Virginia
Virginia is recognized as having a several areas with naturally occurring deposits of asbestos, most notably along the Appalachian Mountain range. The abundance of this material led to the opening of asbestos mines within the state.
When asbestos was first discovered, it was not recognized as being toxic. Unfortunately this led to asbestos being mined and used in a variety of products. It was eventually determined that asbestos was a cause of cancerous diseases such as mesothelioma, which develops in the lining of the lungs.
People living in any state that has naturally occurring asbestos are put at risk of exposure under the right circumstances, but it is more likely that an exposure will be under industrial conditions. Asbestos is made up of tiny fibers which are easy to inhale. These fibers stay in the lungs and can lead to the diseases which can even be fatal. Even if the fibers are not inhaled right away, they can cling to clothing or almost any surface. This could lead to an even greater amount of exposure - if someone working at a mine has asbestos fibers on their uniform or personal items, those fibers can be transported elsewhere without the worker ever even realizing. The fibers might later become airborne in another location, leading to the possibility of other individuals breathing in the asbestos even though they were never near the actual mine.
Asbestos Exposure in Virginia
Aside from the asbestos mines, another mining operation produced tons of vermiculite, a material that is commonly used to make insulation. Vermiculite is often found near asbestos deposits, and this turned out to be the case for the Virginian mine. A study on the vermiculite mine that was conducted in 2000, determined that the mine did indeed contain very high levels of asbestos. This resulted in the inadvertent spread of even more products containing asbestos into homes and businesses.
Virginia also boasts many ship yards, power plants, chemical plants and oil refineries. Each of these industries have used products made from asbestos - such as gaskets in the machine equipment and clothing for the employees - inside their facilities. Anytime these products crack, rip or break, it allows for the possibility of the asbestos fibers being released into the air.
Asbestos was also found at other work sites such as Richmond College, Fort Lee Boiler Room & Electric Co and the Norfolk Western Railroad. Any work place with asbestos on the premises posed a potential threat to the employees.
Removing Asbestos
The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry is a government agency that regulates asbestos matters throughout the state. They have worked with the Environmental Protection Agency to set up rules regarding this dangerous material. They can help answer any questions about what companies within the state are certified to remove asbestos from your home or business.
No one should ever attempt to remove asbestos on their own. It is very dangerous and could put you and anyone around you in danger. Only a qualified professional should ever attempt removal or disposal of asbestos. If you find any item which contains asbestos, such as the insulation made from vermiculite, check for qualified professionals in your phone book or online, or visit The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry website to locate someone to do the removal.
Asbestos related deaths in Virginia
There have been deaths in every state due to asbestos exposure, but the sheer amount of asbestos material throughout Virginia has led to and even higher rate of fatalities. From 1979 - 1999, a study was done to verify the number of deaths from diseases such as Mesothelioma. According to the information provided by the EWG Action Fund, the number of deaths in Virginia during this twenty year time frame was 1,389. The top three counties for fatalities were listed as being Newport News City, Hampton City and Portsmouth City.
Asbestos lawsuits in Virginia
Asbestos continues to be an issue in Virginia even today. As recently as 2007 it was reported that there were more than fifty open cases related to asbestos removal and exposure. As with any state that contains naturally occurring asbestos and industries that utilize asbestos products, there have been very many lawsuits started following exposure to the dangerous material.
What to do if you have been exposed to asbestos
Most important, first pursue medical opinions on the severity of your exposure and the likelihood of developing asbestos-related disease.
If you do intend to file a lawsuit, you must do so within the time restrictions presented by Virginia's statute of limitations, which is two years for both negligence/personal injury and wrongful death. The law does include a note which stipulates that personal injuries or wrongful death that stem from Real Estate Home Improvement has an extended statute of limitations for up to five years.
Don't risk not knowing what to do if you have been exposed to asbestos. Contact us for a free information packet which explains precisely what steps you should take following an exposure to this toxic material.
Last modified: December 28, 2010.
