their surviving family members, and those that may be diagnosed in the future. A Hess-owned oil refinery operated on the island from 1965 to 1998, and exposed workers and people staying on the island to asbestos and benzene. Hess will provide $90 million in compensation for mesothelioma and other claimants who have filed for compensation. An additional $15 million is being set aside to benefit those who may be […]
May 18, 2023
Potato Chips Frito-Lay today issued a voluntary recall of a limited number – 146 bags – of 13 oz. and 15 5/8 oz. of Lay’s Classic Potato Chips that may contain undeclared milk ingredients from sour cream and onion potato chips. The recall is the result of an investigation following a consumer complaint. Those with an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume product contained inside the recalled bags. Covid Tests SD Biosensor, Inc. today is requesting that consumers stop using and dispose of specific Pilot COVID-19 At-Home […]
May 3, 2023
The Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) has the potential to protect Americans from asbestos in beauty products. The law will increase the reach of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate cosmetics. Those in favor of MoCRA hope that it will make cosmetic products safer for American consumers. The law establishes new compliance requirements while expanding the authority of the FDA. Talc is a common ingredient in many cosmetic products. Since talc often occurs naturally where asbestos does also, products made with talc also are infested with asbestos. MoCRA will also allow the FDA to be able […]
April 19, 2023
Johnson & Johnson (J&J) have attempted, for the second time, to resolve talc lawsuits by having and subsidiary file for Chapter 11. This fraud is “designed to deny plaintiffs just compensation.” J&J defied a January appeals court rejection of their first attempt to settle the litigation. The subsidiary refiled for Chapter 11 two hours after their first bankruptcy attempt was dismissed in court. Some lawyers called the unlawful abuse of Chapter 11 by J&J as the “largest intentional fraudulent transfer in United States history.” J&J’s first attempt at fraudulently filing for Chapter 11 is known as the Texas Two Step. […]
April 18, 2023
On April 11, 2023, a plastics fire at a warehouse spewed hydrogen cyanide, benzene, and asbestos into the air in Richmond, Indiana. The EPA found asbestos in debris that fell in surrounding neighborhoods up to 1.5 miles from the fire. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urges anyone with debris on their property from the Indiana Plastics Fire to not disturb the debris and call them immediately. The EPA will gather data on the debris have an asbestos professionally removed. Hydrogen cyanide, a highly toxic gas, can be fatal depending on the dose and length of exposure. Benzene is known to cause cancers such […]
April 3, 2023
Traditionally, asbestos surveying and detection has been reliant on samples of suspected asbestos-containing materials being sent to laboratories for analysis or consultants collecting samples on-site and performing a manual count of fibers. Collecting samples to test for asbestos is very risky. However, a recent innovation in technology has enabled workers to test for asbestos fibers in the air without having to be in the room. The Alert PRO 1000 is a portable warning device for airborne asbestos fibers that alerts anyone nearby of asbestos in the air. This allows workers to evacuate the area and instigate safety procedures without delay. […]
