Does anyone have information on the reported asbestos contamination at the South Florida resorts. I checked out the problem at the University of Miami and find out that the University does have a serious asbestos problem which they are not informing the public of. If University buildings were built with asbestos, it seems likely that so were resort motels and hotels.

Bob
There probably all kinds of biased sources of information I could point you toward, but ask your doctor what the health risk of staying in what you call a "asbestos contaminated" hotel would be, especially if that hotel is NOT undergoing renovations. Its my understanding that the health risk of staying in a building that has asbestos for a week or so is so small as to be ridiculous. It really becomes a concern when you begin spending YEARS in the building. I remember hearing that when asbestos is removed from school buildings, the people they are most concerned about are the teachers who have spent careers in these buildings, and not the students who only spend a few years.
The upshot is, the risk of cancer from a hotel in Florida is probably far less than getting bit by a shark while swimming in florida waters or being hit by lightning while on a florida golf course. But don't take my word for it, ask an oncologist- I think you should be more worried about carcinogens in your own home and workplace than those you'll encounter during a few nights in a hotel!

As an oncologist with 12 years of experience, I'll offer my 2 cents: Read Larry's note. It's right on target. How much do you think you raise your risk of lung cancer by smoking 1 pack of cigarettes? Risk of esophageal cancer by drinking a 12 pack of beer? Of skin cancer by spending a long afternoon in the sun in Florida? In my estimation, you raise your risk of getting a mesothelioma from asbestos exposure resulting from a week at a resort not undergoing renovation (assuming it was constructed with asbestos) similarly in each of these scenarios.
Did you know that as an urban dweller, you inhale THOUSANDS of asbestos fibers a day which are shed from car brake linings? Think this has a greater potential to cause cancer than a week at a resort? I'd bet yes.
There are about 2000 cases of mesothelioma a year in the US out of approx 1.3 million cancers, and the incidence has been stable for years. The risk of lung cancer associated with asbestos exposure is more difficult to define due to the confounding effects of smoking, but this is a secondary concern. My take? Media hype propagated by those who don't really understand what they're writing about.

Hi Bob
The next time that you look in a mirrow give my best to old HMS,chuckle,chuckle.

MM...agreed. Was pretty sure AMS had resurfaced with a new name.

Wish Fodors required registration before posting for just this reason!

This is one time when I can agree with McDaniel. I sure darn wish Fodors required registration before posting. The majority of diversive and superficial commentary I had received in my "Florida Is Still Unsafe " forum came from individuals using pseudo-names. However, Bob's comments are relevant.

Bob, meet AMS. AMS, meet Bob. Oh, you already know each other? In the mirror you say? Larry, CancerDoc? I wonder just how many separate people are ACTUALLY writing here, and how many are new personalities of AMS. MM -- I admit, I'd begun to miss AMS (her?) a little, just for the entertainment. But I worry that ANYONE takes her? him? seriously. Back to Mars........

Dr. Freud: While there are many instances in which people on these forums use multiple psudonyms, I am most definitely not Larry's mirror image.
BTW, people have asked in the past why some authors feel compelled to conceal their identities on these forums. There are many reasons, to be sure, but among them is the fact that malicious e-mail attacks, spamming, and the like have been reported by some posters whose opinions were not in line with those of other posters/readers, resulting in aggressive behavior. Too bad things have to be this way, but the anonymity is definitely a double-edged sword.

I will verify CancerDoc's comment. I was "punished" with some extremely vicious action by someone who obviously didn't like what I said on the forum. Since then, I've used my real identity when making a favorable or neutral comment. When disagreeing strongly, however, I've had to resort to anonimity for fear of being "punished" again. How very sad!

I take it back. I don't miss AMS anymore. Time to go back to Mars -- where the Evil Immigrants have yet to festoon the Mars Aventura with asbestos garlands. Oooooooo, punishment!

I have been participating on these forums for some time now so I know how to tolerate the criticism, abuse, and (bad) jokes. But Bob is a relative novice. Its not fair to subject him to the same type of abuse.

Sorry, Larry, to group you with the other AMS personalities. But duck when you see AMS heading your way -- now it's the Mafia, if you check the "Florida's Still Unsafe Thread." AMS is having a GREAT weekend with all her imaginary friends and enemies!

YOU'RE the one with multiple personalities, Freud/MysteryWoman! See what I mean about being prosecuted just because I tell the truth?

Hey, AMS, I can take care of myself. But you're right about Freud and MysteryWoman -- I caught that, too. Still want to know about asbestos at the resorts. Is there anyone serious out there who knows the facts about contamination?

It seems Andrew M. Selkirk is back to his dirty tricks again. The message that appears two messages up that uses my e-mail address and initials did not come from me. Using another person's e-mail address constitutes outright fraud. This time I will pursue prosecution. The origin of these messages can be easily verified. Andrew or whoever impersonated me two messages up is in BIG TROUBLE!

Hey, keep it up folks, you're really getting laughable!.........Pathetic!

You might want to slow down,asbestos-breath; your lungs will suffer if you overexert yourself, and so will your chubes.

Hey, someone impersonated me four messages previous to this one. I started this sub forum but I didn't make the previous statement. For that matter, I appreciate the help that AMS has given me and also appreciate the physicians' comments. I only wish there was more information. I hope state or Federal agencies will begin to scrutinize the Florida asbestos problem.