Violations of Asbestos Regulations Raise Fears of Mesothelioma Risk
When people hear the word asbestos, they first think of mesothelioma and the many diseases that have been linked to the mineral, and they then think of it as a problem of the past. That’s because use of the toxic material was largely discontinued after the public learned of its dangers in the late 1970s and early 1980s. But asbestos that has been in place for decades remains an issue, especially when it’s been damaged. Concerns over the mishandling of this legacy asbestos recently drove Illinois’ attorney general to take dramatic legal action.
Asbestos-Contaminated Hospital Site Put People at Risk for Mesothelioma
According to a lawsuit filed by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, the owners and operators of Lake Behavioral Hospital in Waukegan, Illinois, and the demolition subcontractors tasked with taking down the old building violated strict regulations for handling asbestos. In doing so, they are accused of having put workers and neighbors at risk for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related disease.
Mesothelioma is a deadly form of cancer caused by inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers. Though asbestos was more prevalent decades ago, these fibers are still present in old buildings, brake linings, and other applications, and they pose the greatest risk when they are disturbed or damaged, as happens when a building is renovated or demolished. To guard against this risk, highly specific regulations exist for managing the removal of asbestos before construction or demolition work is done. The lawsuit filed by the attorney general asserts that these regulations were ignored by the owners and subcontractors of the hospital.
Hospital Owners and Contractors Accused of Jeopardizing Public Health
Attorney General Raoul’s lawsuit was filed out of real concerns about future mesothelioma diagnoses and followed investigations by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). That agency’s investigation identified dozens of violations in the management of asbestos on the property, including one subcontractor that was aware of the dangers it was exposing its employees and others to.
The lawsuit accuses the defendants of having “jeopardized public health” by exposing people to asbestos fibers and dust that can lead to mesothelioma and other illnesses. The attorney general has indicated that the companies will be expected to remediate the asbestos and be held accountable for any damages they caused.
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