Minnesota
Minnesota has suffered many deaths as a result of asbestos exposure. Though there are not many industries that made heavy use of asbestos in Minnesota, there are enough risks in the community to concern the public. The major health concerns when it comes to asbestos exposure are asbestosis, a condition that features reduced lung function due to the development of scar tissue, as well as mesothelioma, which is a cancer that is caused by the carcinogenic fibers of asbestos that the victim has inhaled. The scariest part of these conditions is that they can take years to show up, even decades, so if you believe that you have been exposed to asbestos in the past you should be sure to be checked out by a medical professional and make them aware of the exposure, that way you can keep a watchful eye out for any developing symptoms of either of these major health problems. If asbestosis is caught early enough it can be managed, however mesothelioma is not as treatable as it is a malignant form of cancer, which means that it will spread and grow as time goes on.
Mining
Minnesota has been the home of iron mines, such as those that were opened by the Reserve Mining Corporation. These mines had large amounts of taconite which was found to be contaminated by asbestos. This issue was not discovered until 2007, when fifty two miners had already died of mesothelioma. The miners that would be exposed to large amounts of asbestos fibers in the air of a mine even with nose and mouth protection would have carried home the debris on their clothes and in their hair that would expose the members of their household to the fibers as well.
Petroleum Plants
Petroleum plants were heavy users of asbestos prior to 1978. The plants had a great need to insulate tanks from extreme heat, and the workers and building required fire proofing from flammable materials. Electrical components were important to be insulated as well. All of this asbestos insulation and protective clothing would eventually start to wear, fray, crumble or tear, and when it did, it didn't necessarily receive immediate attention and replacement, which meant that any worker that passed nearby these materials, would be exposed to this dangerous carcinogen.
Construction workers were not aware of the risk when they would enter a job site before 1978 either. The workers would handle materials that were composed of asbestos, as well as tear down and demolish ceiling tiles and wall boards that had large quantities of asbestos fiber in them. The construction worker would be breathing the asbestos dust throughout his workday, the surrounding neighborhood would be exposed to the dust that was generated and blown about, and just as with the mine workers, the construction worker would carry home the fibers in their clothing and hair for their families.
If someone that you know is suffering from an asbestos related ailment, they should be in contact with legal representation so that they can help the victim to receive the assistance that they deserve toward the best care possible.
Last modified: December 28, 2010.
