Welcome to the Brayton Purcell LLP Blog
How companies continue to expose us to asbestos
The dangers of asbestos are well-known. Exposure to the mineral can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma and several other cancers. Over ten thousand Americans die from these diseases each year. As a result, in 1989 the EPA has banned nearly every use of asbestos, but the...
How Can I Tell if a Loved One Might Have Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a devastating disease. Though not common, it is an aggressive form of cancer that usually is not diagnosed until it reaches an advanced stage. Because of this, it is rarely curable and often results in a patient’s death. Still, early detection is...
Lawsuit against the EPA could affect asbestos litigation
Every year, tens of thousands of Americans die due to asbestos-related diseases. Knowing this, in the early 1970s, asbestos insulation & sprayed asbestos materials were banned, and in 1977 asbestos joint compound was banned. In 1989, the Environmental Protection...
Here’s what teachers need to know about asbestos
Recent events have dragged Philadelphia’s aging schools into the spotlight. Like hundreds of schools across the nation, the schools were built before the government outlawed most asbestos materials. Now, as those materials break down, they release asbestos fibers into...
Vaping Caused Severe Illness in at Least 50 People
Recently, 50 people around the United States have contracted breathing illnesses that are likely linked to e-cigarettes and other vaping products. Patients have likened their illness that is believed to be caused by vaping, to a heart attack or flu symptoms. Symptoms...
Are Lobbyists Writing the Rules for Asbestos?
Earlier this year, the EPA announced new asbestos rules that it claimed would strengthen its ability to regulate the substance. However, the rules fell short of an outright ban. While more than 60 nations, including most of Europe, have banned asbestos, the United...
J&J Claims New Tests Found No Asbestos in Baby Powder – Should Consumers Believe it?
When the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said its tests detected small amounts of asbestos in Johnson & Johnson baby powder, the company immediately questioned the findings. Johnson & Johnson, while recalling the product, said it was “working with the FDA...
FDA finds asbestos in baby powder
Baby powder is often criticized for the talc powder it contains. Researchers have connected talc in baby powder and other products to ovarian cancer and inhalation infections. But internal company documents and testing have shown that for decades, if the correct...
The Link Between Art and Illness
Henri Matisse once said, “Creativity takes courage.” The French painter was likely referring to those embarking on a career in the arts. Considering recent findings, “courage” takes on a different form, particularly professional artists who work with clay....
A Brief History of Why Asbestos is Still not Banned
Asbestos was a miracle product for the first three-quarters of the 20th century. Businesses used it for construction of buildings, auto parts, naval ships, insulating furnaces, and more. It insulates for both sound and heat. It even resists corrosion. As we now know,...
