An Australian woman has received the attention of Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) inspectors following the vandalism of her home. Awaiting the insurers final decisions on coverage, Kristen Brereton and her two young sons Lincoln and Blake have been living with relatives while her home was repaired from recent flood damage.

Before they could return home however, the house was broken into and vandalized. Walls and ceilings were smashed with hammers and probably boots, as several boot prints have been found in the house. The police were called and are considering Brereton’s house a crime scene while investigations ensue.

The press related to the break-in brought WHS inspectors to test the home for asbestos exposure. Six samples were taken form the home and returned positive. Now a health hazard as well as a vandalism site, the house cannot be occupied until all issues are resolved.

“Everything is on hold for us at the moment,” said Ms. Brereton who is anxious to get her family back into their own home. “Our insurer told us they are about four weeks behind, but seeing as though we have an urgent health issue at the house now, that they might try to get to us a bit sooner.”

Asbestos exposure is associated with many condition s of the respiratory system. Most commonly known today is the rare cancer mesothelioma, which is caused by inhaled asbestos fibers. Mesothelioma is a growing concern in Australia, the UK and the US as thousands of people exposed to asbestos in past decades are now demonstrating mesothelioma symptoms.

Once asbestos fibers begin their work in the mesothelium (lining of the lungs or other abdominal cavities), the cancer takes between twenty and fifty years to develop. Symptoms are similar to those of bronchitis or pneumonia, making proper diagnosis difficult. Mesothelioma treatments include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, but there is no known cure.

The World Health Organization expects mesothelioma cases are on the rise globally as many developing countries continue to use asbestos without protective measures. An estimated fifteen to twenty thousand people are affected worldwide each year; that number is expected to rise quickly to ninety thousand if asbestos use is not discontinued globally. A Type 1 carcinogen, asbestos also causes lung cancer and asbestosis.

Angered at the vandalism, health risks and further delays, Ms. Brereton said, “These vermin who broke into my house and smashed the walls – this is all because of them.” She concludes, ““In the end it will be okay I suppose – as long as the insurance comes through.”

On January 7, Massachusetts firefighter Mike Urban died after battling rare cancer mesothelioma. His firefighter helmet was presented to his widow at his funeral, and then entrusted to Urban’s nephew for safekeeping.

Soon after the service, Urban’s nephew was forced to abandon his car in a snowstorm. The helmet, which was in the car, was stolen from the back seat before the car was retrieved in better weather. The family was distraught.

One firefighter said of the missing helmet, “It’s everything to us, it’s a symbol of what we are. A piece of it is missing from Mike now.”

A seemingly small loss, the theft was a painful act for the family to endure following their fight against mesothelioma and ultimate sad loss. To try to help get the helmet back to Urban’s family local authorities announced a one thousand dollar reward.

Mesothelioma is a common threat to firefighters. Caused by airborne asbestos fibers, burning, collapsing buildings are a prime location for exposure to the toxic chemical. Heavily used across America between the 1920s and 1900s, asbestos has made it into most structures built through those years. Although it is relatively harmless when contained in building components, regular wear and tear or intentional or accidental demolition can release the fibers into the air. Fire would quickly demolish the safe structure of asbestos containing building components, spreading toxic ash and dust.

If inhaled, asbestos fibers can be deposited into the lungs and begin mutating healthy cells. This process starts the development of mesothelioma cancer, which affects the mesothelium, or lung lining, and lining of other abdominal cavities.

Mesothelioma takes decades to develop, often twenty to fifty years. Symptoms begin to show after this development time as coughing and wheezing. Often overlooked or misdiagnoses as some mild respiratory infection, mesothelioma can be difficult to recognize.

Current mesothelioma treatments include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Many mesothelioma patients are choosing palliative care as an alternative to cancer-direct treatments. Palliative care focuses on pain management and quality of life. Life expectancy following diagnosis of mesothelioma averages eighteen months.

Days after the helmet had been stolen a backpack was left in front of the Middleboro, Massachusetts Fire department in the middle of the night. Upon inspection, firefighters found the bag contained the treasured helmet, which has been returned to Urban’s family.

