An iconic ferry boat that was once part of the Washington State Ferry system has been transferred to a new owner. Once stationed on Bainbridge Island, the MV Olympic was towed out of Eagle Harbor earlier this month. The vessel is a 600-passenger, 50-car ferry that was first put into operation in 1954. Sadly, once the vessel was sent on its way to its new home, it hit a rough patch of weather and ran aground on Ketron Island.

The incident is now being investigated by the U.S. Coast Guard and Department of Natural Resources, possibly because the vessel was known to harbor some asbestos-containing materials. Asbestos exposure is conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. Mesothelioma affects less than 3,000 Americans each year, and while there are palliative treatment methods available, including chemo, there is no known cure.

The disease typically lies dormant for up to fifty years before an individual begins to suffer from mesothelioma symptoms, and the majority of patients lose their battle with this cancer in less than two years following diagnosis.

Gloria Van Spanckeren of Pierce County Public Works spoke with reporters about the incident, explaining that the boat ran aground when one of the vessel’s moorings broke. “When the tide was out, the Olympic was resting on the beach; when the tide came in it refloated,” she said. “After that, the Olympic remained pretty much where it was, i.e., it was not moved away from the beach and anchored as indicated.”

In Denver, Colorado, a stunning mural depicting historical scenes has been found to contain a material that can cause certain types of cancer, including mesothelioma. The Colorado State Judicial Building has long been the home of a massive 150-foot long mural painted by Angelo di Benedetto.

But as workers prepared to take down the panels that the mural was painted on, they discovered a disturbing secret.

"Everybody said, ‘Wait a minute! This isn’t wood.’ The panels are on a material that is 30 percent asbestos," said Bill Mosher, managing director of developer Trammel Crow and manager of the courthouse project. Asbestos exposure is conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. The disease typically lies dormant for up to fifty years before an individual begins to suffer from mesothelioma symptoms. Exposure to asbestos can also cause scarring of the lining of the lungs and deadly chronic respiratory problems.

The mural was being removed in preparation for the demolition of the judicial building, which is to be replaced by a new courthouse complex. According to Mosher, the panels are unlikely to release asbestos fibers unless they are damaged. "After lots of discussion and talk with attorneys and the state Health Department, we decided we are going to continue to remove it and try to store it in a safe manner," he announced, adding that he thinks it is unlikely that this incident will delay the demolition, which is set to be completed by the end of August.

In recent months, the possible link between exposure to carbon nanotubes and the development of mesothelioma has been making headlines. These minute particles had been shown in one study to possibly cause mesothelioma in lab animals, but further research was needed to determine what risk, if any, faced humans exposed to carbon nanotubes.

Now, breaking research from overseas research teams working with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the University of Pennsylvania has revealed that carbon nanotubes can be easily broken down by an enzyme that is present in white blood cells. The enzyme, myeloperoxidase (MPO), is able to break down carbon into harmless water and carbon dioxide.

"Previous studies have shown that carbon nanotubes could be used for introducing drugs or other substances into human cells," said Bengt Fadeel, associate professor at the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet. "The problem has been the lack of knowledge on how to control the breakdown of the nanotubes, which can cause unwanted toxicity and tissue damage. Our study now shows how they can be broken down biologically into harmless components."

Carbon nanotubes are a microscopic material made of a small cluster of carbon atoms that are rolled into a tube. Both lighter and stronger than steel, carbon nanotubes are used in engineering and consumer goods. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos, a known carcinogen. Mesothelioma kills within 2 years of being diagnosed, and remains incurable at the present time.

"This [study’s findings] means that there might be a way to render carbon nanotubes harmless, for example in the event of an accident at a production plant," said Dr Fadeel. "But the findings are also relevant to the future use of carbon nanotubes for medical purposes."

In Saugus, Massachusetts, officials with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) have fined a local company in the amount of $14,310. Part of the fine has been suspended, meaning that the company will only have to pay $3,000. The fines levied against National Abatement, Inc. of Saugus stem from an incident where state asbestos regulations were not adhered to. The incident took place at a work site in Fitchburg during 2009. According to MassDEP inspectors, the violations were discovered during an asbestos removal project at Rollstone Bank & Trust.

