Over the summer, Darnall Hall at Georgetown University underwent renovations including asbestos abatement.  The dorm was opened in 1965 and asbestos, which was often used as a material in construction, was not federally banned until 1970.  Old carpeting was stripped, as well as underlying tiles and mastic that contained asbestos.  The renovations and abatement were supervised by an Environmental Protection Agency approved contractor and an industrial hygiene contractor.

Anyone who inhales asbestos fibers or dust are at risk of contracting a rare lung cancer called mesothelioma.  Asbestos can cause scarring and inflammation in the lining of the lungs and other internal organs, and cause malignant cancer cells to form. Mesothelioma is often difficult to diagnose because it has a long latency period.   

Doug Bond and Neil Parikh, former roommates at Darnall, said in an email, "It is not surprising that there was asbestos in the building, but definitely incredibly alarming...The carpet looked disgusting at the time, but we did not know that it was a safety concern".

If you or someone you love has suffered due to asbestos exposure, contact the asbestos exposure attorneys of Williams Kherkher LLP at 800-781-3955 to learn more about your rights.

Statistics from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs show that thousands of military veterans suffer from the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma.  Most veterans have contracted the cancer from exposure to asbestos while working on naval vessels that used the substance as their primary form of insulation.  Asbestos has been used in all areas of the military, however from the 1930's to 1970's over 300 asbestos containing products were used in the Navy.  Asbestos was used as insulation around sleeping quarters, piping, boilers, and navigation halls for its durability and fire resistance.

 Mesothelioma can take 20 to 50 years to develop after asbestos exposure, so many people serving in the military years ago could find themselves exhibiting symptoms now.  Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that is difficult to diagnose and treat.  

If you or someone you know thinks they are suffering from mesothelioma symptoms, contact the Mesothelioma lawyers of Williams Kherkher LLP at 800-781-3955 to learn more about your rights. 

General Motors Corporation creditors recently won permission to seek data concerning asbestos exposure and claims.  Yesterday in New York City, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Gerber agreed to let unsecured creditors see the previously private information.  

In May, Gerber extended GM's control over its liquidation until this fall in order to settle asbestos and environmental liabilities.  According to court documents, small encapsulated amounts of asbestos were found in the brake linings of some of GM's vehicles.

The GM estate currently has $648 million recorded for asbestos claims, and a committee of creditors believe they could see this number increase by five to ten times.

If you or someone you love has been the victim of asbestos exposure, contact the Asbestos exposure lawyers of Williams Kherkher LLP at 800-781-3955 to learn more about your rights. 

In the next decade, the Environmental Protection Agency hopes to completely ban the use of asbestos in the United States.  

The ban will be a two stage phasing out of the use of asbestos.  The first stage will begin on July 1, 2015 with regulations being instated to no longer use asbestos as a sealing material in construction projects.  Five years later, the second stage will ban all use of asbestos in tiles, linings, and extruded cement panels.  

In 1989, the EPA ordered a ban on almost all asbestos containing products, however this was repealed by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans and changed to only ban six asbestos containing products.

If the EPA's plans work out they could significantly reduce the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease like mesothelioma.   

If you or someone you love has been injured due to asbestos exposure, contact the asbestos lawsuit attorneys of Williams Kherkher LLP at 800-781-3955 to learn more about your rights.

Boston fire officials and police are asking people to avoid a block of Harrison Avenue after the cleaning of asbestos dust was unsuccessful.  

Last week, crews working at the site of a steam pipe explosion used a U-Haul truck to carry away asbestos dust exposed debris.  A fire inspector called the operations off because he believed something more secure was necessary to remove asbestos exposed debris.  

As the cleanup of the explosion continues, traffic on Harrison Ave. will be closed.  The cleanup will include washing building exteriors and sidewalks, and sweeping and double-bagging debris to be stored in secure containers at a nearby parking lot.   

The block of Harrison Ave. that will be closed is between Traveler Street and William Mullins Way. 

If you or someone you love has suffered from asbestos exposure, contact the Asbestos lawyers of Williams Kherkher LLP at 800-781-3955 to learn more about your rights.