 |
| Dangers of asbestos exposure | |
| To view a graphic illustrating asbestos exposure, click here. | |
|
|
| Malignant mesothelioma | |
| Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer of the pleural or peritoneal cavity. In early stages of the disease, cancer is found in the lining of the chest cavity near the lung and heart or in the diaphragm. Mesothelioma may spread to tissue surrounding the lungs or other organs. Virtually all mesothelioma cases are attributable to asbestos exposure. | |
| Asbestosis | |
| Asbestosis is the scarring of the tissue of the lung itself from inhalation of fibers. It ranges in severity from mild impairment to disabling and eventually fatal. | |
| Lung cancer | |
| Asbestos and smoking both cause lung cancer, but a history of smoking combined with occupational exposure to asbestos creates a much higher risk of developing the disease. | |
|
The time between exposure to asbestos and the onset of disease can be from 10 to 40 years. |
|
Day 1
· A town left to die
· It all started with the search for gold
· The History of W.R. Grace Co.
· Dangers of asbestos exposure
· Known deaths from tremolite from Libby mine (graphic)
Day 2
· While people are dying, government agencies pass buck
· 'No one ever told us that stuff could kill you'
· Libby's lost miners: A gallery
· Group organizes to help victims
(newest at top)
· W.R. Grace to pay record Superfund fine
· Finally, asbestos-plagued Libby, Mont., to get help
· Up to 30% tested in Libby hurt by asbestos
· W.R. Grace files for bankruptcy
· Labor Dept. enters Libby's asbestos fight
· Why did dying miners get no help?
· Health warning on attic asbestos
· W.R. Grace buys its old Libby mine, then bans EPA investigators from it
· Grace backs off pledge to clean up asbestos
· Grace sends papers to EPA -- reportedly tainted
· A small group of physicians is trying to change the course of asbestos-induced disease
· One victim's story: '(I) couldn't get a breath; it scared me to death almost' · Horseman in the race of his life
· Class-action suit targets Grace Co., insulation
· Mine-safety agency takes action
· Immediate cleanup sought in mining town
· Grace to pick up medical bills in tainted town
· Asbestos study is expanded nationwide
· Deadly ore was shipped around U.S., Canada
· Just 23 months hauling ore--and it killed him 36 years later
· Finally, asbestos victims have their say
· Initial tests reveal areas of asbestos in and around Libby
· Montana's governor knows asbestos danger
· State, federal authorities sending teams to Montana mining town
· Editorial: Libby folks must get some answers
· EPA sues for access to Libby vermiculite mine
101 Elliott Ave. W.
Seattle, WA 98119
(206) 448-8000
Home Delivery: (206) 464-2121 or (800) 542-0820
seattlepi.com serves about 1.7 million unique visitors
and 30 million page views each month.
Send comments to newmedia@seattlepi.com
Send investigative tips to iteam@seattlepi.com
©1996-2008 Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Terms of Use/Privacy Policy
