Boats of Freeport

The use of asbestos in American products has plagued millions of people over the years. This tough mineral was mined for inclusion in hundreds of different items that were found at industrial work sites, schools, homes and almost every walk of life. It was very popular due its great strength, incredible ability to withstand intense heat or even fire and the abundance in which it was found. Miners brought the inexpensive mineral to manufacturing companies by the ton, and they took as much of it as they could get.

Though asbestos was used in such a wide array of goods, it was especially necessary for products that were used to insulate hot running equipment such as the machinery found at any ship building and repair facility. One such shipyard was located in Freeport, Texas. Business there was very successful, and over the years a great many people were employed at the site. Almost all of them worked in close proximity with products that contained asbestos.

Had the workers at the Boats of Freeport Shipyard known that asbestos is toxic, they may not have accepted a job there, or at least demanded protective gear to work while on the clock. Sadly they did not know that various items they spent time around every day contained a material that could easily be taken internally and lodge permanently within their respiratory systems. This would happen when microscopic asbestos fibers would get into the air supply, allowing anyone nearby to breathe them in.

People who did ingest asbestos faced several dangers. They would often experience severe tissue scarring and have a difficult time with normal breathing. Many developed chronic respiratory disorders, and some even had to deal with the onset of lung cancer. Asbestos cancers, such as mesothelioma, have no cure, are difficult to treat and have claimed many lives over the years.

All across the United States people developed illnesses after spending time around products that contained asbestos, such as those found in the Boats of Freeport Shipyard. Workers at the Texas based facility often slowly developed painful symptoms of these maladies over a period of several years. Eventually the use of asbestos became highly regulated, but the people who worked in facilities where it was commonly utilized faced a serious health risk every time they were on the job.

Last modified: December 09 2009.