Two employees of thee Potsdam Civic Center recently died of cancer, and their co-workers are concerned about the safety of their workplace. In May 2009, senior clerk Sharon. M. LaDuke died of mesothelioma. In June, tax collector Linda M. Powers died of ovarian cancer.
Since Ms. LaDuke died, the air inside the civic center has been tested three times by Atlantic Testing Laboratories. There is still asbestos insulation present in the civic center, surrounding pipes and in the tiles of the courtroom ceiling, but the presence of undisturbed asbestos does not present a health risk. Only when the asbestos materials are disturbed or break down, releasing asbestos into the air, does the presence of old asbestos materials present a serious risk. The first air tests came back with a “non-detection” level, meaning that no airborne asbestos fibers were detected in the air. Results of the June 24 air tests have not yet been released.
A representative from the New York State Department of Labor, Clifford R. Donaldson, stopped by on July 3 to address the concerns of civic center employees who are worried about their own health. He advised the workers to monitor their own health carefully and talk to their doctors if they have any concerns. He also urged workers to become well informed about symptoms they should be watching for and be aggressive about their own health care.
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Monday, September 28, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
William “Bill” R. Davis, Prominent Physician, RCC Norco Mentor, dies
William “Bill” Randolph Davis, a retired physician who served as the first Chief of Allergy-Immunology at Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veterans Hospital in Loma Linda, California from 1980 to 1998, has died. He was 74.
Davis who was diagnosed with a mesothelioma, the signature tumor for asbestos exposure, in 2005 died at his home in Diamond Bar surrounded by his wife Dr. Brenda Davis, president of Riverside Community College District Norco Campus, family and friends.
In 1968 Dr. Davis retired with the rank of Major from the Army Medical Corps. As a Board Certified Pediatrician he established the first satellite Well Baby Clinic in his office for the City of Baltimore, Maryland. In 1977 he was the first African-American to complete a post doctoral fellowship in Allergy-Immunology at the University of Southern California and became Board Certified in Allergy-Immunology.
In his capacity at Pettis Memorial Veteran’s Hospital, Davis provided care to many veterans in the Inland Empire.
“Bill was a trailblazer for the forward progression of African-Americans in medicine. He loved military medicine,” said Dr. Davis. “He was extremely intelligent and witty. You could wake him up at 2 in the morning and talk to him about infectious disease or his love of tennis. He was front and center as a role model.”
In fact recognizing the financial needs of African-American nursing students, Dr. Bill Davis established the first emergency fund for nursing students currently administered by the Inland Empire Black Nurses’ Association (IEBNA). He created the association’s logo on his computer and received recognition for his years of service at an awards banquet in 1990.
A native of Newport News, Virginia, Davis graduated from Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia in 1956. At his 50th reunion recently he was inducted into emeritus status. He attended the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond and had the distinction of being the only African American student in the graduating class of 1964.
For more than 30 years Dr. Bill Davis served as a friendly face and beacon of hope for education excellence at the RCC Norco Campus. He served as a mentor for the ‘Talented Tenth Program’ for African American students at the Norco Campus. He raised thousands of dollars for a myriad of RCC programs including the District’s Passport to College, Measure C Bond Campaign. He served as official photographer for the campus’ Annual Graduate/Transfer reception from 1994 to the time of his passing.
Source
Davis who was diagnosed with a mesothelioma, the signature tumor for asbestos exposure, in 2005 died at his home in Diamond Bar surrounded by his wife Dr. Brenda Davis, president of Riverside Community College District Norco Campus, family and friends.
In 1968 Dr. Davis retired with the rank of Major from the Army Medical Corps. As a Board Certified Pediatrician he established the first satellite Well Baby Clinic in his office for the City of Baltimore, Maryland. In 1977 he was the first African-American to complete a post doctoral fellowship in Allergy-Immunology at the University of Southern California and became Board Certified in Allergy-Immunology.
In his capacity at Pettis Memorial Veteran’s Hospital, Davis provided care to many veterans in the Inland Empire.
“Bill was a trailblazer for the forward progression of African-Americans in medicine. He loved military medicine,” said Dr. Davis. “He was extremely intelligent and witty. You could wake him up at 2 in the morning and talk to him about infectious disease or his love of tennis. He was front and center as a role model.”
