B.C. construction unions raise alarm about asbestos exposure
Brian Morton, Vancouver Sun
Published: Monday, February 04, 2008
METRO VANCOUVER - A leading Canadian physician in mesothelioma research and a University of B.C. professor are supporting an analysis by B.C. construction unions that 300 workers will die of asbestos-related disease each year over the next five years.
That means more than 1,500 workers will die of mesothelioma and other asbestos exposure illnesses in the next five years, said Wayne Peppard, executive director of the BC and Yukon - Building and Construction Trades Council, in a news release.
Peppard said in a statement that their prediction is based on a Building Trades' analysis of preliminary WorkSafeBC [formerly the Workers' Compensation Board] statistics and the latest research at the UBC School of Environmental Health.
Dr. Michael R. Johnston, a professor of surgery at Halifax's Dalhousie University who has performed several successful operations on patients afflicted with mesothelioma, and Professor Paul Demers at UBC's School of Environmental Health, agree with the assessment.
"The conservative estimate is 65-70 mesothelioma cancers and 130-140 asbestos related lung cancers per year," said Demers. "There are also cases of asbestosis, as well as mesothelioma that is misdiagnosed and other asbestos-related cancers (larynx, colorectal, stomach, etc.) pushing the number of new cases up to 250 - 300 per year and most will eventually die from these diseases.
"The general trend is more cases each year and internationally, researchers are projecting this trend to crest anywhere between now and 10 years from now. I think it is safe to assume that the rate will not be lower for at least five years in B.C."
Workers in B.C.'s insulation industry have had heavy exposure to the deadly fibres, said Wayne Laxton, business manager for the BC Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers, Local 118.
"Most doctors have no knowledge of the disease," Laxton said in a statement. "I now urge widows of deceased union members to demand an autopsy. It's the only way to know for certain that the death was caused by asbestos or mesothelioma.
"There are thousands of British Columbians who have asbestos fibres in their lungs and don't even know they've been exposed to the toxin," Laxton added.
Peppard says the review takes into account that many mesothelioma fatalities are missing as WorkSafeBC statistics only register and track their own accepted cases.
"We know that many mesothelioma fatalities are not recorded in the statistics, nor are many lung cancer cases that are caused by asbestos exposure," Peppard said. "But this new research shows we can expect at least 300 asbestos-related deaths this year and every year for the next five."
"This carnage from asbestos related fatalities is disastrous for those workers and their families," Peppard added. "It's long past time that the Canadian and Quebec governments stop the production and use of asbestos - it's simply too dangerous a substance and these statistics prove it."
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Department of Defense Lists Asbestos-Related Cancer For Medical Research Projects
23 Jan 2008
SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Jan. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The
Department of Defense (DoD) Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program was
appropriated $50 million in the Defense Appropriations Bill that the
President signed in mid- November. The Mesothelioma Applied Research
Foundation (Meso Foundation) is excited to announce that, for the first
time, mesothelioma will be included as a research priority within the DoD's
Medical Research Program, to begin February 2008. As a candidate research
area within the program, mesothelioma investigators are eligible to compete
for funding through the program's 2008 grant cycle.
"The Meso Foundation has been working with fifteen senators, led by
Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), advocating the federal government to respond to
the mesothelioma crisis through a commitment of new federal research
dollars," said Chris Hahn, Executive Director of The Meso Foundation. "Our
advocacy efforts in this area for the past several years finally paid off."
Federal medical research projects must be of clear scientific merit and
have direct relevance to military health. Military relevance is a key
feature of the Investigator-Initiated award, a connection that will not be
difficult for mesothelioma researchers to establish for their grant
applications.
There is a long history of asbestos exposure in military service, and a
significant elevated risk of mesothelioma in the military population. In
fact, approximately one third of mesothelioma cases have been shown to
involve Navy and shipyard exposures. Given the long latency of the disease,
even if exposures are reduced, mesothelioma will continue to affect the
veteran and military population for decades to come.
This funding opportunity can serve as a vital resource to the meso
community and is another crucial step toward advancing the research and
treatment of mesothelioma. The Meso Foundation strongly encourages
mesothelioma investigators to consider submitting applications for funding
in 2008, as the interest and engagement shown by the community will likely
be a factor in whether mesothelioma is included as a candidate in future
years.
SOURCE Meso Foundation
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Mick Knighton memorial charity holds special event
By DAVID SEDGWICK
source:newsguardian.co.uk
14 February 2008
A CHARITY which has raised more than £300,000 in memory of a loved one struck down by a deadly cancer strain is holding a special information day.
Wallsend-based charity the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund is holding an Action Mesothelioma Information Day on Wednesday, February 27 to mark National Action Mesothelioma Day.
The free event – from 10am to 4pm – will give patients, health workers and families affected by the asbestos-related disease the chance to find out more.
Hundreds of people are expected to attend to discuss treatments available, help those diagnosed with the disease and the future options for sufferers.
Chris Knighton, who launched the fund in memory of her husband Mick, said: "The Mesothelioma Information Day is open to anyone who has been touched by this disease.
"Delegates will include patients, carers, families, unions, health officials and legal professionals.
"It will be a one stop shop for people to learn everything they need to know about the disease including how to claim compensation, what treatments are available now and in the future and what support is available.
"I only wish I had been given the opportunity to go to something like this when my husband Mick was first diagnosed with mesothelioma."
She added: "We want people to use this resource and our speakers will be available for 'ask the experts' sessions so delegates can find out as much information as possible.
"We know this will provide mesothelioma sufferers and their families with all the support they need to navigate through the devastation this disease can bring.
"It will also be a great opportunity for professionals working with mesothelioma to learn about the issues surrounding the disease and to expand their knowledge in areas outside their expertise."
The Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund has raised more than £300,000 to help find a cure for the disease and fund research into it.
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