Pink Panther Begins Bankruptcy Action Plan

WASHINGTON- Owens Corning will finally emerge from bankruptcy following nearly 5 years operating under creditor protection.

United States bankruptcy Judge Judith Fitzgerald praised both sides for finally reaching an agreement following tension and sometimes chaos created by both asbestos victim’s attorneys as well as representatives from company bondholders.

The company filed for protection claiming that the costs of asbestos litigation were destroying the company’s financial assets.

Under the plan set to go into affect on October 30th, Owens Corning will have $7-billion USD in asbestos claims wiped from their balance sheet and shifted into a special trust. The creation and finalization will take time that some asbestos claimants (especially those with asbestosis and mesothelioma) complain they will be dead by the time they are eligible to receive compensation.

The judge countered that if claimants filed individually, the resulting bottleneck would destroy the company and many of the victims would not receive compensation given the time needed for each individual case compounded with the company’s non-existent assets.

The Ohio based building products manufacturer will pay for than $5-billion USD for asbestos claims with another $2.27-billion USD to creditors. Existing equity will be erased and the company will issue millions of new shares.

In 2000, Owens Corning filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in an effort to shield itself from billions of dollars in claims related to their manufacturing of asbestos containing construction materials decades ago.

• Asbestos does not pose a risk unless it becomes damaged or loose particles become airborne during mining and manufacturing. The inhaled fibers then become stuck in the lungs and over time can cause cancer when other cells try to digest them. -Beginning in the early 1980s large judgments have been awarded to victims and their families affected by asbestos related ailments. The resulting legal rush has bankrupted a number of large firms and created a backlog of cases that may not be decided before a victim dies.



• Plans on how to better handle asbestos litigation have become popular topics for legal review journals as well as Congressional proposals including the controversial FAIR Bill of 2005.



• Owens Corning is also synonymous with the cartoon character The Pink Panther who has served as the mascot for their insulation division since 1980.

By William Gallahue, an internet journalist who covers a number of topics.

Reviewed by: eoecho | PR News Media, Greg Magnus

Mesothelioma Treatment - Asbestos Illness

Traditional mesothelioma treatments are the standard treatments for malignant mesothelioma, which is a cancerous disease affecting the mesothelial cells in tissues of the human body. Treatment methods of mesothelioma diverge due to a number of factors, such as the location of the cancer cell, the stage of the disease, and a patient’s personal choices. In general, traditional mesothelioma treatment includes surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, or different combinations of these three treatments.

Surgery or surgical treatment is employed to either remove the cancer from the affected organ or alleviate pain. Sometimes, it may be impossible to remove all parts over which the affliction has spread; however surgical intervention may help in reducing pain. Two major types of surgical treatments include “pneumonectomy” and “palliative procedures.”

Pneumonectomy involves the surgical removal of a lung. This method comes in two varieties, “traditional pneumonectomy” in which the diseased lung is removed, and “extrapleural pneumonectomy” wherein the afflicted lung as well as part of the pericardium, diaphragm or parietal pleura on the same side of the chest, are removed.

In palliative procedures, treatment used does not heal mesothelioma, but eases pain and controls symptoms. “Thoracentisis” and “pleurectomy/decortication” are among the various palliative procedures. In thoracentisis, a needle is put into the chest cavity, either to drain fluid for diagnosis, or to drain fluid to relieve pain. Pleurectomy/decortication removes the pleura so as to lessen pain or prevent the recurrence of pleural effusion.

Chemotherapy is another important traditional mesothelioma treatment used to kill cancer cells by injecting medicines intravenously into the ailed areas. This method also involves the use of drugs to keep cancer cells from multiplying. Side effects can be quite severe in this treatment because chemotherapy may even destroy healthy cell in addition to the cancer cells. Nausea, vomiting, fatigue, hair loss, constipation, decreased appetite and mouth sores are some of its side effects.

Radiation treatment (radiation therapy or radiotherapy) uses high-energy rays (like x-rays) to damage mesothelioma cancer cells in a localized area. Although healthy cells may also be affected, they can repair themselves more effectively. The side effects of radiotherapy as a traditional mesothelioma treatment include fatigue, hair loss, skin irritation, nausea and difficult breathing.