In fact recognizing the financial needs of African-American nursing students, Dr. Bill Davis established the first emergency fund for nursing students currently administered by the Inland Empire Black Nurses’ Association (IEBNA). He created the association’s logo on his computer and received recognition for his years of service at an awards banquet in 1990.
A native of Newport News, Virginia, Davis graduated from Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia in 1956. At his 50th reunion recently he was inducted into emeritus status. He attended the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond and had the distinction of being the only African American student in the graduating class of 1964.
For more than 30 years Dr. Bill Davis served as a friendly face and beacon of hope for education excellence at the RCC Norco Campus. He served as a mentor for the ‘Talented Tenth Program’ for African American students at the Norco Campus. He raised thousands of dollars for a myriad of RCC programs including the District’s Passport to College, Measure C Bond Campaign. He served as official photographer for the campus’ Annual Graduate/Transfer reception from 1994 to the time of his passing.
Source
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
How to Manage PPE Asbestos Exposure
The approach used for dealing with contaminated clothing depends on the nature of the contaminant and the extent of it. Certainly some contaminants are more hazardous than others. But one that seems to be of increasing concern for firefighters is exposure to asbestos.
During a fire, firefighters can be exposed to a broad spectrum of construction materials. In older buildings, especially those built before the 1980s, some of these materials can contain asbestos. The hot air currents at a fire can carry asbestos fibers that are released when cold water hits hot asbestos or when structural failure causes asbestos-containing components to break. Also, fires may cause non-friable asbestos materials (materials in which the asbestos fibers are not easily broken apart) to become friable.
Firefighters are protected from fiber inhalation when they wear their self-contained breathing apparatus. However, SCBA are not always worn during all parts of the fire operations, particularly during overhaul when asbestos, if present, will still be airborne. Activities such as pulling ceilings or pipes or opening walls to be sure fires are completely extinguished pose additional risks to firefighters because the asbestos fibers released during a fire may get on the firefighters' protective clothing.
Asbestos fibers tend to become entrained in the textile portions of clothing and equipment in contrast to smooth surfaces, where they may more easily be removed. If contaminated clothing is not handled properly, it can pose a risk to anyone who comes in contact with the clothing.
A 1990 study of 226 firefighters in New York City showed 50 percent to have chest X-rays with abnormalities characteristically caused by asbestos exposure. More recently, it was found that tons of asbestos were released into the local atmosphere during the collapse of the World Trade Center North Tower that was constructed in the 1970s and for which all asbestos had not been removed.
In addition to its well-known use as a fire-retardant and heat insulator, asbestos was also used as a reinforcing or binding agent in plastics and cement. This use was continued into the 1980s, where asbestos was used in building materials including plaster, drywall materials, floor tiles, roofing products, wall and ceiling insulation and electric wiring insulation.
Source
During a fire, firefighters can be exposed to a broad spectrum of construction materials. In older buildings, especially those built before the 1980s, some of these materials can contain asbestos. The hot air currents at a fire can carry asbestos fibers that are released when cold water hits hot asbestos or when structural failure causes asbestos-containing components to break. Also, fires may cause non-friable asbestos materials (materials in which the asbestos fibers are not easily broken apart) to become friable.
Firefighters are protected from fiber inhalation when they wear their self-contained breathing apparatus. However, SCBA are not always worn during all parts of the fire operations, particularly during overhaul when asbestos, if present, will still be airborne. Activities such as pulling ceilings or pipes or opening walls to be sure fires are completely extinguished pose additional risks to firefighters because the asbestos fibers released during a fire may get on the firefighters' protective clothing.
Asbestos fibers tend to become entrained in the textile portions of clothing and equipment in contrast to smooth surfaces, where they may more easily be removed. If contaminated clothing is not handled properly, it can pose a risk to anyone who comes in contact with the clothing.
A 1990 study of 226 firefighters in New York City showed 50 percent to have chest X-rays with abnormalities characteristically caused by asbestos exposure. More recently, it was found that tons of asbestos were released into the local atmosphere during the collapse of the World Trade Center North Tower that was constructed in the 1970s and for which all asbestos had not been removed.
