Boats of Freeport
Throughout its 100-year history, shipping has played an important role in the economic and cultural life of Freeport. Though the population of the town is about 13,000 people, Freeport is one of the fastest growing ports on the Gulf Coast, handling nearly 26,000,000 tons of freight per year with revenues of more than $7 billion annually.
Over 30,000 people are employed by the shipping industry, many commuting from as far away as Houston. Freeport is the 24th busiest port in the United States and ranks 16th in the United States. for the amount of foreign tonnage it processes every year. Like many other shipyards throughout Texas, Boats of Freeport geared up for World War II, building and servicing the seafaring vessels that played such a decisive role in the U.S. war effort. After World War II ended, the shipyard continued to become one of the major ship servicers on the Texas Gulf coast.
Boats of Freeport and Asbestos
Boats of Freeport is a shipyard in the town of Freeport, Texas, a deepwater port on the Gulf of Mexico approximately 50 miles southwest of Houston. Though not all shipyard employees directly worked with asbestos products, asbestos dust permeated the shipyard environment, placing the carpenters, electricians, plumbers, painters and other craftsmen who worked there at risk for developing an asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma.
Shipping has been an economic boon for Freeport, but it has also created a public health problem. Brazoria County where Freeport is located ranks 11th among Texas counties for the number of diagnosed mesothelioma cases. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that has been conclusively linked to asbestos exposure.
Before the 1980s, asbestos was widely used in shipyards in a number of different products. As workers cut and shaped asbestos-containing materials, they released clouds of dust containing asbestos fibers. These fibers were microscopic and could easily remain airborne for quite some time. Anyone nearby who inhaled these fibers experienced asbestos exposure. Many shipyard employees at the time did not think to wear protective equipment to prevent exposure.
Generally, asbestos-related diseases are dose-dependent. The longer you are exposed to asbestos and the more intense the exposure, the greater your chances are of developing a related condition. Mesothelioma, however, is an exception. The cancer can develop even after a short-term exposure, which sometimes makes it difficult to pinpoint exactly when that exposure took place. Mesothelioma typically has a latency period that lasts as long as 20 or 50 years. Because of the long latency period, people who worked around asbestos in the 1970s are still being diagnosed with the cancer today.
Resources for Boats of Freeport Shipyard Workers
If you have sustained even a small degree of asbestos exposure through your employment at Boats of Freeport, it is important to have medical checkups on a regular basis. These examinations should include chest X-rays that are commonly used to diagnose mesothelioma. Early detection of mesothelioma widens treatment options in most cases. For more information about finding a doctor qualified in asbestos-related disease diagnosis, visit the Mesothelioma Center's Doctor Match Program.
Family and loved ones of Texas Boats of Freeport workers should also see their doctors regularly. Asbestos dust can settle on clothing and hair, which means employees may have carried home asbestos fibers. Some mesothelioma patients report their only asbestos exposure was through this type of secondary exposure. Anyone diagnosed with an asbestos-caused condition can request support resources and assistance by filling out this form or calling (800) 617-2270 to speak with a Patient and Family Advocate.
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© 2012 The Mesothelioma Center |
Last Modified Thursday, February 9th, 2012 | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy |
The information provided by The Mesothelioma Center is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Sponsored by a law firm concentrating in asbestos litigation, The Peterson Firm, LLP with offices at 1350 Connecticut Ave, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington DC 20036.
