Eleven years ago, the Chicago Sun-Times conducted an investigatory study of asbestos levels on the shores of Illinois Beach State Park. The result? They found that asbestos fibers and asbestos-containing materials contaminate the sands of the 6.5 mile park, where 2 million people visit each year.

But since the publication of these findings, no action has been taken. Park officials claim that the beach is safe, even though documents from the Environmental Protection Agency suggest otherwise. Just two years ago, the EPA determined that the park has "significantly elevated" levels of asbestos contamination, including the presence of amphiboie, the most toxic form of asbestos.

Last year, EPA authorities attempted to stir up the sand with typical beach-going activities, such as games of frisbee and volleyball. In doing so, they hoped to determine if regular beach visitors were at risk of inhaling loosened fibers. Responding to questions just last week, the EPA said a preliminary analysis "confirmed previous studies showing low levels of potential asbestos exposure for recreational users of the beach."

But still, the beach remains open to the public.

Large pieces of asbestos often wash up on the shore. There are signs warning against handling the material, but to children and others who do not read the postings, the asbestos looks just like any other stone.

An EPA authority, Dr. Aubrey Miller, has confirmed that even short-term exposure to low levels of asbestos can cause mesothlioma. Given this fact, it is inexcusable that the beach has remained opened for over a decade after initial asbestos concerns were raised. The EPA has stated that their conclusive analysis won't be available until late August, when (yet another) beach season has ended.

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This week, the Billings Gazette publicized the announcement of a federally funded five-year study to be conducted in Libby, Montana. The $8 million research project is sponsored by the US Department of Health and Human Services and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Named the Libby Amphibole Health Risk Initiative, the project aims to determine the effects of long-term exposure to low levels of asbestos. It is clear that long periods of exposure to high volumes of asbestos causes health problems including mesothelioma and asbestosis; over 200 Libby miners and family members have died to due asbestos complications. The new initiative seeks to establish the risk caused by low volumes of exposure, like that which might be incurred by school children or office workers in town.

The initiative will include several projects such as studying the difference in film and digital X-rays of the lungs. Officials said the initiative will seek advice from Libby residents and organizations, and also will include:

• An expanded evaluation of Libby residents who were exposed to asbestos.

• An assessment of whether the health problems related to asbestos exposure extend beyond lung disease.

• Improvements to public health tracking systems and patient health record databases, to better link exposure information to health conditions.

In the Minnesota Iron Range, the 59th case of mesothelioma among miners has been identified.  The high incidence of mesothelioma in the region prompted Minnesota lawmakers to enact a research bill alotting $4.9 million to asbestos studies.  The 59th diagnosis serves as further confirmation that their concerns are substantiated.

Politicians and researchers convened yesterday afternooon to discuss preliminary studies. Currently, the Natural Resources Research Institute is analyzing iron ore samples and dust in the air in Iron Range communities, to see how closely they match asbestos dust.

Next summer, research teams will randomly screen the respiratory health of 1,200 former and current miners and spouses in the Iron Range area.  This summer, past research is being gathered, synthesized, and analyzed.

In March, leading Canadian researchers submitted a report to the government on the cancer risks linked to asbestos.  Upon submitting the document, they were told the report would be available to the public within weeks.  Months later, it remains unreleased.  

Two of the researchers have written letters criticizing the government's delay.   Health Minister Tony Clement's office claims report will be made public once his officials have reviewed it. "It is simply unacceptable for this report to continue to be withheld from the public, while individuals who have seen the report and our comments make erroneous allegations about what it contains to suit their political objectives," wrote one of the researchers.

Canada is the only developed nation still producing asbestos; they sell the material to developing countries like Indonesia and Pakistan. The study takes no official position on an asbestos ban, but it clearly delineates the causality between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma. On the side, one researcher stated that safe use of asbestos is "simply not possible."

Quebec, which contains Canada's two asbestos mines, has one of the highest mesothelioma rates in the world. Click here to learn more.

Especially since the death of asbestos crusader Bernie Banton, Australia has been making great strides in mesothelioma research.

Unfortunately, asbestos research in Australia is now facing a significant set-back.  Federal records of 1,000 mesothelioma cases have been lost.  The files contained details regarding symptoms, treatment, and causes of Australian mesothelioma patients.  When researchers recently requested the information, a federal government department admitted to having "potentially lost" the records.

A Sydney geologist had requested the information as part of a study to determine how exposure to high concentrations of naturally-occurring asbestos affects people.  In searching for the impact of these "hot spots," he hoped to use the history of past mesothelioma patients.  

The lost files contained data collected in the 1980s in one of the world's most comprehensive mesothelioma surveys.  The records were put into storage in 2001 and have not been found since the search efforts began early last year. Read the story here.