Mesothelioma

Typically, however, it can take a few decades before someone sees the effects.

"That's why (asbestos) is so insidious," Merchant said.

"You go in there, you work, you breathe in the dust and figure, no problem.

Years later, you get sick." Merchant said the violation was more "egregious" than most because Advertisementof the size of the building, the number of employees involved and the scope of the job.

Clifford Cheng, a principal with Cheng, Chow and Chu, bought the 52,000-square-foot facility on behalf of his firm in 1993.

According to court records, he received an asbestos survey identifying the locations of the fibrous mineral when he bought the property.

He was unable to be reached for comment Monday.

Five attached buildings occupy the property bounded by Main Street, Maple Court and A Street.

It began as Levine Hospital, a 16-bed eye, ear, nose and throat clinic and surgical hospitalin the early 1950s.

It expanded over the years and developers built an eight-story extension in the early 1970s.

It later became a campus for Life Chiropractic College and now is home to various businesses, including Everest College, and several clinics and medical offices.

It was not until the later 1970s and 1980s that industries began phasing out the use of asbestos.

The U.S.

banned most asbestos-containing materials in 1989.

The Bay Area Air ...

Read more...