City of Calgary taking asbestos scare far too lightly

EDMONTON, July 18 /CNW/ - The Alberta Federation of Labour today accused the City of Calgary of treating the discovery of asbestos-contaminated asphalt throughout its road system far too casually.

"Asbestos is one of the worst workplace killers in Canada," says AFL President Gil McGowan, "and as far as labour is concerned, no amount is safe for human exposure."

McGowan points out that under Part IV of the Occupational Health and Safety Code, there is a section detailing how to deal with asbestos contamination, including measures for both worker and public safety in circumstances where asbestos may be released.

"Calgary should not be dismissing this as something that can be dealt with by a study later in the summer," says McGowan. "Inhalation of asbestos dust and fibre can lead to asbestosis, pleural plaques, lung cancer and mesothelioma, a malignant cancer whose only known cause is exposure to asbestos.

"Calgary should be taking exactly the same precautions that the City of Toronto is taking under similar circumstances," advises McGowan, "including limiting workers' exposure during road construction with hazmat suits, keeping dust down, and ensuring that citizens know the risks and counter-measures that should be taken."

"I also think that every other municipality in the province engaging in major roadway construction and resurfacing should take immediate steps to ensure that their projects are either asbestos-free or being done with necessary safety precautions."

For further information: Gil McGowan, AFL President at (780) 483-3021 (office) or (780) 218-9888 (cell)

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Fashion helping charities fly high

FASHION High-fliers will be raising cash for worthy causes.  This year's stage extravaganza will help raise funds for the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund and Cancer Connections.  Asbestos cancer charity, the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund, marked its sixth anniversary last month.  The charity has raised more than £400,000 for research into the fatal lung and stomach cancer, mesothelioma.

Thompsons Solicitors, which has offices in South Shields, has backed the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund since it was founded by
Chris Knighton, in 2002, in memory of her husband.

Personal injury specialists Thompsons are experts in asbestos litigation, as well as dealing with other industrial diseases and accidents in and out of work, including accidents abroad and on the road.

Thompsons Solicitors is the largest specialist personal injury, employment rights and trade union law firm in the UK, with more than 800 staff in 22 offices across the UK.

The firm's office in Fowler Street, South Shields, opened in April 2004 and has recovered more than £7m in compensation for injured local people in the last three years.

The specialist personal injury and industrial disease lawyers' team is headed by newly appointed team manager David Mole.

Hebburn-born David is a personal injury specialist dealing with a full range of personal injury and industrial disease claims.

Solicitor Mick Laffey, also from Hebburn, works from the South Shields office as regional client manager. He often appears as a legal commentator on Metro Radio and also has legal advice column in the Gazette.

Most of the members of staff at the office are from South Tyneside giving it a friendly and local feel.

Mick said: "Thompsons Solicitors is the UK's most experienced personal injury firm. As an ex-pupil of St Joseph's RC Comprehensive, in Hebburn, I am proud to represent my fellow South Tynesiders in various accident and industrial disease matters.

"My colleagues also specialise in a number of areas from asbestos litigation to employment law, accessed via their trade unions or, in some cases, for private individuals.

"We do not represent insurance companies or defendants. If you are in any doubt about whether you have a claim, please contact us."

It is the fourth time the Gazette has named the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund as one of its chosen charities.

Mesothelioma is a malignant lung disease, which is caused by exposure to asbestos.

Thompsons Solicitors works closely with those suffering from the disease, and their families.

Ian McFall, a patron of Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund and head of asbestos policy at Thompsons Solicitors, said: "Mesothelioma is a devastating illness for people who are diagnosed with it, as well as their families

"It is hard to imagine how the situation they find themselves in could be any more unbearable.

"However, many of our clients have said that the shock and distress they felt when they were told they had mesothelioma turned to anger when they learned that the condition was caused by inhaling asbestos at work decades ago, and that their illness could have been prevented had their employer only taken more care.

"In many of these cases, we are able to obtain substantial awards of compensation for our clients and their families – even where the employers no longer exist. We deal with claims at no cost to our client.

"We are genuinely concerned to look after the interests of individuals.

"Anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma who believes they were exposed to asbestos at work should seek advice immediately about claiming compensation."

For further information, call 0800 022 4224, or visit www.thompsons.law.co.uk.

Fashion High-fliers is being held on Friday and Saturday, July 25 and 26, at the Customs House, Mill Dam, South Shields.

Hosted by fashion show director Peter Darrant, it will raise money for our two charities, the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund and Cancer Connections.

Its main sponsors are Pet-Supermarket and Thompsons Solicitors.
Asda in Boldon, Colman's, Beamish Hall, Barbour, Desire By Debenhams, L'Amour Bridal, Port of Tyne, South Tyneside College, Specsavers and Tavistock Leisure, are also sponsoring the event.

Tickets for Fashion High-fliers are now on sale, priced £10 each, including a goody bag filled with vouchers worth more than £100, and the chance to win amazing prizes, including return flights to Corfu and Rhodes, and Virgin Balloon flights.

For tickets and further details, contact the Customs House box office on 454 1234.

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Minnesota Miners Developing Mesothelioma at Alarming Rate

An investigation has recently begun to explain why men from a region of northeastern Minnesota are developing mesothelioma at an alarming rate which is twice the national average.
The University of Minnesota is leading the investigation through the School of Public Health. The university seeks to understand the reasons behind the recent deaths of many taconite miners due to the rapid development of mesothelioma.
Scientists are working to investigate the dangers of taconite, as well as the contents of the air that the miners inhale on a daily basis. Mesothelioma is commonly linked to asbestos exposure, however, nothing has proven the existence of asbestos in the taconite or the air that they miners breathe in recent studies.
Researchers and scientists will continue to examine the working conditions of these miners until an explanation is revealed.

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