A recent explosion at the Sunrise Propane facility in Toronto, Canada has left local residents alarmed. While the immediate dangers of the explosion have passed, many residents are still uneasy as they believe asbestos fibers were released into the atmosphere during the explosion.

Despite their concern, experts believe that residents should not be too concerned. Experts believe that a one-time exposure to asbestos, such as that experienced in the area around the Sunrise Propane blast, is unlikely to raise an individual's cancer risk. "People need to know if they inhale a little, it's not game over," said Mark Smith, a senior consultant with GTA Environmental. “It's not like a poison gas. The Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of the Environment both identify low levels of asbestos exposure, which they deem acceptable,” he said.

Paul Bozek, a professor from the University of Toronto's school of public health, believes that even if experts find that there were very high asbestos levels in the air for a few hours after the explosion, there is no data to say that a one-time intense exposure to asbestos will cause cancer or asbestosis in 20 to 40 years.

Experts note that the real danger comes from asbestos fibers that might remain on the ground several weeks and months after the exposure. If those fibers get ground up underfoot and released into the air, the exposure to asbestos would become a major problem. "If residents were exposed to that over the next couple of months, then there would be slight elevations in cancer rates around there," said Bozek.

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The estate of a Bernard Lichtenstien, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma on June 1, 1998 and died on Nov. 10, 1999, is suing two companies alleging that asbestos caused the man’s death. The lawsuit, filed on June 30th, claims that Bernard used certain products while employed from 1957 through 1978 as a laborer at various sites that exposed him to dangerous asbestos fibers that were inhaled and made their way into his lungs.

The lawsuit claims that the two companies knew about the asbestos that was in their products and the potential dangers it possessed, but failed to do anything about it. In addition, the estate claims that the defendants did not do enough to advise employees of the potential dangers of asbestos nor did they teach employees the correct procedures for handling and removing asbestos laden products. Lastly, the estate believes that the two companies continued to use asbestos containing products even though there were sufficient replacements.

Due to the negligence of the defendants, the lawsuit alleges that Lichtenstien suffered severe physical and mental pain due to his battle with mesothelioma. Moreover, due to his inability to work, he allegedly lost financial earnings and was not able to lead a normal life. The estate is seeking $100,000 in damages.

Jim Brophy and Margaret Keith, two of the most prominent Canadian occupational health activists, have decided to retire from their current roles. The pair announced their decision to retire at an occupational health clinic in Port Edward, Ontario, where they were honored for their long service to the community, particularly their work in raising the profile of occupational diseases in Canada.

Brophy and Keith have served as executive director and research coordinator, respectively, of the Sarnia OHCOW (Ontario Health Clinics for Ontario Workers) clinic since it opened in 1999. During their time at the clinic, the pair filed roughly 700 cases of asbestos-related occupational disease to the province's compensation board. Moreover, they helped another 1,000 patients identify the presence of asbestos markers in their lungs.

Those that benefited from the work of Dr. Jim Brophy and Margaret Keith say no individual(s) before have brought so much attention to the issue of work-related illness in the community and that the pair will be deeply missed. Sandy Kinart, widow of a mesothelioma patient, has the utmost praise for the pair. She acknowledges that Brophy and Keith’s efforts have benefited the community as a whole and have personally given her strength, hope, and direction.

Brophy and Keith, however, are not retiring for good. The efforts they once made against asbestos-related disease will now be carried over towards the fight against breast cancer – specifically to identify the cause of the recent increases in breast cancer.

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As previously mentioned on the MesoRC Blog, the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation’s (MARF) International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma, took place on June 26 - June 28 on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C. Researchers, patients, family members, physicians, and politicians gathered to discuss the continued search for a cure for mesothelioma. The symposium featured a number of guest speakers who presented on various topics pertaining to mesothelioma. Listed below, you will find the PowerPoint presentations from several of the guest speakers.

• H. Richard Alexander, MD, University of Maryland: Presentation on the major advancements in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

• Raja Flores, MD, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Presentation on the current approaches to malignant mesothelioma.

• Robert Kratzke, MD, University of Minnesota: Presentation on post-operative intrapleural chemotherapy for mesothelioma.

• Mary Hesdorffer, MS, APRN, Meso Foundation: Presentation on optimizing patient care including - decision making, role of medical team, and screening for depression.

• Raffit Hassan, MD, National Cancer Institute: Presentation on the scientific advancements in mesothelioma research.

On June 24th, Brandy Kieschnick, the daughter of deceased DuPont employee, Walter Dunn, filed a lawsuit against E.I. DuPont De Nemours and Co. and several other companies, including Viacom, Union Carbide and MetLife.

According to the plaintiff, Dunn worked as an inspector and pipe-fitter for DuPont and other companies for a "period of many years," where he was allegedly exposed to asbestos fibers. Dunn was exposed to asbestos "while working in powerhouses, refineries, commercial buildings, steel mills and plants," the suit says, adding that he "inhaled great quantities of asbestos fibers."

As an alleged result of being exposed to asbestos, Walter Dunn died on June 23, 2006.

On top of exemplary damages, the plaintiff is suing for her father's physical pain, mental anguish, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, physical impairment, and medical expenses.