The Jackson County Courthouse in Kansas City, Missouri is at the center of a recently filed asbestos lawsuit. Many now allege that the courthouse (which dates back to the 1930s) was the site of a number of cases of asbestos exposure, which may have caused health problems, or could contribute to health problems in the future. One long-time courthouse employee allegedly developed cancer due to working in the asbestos-laden courthouse, and her attorney believes that many more people could be at risk.

57-year-old Nancy Lopez worked at the courthouse between 1975 and 2007, and was diagnosed with mesothelioma last year.

"I don’t think there’s any chance on earth they’re coincidental," Lopez’s attorney Lou Accurso said. "The odds are that with that type of history and exposure that there’s going to be others unfortunately."

Asbestos exposure is the major cause of the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. Mesothelioma affects less than 3,000 Americans each year, and while there are treatment methods available, including chemo, there is no known cure.

"Cancer in the building, anyone can get it, so yeah that would be a major concern," courthouse worker Conise Harden told reporters. "They are doing a lot of clean-up around here, they are doing a lot of improvements to the building, so I’m for sure that they’re aware of what’s actually going on and they are trying to correct it."

Even Accurso is afraid that the time he spent in the courthouse over the years could ultimately cut his life short.

“I am nervous about myself, I get regular check-ups every year," he said. "But I think anybody that was in that courthouse from 1983 to 2006 has justifiable reason for concern."

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