Mesothelioma Treatment provides detailed information on Mesothelioma Treatment, Mesothelioma Treatment Options, Alternative Mesothelioma Treatment, New Mesothelioma Treatment and more. Mesothelioma Treatment is affiliated with Mesothelioma Doctors Info.

By Marcus Peterson

Reviewed by: eoecho | Greg Magnus

Mesothelioma Facts and Information

Mesothelioma Facts

What is mesothelioma?

2,000-3,000 new cases of malignant mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the US, and that number is rising.

Malignant mesothelioma is most often diagnosed in people over 50 and it is more common among men than women. The risk appears to increase with age.

There are three known types of malignant mesothelioma.

• pleural mesothelioma, which appears in the chest cavity, about 75% of cases


• peritoneal mesothelioma, which appears in the abdomen, about 10-20% of cases


• pericardial mesothelioma, which is a very rare form and appears in the heart

Workers exposed to asbestos in the past are most at risk for developing mesothelioma.

Family members exposed to asbestos dust on the asbestos worker's clothing are also at risk of asbestos related health issues.

People with only brief asbestos exposure have developed mesothelioma.

Malignant mesothelioma symptoms may not appear until decades after exposure to asbestos,

Japan's Asbestos Avoidance

This BusinessWeek article was published in Sept. 2005, but it contains useful information concerning asbestos use in Japan and the lack of government credibility concerning the issue at that time.

Ever since asbestos was identified as a carcinogen almost 30 years ago, governments across the developed world have grappled with the ugly aftereffects of this naturally occurring building and fireproofing material. Several large American manufacturers have been bankrupted by hefty asbestos liability claims, and the U.S. Congress is considering a $140 billion fund to pay judgments. Not so in Japan, where little was heard for decades about asbestos health concerns. That changed two months ago with the surprise disclosure by equipment maker Kubota Corp. (KUB ) that 79 of its employees had died from asbestos-related illnesses, setting off a parade of other companies coming clean with their own lists of asbestos fatalities.

Read the full BusinessWeek article for more information.

Vermiculite and Asbestos

Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral that may, in certain cases, contain asbestos. Vermiculite has the unusual property of expanding into worm-like accordion shaped pieces when it is heated. The expanded vermiculite is a fire-resistant, absorbent and odorless material; popular properties for manufacturing and companies used vermiculite to make products such as attic insulation, packing material and garden products.

What is vermiculite insulation and where does it come from?

Vermiculite is mined throughout the world. In the U.S., active vermiculite mining operations are in South Carolina and Virginia. When heated, the vermiculite ore expands into a light and fluffy material, which is fire resistant, inert, absorbent, and odorless. The properties of the vermiculite make it useful in lawn and garden, agricultural, and horticultural products. It is commonly used as an ingredient in:

• potting soil,


• thermal and sound insulation,


• construction material,


• insulation material and


• lightweight, absorbent packaging material.

How is W.R. Grace Co. involved in this issue?

the W.R.Grace company owned and operated a vermiculite mine in Libby, Montana for several years. Much of the vermiculite from this mine was used to make Zonolite attic insulation. They sold this product from 1963 to 1984. More than 75 percent of the vermiculite ore mined in the world came from the Libby mine, which has been closed since 1990.

EPA has found it impossible to estimate the number of homes, businesses and schools that may still contain Zonolite attic insulation.

Asbestos Monitoring at the World Trade Center Site

Asbestos Monitoring at the WTC Site by OSHA
(September 13 - 27, 2001)

Financial District
OSHA has taken approximately 40 air and bulk samples in the Financial District (the location east of Broadway and south of John Street). Results ranged from "non-detected" to 0.041 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc). Further analysis showed all fibers to be non-asbestos. Results showed levels consistent with safe and acceptable standards. OSHA ceased sampling in the Financial District on Sept. 21.

