Capitol Power Plant Tunnels Set For Asbestos Abatement

The Architect of the Capitol (AoC)—which is responsible for preserving, maintaining and enhancing the Capitol complex in Washington D.C.—has agreed to settle a complaint over asbestos hazards at the complex’s power plant.

After eight months of negotiations and years of complaints by workers, the AoC said it will:


Abate the asbestos and other health hazards in the Capitol Power Plant utility tunnels within five years, unless funding is cut
Create a comprehensive management plan with specific milestones for the abatement
Meet with Office of Compliance (OoC) representatives on a monthly basis to discuss progress and other relevant matters
Allow monitoring by the OoC to ensure milestones are being met

While the AoC’s agreement with the OoC is considered “precedent setting,” it still does not require complete asbestos abatement.

Sen. Patty Murray, who pushed for workers to be removed from the tunnels after signs of respiratory illnesses began to surface, referred to the agreement as a “good first step to address the [AoC’s] astounding backlog of 13,000 health and safety violations.”

(Source: http://www.occupationalhazards.com/Issue/Article/66532/Architect_of_Capitol_Agrees_to_Fix_Tunnel_Hazards.aspx)

Australian University To Study Asbestos Impact on Women

New research will focus on identifying possible links between asbestos and ovarian cancer. Researchers at the University of Western Australia (UWA) will conduct the study.

According to professor Bill Musk, most data regarding asbestos-related diagnosis has been gathered from men. The new study will mark the first time researchers specifically examine the impact of asbestos on women.

The research, Musk said, will build on previous studies of workers in a region where crocidolite, or blue asbestos, is prevalent. Women in the region already exhibit higher mesothelioma and lung cancer rates, so researchers want to determine if their ovarian cancer rates are also higher.

If researchers are able to determine a link between asbestos exposure and ovarian cancer, it could mean more compensation claims, said Musk.

“I’m sure if they develop a disease that can be associated with their exposure to asbestos they will be eligible for some compensation one way or another,” he said.

(Source: www.abc.net.au)