A woman’s “bystander exposure” to asbestos from washing her husband’s work clothes for more than three decades substantially contributed to her mesothelioma, according to a New Jersey appellate court that upheld a $7.5 million jury award in Bonnie Anderson vs. A.J. Friedman Supply Co. Inc. backed up a jury award of $7 million for Anderson […]

What is Benzene and Where is Benzene? Benzene is a highly carcinogenic chemical that is present in both natural sources and in many manmade substances and processes.  Natural sources of benzene can include forest fires and volcanic eruptions, but benzene can also be found in: Cigarette smoke Industrial solvents Manufacturing processes Gasoline How are people […]

Eight new air monitors are planned for one of the nation’s largest natural gas fields, where drilling has raised questions about emissions effects, state lawmakers said Monday. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has not determined sites or funding sources for the monitors and does not know when they might be in place, although December […]

Medical studies consistently focus on environmental risks associated with cancer. Cancer-causing carcinogens are found in our homes and where we work, and even at the doctor’s office.  Carcinogens naturally occur and are in the air we breathe and the water we drink.  While many factors affect one’s risk of developing cancer, including a genetic predisposition, […]

Henna tattoos are popular both in the United States and abroad for religious ceremonies and for people who want a tattoo but are not ready to plunge into permanent body ink.  Additionally, vacationers, traveling through Asia and the Middle East often get henna tattoos on their journeys.  Unfortunately, Middle Eastern henna tattooing has been associated […]

Most people today are aware that exposure to asbestos can lead to harmful and potentially deadly side effects, but may not realize that many businesses and industrial production facilities use other toxic chemicals like benzene.  Benzene exposure can cause a person to develop a wide range of short and long-term side effects.  Consistent exposure can […]

We blogged about the BP Texas City toxic chemical release a few weeks ago.  And now, adding to the troubles related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, a class action lawsuit has been filed against BP.  The complaint was filed today on behalf of more than 2,000 people, and is […]

Plumstead, Pennsylvania Residents complained their drinking water tasted funny ever since an industrial fire nearby in late June.  Subsequent environmental testing showed that the residential water contained both E. coli and total coliform. The Bucks County Health Department had water from four private wells tested following complaints by residents who believed their drinking water had […]

An abandoned Severstal coal-chemical plant at Sparrows Point is leaking benzene.  The EPA and Maryland Department of the Environment sought to require Severstal to install skimmer pumps to prevent groundwater already contaminated with benzene from leaking into Baltimore Harbor.  Over 13 years have gone by without a satisfactory solution to the benzene contamination problem in […]

The Acreage is an unincorporated Palm Beach community which has experienced significant growth in its 25 years to around 39,000 people.  The community was in some ways serene, backyard wells for water, little commercial development, room to expand and grow. However, just this year, a cancer cluster has been identified in this area.  Testing has […]