MassDEP officials say that the company failed to wet, properly containerize and label asbestos-containing waste at the site. MassDEP regulations require that asbestos removal contractors wet and remove exterior asbestos-containing panels. This regulation is in place in order to minimize the risk of particles of asbestos becoming airborne.

If asbestos becomes airborne, it can endanger public health. Asbestos exposure is conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. Mesothelioma affects less than 3,000 Americans each year, and typically lies dormant for up to fifty years before the onset of symptoms. The majority of patients lose their battle with this cancer in less than two years following diagnosis.

“Licensed asbestos contractors are fully aware that following the prescribed regulatory work practices is crucial to protect their workers, as well as the public health and environment,” said Martin Suuberg, director of MassDBP’s Central Regional Office in Worcester. “Failure to comply with all required work practices inevitably results in significant penalty exposure as well as escalated cleanup,

A number of former workers at the UK’s Nene Valley Coachworks in Rushden, England are now suffering from asbestos-related ailments, and those who represent them are having a hard time helping these afflicted workers win compensation. Asbestos exposure has been conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, as well as lung cancer, pleural scarring, and asbestosis. The majority of patients lose their battle with mesothelioma within 24 months of being diagnosed.

Jeremy Brooke is part of the legal team hoping to help the Nene Valley workers afflicted with asbestos disease to win compensation. Brooke is a a specialist in industrial diseases for the law firm of Simpson, Sissons and Brooke. He says: "Now that we have found a couple of insurers I feel confident that we will piece together the whole of the company’s insurance history, meaning that we can help more mesothelioma and asbestosis sufferers…It is tragic that, until now, victims have not been able to claim the compensation to which they are entitled but I would urge people who have suffered, or who have relatives who have suffered, as a result of their employment at Nene Valley Coachworks or its associated companies to come forward as it is likely that they will be able to recover substantial damages."

Brooke added: "Usually you only have three years from the date of diagnosis, or death, to commence a claim for compensation. However, the circumstances of this case – not having been able to find the insurers for so long – are quite exceptional, so much so that the courts are highly likely to extend these limitations, allowing victims and their families to proceed with compensation claims beyond the three-year break-off point."

North Carolina state officials have finally gone on the record and addressed concerns related to pollution and cancer risks in the community of Old Fort. For many years, Old Fort residents have been concerned about the environmental repercussions associated with the former finishing plant located in the town.

According to locals news reports, a new report issued by the North Carolina Department of Health and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states that “incidents of cancer in Old Fort are not associated with environmental pollution at the defunct Old Fort Finishing plant, and that school personnel are not at risk.”

Locals had worried for a number of years that the cause of cancer among area residents was due to the presence of hazardous materials at Old Fort Finishing and the Old Fort School. "The petitioner’s initial concern was the potential exposure of staff and students at the nearby Old Fort Elementary School to chemicals from the Old Fort Finishing site," the report explained. "The specific concern was the possible relationship between the chemicals and cancer cases among former school staff."

The hazardous materials in question included radon and asbestos. Asbestos is a known carcinogen linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare cancer. Asbestos was known to be present at the school in the 1990s, and while most of it has been removed, some asbestos remains in the boiler room and in some floor tiles. However, the report reads that, "No evidence of exposure to airborne asbestos was found." "The Cancer Registry did not detect a higher occurrence of cancers typically associated with environmental factors," the report concluded. "The cancer rates for McDowell County were consistent with overall cancer rates for the state."

In the township of New Lenox, Illinois, voters have recently shot down a proposed bond referendum that would have paid for asbestos removal for the Union School District. The $6.1 million building bond referendum would have also financed the construction of three classrooms (including a science lab), a gymnasium, washrooms and a bus barn. The proposal was defeated with 63.6 percent of voters in opposition. The proposed measure would have increased taxes for local residents, to the tune of $24 per year for a homeowner with property valued at $200,000.

Exposure to airborne asbestos particles has been conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that often affects the lungs, heart, and other vital organs and tissues. Mesothelioma affects less than 3,000 Americans each year, as well as thousands more worldwide. While there are palliative treatment methods available, including chemotherapy, there is no known cure for mesothelioma. The disease typically lies dormant for up to fifty years, but when symptoms do finally emerge, the cancer can kill rapidly, sometimes in as little as a few weeks after being diagnosed.

