Asbestos Blog

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues its efforts to manage and remediate Superfund sites across the United States.  These sites, contaminated with hazardous substances, pose significant risks to human health and the environment. Recent developments highlight both advancements in cleanup operations and ongoing challenges, particularly in the Pacific Southwest region. Understanding Superfund Sites Superfund sites [...]Read More...

Asbestos can lurk in the most intimate of places, including a family center building in New York. The announcement of a $5 million grant to clean up and renovate the 110-year-old Family Partnership Center in Poughkeepsie, New York, has brought renewed focus to the ongoing challenge of asbestos contamination in older buildings—an issue that is [...]Read More...

When wildfires ignite, the damage doesn’t stop at the flames.  Wildfires release smoke, ash and invisible particles that travel miles, turning clear skies into a health hazard. During these events, the Air Quality Index (AQI) often becomes a trusted source for gauging the safety of the air – but just how accurate is the AQI [...]Read More...

Among the rugged mountains of Northern British Columbia lies the remnants of a once-thriving industry – one that has left an indelible mark on both the landscape and the lives of those who encountered it. The Cassiar Asbestos Mine, known for its rich deposits of a mineral once hailed as the ‘magic fiber,’ stands as [...]Read More...

A promising new study suggests PARP inhibitors could enhance treatment options for asbestos-related cancers like mesothelioma by targeting DNA repair pathways in tumor cells. For decades, mesothelioma, a cancer almost always tied to asbestos, has been one of the most feared diagnoses linked to asbestos exposure. With few treatment options and a grim outlook, this [...]Read More...

As communities recover from wildfires, builders and homeowners are turning to safer, modern materials to achieve fire resistance without relying on toxic asbestos. When the Eaton Fire tore through Altadena, California, in early 2025, it left behind a familiar and heartbreaking scene: scorched earth, twisted metal, and the remains of lives turned to ash. For [...]Read More...

A new study strengthens the evidence that asbestos exposure significantly increases the risk of developing esophageal cancer, raising fresh concerns about long-term occupational and environmental exposure. For years, asbestos has been widely recognized as a primary cause of serious respiratory diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. However, a new large-scale French study has revealed a [...]Read More...

Researchers warn that exposure to wildfire smoke—especially from older, toxic structures—may have lasting health effects that extend far beyond respiratory irritation. Wildfires have become an increasingly frequent and destructive force, especially in regions like Los Angeles, California, where dry conditions and high winds create the perfect environment for flames to spread rapidly. While the immediate [...]Read More...

Another case of unsafe asbestos removal highlights ongoing risks to workers, residents, and the environment. In April 2025, officials at a Massachusetts company pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the illegal removal of asbestos flooring at a middle school in Dartmouth. Assistant Superintendent James Kiely said the school used the Marion-based company’s services in the [...]Read More...

In our recent installments, we delved deep into how, back in 1934, the top echelons of the asbestos industry convened to tackle the mounting negative press surrounding the health hazards of asbestos – but what happened next? Let’s first recap. Hiring a Respected Researcher Even though company physicians had long alerted these executives about the [...]Read More...

Welcome to part two of ‘Asbestos Exposed,’ where we uncover the layers of deception perpetrated by the asbestos industry. Specifically, we’re here to unravel more details about the industry’s suppression of crucial medical research by Saranac Laboratories; this is a telling testament of an era marked by profound deceit and disregard for human health – [...]Read More...

Spring break usually conjures up images of road trips, beach days and a welcome pause from routine. For thousands of schools across the United States, however, it can be something else entirely – a rare window to quietly confront a toxic legacy: asbestos. While hallways sit empty and classrooms go quiet, construction crews often move [...]Read More...