In addition to its well-known use as a fire-retardant and heat insulator, asbestos was also used as a reinforcing or binding agent in plastics and cement. This use was continued into the 1980s, where asbestos was used in building materials including plaster, drywall materials, floor tiles, roofing products, wall and ceiling insulation and electric wiring insulation.
Source
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Historic Library to Shut Down Temporarily for Asbestos Removal
The 118-year-old Prendergast Library in Jamestown, New York may shut down for up to three months due to an asbestos removal and renovation project. Asbestos, linked to mesotheliomae and lung cancer, must be removed by law prior to renovation projects, in order to keep the deadly fibers from becoming airborne. Once inhaled, the tiny fibers are impossible to remove from the body.
Asbestos is present in various parts of the library. The ballasts that support the light fixtures need to be replaced, as they are no longer in production. Installing the fixtures means that asbestos will need to be removed. The asbestos is also present in the floor tiles lying beneath the carpets. After the asbestos present in the ceiling and floor has been dealt with, the renovations can begin.
"We are going to install new electric wiring and cables in the floor," said Catherine Way, the library’s director. "This will make the computers much more accessible. Right now, we are limited to where we can put things."
In addition to the electrical upgrades, new carpet will be installed, as well as new seating and tables. All told, the project will cost about $800,000. Stohl Environment will be overseeing the project. The funding for the project came from various grants and other funds secured by state officials. Ms. Way knows the timing could not have been more perfect. "We got commitments for this right before the economy tanked," said Ms. Way. "The money has to be spent this way. I’m not sure we could raise the money now."
Source
Asbestos is present in various parts of the library. The ballasts that support the light fixtures need to be replaced, as they are no longer in production. Installing the fixtures means that asbestos will need to be removed. The asbestos is also present in the floor tiles lying beneath the carpets. After the asbestos present in the ceiling and floor has been dealt with, the renovations can begin.
"We are going to install new electric wiring and cables in the floor," said Catherine Way, the library’s director. "This will make the computers much more accessible. Right now, we are limited to where we can put things."
In addition to the electrical upgrades, new carpet will be installed, as well as new seating and tables. All told, the project will cost about $800,000. Stohl Environment will be overseeing the project. The funding for the project came from various grants and other funds secured by state officials. Ms. Way knows the timing could not have been more perfect. "We got commitments for this right before the economy tanked," said Ms. Way. "The money has to be spent this way. I’m not sure we could raise the money now."
Source
Monday, August 3, 2009
New York clinical trial beginning for mesothelioma patients
A new clinical trial is underway for victims of mesothelioma. The Mesothelioma Center of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University Medical Center is actively recruiting patients for a clinical research study of a targeted radiation and chemotherapy protocol for pleural mesothelioma. According to Dr. Robert Taub, the study’s principal investigator, the Mesothelioma Center is the only hospital in the country offering the experimental therapy to mesothelioma sufferers. At present, the standard protocol for treatment of pleural mesothelioma requires surgery to remove the lung. Dr. Taub and his team will investigate whether the new protocol can benefit patients while at the same time avoiding surgery and reducing the toxic side affects associated with systemic chemotherapy. Clinical trial patients will receive chemotherapy drugs cisplatin and doxorubicin by surgically implanted catheters. Some patients will also receive cisplatin and pemetrexed intravenously. In addition, all study participants will receive targeted radiotherapy using the P-32 radioisotope.
Source
Source
Monday, July 20, 2009
Osteopontin Isoforms as Diagnostic Markers for Mesothelioma
Prior research has identified osteopontin (SPP1) as a potential tumor marker for malignant mesothelioma, as well as for other cancers, but little is understood about the biological activity responsible for this function. Molecular analysis of osteopontin has identified three specific isoforms of the protein, which are known as SPP1-A, SPP1-B and SPP1-C, but the relationship between these isoforms and carcinogenesis is also poorly understood. To learn more about these relationships, researchers from New York University’s School of Medicine conducted a study on tissue samples extracted from the resected tissue of patients with malignant mesothelioma and then compared their findings to a control group of healthy tissue. The researchers found that all of the isoforms of SPP1 were present in normal tissues, but that SPP1-A and SPP1-B were significantly up-regulated in the mesothelioma tissue, but SPP1-C was not. This was also the case when the researchers compared cases of primary mesothelioma to cases of recurrent mesothelioma, which led the researchers to conclude that SPP1-A and SPP1-B may be useful serum markers for mesothelioma diagnosis.
