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East Chicago Mesothelioma Legal Questions: Getting the Answers You Need
Introduction:
Facing a mesothelioma diagnosis in East Chicago is devastating. The emotional toll is immense, compounded by the daunting legal complexities involved in seeking compensation. This comprehensive guide addresses the critical legal questions facing East Chicago residents diagnosed with mesothelioma, empowering you to navigate this challenging journey with informed decisions. We'll explore the unique aspects of mesothelioma litigation in Indiana, the crucial steps to take, and resources available to help you fight for justice and secure the financial support you deserve. This isn't just legal information; it's your roadmap to understanding your rights and options.
Understanding Mesothelioma in East Chicago:
East Chicago, like many industrial areas, has a history of heavy industry, potentially exposing residents to asbestos. This exposure, often decades prior to diagnosis, significantly increases the risk of developing mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer linked to asbestos inhalation. Understanding the connection between your exposure and your diagnosis is crucial in building a strong legal case. This section will delve into the specific industrial history of East Chicago and common sources of asbestos exposure within the city. We'll explore potential locations of exposure – former industrial sites, shipyards, manufacturing plants, and even homes built with asbestos-containing materials.
Identifying Potential Liability:
Pinpointing the responsible parties in mesothelioma cases is often complex and requires meticulous investigation. Several entities may be liable, including:
Former employers: If your exposure occurred during your employment, your former employer(s) may be held responsible.
Property owners: If exposure happened on a property, the owners at the time of exposure could be liable.
Manufacturers and distributors: Companies that produced, distributed, or installed asbestos-containing products may also be held accountable.
Trust funds: Many asbestos manufacturers have established trust funds to compensate victims. Identifying and accessing these funds is a key part of a successful legal strategy.
This section details the investigative process involved in identifying potential defendants and the evidence needed to build a strong case against them. We’ll discuss the importance of meticulous record-keeping, witness testimonies, and expert analysis of exposure sources.
The Legal Process: Navigating Mesothelioma Lawsuits in Indiana:
Indiana's legal system has specific procedures for mesothelioma cases. Understanding these processes is critical to protect your rights. This section will cover:
Statute of limitations: Indiana has specific time limits for filing mesothelioma lawsuits. Missing these deadlines can severely impact your ability to seek compensation. We'll explain these deadlines and their implications.
Types of lawsuits: We will discuss different types of lawsuits that may be applicable to your situation, including personal injury lawsuits and wrongful death lawsuits.
The role of expert witnesses: Expert testimony from medical professionals and asbestos experts is essential in mesothelioma cases. We'll discuss the importance of securing reliable expert witnesses to support your claim.
Settlement vs. trial: Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of settling your case versus going to trial is crucial. This section will provide insight into the negotiation process and what to expect in court.
Securing Financial Compensation:
Financial compensation is crucial for covering medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs associated with mesothelioma. This section will explore:
Medical expenses: Mesothelioma treatment is costly. We'll discuss how legal action can help cover these expenses.
Lost wages: The inability to work due to illness can lead to significant financial hardship. Legal action can provide compensation for lost income.
Pain and suffering: Mesothelioma causes significant pain and suffering. Compensation can be awarded to address these non-economic damages.
Wrongful death claims: If a loved one has passed away from mesothelioma, a wrongful death claim may be filed to recover compensation for the family.
Finding the Right Legal Representation:
Choosing a skilled mesothelioma attorney is critical to maximizing your chances of success. This section will offer advice on selecting an attorney, including:
Experience: Look for attorneys with extensive experience handling mesothelioma cases.
Reputation: Research the attorney's reputation and track record of success.
Resources: Ensure the law firm has the resources and expertise to handle a complex case.
Compassion and support: Finding an attorney who understands the emotional toll of mesothelioma is crucial.
Resources and Support for East Chicago Residents:
Facing a mesothelioma diagnosis can be overwhelming. This section will provide links and information on resources and support available to East Chicago residents, including:
Local support groups: Connecting with others facing similar challenges can provide invaluable emotional support.
Medical resources: Information on leading mesothelioma specialists and treatment centers.
