New Hampshire Woman Faces Asbestos ChargesKeene, New Hampshire - A resident of Keene, New Hampshire, will have her day in court to answer to asbestos-related felony charges. Lordes Ramirez-Crusellas has been charged with two felony counts relating to the illegal disposal of asbestos. Ramirez-Crusellas allegedly violated the state of New Hampshire's asbestos control and management laws. The New Hampshire attorney general's office told reporters that Ramirez-Crusellas says she illegally disposed of material containing asbestos. The asbestos-laden debris was generated while the accused was renovating her home.
Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that was commonly used until the mid-1970s in insulation and fireproofing material. Other uses included automotive brake pads, floor tiles, ceilings, cement, and some types of textured paints. The material was prized for a high resistance to chemical and fire damage. However, asbestos was found to pose serious health risks, and the material has fallen out of favor. Exposure to asbestos can increase the risk of developing lung cancer, mesothelioma and other ailments like COPD and asbestosis. Asbestos is not banned in the United States, despite the fact that it has been banned in other countries around the world, and the health risks that asbestos causes are well-documented.
Mesothelioma, a rare cancer, may not develop until decades after the initial exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma is very aggressive, and can kill victims within months of being diagnosed. Mesothelioma patients are not expected to live for longer than 2 years after being diagnosed, and because there is no mesothelioma cure, patients rely on palliative treatment measures to control their disease.
