• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

DuBose Law Firm, PLLC

Main navigation

  • Our Attorneys
    • Ben K. DuBose
    • Greg W. Lisemby
    • Brett M. Powers
  • What We Do
    • Mesothelioma
    • Serious Personal Injury
    • Employment / Labor Law
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
You are here: Home / Archives for asbestos attorney Louisiana

asbestos attorney Louisiana

Two Decades After Ban, Asbestos Still Kills 5,000 Britons Each Year

April 9, 2019 By Ben DuBose

Not surprisingly, two decades after the ban, asbestos still kills 5,000 Britons each year. That’s because symptoms of disease often don’t show up until 20 to 40 years – or more – after exposure. This long exposure time is one of the reasons it is often not recognized as an imminent danger, yet the fibers inhaled many years in the past are poised to show up as lung cancer, asbestosis, or the deadly mesothelioma after the initial exposure is just a memory.

Asbestos still kills 5,000 Britons each year

The long exposure time is only one reason it is still killing after all these years. Though the mineral was outlawed 20 years ago in Britain, asbestos still exists in government, commercial, and residential buildings built before 1999. While not a threat when undisturbed, these buildings often are at an age when renovation, or even demolition, is required. If this work is not done by an authorized abatement company, the possibility of exposure from the dust created is high. To cut corners, renovators and do-it-yourself handymen often skip this critical step and the countdown to possible diseases in the distant future starts again.

The report from the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) verified that people today are still being exposed – often because of non-compliance with regulations. In the past year, over 130 British companies or individuals were ordered to stop work because of rule-breaking.

As Bev Bessinger, IOSH chief executive said, “It is unacceptable that 20 years on from asbestos being banned in Britain, organisations are still potentially putting at risk the lives of employees, their families, and other members of the public. Thousands die in Britain every year from cancers like mesothelioma, while many more are diagnosed with it. All this is preventable through good occupational safety and health. It is time for organisations to wake up and realise how dangerous asbestos is. There are no excuses.”

Dr. Nick Hopkinson, medical director at the British Lung Foundation, reinforced this message by confirming, “Currently the only treatments available are aimed at slowing the progression of the disease and improving quality of life. This devastating disease is preventable, and the dangers of asbestos are well known. It’s vital companies are vigilant and take the proper precautions to protect people from the life-threatening dangers of asbestos, and take urgent action if asbestos has been found.”

Asbestos still kills 15,000 Americans each year

This number of deaths is not acceptable. The United States has not taken the necessary steps to ban asbestos, even though it has been banned in 55 countries. Though some uses are no longer allowed in the US, others are – especially in commercial applications. We know homes and other buildings constructed before the 1980s have a high likelihood of asbestos in areas such as drywall, insulation, siding, roofing, tile mastic, and insulation around pipes. When will the US stop new uses of this deadly mineral?

Brakes on the Toxic Substances Control Act

This act showed promise to finally ban, or strictly control, asbestos as it was identified as one of the ten high risk chemicals set for EPA evaluation. Unfortunately, the ground rules for the EPA’s evaluation under the Trump administration has softened the likelihood of a ban and shockingly, may perhaps even allow new uses of the fiber.

A legacy of death for the future

Like those in the U.K. who work on demolition or renovation of pre-1980 era buildings, workers and their families can be exposed to asbestos if not careful to have suspicious areas checked by an abatement professional. Click here to see a comprehensive FAQ checklist of asbestos products, reporting information, and testing guidelines. Since there is no outright ban, new asbestos-containing materials can still be imported into the US. As seen in the British report, once a ban is in place, people contracting asbestos-related diseases continue for decades into the future. Until importation and new uses are stopped completely, there is no end in sight for the victims of asbestos.

Filed Under: Abatement, Asbestos, Asbestos safety regulations, Cancer, Dallas mesothelioma lawyer, International asbestos developments Tagged With: asbestos attorney dallas, asbestos attorney Louisiana, asbestos lawyer New Mexico, asbestos lawyer texas, Mesothelioma

Asbestos Stopped the Clock

January 31, 2019 By Brett Powers

Asbestos in LSU clock tower
LSU Clock Tower

After almost a hundred years of service, the Louisiana State University (LSU) Memorial Tower in Baton Rouge was ready for restoration, but asbestos stopped the clock tower project when the potentially deadly mineral was found in the interior.

History

The tower was built in the early 1920s in memory of 1,447 Louisiana soldiers who died in World War I. The interior of the tower houses a military museum.

