Louisiana
Louisiana is a particular concern when it comes to asbestos exposure. It is not only one of the largest ports on the southern coast of the United States and home to several industrial plants and shipyards, but they were heavily affected by the destruction surrounding Hurricane Katrina. Many homes lay in ruin, as well as businesses, and many sources of asbestos contamination were ripped apart and left exposed. The workers that are involved in the clean up may be exposed to asbestos on any given site. Since asbestos was so widely employed in our history, there are many places where it has been, and is yet to be, found.
Shipyards
In Louisiana there are a great number of shipyards and ports. Shipyards employed blast furnaces that needed the surrounding area to be fireproofed, asbestos fulfilled this need, as well as the need for pipe insulation and protective gear for the employees that would be working with materials that were worked under considerable heat. When the insulation would crumble and the protective gloves and coveralls would tear or wear down, they were not immediately replaced, and the asbestos fibers in these materials were then exposed and became a source of exposure for workers.
Power Generation Plants
In a power generation plant there are all manners of use for asbestos, including pipe insulation as well as electrical insulation. There are places in a generation plant in which there is extreme heat and extreme cold, so being able to insulate the area is of exceptional importance, and sensitive electronics require the utmost protection. Those that worked in these power generation plants after the materials had started to wear were exposed to the asbestos fibers that were released into the air, the inhalation of which can lead to serious health issues.
Construction remains to be the highest risk of all the industries for asbestos exposure. Nobody was aware of the risk while these employees were installing the various types of asbestos materials into homes, businesses, and municipal buildings. Not only were they exposed when they were performing the installations, but the crews that did any sort of demolition or remodeling would be exposed to an even more concentrated amount of asbestos dust as they tore through the wall boards and ceiling tiles with high asbestos content. As Louisiana recovers from the destruction of Hurricane Katrina the cleanup crews are facing a similar threat.
Those that have been exposed to asbestos should consult a health care professional and inform them of the exposure so that they can help you monitor your health. Those that have been exposed are at risk of developing health problems that are specific to this exposure. Asbestosis features reduced lung capacity, if this is caught in time it is treatable, however, mesothelioma is a malignant cancer that is caused by the carcinogenic asbestos fibers that has a much lesser success rate than asbestosis for treatment. Those that have suffered asbestosis are still at risk for mesothelioma.
The effects of asbestos exposure can take several years, or even decades, to reveal themselves. If you find that you are suffering from asbestos related injuries, the next step is to contact legal assistance so that you can get help in finding the financial remedies that can afford you the care that you need.
Last modified: December 28, 2010.
