Galveston Bay Personal Injury Lawyer - Toxic Substances

Homeland Security Report Criticizes FEMA Over Response to Formaldehyde Complaints

Scott Kappes — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:13:57 GMT

According to a Homeland Security Department report FEMA took too long to respond to initial reports of dangerous levels of formaldehyde in trailers used to house victims of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita in 2005. The report claims that FEMA “did not display ungency” to the problem that may have posed “a significant health risk” to the inhabitants of trailers.

A total of about 203,000 travel trailers and mobile homes to temporarily house some 700,000 people that were displaced by the vicious hurricanes of 2005.

Most of those that were living the trailers have since moved out; however, about 3,000 units still serve as a primary home for some hurricane victims in Mississippi and Louisiana.

According to the report approximately one in every three temporary housing units had “significant potential formaldehyde problems.”

Clark Stevens, a FEMA spokesman, said the agency agreed with the findings. He said FEMA "has already made great progress" to ensure its trailers and mobile homes were safe.

"When they (FEMA officials) did learn of the formaldehyde problems, nearly a year passed before any testing program was started and nearly two years passed before occupied trailers were tested and the occupants were informed of the extent of formaldehyde problems and potential health threats," the report said.

See the full report from the Homeland Security Department inspector general click here.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Kappes

Western Washington University Building Evacuated for Possible Asbestos Contamination

Scott Kappes — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:14:25 GMT

The Humanities Building at Western Washington University was evacuated Monday when and error in renovation work may have released harmful asbestos fibers into the air of the building.

Gayle Shipley, of the University’s Environmental Health and Safety department, told the Bellingham Herald that a contractor doing renovation work failed to properly seal and bag a piece asbestos laden ceiling material before removing it from the building, potentially allowing the toxic asbestos fibers to be released into the rest of the building.

Exposure to asbestos can lead to the development of a rare and extremely dangerous form of cancer known as Mesothelioma. Mesothelioma cancer affects the thin layer of tissue that surrounds the internal organs of the body and has no universally effective treatment to date.

No injuries have been reported in association with the incident and clean-up contractors are assessing the situation.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Kappes

Acute and Chronic Benzene Poisoning

Ashley Davis — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:59:32 GMT

There are twp types of poisoning associated with benzene, acute and chronic. Acute poisoning refers to an exposure to a high level of benzene in a short period of time. This type of exposure usually happens in an enclosed space such as a tank or vessel with benzene residues, or from spills or equipment failure. Acute poisoning affects the central nervous system with symptoms such as:

Dizziness

Excitement
Staggering gait
Headache
Nausea
Fatigue
Insomnia
Flushed face
Incoherent speech
Tingling in hands and feet

Symptoms of acute poisoning can last up to two weeks and the length of recovery will depend on the severity of exposure. However, if the exposure is severe enough, the breathing center of the brain is paralyzed and death occurs.

Chronic poisoning refers to exposure to low levels of benzene over a long period of time. This is the more common from of industrial benzene poisoning. Symptoms of chronic benzene poisoning include:

Tiredness
Dizziness
Headache
Nausea
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
General weakness
Nosebleeds
Bleeding gums
Pallor and purple disfigurations

Benzene may also cause damage to chromosomes, and that chromosomal damage also confirms the cancer-causing potential of benzene.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Ashley Davis

What is the Chemical Benzene?

Ashley Davis — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:48:41 GMT

Benzene is a valuable raw material and intermediate in the production of other organic materials. Smaller amounts of Benzene are used in manufacturing detergents, explosive, pharmaceuticals and dyestuffs. It has become almost indispensable to the chemical industry and the wide range of its applications makes it especially imperative that every precaution be observed in its use.

The poisoning of benzene occurs primarily through inhalation of its vapors, but it can also penetrate the skin. The chemical attacks the blood-forming tissues of the body. The chemical damages the bone marrow where red blood, white blood cells and platelets are formed. These three components make up the blood and a shortage of any one of them will result in a serious blood disease.

The most serious disease caused by benzene is its ability to cause leukemia, a fatal cancer of the white cell producing tissue.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Ashley Davis

Salmonells Facts

Ashley Davis — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:32:40 GMT

So what is salmonella?? Salmonella is a gram-negative, rod shaped bacilli that can cause diarrheal illness in humans. The bacilli are microscopic living creatures that pass from the feces of people or animals to other people or animals.

What is salmonellosis? It’s an infection caused by the bacteria Salmonella, and it causes an estimated 1.4 million cases of food borne illness and more than 500 deaths annually in the United States. In 2004, the Food Diseases Active Surveillance identified Salmonella as the most common bacterial infection reported.

What foods are most likely to make you sick? Basically any raw food of animal origin, such as meat, poultry, milk and dairy products, eggs, seafood and some fruits and vegetables could carry the Salmonella bacteria.

Are there long-term consequences? Recovery is usually fairly fast for those just suffering from diarrhea, but it could be several months before their bowel habits are entirely back to normal. A small number of people who are infected with the bacteria may develop pain in their joints, irritation of the eyes, and painful urination.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Ashley Davis