The Memorial Tower clock holds a special place in the heart of students and the community for its chimes. The bells ring every quarter hour until 10 pm and at noon they ring the tune of the university’s alma mater song. On Valentine’s Day, tradition states that receiving a kiss under the tower at the ringing of the chimes at midnight – the only night they ring past 10 pm – confirms a student is now an “official” LSU student.

The 175’ tall building was designed in the Italian Renaissance style and is a landmark in the city.

From its history, it is evident the tower is an important part of Louisiana’s past – from its construction in 1923, to today, and into the future. The restoration will ensure the building and its traditions carry on for future generations of students.

The restoration

Finding asbestos was not completely unexpected, as many buildings in the United States were built using the mineral from the 1920s until the late 1970s. Until renovations began, the asbestos was undisturbed and therefore not a danger. But once substances containing asbestos are handled, fibers can become airborne and inhaled by workers or others who are in the affected area.

When found in the tower, work on the interior was stopped and tests are currently underway. Most other buildings on the LSU campus were also constructed during this time period, meaning that as they are restored, they may also need testing and possibly abatement.

Because the asbestos was discovered at the beginning of the restoration, the university states there is no threat to students or faculty members. As a precaution, remodeling or renovations performed on any commercial buildings, schools, or residences during the time period asbestos was commonly used in construction, may require testing on possible asbestos-laden products before initiating a project.

Exposure to asbestos is a known cause of cancers, such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. At this time, mesothelioma remains a fatal disease. Mesothelioma can go undetected for decades – even 50 years – which makes it a silent killer. Early detection is critical.

Asbestos stopped the clock, but it will chime again

Exterior renovations continue and the entire $6.8 million project should be completed by the 2020 Fall semester. Baton Rouge, especially LSU students and alumni, look forward to enjoying their celebrated clock tower once again.


Photo by: Kkmurray – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2666826

 

Filed Under: Abatement, Asbestos, Cancer, Dallas mesothelioma lawyer, Louisiana asbestos attorney, Louisiana attorney Tagged With: Asbestos, asbestos abatement, asbestos attorney Louisiana, asbestos exposure, asbestos lawyer Louisiana, Louisiana mesothelioma lawyer, Mesothelioma

On September 26th We Remember Asbestos Victims and Push Forward for a Ban

September 14, 2018 By Ben DuBose

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) takes asbestos exposure seriously as they have heard the stories of thousands who have died, and so each year on September 26th they remember asbestos victims and push forward for a ban on this deadly mineral.

While many countries around the world have banned the use and import of asbestos, it is still legal in the United States. It is proven to be a cancer-causing substance for those exposed as there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos.

Mesothelioma Awareness Day

This year the ADAO has moved from a Mesothelioma Awareness Day on September 26th to proclaiming September a Mesothelioma Awareness Month to increase the reach to people that can be educated to the threat of asbestos use and the need for caution when working with any material that may contain asbestos.

How can we remember asbestos victims and push forward for a ban?

• Right now you can sign a petition to ban asbestos. By clicking this link, you’ll be directed to a page where you can sign. The more legislators who see the interest of citizens for a ban, the more they can push the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to increase the current rules, recognize the dangers, and get to the point of an outright ban.

• Join the chat on Twitter September 26th, from 12-1 PM ET. Go to #ENDMeso – for that hour, you’ll find questions about asbestos awareness as well as comments from people personally affected by asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, a deadly disease directly connected to exposure. The purpose is to create a global conversation between experts, victims, advocates, and anyone concerned about the dangers and the long delay in stopping the use of asbestos in the US.

• Light a candle on September 26th for the Mesothelioma Warriors lost to the disease and those who continue to fight for their lives.

• Participate in the 9th Annual Miles for Meso 5K Race and 3K Walk/Fun-Run. Last year $30,000 was raised to help fund awareness and education efforts. The race in in Alton, Illinois, but is available to anyone through the ADAO’s Virtual Team where you can join in from the front of your computer.

The urgency of a ban

Mesothelioma is a disease that often takes decades to appear after exposure. It currently has no cure. Because of the long lag between exposure and diagnosis, people exposed today may not develop the disease until 2050! This cycle needs to stop now and asbestos must be banned to stop it.

In addition to the steps you can take outlined above, you can donate to the ADAO as a partner in the fight for a ban. You can directly contact the EPA and your legislators. You can be an advocate for the health of many by adding your voice to stop the import and use of asbestos now.

