Philadelphia Teacher Sues District Over Asbestos-Related Cancer

Juan Namnun, an award-winning health and physical education teacher at Frankford High School in Philadelphia, was diagnosed with papillary carcinoma in 2022. His diagnosis led him to file a lawsuit against The School District of Philadelphia. Papillary carcinoma is a rare type of breast cancer. Following his diagnosis, Namnum underwent a double mastectomy, reconstructive surgery and chemotherapy.  Namnum’s lawsuit claims his diagnosis is “a direct and proximate result of [his] repeated exposure to and inhalation of excessive amounts of asbestos fibers and dust at Frankford High school over a period of multiple decades.” He began working at the high school in 2001.  The lawsuit also alleges the school district covered up asbestos contamination at the high school. Thomas Bosworth, Namnun’s asbestos lawyer, contends the school district failed to inform students and staff about the risk of asbestos exposure at the school for several decades. Bosworth points to federal reports that mention abatements at the school since 1989. The lawsuit also names asbestos manufacturers and several companies that conducted environmental testing as defendants. “This is a systemic, long-standing issue that didn’t happen overnight,” Bosworth said. “I think that’s the most alarming part to me.” He added, “The fact that those abatement activities have been going on for, what, now almost 40 years, proves that the school distr...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: Asbestos (general) Asbestos Exposure Cancer (Non-Meso) Source Type: news