Indiana
Indiana is home of the racing legend Steve McQueen. Steve McQueen was not just a legend in racing, though, he was also a celebrity that had brought forth mesothelioma into the public eye in the 80s. Steve McQueen had been in the Marine Corps. Military installations were popular hot spots for asbestos exposure, as well as racing, where they would wear fire suits to race for their safety. Asbestos exposure is what leads to mesothelioma, a malignant cancer that many have suffered and died from in this country. This cancer is caused specifically by asbestos exposure, as is asbestosis, which is an ailment that will decrease the capacity of the lungs. While asbestosis is treatable, mesothelioma is incurable.
Steel Mills
In Indiana, there are plenty of industrial sites, one variety being steel mills. Steel mills employ fire in their operations, and the most natural thing to do around furnaces and incinerators is to fireproof. This fireproofing would be done with asbestos, as in the day that these mills were constructed there was no known danger associated with it. Asbestos was very popular and versatile, and was used not just in the fireproofing of the buildings, but also of the workers. They would wear coveralls and gloves composed of asbestos fabric to keep them safe from the heat and fire on the job. Torn asbestos fabric and crumbling insulation are common ways to have been exposed to asbestos.
Power Generation Plants
Indiana has its share of power generation plants as well, and as with steel mills, they employed asbestos for many of its various insulating jobs. It would insulate steam pipes, it would be employed in the workers' safety gear, and it would be used to house electrical wires and assemblies so as to keep the workers safe from exposure and keep the plant itself safe from fire and electrical damages.
Construction workers are a continued concern, as they have the highest risk of all. Though today the EPA has taken control of asbestos testing and abatement, in prior years structures that were rich in asbestos would be torn down without a second thought. Persons on the demolition team as well as the people that live in the surrounding areas of such sites where asbestos-rich buildings were torn down have been exposed to asbestos inhalation. The persons that installed such things as ceiling tiles, floor tiles and wall board would have been exposed as well.
If you, or someone that you know, has been exposed to asbestos dust or has been employed in the above capacities, they should have their health care professional examine them and keep close tabs on their respiratory health. The symptoms can take decades to appear, and when they do legal remedy should be sought. You may be able to be compensated for your injuries so that you can get the best care for asbestos related illnesses that you can. There is no such thing as a safe level of asbestos exposure.
Last modified: December 28, 2010.
