| Nuclear Test Rules out Radiation
(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A recent study from the University of Adelaide in South Australia reveals cancer rates among Australian men involved in the 1950s British nuclear tests are 23-percent higher than those of the general population. Despite the increase in cancer rates, research has found no link to radiation exposure. Data from this study did suggest probable asbestos-related cancer in navy personnel. The three-year study investigated the health effects of 11,000 men, all of whom took part in the British nuclear tests in Australia from 1952 to 1963. Twenty-six men had cases of mesothelioma, a cancer strongly associated with asbestos. Of the 26, 16 were involved in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) -- nearly three times the amount researchers expected. Researchers also discovered higher than average rates of lung cancer, which is also asbestos related, in RAN personnel.
(AFX UK Focus) 2006-07-27 16:57 GMT: Jury awards shipyard worker's widow $10M
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AFX) - A jury awarded $10.4 million to the widow of a former shipyard worker who died of lung cancer after four years of working with materials that contained asbestos. The Newport News Circuit Court verdict in Wanda Jones' wrongful death lawsuit against three companies that manufactured the materials was handed down Wednesday, the first anniversary of the death of 60-year-old Buddy Jones. "It's a mixed day," Wanda Jones said. "At least there's been some justice and recognition for what he went through, certainly through no fault of his own. He just went to work and did what he was trained to do on the job." Her attorney, Robert Hatten, called the verdict a landmark because one-third of the judgment will come from John Crane Inc., which has refused to settle other asbestos cases.
Payout boost for mesothelioma patients
HUNDREDS of workers in Swindon who are suffering from mesothelioma have been given a helping hand in speeding up compensation payouts. The Government has announced that a standard claim letter and leaflet were being developed in a bid to make settlements more quickly. Work and Pensions Secretary John Hutton said his department would also work with HM Revenue and Customs to trace employers' records and the Association of British Insurers will also open a phone inquiry helpline in the autumn. .
Asbestos ban 'used for economic gain'
Supporters of proposed legislation to ban white asbestos were accused of using a health issue for economic gain at the launch of a documentary on the subject in Johannesburg on Wednesday. John Jerre from Turnall, a cement company in Zimbabwe which uses white asbestos, said large companies were using health to push forward the ban to "have the market to themselves". The documentary investigates whether the proposed ban of the product by the South African government was a health or economic issue. White asbestos has been banned in 39 other countries due to concerns about Asbestos Related Diseases (ARDs). .
(AFX UK Focus) 2006-07-20 12:37 GMT: UK govt streamlining claims handling for asbestos compensation claims
LONDON (AFX) - The government said it is introducing immediate measures to help victims of asbestos-related lung cancer get their compensation claims handled faster. Work and Pensions Secretary John Hutton said the interim action will include clarifying with claims handlers "best practice to ensure priority is given to those with mesothelioma", the medical name for the disease. "We will also work with Revenue and Customs so that employer records can be traced quicker," he said. The move comes on top of the government's decision to change the law through the Compensation Bill, in light of a Law Lords ruling which would have caused delays in resolving claims and made it more difficult for sufferers to recover full compensation. newsdesk@afxnews.com fp/joy COPYRIGHT Copyright AFX News Limited 2005.
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