However, scientists and doctors are using human genome sequencing in a highly targeted way: instead of mapping the entire DNA of a person, researchers are using the available technology to create a “road map” of deadly diseases. Genome sequencing of these medical conditions lead researchers to understand the how the disease functions, mutates and which treatment methods are most effective.

Of all conditions mapped, sequencing cancer genomes has shown to be extremely effective. According to Barrett Rollins of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, cancer “is among the most promising targets because it is essentially a disease in which damaged genes let cells grow without restraint.”

Fortunately for cancer patients, the price tag associated with gene sequencing is dropping dramatically, and as such, is becoming more widely available and accessible to people who may not have been able to afford the costly procedure.

At this point, however, many insurance companies do not offer coverage for this type of sequencing, but are looking into the possibility of covering it later. For the average patient, paying out-of-pocket is within reach, with most DNA sequencing procedures coming in than less than $1,000 USD.

Further, sequencing cancer genes has opened a treasure trove of information for doctors. What was once considered fact about a specific cancer, say mesothelioma, is now becoming theory. Mesothelioma is linked to asbestos exposure and, typically, the cancer takes upwards of 20 years to incubate in an individual. Mesothelioma attacks the lining – or the pleura – of the lungs, stomach and heart, and remains one of the most deadly forms of cancer known.

Essentially, known cancers, like mesothelioma, act a certain way. But, what is not widely known is how a known cancer behaves in an individual.

Our genes play a considerably large role in the development of and reaction to cancer. If doctors are able to sequence a patient's mesothelioma gene, then they will be able to understand how the cancer is developing in that person's body and what type of treatment is right.

Treatment options are not designed nor targeted at individual's and their unique DNA structure, but, rather, treatments target the known factors of a certain type of cancer. But what gene sequencing of cancer is offering is a complete picture of that cancer. This is reiterated by the National Cancer Institute's The Cancer Genome Atlas, since “genomics” helps doctors select individualized treatment instead of relying on broad-spectrum options.

Overall, sequencing cancer in an individual is an incredibly effective tool that more doctors and researchers are applying. Even more, this medical breakthrough will guide treatments, early detection practices and even prognoses. For a devastating cancer like mesothelioma, with such a mesothelioma prognosis is devastating, sequencing the cancer's genome will eventually lead to a comprehensive cure.

The News at Princeton reports that the source of the debris was ductwork that was disturbed during renovation work on the floor above the office in question. Officials believe that when asbestos insulation was removed from the library in 1996, some of it remained in the corners and crevices of the ductwork. It may have been dislodged during the current renovation, said the university’s Office of Environmental Health and Safety.

The university reports that, so far, no elevated levels of asbestos have been found during testing and that the area around the asbestos find has been determined to be safe for occupancy. However, asbestos abatement projects have been ongoing in Firestone Library – which opened in 1948 and holds more than 7 million books, 37,000 linear feet of manuscripts, and 6 million microforms. That means air sampling has become routine inside this massive building and asbestos threats are a regular occurrence. Fortunately, the results of the testing have thus far showed no increased risk of asbestos-related diseases – such as asbestosis and mesothelioma – said a university spokesperson.

Nevertheless, employees - who were informed about the discovery of asbestos via email and meetings - may be concerned about potential exposure during these ongoing renovations. The university is suggesting that those individuals who need more information meet with medical professionals at Employee Health Services to discuss the particulars of asbestos exposure.

According to a report by the Wisconsin Bar Association, Pender’s attorneys had argued that the products supplied by Pneumo Abex LLC, a brake shoe supplier, had created asbestos dust when the shoes were grinded. While Pneumo Abex did not deny the presence of asbestos in their product, the company argued that there was no solid evidence that Pender had been exposed to the product and there was insufficient proof that Pneumo had supplied their product to the particular plant where the plaintiff was employed.

Harnischfeger had long been the owner of several plants in the Milwaukee area and was the recipient of brake shoes from nine different companies, all of whom were named in the original suit. However, eight of those nine were dismissed at the summary judgment stage before the trial commenced, leaving only Pneumo Abex to stand trial.

Originally, a judge declared Pneumo Abex to be liable in regards to negligence and strict liability, granting the $1.5 million award to Pender’s estate. This time, however, Judge Kitty Brennan said: “We would have to pile inference upon inference in order to conclude that Pender was exposed to Abex’s brake shoes while working at the National Avenue plant. The evidence fails to take Pender’s alleged exposure outside the realm of speculation and conjecture.”

Pender died of malignant mesothelioma in 2006, just a few months after being diagnosed with the disease, which is often discovered at a late stage because of its long latency period. Pender had worked for Harnischfeger from 1952 to 1993, primarily as a painter and glass setter.

