Mesothelioma & Asbestos Round-Up

Over the past week asbestos has continued to disrupt projects, and mesothelioma has continued to claim lives.

In Minnesota, former U.S. congressman Dennis Newinski died of mesothelioma. Ironically, Mr. Newinski was once a political opponent of U.S. Congressman Bruce Vento, who also died of mesothelioma. The story about Congressman Newinski is linked below. For more information about former congressman Bruce Vento and the Hope Builder award named in his honor, go to www.curemeso.org. View Bruce Vento’s profile on the Meso Foundation web site.

Jurors in the federal criminal trial against W.R. Grace heard opening statements from prosecutors and defense. W.R. Grace, who went bankrupt after poisoning hundreds of Libby, Montana residents, as well as people around the world, is defending against criminal charges. We will continue to closely monitor developments in this case.

National Asbestos News

Grace Trial Underway
Jurors were impaneled and opening statements were made in the federal criminal trial against W.R. Grace in Montana. The government is now presenting evidence against W.R. Grace, whose asbestos-laden vermiculite is said to have killed hundreds and sickened even more.

Former Minnesota Congressman, Dennis Newinski, Dies of Mesothelioma
Dennis Newinski, who rose from blue-collar machinist to a congressman in Washington D.C. , died of mesothelioma. Interestingly, in the past, Mr. Newinski ran against former congressman Bruce Vento, who also died of mesothelioma.

Asbestos in Our Lives

Construction in El Dorado Hills, California raises concerns about asbestos. Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral, is being uncovered as the Serrano community expands.

Asbestos also halted construction of a large sports facility in Glasgow, Scotland.

$1 million is to be spent on cleaning the former Keasbey and Mattison site in Ambler, Pennsylvania

Deputy Sheriff Killed by Mesothelioma
A dedication ceremony was held in Sebastian County, Oklahoma. On Friday, two years after Deputy Sam Neff died of mesothelioma, his daughter Mandi Howe helped hang a plaque honoring her father.