The researchers also looked at the tumorigenic activity of osteopontin and found that both SPP1-A and SPP1-B were associated with pro-tumorigenic activity, while SPP1-C was not. The researchers hypothesize that because the only structural difference between SPP1-A and SPP1-C is an exon that encodes an oligopeptide, future research may be able to develop a specific inhibitor to SPP1-A’s pro-tumorigenic activity. Such a development could be very beneficial to improving the efficacy of mesothelioma treatments.
Source
The researchers also looked at the tumorigenic activity of osteopontin and found that both SPP1-A and SPP1-B were associated with pro-tumorigenic activity, while SPP1-C was not. The researchers hypothesize that because the only structural difference between SPP1-A and SPP1-C is an exon that encodes an oligopeptide, future research may be able to develop a specific inhibitor to SPP1-A’s pro-tumorigenic activity. Such a development could be very beneficial to improving the efficacy of mesothelioma treatments.
Source
Monday, July 6, 2009
About Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is an asbestos-caused cancer of the membranes that surround many of the body’s vital organs. This membrane, known as mesothelium, secretes a lubricating fluid that provides easy movement of the organs within the body. When the mesothelium becomes cancerous, it is called mesothelioma. Surrounding the lung, the mesothelium is called the pleura and the form of mesothelioma is called pleural mesothelioma; in the abdomen, it is the peritoneum and the cancer is called peritoneal mesothelioma; the lining around the heart is the pericardium and there mesothelioma is identified as pericardial mesothelioma. There is also mesothelial tissue in the reproductive organs: in males, this tissue is called the tunica vaginalis testis and in women the tunica serosa uteri. Mesothelioma of the reproductive tissues has only presented in men, so it is known as mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis.
Mesothelioma is a diffuse malignancy and spreads itself throughout a tissue area. Some forms of cancer are characterized by a single, solid tumor mass, whereas malignant mesothelioma presents as an invasion of a large number of smaller masses throughout an entire area. The diffuse nature of mesothelioma has important implications for how mesothelioma is treated, as complete surgical extraction of the cancerous tissue is difficult.
After pleural mesothelioma, the next most common type is peritoneal mesothelioma, which develops in the majority of other cases. There is some evidence to suggest that diagnoses of mesothelioma are on the rise. While pericardial mesothelioma and mesotheliomas of the tunica vaginalis are also possible forms of the disease, they are very rare tumors and occur less often.
Source
Mesothelioma is a diffuse malignancy and spreads itself throughout a tissue area. Some forms of cancer are characterized by a single, solid tumor mass, whereas malignant mesothelioma presents as an invasion of a large number of smaller masses throughout an entire area. The diffuse nature of mesothelioma has important implications for how mesothelioma is treated, as complete surgical extraction of the cancerous tissue is difficult.
Types of Mesothelioma
There are multiple forms of mesothelioma. The differences involve the location in which the tumor begins, known as its origin site, and the type of cells that the tumor invades, known as its histological subtype.Location of Disease
The most common form of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, where the cancer attacks the pleural tissue surrounding the lung. As many as eighty percent of all mesothelioma diagnoses are for pleural mesothelioma. The pleura’s proximity to the lung is the reason many people mistakenly think of mesothelioma as lung cancer, which it is not. Pleural mesothelioma can spread (“metastasize”) to the lung, but the origin site is the actual pleural tissue surrounding the lung—not the lung itself. There are many differences between mesothelioma and lung caner.After pleural mesothelioma, the next most common type is peritoneal mesothelioma, which develops in the majority of other cases. There is some evidence to suggest that diagnoses of mesothelioma are on the rise. While pericardial mesothelioma and mesotheliomas of the tunica vaginalis are also possible forms of the disease, they are very rare tumors and occur less often.
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