Mesothelioma Medical

Hundreds of Cold-War era workers from the Los Alamos National Laboratory may be compensated for the health hazards and cancers they developed after being exposed to asbestos and radio active materials.

It is expected that 400-600 current and former lab workers could be awarded the compensation.

State Rep. Ray Ruiz who died of lung cancer, had told that he believed the illness was related to his work with asbestos at the lab. Harriet Ruiz, Ruiz's widow filed a suit against the lab later.

Mrs. Ruiz wrote a petition creating a class of lab employees who aren't required to prove the cause of their cancer or the amount of radiation they were exposed to during their job. A federal advisory board has approved it.

However, the board delayed a decision on benefits for many employees of Rocky Flats, Colorado. The plant was making the plutonium triggers for the nation's atomic bombs. The decision will be taken in the board meeting on June 12, said a board member.

Workers alleged that the Rocky Flats operators forged or eradicated records which made it difficult for them to file claims.

Asbestos is the name given to a group of six different fibrous minerals which occur naturally in the environment. Elevated concentrations of airborne asbestos can occur once asbestos-containing materials has been disturbed by cutting, sanding or other remodeling processes. Asbestos fibres can cause many diseases, including asbestosis, mesothelioma etc. EPA and CPSC have banned several asbestos products to prevent health issues.