According to an article that appeared in The Wichita Eagle, Hugh Barker, age 55, pleading guilty earlier this week in a federal court to asbestos violations in regards to a building he demolished a little more than three years ago.

Specifically, Barker pled guilty to failure to notify the Kansas Environmental Protection Agency that he was about to demolish the Buckeye Building in Harper. Barker, the owner of Barker Sand and Gravel, had received a contract from the city for the demolition. After the building was demolished, an inspection by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment determined that the debris that was left behind contained asbestos, most likely from floor tiles that were inside the building.

For his most recent violations, Barker faces up to two years in prison. When sentencing, the court may take into account that this was not Barker’s first brush with the law in regards to violations of the Clean Air Act. He had previously been found guilty of asbestos-related violations when, in 2006, he disposed of materials in the East Sand Creek in the town of Harper. For that violation, Barker received two years’ probation.

Both state governments and the federal government have strict laws in place that govern the proper removal and disposal of asbestos and other toxic pollutants. This is to protect workers and the general public from asbestos exposure, which can result in the development of a number of serious diseases, including the asbestos-caused cancer known as malignant mesothelioma. Experts have determined that no amount of asbestos exposure is safe, hence the stringent laws.

According to an article in The Morning Call, officials of Northampton County closed sections of the southeast and southwest portions of the Gracedale Nursing Home’s lower level because workers reported concerns about asbestos in the maintenance room, break room, and carpentry shop.

The article notes that at the last two meetings of the County Council, maintenance workers at the county-run home literally “pleaded” with the council to take action to address the presence of the toxic mineral. However, the nursing home’s Director of Administration, Tom Harp, told the media that he doesn’t believe patients or employees are in danger, noting that asbestos was located at the surface level and was not airborne.

Employees, however, see the situation differently. "I've been here too long. I've seen too much," said Gracedale employee Jonathan Siedt. "It's time to act, not talk about it." Others have asked for medical surveillance via a program that assesses the health employees who have been exposed or potentially exposed to occupational hazards. The county is considering that request though officials note that that particular program is generally reserved for those who have been directly involved in asbestos removal.

Gracedale isn’t the only Northampton County-owned building where concerns about asbestos exist. The county controller contacted the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2010 due to his personal concerns about asbestos in several buildings. Unfortunately, the EPA has not yet filed a report or levied any fines. Currently, the county law library is closed due to asbestos problems and the county has spent nearly a million dollars on environmental testing.

So far, day-to-day operations at Gracedale have not been affected by the closure, but many are concerned because the basement contains items such as parts for wheelchairs and hospital beds, which will eventually need to be retrieved. In the meantime, employees worry about their potential to eventually develop lung-related diseases such as mesothelioma, a deadly cancer for which the only known cause is exposure to asbestos.

According to an article in the Metro West Daily News, Einis hired Pasquantonio in late 2010 to replace the boiler in his Medway property, which at that time was occupied by a family with a large number of children. The heating contractor, who was not licensed in asbestos removal, worked on the boiler without sealing off the basement, allowing toxic asbestos dust to travel to other parts of the home where it could be inhaled by the residents.

The incident was reported to the Medway Department of Health, which sent the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to inspect the site. What they found were blatant violations of the strict asbestos laws imposed by the state, the article reports.

It was determined that neither Einis nor Pasquantonio had informed the proper authorities of the intention to handle asbestos during the replacement of the heater. Furthermore, according to state laws, any asbestos materials – including boiler insulation – must be removed by a contractor who is licensed in asbestos abatement in the state of Massachusetts.

In addition, Pasquantonio, when faced with criminal charges, returned to the site of the event in question and threatened to harm one of the tenants if he were to testify against him at trial. He and Einis will be arraigned later this year.

Meanwhile, the tenants are concerned about their potential exposure to hazardous asbestos dust. Both the children and adults living in the home may have inhaled asbestos fibers, which could later become imbedded in their lungs or other organs and cause cancerous tumors. Individuals who have been exposed to asbestos, no matter what age, can develop mesothelioma years later. This asbestos-caused cancer remains latent in the body for up to five decades but, once diagnosed, often kills quickly.

According to an article in the Oshkosh Northwestern, asbestos surveys were completed on the buildings before demolition work begun, with surveyors identifying about 11,000 total square feet of asbestos. However, the company razing the structures - Veit and Company Salvage of New Berlin, Wisconsin - told officials of Winnebago County that the buildings have been “full of surprises.” Among the surprises has been previously-undiscovered asbestos floor adhesive and asbestos pipe insulation, both products commonly used in structures built prior to about 1977.