Financial assistance programs: Information on programs that can help with medical expenses and other costs.
Conclusion:
Navigating the legal complexities of a mesothelioma diagnosis in East Chicago requires knowledge, preparation, and the right legal support. By understanding the legal process, identifying potential liability, and securing competent legal representation, you can increase your chances of securing the financial compensation you deserve. Remember, you are not alone in this fight.
Article Outline: East Chicago Mesothelioma Legal Questions
I. Introduction: Briefly introduces the topic and its importance.
II. Understanding Mesothelioma in East Chicago: Discusses the history of asbestos exposure in the city and identifies potential sources.
III. Identifying Potential Liability: Explains how to pinpoint responsible parties (employers, property owners, manufacturers).
IV. The Legal Process: Outlines Indiana's legal procedures for mesothelioma cases, including statute of limitations and types of lawsuits.
V. Securing Financial Compensation: Explains how to obtain compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering.
VI. Finding the Right Legal Representation: Provides guidance on selecting a competent mesothelioma attorney.
VII. Resources and Support: Lists available resources and support for East Chicago residents.
VIII. Case Studies (Optional): Real-life examples (anonymised for privacy) illustrating successful outcomes.
IX. Conclusion: Re-emphasizes key takeaways and encourages proactive action.
(The detailed content for each section is already incorporated into the main article above.)
FAQs:
1. What is the statute of limitations for mesothelioma lawsuits in Indiana? Indiana's statute of limitations varies depending on the specific circumstances, so consulting with a lawyer is crucial.
2. How do I prove asbestos exposure in East Chicago? This requires meticulous investigation, including gathering employment records, medical records, and potentially using expert witnesses to analyze exposure sources.
3. What types of compensation can I receive in a mesothelioma lawsuit? You may receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and potentially punitive damages.
4. Do I need a lawyer to file a mesothelioma lawsuit? While not legally required, having an experienced mesothelioma attorney significantly increases your chances of a successful outcome.
5. How much does it cost to hire a mesothelioma lawyer? Many mesothelioma lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you win your case.
6. What if my exposure to asbestos was decades ago? Even if exposure happened many years ago, you may still have grounds for a lawsuit, depending on the statute of limitations.
7. What is an asbestos trust fund? Many asbestos manufacturers have set up trust funds to compensate victims. Your lawyer can help you determine eligibility.
8. What if I don’t have all my employment records? Your lawyer can help investigate and gather missing information, using various methods to reconstruct exposure history.
9. What should I do if I suspect I have been exposed to asbestos? See a doctor immediately for testing and evaluation, and consult with a mesothelioma attorney to discuss your legal options.
Related Articles:
1. Asbestos Exposure in Indiana: An overview of the history of asbestos use and its impact on the state.
2. Mesothelioma Symptoms and Diagnosis: A guide to understanding the signs and getting proper medical evaluation.
3. Mesothelioma Treatment Options in Indiana: A review of available treatments and where to find them.
4. Understanding Asbestos Trust Funds: A detailed explanation of how these funds work and how to access them.
5. Choosing the Right Mesothelioma Lawyer: Tips and advice on selecting legal representation.
6. Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Indiana: Information for families who have lost loved ones to mesothelioma.
7. The Emotional Impact of a Mesothelioma Diagnosis: Support and resources for coping with the emotional toll.
8. Financial Assistance for Mesothelioma Patients: A guide to accessing various financial aid programs.
9. Indiana's Workers' Compensation and Mesothelioma: Information on how workers' compensation may apply in mesothelioma cases.
