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I Stedman's avatar

Of course, a vast percentage of those who perished from asbestos exposure were also heavy cigarette smokers. But at that time, tobacco companies were untouchable.

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Eric Johnson's avatar

I removed a bunch of it from a public housing project in the 1980s, while the people lived there, no protection was provided, it was insulation around the water pipes, gray oval, we would cut with saws-all’s into manageable lengths and haul it out when we replaced the bathroom fixtures. I think I wore a cotton dust mask but none of my coworkers did not to mention the people living there. Pfas will be the next multi decade environmental exposure, then plastic.

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Zyxomma's avatar

Ta, Eric. When I worked in a gem and mineral shop, we didn't have any asbestos. For reasons.

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Michael's avatar

Way too much for me to handle

https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/20/politics/white-house-east-wing-ballroom-construction

Is there no limit to this man's trashy conceit?

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Michael Bowen's avatar

Warren Zevon (PBUH) died of mesothelioma, probably from exposure to asbestos in his father's carpet store.

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Michael's avatar

My Pawnee stepfather worked in a naval shipyard refitting destroyers in WWII. Asbestos removal was involved. He died from mesothelioma in 1979.

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Michael Bowen's avatar

All I can do is recognize your stepfather's service - I live recognizing my uncle's services during WWII and my father's during the Cold War. My blessings upon your stepfather's service.

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Michael's avatar

TY Cliff. 🙏

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Shocktreatment's avatar

One long past winter, 8-10 weeks of 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘰𝘳 work became weeks of 𝘯𝘰 work because asbestos was discovered...

Better than asbestosis or mesothelioma...

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suziq's avatar

My husband was diagnosed with mesothelioma about 16 months ago. He had been complaining about a little annoying cough for over a year but his doctor ignored it. Finally as they were finishing up he got out his stethoscope and listened to his lungs and went huh, you should go see these guys. Over the next several weeks they drained 6.5 liters of fluid out of his lung cavity. Oopsies, maybe should not have ignored that. Turns out it was mesothelioma, so I started researching treatment and legal remedies. in less than a year we settled with 38 defendants, and we are getting ready for a few more, then go after the trust funds. We got money from not only the actual products, but distributors and building owners who did not do abatement or warn there was asbestos present. We did not have to actually go to trial which we were not looking forward to. There is a time limit to file though, we know someone diagnosed and gave them the name of our lawyer but for some reason they have not contacted him. I am worried they are going to run out of time and get nothing. If you think you were exposed to asbestos go to your doctor regularly and make sure they are aware of that. Do your research! (yuck, I know I sound QAnon there) You have medical options (none of them good, but they are getting better. I think, unless all research funding gets cut). Check out the lawyers, some slime balls out there but if you are in the Pacific NW I can recommend ours. lmk

And yes, the defendants will try the "it was the other guy" excuse, but that isn't the way it works. If you were exposed because of them, you got a case. With all of them.

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Hollysdower's avatar

Good for you! How is your husband doing? Will he recover?

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suziq's avatar

No, he won't recover. Some people last longer than others of course but there is no treatment to cure it. About a year ago they told him he had 1-2 years. He has been doing better than they expected but lately has not been feeling very well. And today he had to get fluid drained again. He is pretty stubborn though so he probably has at least a few more years in him. He still works on construction projects around the house and we were able to pay off our house and buy a new car, boat, and two trucks. The last truck was kind of spur of the moment, our truck was at our vacation home (I know, spoiled) but we needed a truck to tow the boat. We were looking for a mid-size gently used truck but they were so expensive we ended up buying an electric Chevy Silverado (no cyber trucks-yuck!) And he loves it. Electricity is about 90% cheaper than gas.

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Zyxomma's avatar

So very sorry. My dad died in 1968 of his second heart attack. His circulatory system collapsed because of all the toxins he soaked up (lots of them under the fingernails; he'd come home and use the nail brush and say, "this stuff's gonna kill me") working as a color chemist/color engineer in vinyl plastics. Add to that poorly controlled diabetes (no home test for blood sugar back then). I cried when the OSHA law passed; too late for him but saved many. I wish you and your spouse well. Enjoy whatever you can.

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Hollysdower's avatar

I'm so sorry

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suziq's avatar

Thank you. It really sucks but we just do the best we can. And he feels better knowing I won't have to sell the house etc. But I do worry about people that don't get a lawyer. The doctors said we could get money and they would give us the name of someone. Turned out to be a guy he went to college with and did not do that kind of law. The union, who should know what's up with that gave him the name of some scammy outfit that wanted us to sign with them without talking about anything. we didn't think we would get much so ended up with waaaay more than we were expecting. And so far he can still do the things he wants to so that's good.

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Judy Treichel's avatar

One of the best books on asbestos is: "Outrageous Misconduct" by Paul Brodeur. I read it when my father was diagnosed with asbestosis. When I became frustrated, trying to help get my dad compensation, I called the author and he helped me find all the right avenues for legal help resulting in a financial settlement.

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Hollysdower's avatar

Wow, the author did?! So nice of him!

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Michael's avatar

Sorry to be so far OT but this is super bad news for Oregon so I'm posting this to all afternoon essays. I wonder if this is true

https://www.kptv.com/2025/10/20/9th-circuit-court-appeals-rules-trump-can-deploy-national-guard-portland/

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Kateorite's avatar

oh dammitall. FFS.

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SunMoonStars's avatar

Robert DeNiro on the orange moron.

https://youtu.be/oWc8NbqAxuk

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Alternative Dog's avatar

So asbestos companies collude to hide the harms being caused by their product, tobacco companies collude to hide the harms being caused by their product, and oil companies collude to hide the harms being caused by their product. It's almost like there is a pattern here.

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Zap's avatar

Corporations love you?

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Bks&Rcds's avatar

And internet companies?

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UncleTravelingMatt's avatar

Defendant: "Judge, I have no idea what's going on."

Join the club, lady.

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Georgiaburning's avatar

My parents house had a “Sears textured coating” on the outside, glorified ticky-tacky with asbestos fibers. They had it applied in the 1970’s as it was supposed to insulate and not need paint. Guaranteed for 20 years, it started fading and cracking after 2.

The company that actually did the work went out of business in the 80’s and Sears wouldn’t honor any warranty. Before we could sell the place ten years ago, we had to spend about $25 k for a major scrape down and repaint.

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ElderlyLoudCatWomyn's avatar

Excellent article. (aside from the headline(s))

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