On January 4, thirty members of Rajasthan State Mine Labour Union protested at the National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH) in Ahmedabad, India. Protesters demanded release of a report including information on asbestos miners and potential mining related illnesses.

As the US and many developed nations struggle with the illegal aspects of asbestos use and removal, developing countries continue to use the toxic chemical with little or no safety regulations in place. Asbestos is shipped worldwide to counties like India where proper safety education and training is limited and often overlooked.

Mesothelioma cases worldwide have reached fifteen to twenty thousand annually; with that number expected to quickly rise to ninety-thousand by the World Health Organization, if asbestos use is not discontinued in developing countries.

Almost solely caused by asbestos, mesothelioma is a rare cancer affecting abdominal cavity lining. Pleural mesothelioma is most often found in lung lining, while the less common peritoneal mesothelioma affects lining of other abdominal cavities.

There is no cure for mesothelioma, but many mesothelioma treatments are available—at least in the Western world. Developing countries not only suffer from lack of asbestos protection, but also from limited mesothelioma testing and treatment options.

Mesothelioma is characterized by a long latency period, typically between twenty and fifty years. This latency period pushes a worldwide mesothelioma peak forward as asbestos use continues.

Managing trustee of Mines Labour Protection Campaign (MLPC), Rana Sengupta said nineteen of the one hundred and sixty-four workers involved in the study have already died. The results of the report would be timely in providing direction on where and how to implement proper safety precautions in the workplace and began treatment for those already affected by disease.

Scientists at the NIOH stated that of the workers studied, 93 were probably already negatively affected by asbestos exposure. However, the report is still not being released. This may have something to do with the sudden resignation of NIOH members who conducted testing for the study.

Protesters from the State Mine Labour Union are threatening a hunger strike if their demands are not met.

Australia’s National Broadband Network (NBN) has begun to rollout their nationwide fiber upgrade. With plans to connect 93% of the nation through fiber-optic technology, the government owned company has a big job ahead of them.

Originally, 25% of the fiber cables were going to be hung from existing telegraph poles, while the rest would be buried underground using many existing ditches and conduits. However, asbestos has been found in the existing underground structures and plans have come to a temporary halt.

NBN may have to remove all asbestos from existing ditches and conduits before moving forward with laying fiber. This would be no small task as asbestos cement was used to build many of the structures originally. To make matters more complicated, it is difficult to differentiate between asbestos cement and non-asbestos cement using standard measures. Trained professionals in protective gear may have to test each component individually for asbestos risks. Costs associated with this added step are rumored to be enough to stop NBN’s progress indefinitely.  However, the dangers must be assessed and advances made safely for both the workers and the public.

Rhonda Griffin, spokeswoman for NBN, sounds confident. She said the,  “costs of asbestos management has been factored in to our business case. Where asbestos is identified or suspected, NBN Co contracts the services of fully qualified asbestos experts to remove any aged asbestos-containing infrastructure and dispose of it as per all safeguards required under regulation. Independent hygienists are engaged to monitor any removal.”

Not everyone involved sounds as optimistic. Peter Tighe, national secretary of Communications Electrical and Plumbing Union said: “It’s obviously something we’ve got to be very careful about. You can’t just send somebody out and say, ‘Pull cables through’.” Ensuring project safety and future working integrity is paramount.

Asbestos is known to cause fatal respiratory conditions. Most commonly associated with asbestos exposure is the rare cancer mesothelioma. Mesothelioma develops from a mutation in lung cells begun by inhaled asbestos fibers. Characterized by irregularly patterned tumors growing in lung lining and lining of other abdominal cavities, mesothelioma can take decades to detect. There are several mesothelioma treatments available, including surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy, but no known cure. Palliative care is a treatment option focusing on quality of life and pain management for mesothelioma patients.

As NBN switches gears from technology to public safety, asbestos contractors anticipate a busy schedule. Bill Snell, director of Sydney based asbestos removal company, Alkene, said of the NBN project, “It’s going to be a major job actually.”

