Month: January 2026

In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to airborne asbestos fibers increases the risk of two other major diseases: asbestosis and lung cancer. Asbestos-related diseases can take decades to develop, often manifesting after retirement from an industrial career that involved asbestos exposure. Governmental regulation of asbestos has tightened significantly since the 1970s, so asbestos exposure has been greatly reduced. Lung Cancer Lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths, differs from mesothelioma. Lung cancer causes the growth of abnormal, cancerous cells into a tumor in the lung itself, not in organ lining.

A New York state jury recently handed down a substantial $7 million verdict in an asbestos cancer lawsuit filed by a former Georgia police officer against a previous employer he worked for in Western New York during the 1970s. According to reports, the award represents one of the largest verdicts in a mesothelioma cancer lawsuit in that particular part of the state with jurors finding the defendant, Jenkins Bros., guilty of negligence.

The National Gypsum Company (NGC) made extensive use of asbestos in its products beginning with its founding in 1925 and not ending until 1970. This over four decades of use caused widespread exposure to asbestos fibers that eventually led to many lawsuits being filed against NGC. This would lead to the company filing for bankruptcy and forming an asbestos settlement trust fund. History of NGC NGC is still in business today, with its headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina. NGC was originally formed to produce light, flexible wallboard products.

Unfortunately, many auto mechanics are unaware of the risk of asbestos-containing products in automobile parts until the diagnosis of mesothelioma or an asbestos related cancer. The harmful effects of asbestos exposure began to gain national attention in the mid 1970’s because of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. As a result, government agencies began to warn and protect workers with the use of protective gear. Even though asbestos regulation began almost thirty years ago, auto mechanics are still at risk for asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is directly related to asbestos exposure.

In a rapid policy change, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has withdrawn a motion it filed to postpone the enforcement of its 2024 asbestos rule, after facing significant backlash from mesothelioma advocacy groups. The EPA filed the initial motion on June 16, 2025, requesting a six-month delay in the ongoing legal proceedings pertaining to the agency’s final risk management rule targeting chrysotile asbestos, the only type of asbestos that is still allowed in the United States. Merely weeks later, the EPA reversed its position.

Individuals who were exposed to asbestos either at work or by second-hand exposure often have many questions about whether they may be at risk for developing mesothelioma, a deadly and incurable lung disease linked to asbestos. While the dangers of asbestos have been known for many decades, the signs and symptoms of mesothelioma can take an equally long time to manifest themselves, which can make the disease difficult to understand. Mesothelioma is an aggressive and deadly form of cancer that affects a thin line of tissue surrounding the body’s internal organs, most often the lungs and abdomen.