Winnebago County, which owns the buildings, notes that they have no choice but to continue to tear down the already half-demolished structures. Hence, they are going to have to deal with additional costs of more than $300,000 and another 3 or 4 weeks of work. Because the building can’t be razed with asbestos inside, the demolition work will be start and stop until it’s determined that all of the toxic materials have been removed.

The two buildings are being torn down to enhance the view of the individuals who live at adjacent Park View Health Center, a county-owned nursing facility. The five-story Rehabilitation Pavilion and the three-story Pleasant Acres building haven’t been in use for years and were already in deplorable condition before demolition work began, prompting concerns about the release of toxins such as airborne asbestos, which can be extremely hazardous if inhaled, causing diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma cancer.

The site, located at Edith Avenue between Griegos and Montaño in the North Valley area, was once home to Silico Inc., which processed vermiculite for use in products such as attic insulation and potting soil. The vermiculite that was shipped to the plant, about 96 tons total, came from the now-infamous W.R. Grace-owned Libby vermiculite mine. Vermiculite from that location was tainted with asbestos. More than 400 individuals from that northwest Montana town have already died due to asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma, and a few thousand additional individuals have been sickened due to asbestos exposure.

Local officials and concerned citizens fear that the presence of tainted soil at the old Silico site may be affecting workers at the Master Fibers paper and cardboard recycling facility, which is located on a lot beside the one where the vermiculite plant once functioned.

In order to remediate the site, hazmat workers will remove the soil to a depth of one foot below ground surface, notes an article in the Albuquerque Journal. The affected soil will then be hauled by truck to an approved landfill elsewhere in the state. To complete the job, the area will be refilled with clean soil, the EPA explained. Before, during, and after the remediation, air monitoring and sampling with be ongoing.

According to an article in The Wenatchee World, officials claim that Evergreen Asbestos Solutions failed to adhere to state regulations regarding the removal of asbestos, a known carcinogen that can wreak havoc with human lungs if inhaled, causing mesothelioma cancer and other serious lung diseases.

The state Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) alleged 14 violations by the company and its owner, Ron Hesselschart, who responded with a statement expressing his belief that there was no danger present for anyone who was in or near the facility, which is known as Solomon’s Porch. The work took place last May.

However, L&I spokesperson Hector Castro told the media that his agency is concerned for the health of the workers who carried out the asbestos removal tasks but is uncertain if there was any danger to non-workers or anyone who was in or near the building just after the asbestos was abated.

A report noted a long list of violations for Evergreen Asbestos including failure to ensure that exposure assessment was performed both immediately before and immediately after the abatement, failure to appoint a competent person to supervise the work, failure to perform clearance monitoring at the completion of the work, and failure to ensure that all surfaces were maintained as free of dusts and waste-containing asbestos.

In addition, it was noted that employees performing the work were not wearing protective equipment or clothing and that beards and goatees were not covered by the half face masks that were distributed to these workers, potentially allowing asbestos dust to settle in facial hair.

The Cashmere, Washington-based company currently faces a $25,000 fine but Hesselschart, who claims that none of the violations occurred, is appealing the accusations.

According to an article in the Chillicothe Gazette, asbestos clean-up work at the plant has been in progress since November and is part of the DOE’s decontamination and decommissioning process for all locations that will be torn down. The Portsmouth Site, located in the south-central portion of the state, currently occupies 1,000 acres and has been in existence since 1954. When in operation, the primary task of this site was to separate uranium isotopes for use in commercial reactors and in power reactors used by the U.S. Navy.

Like many Department of Energy sites built prior to the end of the 1970s, the Portsmouth facility contained large amounts of asbestos, used mostly as insulation. This site and similar facilities were commonplace during the Cold War era and now the aging buildings are beginning to be a health concern.

Before any building containing asbestos is demolished, the material must be removed so as not to release fibers into the air during the demolition process. "Protecting the health and safety of the personnel at the plant and in the community, as well as the environment, is the first priority in the clean-up process. Safe asbestos removal like this in the X-333 will be a significant part of the activities to come,” said Vince Adams, DEO site coordinator at Portsmouth.

The X-333 building is not the only one on this DOE campus that will need to be demolished. Several others will be torn down as well and all must have asbestos removed before the process begins, following rules put forth by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ohio Department of Health. Asbestos laws are in place because improper asbestos handling can result in the errant release of fibers into the air, which can create health hazards. Anyone who inhales asbestos dust is a prospect for developing the disease known as mesothelioma cancer, an aggressive killer that carries a short life expectancy and is difficult to treat. Most victims of the disease die within a year of a mesothelioma diagnosis.