The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "asbestos" ...
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Dangers in the Dust: Inside the Global Asbestos Trade
The investigation finds that a global network of industry groups has spent nearly $100 million to keep asbestos on the market. Public health authorities say this campaign is helping create new epidemics of asbestos-related disease in countries around the world.
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Dangers in the Dust: Inside the Global Asbestos Trade
The global investigation finds that a network of industry groups spent nearly $100 million in public and private money to keep asbestos on the market. The disease-causing fiber is creating epidemics in countries such as China and India and it is estimated it will lead to the deaths of five to ten million people by 2030.
Tags: asbestos; epidemic; disease; toxic; environment
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The Deadly Dust
Fox Five found that in the 1990s the National Institutes of Health was not having employees wear the required safety gear, exposing them to asbestos. Using a hidden camera, they were able to confirm that even now employees were still being exposed.
Tags: asbestos; health; safety; National Institutes of Health; NIH; federal employees; OSHA; hidden camera; inspections; regulations
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Asbestos Woes
Since 2001 the average of asbestos violations against Maryland schools has risen. "Schools across Maryland have not been following the rules regarding paperwork keeping track of asbestos in their buildings."
Tags: asbestos; EPA; environment; regulations; schools; education system
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What's a Life Worth?
The series began with an investigation into the affects of asbestos contamination on the small country town of Ragland, AL., and its relation to the international asbestos trade and legislation in congress to stem the tide of asbestos related lawsuits. It ended with an investigation of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, which is responsible for protecting the public from environmental asbestos and other hazards.
Tags: asbestos; contamination; public health; Alabama Department of Environmental Management; law suits; lead; PCB; mesothelioma; FOIA
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After dust settles, workers pay with their lives
The reporters investigated genuine concerns over the effect of asbestos exposure at a now defunct factory that produced asbestos cement pipe. Of the fewer than 300 workers that worked there over the factory's existence, 11 died of mesothelioma, five of lung cancer, and eight more died after suffering with severe asbestosis. Most died in their 50's or early 60's. At least 4 more are fighting for their lives and dozens more are suffering with asbestosis. Alabama state laws require workers seeking compensation to file their claims within two years of exposure,although asbestosis usually takes several years to show up. Reporters also examined the problems of workers at other companies that protected themselves by declaring bankruptcy or moving out of state, leaving the victims with little hope of legal redress.
Tags: asbestos; legal liability; acute respiratory illness; Capco; cement-asbestos pipe; mesothelioma; libel; FOIA; industrial safety; health
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Asbestos
This Nightline story examines the asbestos poisoning of Libby, Montana, where hundreds of people have acquired asbestosis and lung cancer. It also addresses the possibility that asbestos from the mine in Libby might contaminate other areas where the mine's products were processed.
Tags: asbestos; cancer; Libby Montana; vermiculite; poison; W.R. Grace Company
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U.S. Slow on Clean-ups
The Pentagon has resisted paying for clean-up of toxic substances from its former bases. Asbestos, perchlorate and trichloroethylene (TCE) have been deemed hazardous by the EPA and remain on lands previously owned by the Pentagon but that now house private families and schools. But the Pentagon has complained to the White House about EPA regulations and Bush appointees have responded by admonishing EPA officials, essentially creating separate and less stringent environmental standards for the military than for states, communities and private industry. Since 2001 clean-ups have slowed and an estimated 15 million acres of land remain contaminated with dumped munitions alone.
Tags: Military; EPA; contamination; toxic waste; military base closings; asbestos; TCE; Bush administration
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An air that kills: How the asbestos poisoning of Libby, Montana, uncovered a national scandal
This book reveals the events behind the asbestos-related deaths of hundreds of miners and their family members and the related sicknesses of thousands of others who lived near the W.R. Grace & Co. vermiculite mine. The investigation documents how company officials knew for decades that the ore from the mine was dangerous but still they concealed the hazard. The authors also show how the federal government had known of the poisonings but had failed to disclose the problem.
Tags: BOOK; asbestos; mine safety; environment; EPA; NIOSH; MSHA; Environmental Protection Agency; Libby; air pollution; W.R. Grace & Co.
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Asbestos Testing Wars
Asbestos testing companies screen likely candidates to determine whether or not their lungs have been affected. This series of articles finds that these companies hire workers who are underqualified to perform tests and that they are driven by profits to diagnose as many people as possible with lung damage because they work for or are paid by lawyers who benefit from the cases. One concern is that those who file with little to no illness are depleting the sources of money for those with serious asbestos damage.
Tags: asbestos; Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act; union; cancer; plaintiff; testing company; screening company; lung disease