Rhode Island
Rhode Island has a large asbestos mine at the top of the state. Any state with naturally occurring asbestos can be a major contributor to residents being exposed to the dangerous substance.
Asbestos is comprised of tiny fibers - when these fibers become airborne, they can be inhaled or deposited on any surface. If the fibers are breathed in, they can do a lot of damage and cause cancer. The primary type of cancer caused by asbestos is called Mesothelioma. Mesothelioma develops in the lungs, and can be fatal.
Asbestos Exposure in Rhode Island
Rhode Island is the smallest state in America, and yet the number of work sites that have been determined to use asbestos related products is staggering. The economy of the state has been largely derived from industries such as power plants, manufacturing companies and ship yards. Out of those three, two were major contributors to the infiltration of asbestos into Rhode Island
Power plants used many asbestos related products, as did the ship yards throughout the state. Employees of these companies were put at great risk for exposure.
Asbestos was also found in schools, office building, churches, shopping centers, homes and more. Basically any building that used insulation is at risk. Insulation was commonly made with a material called vermiculite. Vermiculite occurs naturally, and is often found near asbestos deposits. Because of this proximity, vermiculite regularly contains asbestos fibers, which are then included in the insulation that is put into homes and businesses.
Removing Asbestos
Even if you discover that your home or office has asbestos, do not try to remove it. The volatile nature of asbestos can cause it to break apart, leading to the probability of the fibers being inhaled and doing internal damage.
Find a company that is certified to deal with asbestos removal. Professional services such as Emery Environmental Associates in Pawtucket or General Environmental Services, Inc. in Warwick understand how to properly handle and dispose of this dangerous material.
Check you local phone book, or search online for a company to remove any asbestos on your premises.
Asbestos related deaths in Rhode Island
The EWG Action Fund has done studies on the mortality rate from asbestos exposure in every state. The result found for Rhode Island between the years of 1979 and 1999 was 216 deaths. The small size of Rhode Island makes this number even more relevant.
The study also listed the counties which had the highest numbers of deaths from the asbestos related disease, Mesothelioma. The three counties reporting the highest number of deaths were Providence County, Kent County and Washington County.
Asbestos lawsuits in Rhode Island
As with any state, there have been major lawsuits filed on behalf of people who have suffered with Mesothelioma. The state government decided to quickly put a stop to this problem, and produced Rhode Island Asbestos Act.
This act was a set of rules designed to control how asbestos was used at any work site in the state. It documented how asbestos may or may not be used. This measure has helped suppress the spread of asbestos and Mesothelioma. So while there are still lawsuits in effect today, the future of asbestos use in Rhode Island should be well controlled and maintained.
What to do if you have been exposed to asbestos
First off, seek medical treatment. Rhode Island has a 3 year statute of limitations for both negligence/personal injury cases and wrongful death cases. If you have been affected by asbestos exposure, and wish to pursue legal counsel, you must do so within these time limits.
We offer a free packet to guide you through the process of what to do when you have been exposed to asbestos. If you or a loved one has faced exposure, or fear you may face exposure, contact us to receive your complimentary copy.
Last modified: December 09 2009.