Superintendent Barb Littlejohn said that the current state of the economy was the major reason that voters turned against the proposal. "The board decided to see if it would pass and it didn’t. The constituents told us what they feel, so that’s fine," she said. "The board of education and administration definitely wanted to thank those who did support it. We will be all right. That was the whole purpose of trying to maybe get a little bit ahead, but we’ll be fine."

A Foxboro, Massachusetts widow has dedicated over 2,000 hours of her time to a local hospital. Working as a health care volunteer, Geraldine "Gerry" Parker, age 79, has now volunteered for the equivalent of 84 24-hour shifts. Gerry knows the value of good health care. In addition to being a cancer survivor herself, she also lost her husband Milton “Pete” Parker to mesothelioma back in 1984.

Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, is most often caused by exposure to asbestos, a mineral once used in a wide array of home goods and building materials. Mesothelioma affects less than 3,000 Americans each year, and while there are palliative treatment methods available. The majority of patients lose their battle with this cancer in less than two years after being diagnosed by a physician.

The cancer can take multiple decades to manifest and be detected, and most patients exhibit no symptoms during this time. However, this often means that the cancer goes undiagnosed for many years until the cancer has reached an advanced stage. As with all cancers, mesothelioma patients stand to fight back against the cancer with an increased rate of success if the condition is caught early.

Parker, who first volunteered at the former Southwood Hospital, now works in the mammography department of Caritas Foxboro. "I’ve been fortunate in my life," Parker said. "It just makes me feel good to do something for someone else. It’s not much."

Five years ago, after she underwent surgery for colon cancer at Norwood Hospital, and had chemotherapy at Caritas Foxboro, she decided to give back. "When that happened, I made up my mind I was going to volunteer there," she said.

Asbestos dumped at Garnet Jackson Reserve in Australia has been left in place for a three week period while the Botany Bay Council discusses options and awaits the final environmental assessment. This lack of action has been criticized by University of New South Wales professor of toxicology and occupational health, Chris Winder, who argues that the land should have been capped with soil to keep the material from becoming airborne.

“It wouldn’t be that hard to do, so if it’s still open someone is not doing their job properly,” he said. “It is a material that is feared by the community so it is only right for the responsible people to take all practicable steps to ensure no exposure occurs. Asbestos is very light and the merest breeze will lift the particles up and send them downwind. They are fibers, they are not like a grain of sand - they are not solid - they are a long thin thing which can be picked up by the wind.”

Asbestos exposure has been repeatedly linked to the development of mesothelioma. The majority of patients lose their battle with this rare cancer in under two years. The cancer affects thousands worldwide every year. The asbestos at this particular site is believed to have been dumped illegally by a local building company.

Botany Environment Watch President Nancy Hillier said, “We have had some terrible winds of late. The council need to put resident’s minds at rest and act immediately to ensure the dust is not carried.”

A new report has declared that asbestos contamination from two buildings that were removed from

the University of Wyoming’s campus in Cheyenne likely posed little to no health risk to people on campus. However, the report was quick to point out that the incident could have been easily avoided. The report was compiled by a consultant for the university, Kenneth White, with IHI Environmental in Salt Lake City.

White’s report evaluated the health risks that might have been caused by this asbestos incident. When the buildings were hauled away from campus, asbestos was detected at the site. The asbestos came from fragments of old pipe insulation left behind. The buildings were removed in early spring, and were cordoned off since June when asbestos was first detected.

According to the White report, it is unlikely that anyone entered the contaminated area, and those passing by the blocked off area could not have gotten within 15 feet of the asbestos-tainted debris. In addition, the asbestos was not disturbed, and was dampened by wet weather conditions, minimizing the risk of the material becoming airborne. Inhaling or ingesting airborne asbestos particles may lead to the development of mesothelioma later in life.

Mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the abdominal cavity’s tissues and organs, often takes decades to develop. However, once symptoms emerge, the disease moves rapidly throughout the body.

“Wetting of asbestos material is known to greatly reduce fiber release, and wet removal is a requirement and standard practice in asbestos abatement,” White wrote in the report.

“The third-party purchaser apparently did not take steps to determine that the material was (asbestos-containing material) and did not follow legal requirements that would have assured the proper removal and disposal of these materials,” White added.