Filed Under: Asbestos, Cancer, Dallas mesothelioma lawyer, Louisiana asbestos attorney, Mesothelioma Tagged With: asbestos attorney dallas, asbestos attorney Louisiana, asbestos attorney New Mexico, ban asbestos, dallas asbestos attorney, dallas asbestos lawyer, mesothelioma attorney texas, mesothelioma lawyer dallas

Primary Sidebar

Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer & Serious Personal Injury Attorneys of DuBose Law Firm has decades of experience fighting for mesothelioma & personal injury victims.

Call 877-857-2914 today for free case evaluation.

Recent Posts

  • Final Rule: Independent Contractor Status under the Fair Labor Standards Act
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. – A Voice of Wisdom
  • Record Decline in U.S. Cancer Death Rates
  • Less Traffic, More Fatalities
  • Can Employers Require Workers to Become Vaccinated against Covid-19?

Archives

Blog Categories

  • Asbestos
    • Abatement
    • Articles
    • asbestos in talc
    • Cancer
    • Conference
    • Legal News
    • News
    • On the Job Exposure
    • Power plants
    • US Congress
  • Asbestos legal issues
  • Asbestos safety regulations
  • DuBose Law Firm News
    • Dallas employment lawyer
    • Dallas mesothelioma lawyer
    • Dallas personal injury lawyer
    • Louisiana asbestos attorney
    • Personal Injury
      • Dallas electric scooters
      • electric scooters
      • self-driving car
    • Press Releases
  • International asbestos developments
    • Earth Day environment
  • Laws
    • Employment Law
    • FLSA
  • Louisiana attorney
  • Lung cancer medical treatment/research
    • COVID-19
  • Medicare and Medicaid
  • Mesothelioma medical treatment/research
    • Mesothelioma
    • Mesothelioma treatment
  • mesothelioma research
    • nanotechnology
  • Miscellaneous
    • Congressional bills
    • COVID-19
      • Health
      • Pandemic
    • Holidays
      • Cinco de Mayo
      • Flag Day
      • July 4th
      • Labor Day
      • Martin Luther King
      • MLK Day
      • Thanksgiving
      • Veterans Day
    • Oil & Fracturing
    • oilfield injury
    • Veterans
  • Overtime Pay
    • FLSA wage laws
  • Personal Injury
    • Cosmetics
    • Distracted Driving
    • e-cigarettes
    • Elder abuse
    • Hand Sanitizers
    • Insurance
    • Personal injury law
    • Popcorn Lung
    • Safety
  • U.S. Navy exposure
  • Uncategorized

Secondary Sidebar

Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer

  • Mesothelioma
  • Mesothelioma Frequently Asked Questions
  • Mesothelioma Related Blog Posts
  • How to Pick an Asbestos Lawyer
  • Asbestos Information
  • Asbestos Exposure U.S. Navy List of Ships
  • Lung Cancer Claims
  • Lung Cancer is Not Just a Smoking Disease

Serious Personal Injury

  • How to Pick a Serious Personal Injury Attorney
  • Medical Litigation
  • Motor Vehicle Accidents
  • Oil Field & Gas Field Injuries
  • Personal Injury Frequently Asked Questions
  • Product Liability
  • Workplace Injuries

Employment and Labor Law Attorneys

  • Employment and Labor Law
  • Medical Leave and FMLA
  • Discrimination
  • Harassment
  • Wrongful Termination
  • Overtime Pay – Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
  • Are you a Healthcare Worker not being paid overtime wages?
  • Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act – WARN Act
  • Business Interruption Claims During COVID19 Pandemic
  • Unpaid Overtime for Dispatchers
  • Arbitration Clauses, How they impact your life

Footer

Dallas, Texas – Main Office

DuBose Law Firm, PLLC
The Adelfa B. Callejo Building
4310 N. Central Expressway
Dallas, Texas 75206
Office 214.389.8199 • Fax
214.389.8399
877-857-2914

New Orleans, LA Office

DuBose Law Firm, PLLC
829 Baronne Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70113
Office 504.581.9322 • Fax
504.324.0155

HELPFUL FREQUENTLY USED PAGES

  • Dallas Mesothelioma Lawyer
  • New Orleans Mesothelioma Lawyer
  • Mesothelioma
  • Asbestos Information
  • How to Pick an Asbestos Lawyer
  • Mesothelioma Frequently Asked Questions
  • Serious Personal Injury
  • Personal Injury Frequently Asked Questions

Copyright DuBose Law Firm © 2021 · ; Log in