NBC-2 quotes John Iglehart from the FDEP as saying, “We take asbestos very seriously because it is such a human health threat.”

The suspected asbestos-containing material was observed among some filler materials on the work site. It is believed the material is leftover water pipes recycled from another project. If the pipes contain asbestos, it will mean they ought to have been properly disposed of, using protective measures in handling a hazardous material. It is illegal to recycle these types of materials and use them in other projects.

According to NBC-2, the project’s lead contractor, Posen Construction, may have improperly disposed of the pipes and then used them in the recycled fill material. The news agency says this is not the first time Posen has been cited for such environmental violations. In fact, they report, Posen Construction has been cited at least 24 times since July 2008 and fined at least $12,000.

The Florida DEP is currently testing the chunks of suspicious material obtained from the job site, but a FDEP investigator says a surface inspection reveals fibers consistent with asbestos. Asbestos becomes dangerous when it is released into the air and inhaled, which is a possibility if the materials on the site are crushed or broken.

Until FDEP makes a final determination, the $25-million project is on hold. If asbestos is found, NBC-2 reports, “the next step will be determining who is responsible, how it happened and most immediately – cleaning it up.”

Read the full story and watch a video of the news coverage.

SOURCE: myMeso › Florida overpass construction halted to test for asbestos

Today I heard from two people who are looking for ways to help raise awareness of mesothelioma and funds for research. One lives in California and the other in New York. If you know of any events in these areas in the coming weeks, please email us at myMeso – you can just click that green “Contact Us!” button on the home page, or you can email me directly at wendi.lewis@beasleyallen.com.

Also, if you send us information about an event, please include information about where the proceeds will go (either to an individual or an organization) and let us know how people can donate even if they cannot attend the event. Many people in the meso community will still want to help, even if they aren’t able to travel to your area to participate.

I look forward to helping you get the word out about your mesothelioma awareness event!

SOURCE: myMeso › Please let us know about your mesothelioma events!

The event was organized by Tara Music, in honor of her father, Raymond Beltrami, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma in January 2008 and passed away just six short months later. She says, ‘Because I could not do anything to save him, I have felt the need to spread awareness about this horrific disease.”

For a $15 registration fee, participants received three games of bowling, lunch and a commemorative t-shirt. The event raised almost $1,000, and donations are still coming in!

You can help – mail your contribution to Tara’s attention at 11 Woodgate Court, Ormond Beach, FL, 32174. Proceeds will benefit the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF), which is dedicated to finding a cure for mesothelioma.

Pictured at top: Tara’s nephew, Dylan Hogan, holds a photo of Raymond Beltrami.

Pictured below, from left: Tara’s sister, Rene Hogan, mom Noreen Beltrami, Tara, and Raymond’s mother, Gladys Beltrami.

SOURCE: myMeso › Bowlathon honors Raymond Beltrami while raising awarness, funds for research

If you live in the Ormond Beach area, it’s not too late to participate! The event is set for 1-3 p.m., with registration beginning at the bowling alley at noon. The $15 registration fee includes three games, lunch and a t-shirt. Proceeds will benefit the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, which is the national organization dedicated to eradicating mesothelioma as a life-ending disease.

If you are not able to participate in the event, you can still make a donation. Mail your contribution to Tara’s attention at 11 Woodgate Court, Ormond Beach, FL, 32174. For more informatin, you can email Tara at tmusic1@cfl.rr.com or call 386-405-8264.

SOURCE: myMeso › Reminder: Bowlathon meso fundraiser tomorrow

The event is being organized by Tara Music, in honor of her father, Ray Beltrami. He was diagnosed with meso in January 2008, and passed away July 1, 2008.

“Because I could not do anything to save him, I have felt the need to spread awareness about this horrific disease,” Tara says.

For more information, contact Tara at tmusic1@cfl.rr.com or call 386-405-8264. If you are on Facebook, you can visit the MyMeso page to find a link to this event. A map to this event is available.

If you are not able to attend, but would like to make a donation, you can mail your contribution to Tara’s attention at 11 Woodgate Court, Ormond Beach, FL, 32174.

