April 4th, 2007

An additional financial boost of $3 million is being awarded to an asbestos research facility in Sydney, Australia, to help with further research into asbestos diseases.

The beneficial fallout payment of $3 million comes from the James Hardie scandal and is to be awarded to the Asbestos Diseases Research Institute, which is located in Western Sydney.

Asbestos is a known carcinogenic that was once widely used in countries all over the world, but was found to cause a range of health problems in the 1970s and 1980s. Among the health problems that can stem from asbestos exposure are scarring of the lungs, breathing difficulties, and a form of asbestos related cancer known as mesothelioma.

The Institute is involved in research into how asbestos related diseases such as mesothelioma are caused, and also in trying to find effective treatment and cures for this type of health problem. Officials from the institute state that the additional funding will be a great boost to their efforts.