Katie Kelley

The risk of asbestos exposure has temporarily closed several correctional facilities, public schools and universities nationwide due to the extremely hazardous nature of the substance. Asbestos is the leading cause of mesothelioma, a rare but deadly form of lung cancer, and other debilitating diseases. By law, asbestos can only be removed by licensed professionally, which makes the process costly and time consuming.

The athletic association of New Jersey has proposed new guidelines regarding head injuries. In order to reduce and prevent long term brain injuries as result from a concussion or other head injuries, the governing body will now require athletes to get approval from a doctor before returning to play.

Football Hall of Fame Merlin Olsen has died of mesothelioma, a rare but deadly form of lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Olsen filed a mesothelioma lawsuit claiming he may have been exposed as young as 10 years old while doing manual labor, before manufacturers warned people about the dangerous risks of the fibrous substance.

Anti-asbestos activists call for a worldwide ban on the hazardous material and and want companies that continue to use the known cancer-causing material to be brought to justice.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has found no link between osteoporosis medications such as Fosamax and certain thigh bone fractures, however the FDA recommends that patients take caution when using the medication. Several Fosamax lawsuits allege that the medication is responsible for osteonecrosis of the jaw, or bone death of the jaw bone.

Bayer, the manufacturer of the popular birth control pill Yasmin, has reported that more than 1,100 Yasmin lawsuits were filed against the company in 2009. More suits are expected as the alleged dangerous side effects continue to be reported. The drug, also marketed as Yaz or in its generic form, Ocella, accounted for $1.7 billion in profit for Bayer.

Colorado is currently debating a bicycle helmet law that would require children under the age of 18 to wear a helmet while riding a bike. This measure hopes to reduce the number of bicycle-related injuries, including traumatic brain injuries which can have a traumatic financial and lifestyle effect on the victim.

The popular osteoporosis medication, Fosamax, has been linked to sudden bone breaks in patients. Other serious Fosamax side effects include Osteonecrosis (ONJ) of the jaw or "dead jaw syndrome." A judge in New York has refused to dismiss a lawsuit against Merck & Co Inc, alleging the drug was responsible for bone death in a patient's jaw.

Patients suffering from a severe traumatic brain injury leaving them in a vegetative state may have more brain activity than originally thought, according to a recent study.

Philadelphia Housing Authority may have left asbestos contaminated items for residents to dispose of, exposing many to the insulating fiber responsible for the deadly lung cancer, mesothelioma and other serious health problems. The Environmental Protection Agency is investigating the improper disposal of the material.