Hospital Resources

Michigan Hospital Resources

Cancer Support Groups

If you are concerned about asbestos exposure or a personal injury, take advantage of the following resources.

Brigham and Women’s Hospital Mesothelioma Orientation Group:
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This is an in-person support group for patients who have just been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The group is led by doctors, social workers, chaplain staff, and researchers.

CancerCare
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CancerCare is an organization that provides various support services to cancer patients and their caregivers, including in-person support. While they operate out of New York, they can also help you find face-to-face support in your area.

Cancer Support Community
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This non-profit organization provides patients and their loved ones with care information and a support network. They have over 170 locations nationwide and tailor support to your needs, whether it be in-person, online, or over the phone.

Centers for the Treatment of Mesothelioma Cancer

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

OSHA is responsible for safety and health regulations in the workplace. The administration has developed rules concerning workplace asbestos exposure. The Mine Safety and Health Administration has also established additional laws. Employees should follow safety procedures and always use protective equipment on the job.

If you are concerned about asbestos exposure, talk with your employer, other employees, and your health and safety representative. OSHA can also come out to your workplace for an inspection. Regional offices of OSHA are listed in the “United States Government” section of a telephone directory’s blue pages (under “Department of Labor”). Regional offices can also be found here.

If you would like to learn more about asbestos, the OSHA asbestos page provides information about asbestos exposure, its hazards, and OSHA standards. OSHA’s national office can be contacted at:

Office of Public Affairs

Occupational Safety and Health Administration
U.S. Department of Labor
Room N–3649
200 Constitution Avenue, NW.
Washington, DC 20210
Telephone: (202) 693-1999 or 1 (800) 321-OSHA (6742)
TTY (for deaf or hard of hearing callers): (877) 889-5627

Mine Safety and Health Administration

U.S. Department of Labor
21st Floor
1100 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22209
Telephone: (202) 693-9400 or 1 (800) 746-1554
http://www.msha.gov

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

NIOSH also deals with occupational asbestos exposure. NIOSH evaluates work sites for possible health hazards; conducts asbestos-related research; and makes exposure control recommendations. In addition, NIOSH supplies publications on the harmful side effects of asbestos. NIOSH can be contacted at:

Education and Information Division
Information Resources Branch
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Robert A. Taft Laboratories
4676 Columbia Parkway
Cincinnati, OH 45226
Telephone: 1 (800) 356-4674 (1-800-35-NIOSH)
E-mail: [email protected]
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Medicare

If you have an asbestos-induced disease, you may be able to receive Medicare. More information can be found at Medicare’s Regional Offices in 10 prominent cities across the country. To locate an office, visit their website

Call 1-800-633-4227 (1-800-MEDICARE) or visit their website for more general information.

Those suffering from asbestos-related conditions as a result of workplace exposure may be eligible for financial assistance. Requirements vary by state, so workers should contact their state’s workers’ compensation board. Go to the Department of Labor website for the contact information of your state’s workers’ compensation officials.

If you were exposed during your job with a federal agency, compensation may be covered by the Federal Employees’ Compensation Program. This allows benefits to civilian employees for workplace-related illnesses and injuries. Benefits may include payment for medical bills, wage replacement, and rehabilitation assistance if needed. If the worker passes away, his or her dependents may receive benefits.

The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Program

This organization also offers benefits to maritime workers, harbor workers, and longshoremen. More information is available from:

Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs
Employment Standards Administration
U.S. Department of Labor
Frances Perkins Building
200 Constitution Avenue, NW.
Washington, DC 20210
Telephone: 1-866-692-7487 (1-866-OWCPIVR)
202-693-0040 (Federal Employees’ Compensation Program)
202-693-0038 (Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Program)
E-mail: [email protected]
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Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Veterans should contact the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center to see if they are eligible for health care.

Call 1-877-222-8387 (1-877-222-VETS) or visit their website for more information about benefits.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)

The ATSDR evaluates the side effects of harmful substances. The ATSDR offers asbestos information and how to find environmental and occupational health clinics. The ATSDR can be contacted at:

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
1825 Century Boulevard
Atlanta, GA 30345
Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO)
TTY: 1-888-232-6348
E-mail: [email protected]
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The EPA controls asbestos exposure in the environment, tap water, and buildings. The EPA offers a Toxic Substances Control Act Hotline and an Asbestos Ombudsman. The hotline offers technical assistance and information regarding certain asbestos programs. The Asbestos Ombudsman focuses on schools and deals with complaints and inquiries. The hotline and ombudsman can offer various publications on controlling asbestos. For more information on asbestos, visit their website.

Questions may be directed to:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
EPA West Building
National Program Chemicals Division
Mail Code 7404T
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.
Washington, DC 20460
TSCA Hotline: 202-554-1404
TTY: 202-554-0551
Asbestos Ombudsman: 1-800-368-5888
E-mail: [email protected]
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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) shields the public from the unnecessary risk of injury or death from thousands of consumer products, including asbestos. The CPSC has a toll-free hotline where people can get product safety information and report dangerous products.

The CPSC also offers guidelines for removing asbestos. CPSC can be contacted at:

Office of Information and Public Affairs
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
4330 East West Highway
Bethesda, MD 20814
Telephone: 1-800-638-2772
TTY: 1-800-638-8270
E-mail: [email protected]
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Individuals can also contact their local or state health department with questions or concerns about asbestos.

For more cancer information, call the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Cancer Information Service (CIS) at 1-800-4CANCER (1-800-422-6237) or visit their website.

For information about quitting smoking, including smoking cessation counseling, call the NCI’s Smoking Quitline toll-free at 1-800-44UQUIT (1-800-448-7848) or visit their website.