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Surviving Mesothelioma and Other Cancers Paul Kraus, 2005 In June 1997, Paul Kraus was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a very aggressive cancer, and given only a few months to live. More than eight years later, Mr. Kraus is alive with a good quality of life having rejected surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Here, the author offers solid practical advice on: how to cope with the initial diagnosis; nutrition and diet; conventional and complementary therapies; the role of the mind in health and the principles of healing.--From publisher description. |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Asbestos and Mesothelioma Joseph R. Testa, 2017-04-06 This volume is comprised of a multidisciplinary assessment of the interplay between asbestos and cancer as well as new research about the biology and treatment of malignant mesothelioma. Chapters on the various types of asbestos and other mineral fibers, epidemiology, history and future of asbestos-related diseases are included. Other reviews present new information about the role of asbestos-related inflammation and genetic factors, including the role of inherited mutations of BAP1, in mesothelioma causation, as well as recent research about gene signatures, cell signaling, and epigenetic mechanisms in asbestos-related diseases. Other chapters provide updates of novel disease biomarkers and prevention, mechanistic lesson from genetically engineered mouse and 3-D models of mesothelioma tumorigenesis and therapeutic resistance. Also included are up-to-date reviews of surgical, molecularly targeted chemotherapeutic, and immunotherapeutic approaches for mesothelioma as well as an overview of legal issues. |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: A Patient's Guide to Mesothelioma Joseph Belluck, 2013-05-06 Mesothelioma is a relatively rare but serious illness, and it's natural to feel overwhelmed when it strikes close to home. But you don't have to face this life-changing diagnosis - or its consequences - alone. Use this book to get the information you need to make informed choices about your medical care and legal rights. And visit us online at www.mesotheliomahelp.net for additional assistance. Written in plain English, with easy-to-understand definitions of technical terms right in the text, this book is designed to serve two purposes: It's a reference for you to turn to with your medical and legal questions, as well as a personal journal for you to track your treatments and other important information in one convenient place. The book is divided into three sections. Chapters 1 through 5 cover the medical side of mesothelioma and asbestos-related disease. Chapters 6 through 8 help you navigate and understand your legal options if you (or a loved one) suffer from the effects of asbestos exposure. In the back of the book, you'll find a glossary, a list of doctors and treatment centers that specialize in mesothelioma and related diseases, and useful charts and checklists for keeping track of your symptoms, treatments, and important documents and records. |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Choice of Law Symeon Symeonides, 2016 Choice of Law provides an in-depth sophisticated coverage of the choice-of-law part Conflicts Law (or Private International Law) in torts, products liability, contracts, forum-selection and arbitration clauses, insurance, statutes of limitation, domestic relations, property, marital property, and successions. It also covers the constitutional framework and conflicts between federal law and foreign law. The book explains the doctrinal and methodological foundations of choice of law and then focuses on its actual practice, examining not only what courts say but also what they do. It identifies the emerging decisional patterns and extracts predictions about likely outcomes. |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Asbestos Litigation Stephen J. Carroll, Deborah R. Hensler, Jennifer Gross, Elizabeth M. Sloss, Matthias Schonlau, 2005-07-07 Asbestos litigation is the longest-running mass tort litigation in U.S. history. Through 2002, approximately 730,000 individuals have brought claims against some 8,400 business entities, and defendants and insurers have spent a total of $70 billion on litigation. Building on previous RAND briefings, the authors report on what happened to those who have claimed injury from asbestos, what happened to the defendants in those cases, and how lawyers and judges have managed the cases. |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Compensating Asbestos Victims Andrea Boggio, 2016-05-23 This book traces the emergence and transformations of asbestos compensation to explore the wider issue of to what extent legal systems have converged in the era of globalization. Examining the mechanism by which asbestos compensation is delivered in Belgium, England, Italy and the United States, as well as the cultural forces and actors which contribute to its emergence and transformations, the book advances our understanding of how law operates within cultural norms, routines, and institutional relations of capitalist societies. With material gathered from 50 interviews and from primary and secondary sources, the author considers law as a cultural phenomenon, national styles of legal culture and the convergence and divergence of legal cultures, and law as a form of institutionalized power. |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Natural Resources Law Newsletter , 1980 |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: The Air Force Law Review , 1990 |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: American Judicial Process Pamela C. Corley, Artemus Ward, Wendy L. Martinek, 2015-09-25 This text is a general introduction to American judicial process. The authors cover the major institutions, actors, and processes that comprise the U.S. legal system, viewed from a political science perspective. Grounding their presentation in empirical social science terms, the authors identify popular myths about the structure and processes of American law and courts and then contrast those myths with what really takes place. Three unique elements of this myth versus reality framework are incorporated into each of the topical chapters: 1) Myth versus Reality boxes that lay out the topics each chapter covers, using the myths about each topic contrasted with the corresponding realities. 