An experimental asbestos removal method will begin to be used in populated areas of the United States. The method, known as the Alternative Asbestos Control Method, uses a mixture of treated water that is sprayed onto buildings. The buildings are then demolished without removing the asbestos. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is condoning the method even though many individuals have raised concerns about asbestos dust being released into the air. The EPA began testing the method in 2007 at a private facility in Arkansas. Asbestos is composed of minerals and was heavily used in recent decades in the construction of homes, schools and government facilities among many other structures. It was found that breathing in asbestos fibers and asbestos dust can, over time, cause an incurable form of cancer known as mesothelioma. To learn more, contact the Mesothelioma Lawyers at Williams Kherkher.

Par Pharmaceutical Companies Inc.'s (NYSE:PRX) proprietary products division said Tuesday it has acquired the exclusive licensing and commercialization rights to Onconase from Alfacell Corp. (NASDAQ:ACEL) Onconase is a drug used in the treatment of inoperable malignant mesothelioma currently in Phase III development. Under the terms of the agreement, Par's Strativa Pharmaceuticals unit will make an initial payment of $5 million to Alfacell. It will also pay an additional $30 million upon approval of the drug by the Food and Drug Administration. Alfacell will retain the right to co-promote Onconase in the future and is also entitled to royalty payments from sales, as well as possible milestone payments of an undisclosed amount. For more information, contact the Mesothelioma Lawyers at Williams Kherkher at 1.800.220.9341.

A Minnesota man filed an asbestos suit against 10 defendant corporations in Madison County Circuit Court Jan. 16, alleging his father died from mesothelioma. Bruno Zagar claims his father, Anthony, was diagnosed with mesothelioma on Jan. 1, 2004, and died on Dec. 2, 2004. He claims that during the course of his father's employment and during home and automotive repairs he was exposed to and inhaled, ingested or otherwise absorbed asbestos fibers emanating from certain products he was working with and around. "The plaintiff's exposure and inhalation, ingestion or absorption of the asbestos fibers was completely foreseeable and could or should have been anticipated by the defendants," the complaint states. According to Zagar, his father was employed from 1942 to 1982 as a sales representative in various locations including Illinois. Zagar claims the defendants knew or should have known that the asbestos fibers contained in their products had a toxic, poisonous and highly deleterious effect upon the health of people. He also alleges that the defendants included asbestos in their products even when adequate substitutes were available and failed to provide any or adequate instructions concerning the safe methods of working with and around asbestos. Zagar also claims that the defendants failed to require and advise employees of hygiene practices designed to reduce or prevent carrying asbestos fibers home. As a result of the alleged negligence, Zagar claims his father was exposed to fibers containing asbestos and developed a disease caused only by asbestos which has disabled and disfigured him prior to his death, the complaint states.

The Mesothelioma and Asbestos Awareness Center (MAAC) has determined, based on recent patterns, that asbestos exposure in schools is an increasingly significant problem in classrooms across the country. Most recently, a Muncie, IN high school was found to have severe violations of federal asbestos code, leaving the students and staff at risk of potentially life-threatening exposures. According to a fine levied by the Indiana Department of Labor, there were gross violations of the Occupational Safety and Hazard Act during recent renovations at Central High School’s science buildings, all within the vicinity of students and staff. The incident at Central HS however, is only one of many asbestos incidents within schools in recent years. New York City Schools have been entangled in asbestos complications for the past decade, due mostly to the age of the buildings and lack of regular maintenance on asbestos fixtures. To learn more, contact the Mesothelioma Lawyers at Williams Kherkher at 1.800.220.9341.

A New York jury delivered a verdict of $37 million for two smokers with lung cancer who had been exposed to asbestos. The defendant was the Robert A. Keasbey Company, a former insulation contractor and distributor of asbestos products. For more information, contact the Mesothelioma Attorneys at Williams Kherkher.