SOURCE: myMeso › Bowlathon to benefit mesothelioma research

Recorded with literally his last breaths, the video deposition names the Big Three automakers, along with specific brake manufacturers, accusing them of marketing “unreasonably dangerous” products and failing to warn people about the asbestos danger inherent in the products, the Herald reports. According to the paper, Ferrell worked on automobiles as a young man, and it is suspected he inhaled asbestos fibers while working on brakes.

Ferrell, who was listed among the country’s top 100 attorneys in 2006, began suffering what his wife described as “flu-like symptoms” about two years ago, the Herald reports. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma in Spring 2008 and had his left lung removed in May. But the cancer spread to his brain, stomach, hip and his right lung. He rejected pain medication on his deathbed in order to record his deposition, according to the Herald.

Among his achievements, he founded his own firm, Ferrell Law, with offices in Miami and New York. Active in Democratic politics, he was a major fundraiser for President Bill Clinton and served as John Kerry’s Florida finance chairman in 2004 during Kerry’s bid for the White House.

Funeral services are set for Friday, Nov. 21, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Miami. The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the International Mesothelioma Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Ferrell is survived by his wife Lori, son Morgan and daughter Whitney.

SOURCE: myMeso › Democratic powerhouse Ferrell lobbies against asbestos while dying of mesothelioma

The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled that a 2004 law imposing stricter rules on those suing for asbestos-related injuries can be applied to cases pending before the legislation was passed, a move that could frustrate thousands of people seeking claims.

The 6-1 decision Wednesday means that many of the 40,000 Ohio cases filed before the law was enacted are likely to be dismissed. It also has potential ramifications in Florida, Georgia, Kansas and other states that have sought to use such laws to reduce litigation related to the cancer-causing substance.

Am I the only one that finds it incredible that all this legislation is being passed to protect businesses, while legislation intended to protect consumers has been stalled for over 10 years?

I am very interested to hear your opinions on this developing story. Please use the comment feature, below.

Read the full story here: http://www.mesothelioma.law.pro/news/2008/10/16/ohio-supreme-court-changes-the-rules-for-asbestos-victims-seeking-justice/

SOURCE: myMeso › Ohio Supreme Court changes the rules for asbestos victims

My Dad, Bill [Hackett], was a master mechanic and boilermaker from the time he was 25 until he retired on disability at age 61. During this time he dismantled and rebuilt or built boilers to run some of the company’s largest factories and businesses. He started out at Maryland Ship Building and Dry Dock and then went on to become an independent contractor.

Over the years he was exposed to asbestos hundreds of times, not knowing back then that it would be what eventually claimed his life.

From the time he was retired due to this disability until his death in 2004, he suffered tremendously with breathing disorders from mesothelioma. He faced several surgeries and had to have fluid removed from his body numerous times. There were days he could hardly breathe at all, but he kept going. How I will never know.

Because he had been self employed, there was no insurance because he could not afford it. And social security did not pay very much on a monthly basis. Being a decorated WW II veteran, he was entitled to some treatment through the Veterans Administration.

My father was a very independent man and refused to give up or give in to anything that stopped him from doing what he wanted and going where he wanted. And he refused to be a burden on any one, especially his daughters. Until the week he died he continued to serve as Chaplain of the American Legion Post and made arrangements for former veterans’ funerals and assisted their families.

But he never told us about the cancer. He went to all of his chemo appointments and never told us anything. It wasn’t until after his death and the Death Certificate was issued did we know this is what took him. He died alone, 2 weeks before Christmas, in the house where we grew up.

My dad was truly a great man. I believe the reason he never told any of us was because we lost our Mom to cancer when she was 34 and he was 36 and he didn’t want us to have to face losing him to cancer, even though it was a different kind.

Almost 2 years after his death, I found out that I have stage IV lung cancer.

Cancer in any form is life threatening. The more people are aware of the signs and symptoms of cancer, the better off they will be. Annual checkups are vital. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Cancer caught early can be cured. The later the stage, the more intense the treatments and the less chance for remission.

I’d just like to thank Nancy for sharing her Dad’s personal story with us, and for helping to raise awareness and urge for early detection and research. God bless you.

SOURCE: myMeso › A daughter remembers Dad