2) Pop Culture boxes that provide students with popular examples from film, television, and music that tie-in to chapter topics and engage student interest. 3) How Do We Know? boxes that discuss the methods of social scientific inquiry and debunk common myths about the judiciary and legal system. Unlike other textbooks, American Judicial Process emphasizes how pop culture portrays—and often distorts—the judicial process and how social science research is brought to bear to provide an accurate picture of law and courts. In addition, a rich companion website will include PowerPoint lectures, suggested topics for papers and projects, a test bank of objective questions for use by instructors, and downloadable artwork from the book. Students will have access to annotated web links and videos, flash cards of key terms, and a glossary. |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Public Health Law Lawrence O. Gostin, Lindsay F. Wiley, 2016-02-02 In this bold new edition, Gostin is joined by coauthor Lindsay F. Wiley to analyze the crucial role of law in addressing today's major health threats, including emerging infectious diseases, bioterrorism, natural disasters, car fatalities, gun violence, opioid overdoses, and chronic diseases caused by tobacco use, poor diet, and physical inactivity. The book creates an intellectual framework for the modern field of public health law and supports that framework with illustrations of the scientific, political, and ethical issues involved. In proposing innovative solutions for the future of the public's health, Gostin and Wiley's essential study provides a blueprint for coming public and political debates in this dynamic field. New issues covered in this edition: Corporate personhood rights raised in response to regulations of tobacco, food and beverages, alcohol, firearms, prescription drugs, and marijuana; local government authority to protect the public's health; deregulation and harm reduction as modes of public health law intervention; taxation, spending, and alteration of the socioeconomic environment as modes of public health law intervention; access to health care as a strategy for protecting the public's health; taxation, spending, licensing, zoning, and shared-use strategies for chronic disease prevention; the public health law perspective on violence and injury prevention; health justice as a framework for reducing health disparities and protecting the public's health--Provided by publisher. |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Current Law Index , 2007 |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Asbestos Litigation Costs and Compensation Stephen J. Carroll, 2002 Examines the dimensions of current asestos litigation and the potential future effects of the litigation on the U.S. economy. |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Dust-Up Jeb Barnes, 2011-07-08 In an era of polarization, narrow party majorities, and increasing use of supermajority requirements in the Senate, policy entrepreneurs must find ways to reach across the aisle and build bipartisan coalitions in Congress. One such coalition-building strategy is the “politics of efficiency,” or reform that is aimed at eliminating waste from existing policies and programs. After all, reducing inefficiency promises to reduce costs without cutting benefits, which should appeal to members of both political parties, especially given tight budgetary constraints in Washington. Dust-Up explores the most recent congressional efforts to reform asbestos litigation—a case in which the politics of efficiency played a central role and seemed likely to prevail. Yet, these efforts failed to produce a winning coalition, even though reform could have saved billions of dollars and provided quicker compensation to victims of asbestos-related diseases. Why? The answers, as Jeb Barnes deftly illustrates, defy conventional wisdom and force us to rethink the political effects of litigation and the dynamics of institutional change in our fragmented policymaking system. Set squarely at the intersection of law, politics, and public policy, Dust-Up provides the first in-depth analysis of the political obstacles to Congress in replacing a form of litigation that nearly everyone—Supreme Court justices, members of Congress, presidents, and experts—agrees is woefully inefficient and unfair to both victims and businesses. This concise and accessible case study includes a glossary of terms and study questions, making it a perfect fit for courses in law and public policy, congressional politics, and public health. |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Lead Babies and Poisoned Housing Carolyn R. Boiarsky, 2024-09-01 Drawing on historic sources as well as present-day interviews, Lead Babies and Poisoned Housing is a story about systemic racism, environmental injustice, and the failure of government. In 2016, 1,100 mainly minority