Warm Zone
A 90-square block surrounding the World Trade Center complex and plaza has been designated a secure area with controlled access. It extends south of Chambers Street, west to Broadway, south to Rector Street and east to near the Hudson River. OSHA continues to collect samples; more than 150 bulk and air samples were taken in the "Warm Zone" through Sept. 24. Asbestos levels remain safe and consistent, ranging from non-detected to 0.086 f/cc.

Hot Zone/Rubble Pile
What has come to be known as "ground zero", the hot zone is the World Trade Center complex area itself. It includes the remains of both WTC towers, 7 WTC, and other partially collapsed buildings.

During this time period, OSHA took 65 air samples and seven bulk samples in the hot zone. Results showed levels ranging from 0.004 to 0.140 f/cc. The level of 0.140 revealed 90 -95% mineral wool fibers and is below safe levels.

All sampling has resulted in what OSHA considers safe levels of exposure; still, the agency is recommending workers in the immediate area of the rubble pile wear respirators. OSHA continues to conduct monitoring for asbestos throughout the warm and hot zones. Results will be posted periodically on this page.

To see a grid map showing asbestos monitoring at specific sample locations in New York click here.

Asbestos in Your Home

Most products made today do not contain asbestos; however, if you own an older home you may encounter asbestos because until the 1970s, many types of building products and insulation materials used in homes contained asbestos. Some unscrupulous builders continued using the products beyond this time.

Common products that might have contained asbestos in the past and conditions which may release the fibers into the air include:

STEAM PIPES, BOILERS, and FURNACE DUCTS insulated with an asbestos blanket or asbestos paper tape. These materials may release asbestos fibers if damaged, repaired, or removed improperly during renovation or maintenance work.

RESILIENT FLOOR TILES (vinyl asbestos, asphalt, and rubber), the backing on VINYL SHEET FLOORING, and ADHESIVES used for installing floor tile. Sanding tiles can release fibers, which can easily spread throughout your house. So may scraping or sanding the backing of sheet flooring during removal and renovation.

CEMENT SHEET, MILLBOARD, and PAPER used as insulation around furnaces and woodburning stoves can contain asbestos. Repairing or removing appliances may release asbestos fibers into your home. So may cutting, tearing, sanding, drilling, or sawing insulation which contains asbestos.

DOOR GASKETS in furnaces, wood stoves, and coal stoves may contain asbestos. Worn seals can release asbestos fibers during use or repair.

SOUNDPROOFING OR DECORATIVE MATERIAL sprayed on walls and ceilings may contain asbestos. Loose, crumbly, or water-damaged material may release fibers into your home. As will sanding, drilling, or scraping the material during a renovation or other project.

PATCHING AND JOINT COMPOUNDS for walls and ceilings, and TEXTURED PAINTS may also contain asbestos. Sanding, scraping, or drilling these surfaces may release asbestos into the air. Their use was banned in 1977, but a former home owner or contractor may have used an outdated product years later.

ASBESTOS CEMENT ROOFING, SHINGLES, and SIDING. These products are not likely to release asbestos fibers unless sawed, drilled, cut, or broken into pieces; caution should be used when handling these products.

ARTIFICIAL ASHES AND EMBERS sold for use in gas-fired fireplaces may contain asbestos.

Also, other older household products such as FIREPROOF GLOVES, STOVE-TOP PADS, IRONING BOARD COVERS, and certain HAIRDRYERS may contain asbestos.

AUTOMOBILE BRAKE PADS AND LININGS, CLUTCH FACINGS, and GASKETS.

Houses built between 1930 and 1950 may have asbestos as insulation.

Asbestos and How it Causes Health Problems

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber that is heat resistant. As such, it has been commonly used in fire-proofing materials, insulation products, and other building materials, as well as other products such as automobile brake linings and clutches. Asbestos has been shown to cause serious health problems when inhaled into the lungs.

When products containing asbestos are disturbed, thin, lightweight asbestos fibers can become airborne (released into the air). Persons breathing the air may breathe in asbestos fibers resulting in fibers deposited in their lungs. Fibers embedded in the lung tissue over time may result in lung diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma. Smoking increases the risk of developing asbestosis and lung cancer.