Non-profit executives, Rudy Buendia, Patrick Bowman and Joseph Cuellar face charges after being indicted by a grand jury for false statements and violations of Clean Air Act regulations.

Now defunct Merced, California based Firm Build, provided job training for teenagers. It is believed as many as eighty teens were exposed to toxic materials during a training program in which the youths partook in demolishing old buildings. Floor and ceiling tiles containing asbestos were destroyed by hand with hammers and then removed in what some of the teens reported to be a cloud of dust so thick you had to take regular breaks outside for fresh air.

Firm Build provided the youths with basic protective wear, but cotton facemasks are far from the standard where asbestos materials are concerned. Holding with the Environmental Protection Agency’s regulations, asbestos removal requires certified professionals licensed to do such a job. Firm Build is being accused of using the teenagers as free labor, and more seriously, of exposing them to severe and possible fatal health risks.

Asbestos materials are particularly dangerous when broken or damaged as the dust becomes airborne. Fibers within the material can cause severe health conditions if inhaled. Lung cancer, asbestosis, and the rare cancer mesothelioma are caused by toxic asbestos fibers. Mesothelioma is characterized by a long latency period; many patients have no idea they were exposed to asbestos until they are diagnosed with mesothelioma decades later. There are no known curative mesothelioma treatments and life expectancy following diagnosis averages eighteen months.

Although teenagers who worked with Firm Build know they have been exposed to asbestos, there are no good early detection plans. Merced County District Attorney Larry Morse II said, “We are simply at a loss to understand why the appropriate safeguards would not have been taken. These kids never bargained for this kind of a problem.”

He continues, “The sad fact of the matter is that some of these students, who were kids when they participated in these programs, may spend the rest of their lives wondering whether they will develop cancer or lung damage. It is frankly appalling that anyone would play Russian roulette with the health of teenagers simply to cut corners on a construction project. But that’s what appears to have happened.”

Although dozens of teens may have been exposed to asbestos through Firm Build, there were only five defendants in the case. Firm Build executives are facing fines and a possible fifteen years of prison time.

Miami Science Museum closed suddenly last week after finding asbestos materials in a mechanical room at the planetarium. A popular destination for tourists, locals, birthday parties and group outings, the Museum had to turn away several disappointed would-be visitors in the days that followed.

Museum administrators are concerned with the health and safety of their guests and employees. Although the closing is temporary, testing will be extensive. A search for asbestos materials and hazards in the planetarium will be thorough.

Miami Science Museum’s planetarium was built in 1966, decades before use of asbestos building materials came to an end in the US. However, the museum has had two renovations since the addition of the planetarium: one in 1971 and another twenty years later in 1991. Asbestos was singled out in this later renovation and safely removed in line with the new regulations. The planetarium, however, was not a part of this 1991 renovation.

Miami Science Museum Director, Gillian Thomas said, “We’re just being super careful, really, we have no reason to suppose there is any asbestos anywhere else.”

Asbestos use in the US has greatly decreased since the 1980’s. The peaking health and safety concerns were followed by strict regulations and protocol. Contractors and builders have a tight line to walk to keep with the Environmental Protection Agency’s standards regarding asbestos.

Causing severe health conditions including cancers, asbestos has been classified as a Type 1 carcinogen by the Word Health Organization. Mesothelioma is one of the conditions caused almost solely by asbestos; a rare cancer affecting the lining of lungs and other abdominal cavities. It develops over many years—often decades—and is characterized by irregularly patterned tumors. With such a long latency period, early detection is not an option.

Many patients have no idea they were exposed to asbestos fibers until years later when they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Diagnosis typically includes a short life expectancy, between six months and two years. There are no known curative mesothelioma treatments. Palliative treatments are being used more and more in mesothelioma cases.

A museum statement claimed, “The health of our visitors and employees is of utmost importance and we will work diligently with Miami-Dade County to fully assess and resolve the issue before the planetarium and museum reopen to the public.”

Miami Science Museum is providing free admission for all parties and group events that had to be rescheduled due to the closing. Would-be visitors are also receiving tickets free of charge for later dates.