residents of a low-income housing complex in East Chicago, Indiana, received a letter from the city forcibly evicting them from their homes because a high level of lead was found in the soil under their houses. The residents were given two months to move. Many could not find safe housing nearby. The site was designated by the Environmental Protection Agency as a Superfund site because of the large amount of toxic material on it. More than 1,300 similar sites are located throughout the United States. Over 70 million people live within three miles of one of these sites. Five years later, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General charged three federal agencies—EPA, HUD, and CDC—with causing the lead poisoning of children living in the complex. The EPA, responsible for the cleanup, had been aware of the situation for 35 years. The director of the local housing authority admitted to building the complex over a demolished lead smelter. When health issues arose, the housing authority blamed the residents’ sanitary habits rather than its own failure to maintain the structures. The Center for Disease Control and Preventions’s testing of blood lead levels was revealed to be faulty. In short, the very agencies that were supposed to protect these people instead neglected, ignored, and blamed them. But this isn’t just a story of victimization; it is also about empowerment and community members insisting their voices be heard. Lead Babies and Poisoned Housing records the human side of what happens when the industries responsible for polluting leave, but the residents remain. Those residents tell their stories in their own words—not just what happened to them, but how they acted in response. We should listen, not only for justice, but as a cautionary tale against repeated history. |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Responsibilities and Dispensations Carl N. Edwards, 2001 |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Ken O'Byrne, Valerie W. Rusch, 2006 This book provides health professionals and scientists with a comprehensive overview of the mesothelioma - an asbestos induced malignancy. It includes chapters on epidemology, diagnosis, histopathology, radiology, surgery, chemotherapy, immune therapy, and radiotherapy as well as the molecular biology and future therapies. |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Neuropsychological Toxicology David E. Hartman, 2012-12-06 Greatly revised, the Second Edition presents an extended survey of this rapidly growing field. The book reviews the effects of industrial and pharmaceutical chemicals on human behavior, cognitive function, and emotional status. Features include two new chapters addressing key forensic issues and recent views on multiple chemical sensitivity, sick building syndrome, and psychosomatic disorders; current data on NIOSH and OSHA exposure levels for industrial toxins; and enhanced coverage of testing methods; studies of PET, SPECT, and BEAM imaging applied to neurotoxic exposure. |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Cumulated Index Medicus , 1966 |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Professional Safety , 2003 |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Congressional Record Index , 1973 Includes history of bills and resolutions. |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Current List of Medical Literature , 1959 Includes section, Recent book acquisitions (varies: Recent United States publications) formerly published separately by the U.S. Army Medical Library. |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: National Library of Medicine Audiovisuals Catalog National Library of Medicine (U.S.), |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Catalogue of the Public Documents of the ... Congress and of All Departments of the Government of the United States for the Period from ... to ... United States. Superintendent of Documents, |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Medical Error and Patient Safety George A. Peters, Barbara J. Peters, 2007-11-01 A difficult and recalcitrant phenomenon, medical error causes pervasive and expensive problems in terms of patient injury, ineffective treatment, and rising healthcare costs. Simple heightened awareness can help, but it requires organized, effective remedies and countermeasures that are reasonable, acceptable, and adaptable to see a truly significa |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Catalogue of the Public Documents of the [the Fifty-third] Congress [to the 76th Congress] and of All Departments of the Government of the United States United States. Superintendent of Documents, 1896 |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Legislative Calendar United States. Congress. House. Committee on Government Operations, United States. Congress. House. Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, 2009 |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Legislative Calendar United States. Congress. House. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Current Catalog National Library of Medicine (U.S.), 1992 First multi-year cumulation covers six years: 1965-70. |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety Jeanne Mager Stellman, 1998 Revised and expanded, this edition provides comprehensive coverage of occupational health and safety. A new CD-ROM version is available which provides the benefits of computer-assisted search capabilities |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Promoting Your Voice on School Safety Lori Brown, Gretchen Oltman, 2022-11-01 This hands-on guide helps teachers understand the complexity and humanity behind school safety and security issues—and their role in promoting, using their professional knowledge and expertise, a safe school environment. While other books teach security techniques (lockdowns and drills), this unique resource focuses on acknowledging a teacher’s role at the forefront of maintaining safe schools, as they spend the most time with students throughout the day. The book offers comfort and resources to these teachers on the front lines, with comprehensive guidance on how to identify, advocate for, and collaborate on school safety issues. It also provides invaluable information on classroom management, responding to trauma, striving for more equitable outcomes, and finding and using other voices. Each chapter is filled with reflection questions, tools, and What would you do? scenarios, making this the perfect resource to work on with a colleague or study group. With the practical advice in this book, you’ll feel more prepared and confident to tackle difficult decisions on both a small and larger scale. . |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Human Resources Report , 2005 |
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| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Judicial Hellholes , 2004 |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Congressional Record United States. Congress, 2010 The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress. It is published daily when Congress is in session. The Congressional Record began publication in 1873. Debates for sessions prior to 1873 are recorded in The Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States (1789-1824), the Register of Debates in Congress (1824-1837), and the Congressional Globe (1833-1873) |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Error Reduction and Prevention in Surgical Pathology Raouf E. Nakhleh, Keith E. Volmar, 2019-07-09 The 1st edition of Error Reduction and Prevention in Surgical Pathology was an opportunity to pull together into one place all the ideas related to errors in surgical pathology and to organize a discipline in error reduction. This 2nd edition is an opportunity to refine this information, to reorganize the book to improve its usability and practicality, and to include topics that were not previously addressed. This book serves as a guide to pathologists to successfully avoid errors and deliver the best diagnosis possible with all relevant information needed to manage patients. The introductory section includes general principles and ideas that are necessary to understand the context of error reduction. In addition to general principles of error reduction and legal and regulatory responsibilities, a chapter on regulatory affairs and payment systems which increasingly may be impacted by error reduction and improvement activities was added. This later chapter is particularly important in view of the implementation of various value-based payment programs, such as the Medicare Merit-Based Incentive Payment System that became law in 2015. The remainder of the book is organized in a similar manor to the 1st edition with chapters devoted to all aspects of the test cycle, including pre-analytic, analytic and post-analytic. The 2nd Edition of Error Reduction and Prevention in Surgical Pathology serves as an essential guide to a successfully managed laboratory and contains all relevant information needed to manage specimens and deliver the best diagnosis. |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Law Reporter , 2001 |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: West's federal reporter : cases argued and determined in the United States courts of appeals and Temporary Emergency Court of Appeals , 1993 |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Selected References on Environmental Quality as it Relates to Health , 1976 |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Pathology of Malignant Mesothelioma Francoise Galateau-Sallé, 2010-05-06 • Only up-to-date title in the market • Current topic with significant media coverage • Internationally relevant, the use of asbestos and its consequences is a global problem • This title aids in pathological diagnosis which is very difficult • Contributors are experts from France, UK, USA, Australia and Canada • Plentiful, colored illustrations complete the text • Target group exceeds pathologists: The diagnosis is evidence for medico-legal purposes, which makes the book invaluable to members of legal profession specializing in this disease |
| east chicago mesothelioma legal question: Residues Soraya Boudia, Angela N. H. Creager, Scott Frickel, Emmanuel Henry, Nathalie Jas, Carsten Reinhardt, Jody A. Roberts, 2021-12-31 Residues offers readers a new approach for conceptualizing the environmental impacts of chemicals production, consumption, disposal, and regulation. Environmental protection regimes tend to be highly segmented according to place, media, substance, and effect; academic scholarship often reflects this same segmented approach. Yet, in chemical substances we encounter phenomena that are at once voluminous and miniscule, singular and ubiquitous, regulated yet unruly. Inspired by recent studies of materiality and infrastructures, we introduce “residual materialism” as a framework for attending to the socio-material properties of chemicals and their world-making powers. Tracking residues through time, space, and understanding helps us see how the past has been built into our present chemical environments and future-oriented regulatory systems, why contaminants seem to always evade control, and why the Anthropocene is as inextricably harnessed to the synthesis of carbon into new molecules as it is driven by carbon’s combustion. |
