Naval Station Ingleside
Naval Station Ingleside (NSI) is a 483-acre facility consisting of warehouse facilities, barracks, fitness and recreation facilities, a pier and administrative offices. Located in Ingleside, Texas in an area known as the Coastal Bend, the facility broke ground in 1988, becoming operational in 1992.
Although the facility did not construct ships that contained asbestos parts, it repaired, restored and maintained a number of older ships that was composed of parts containing asbestos. Naval Station Ingleside officially closed on April 30, 2010. The Port of Corpus Christi Authority (POCCA) now owns the site.
Asbestos Exposure at Naval Station Ingleside
Before the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), shipyards and other industries used asbestos in construction products such as insulation and piping. Well before the dangers of asbestos became public knowledge, it was considered a necessary material in shipbuilding. The South African-mined mineral called chrysotile asbestos was used specifically for parts such as gaskets, packing materials, insulation and tape. The product was used for all new submarines for the U.S. Navy beginning in 1922.
By World War II, the use of asbestos in shipbuilding and other industries exploded. Exposure to asbestos is more likely at other shipbuilding facilities that existed before 1977. By the time Naval Station Ingleside was built, the handling of asbestos materials was strictly regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Levels exceeding 0.1 fiber per cubic centimeter (f/cc) of air, averaged over an eight hour work shift, are prohibited by law. In cases where exceeding the legal limit is unavoidable, OSHA requires protective clothing and other safety equipment such as masks and goggles.
Although these safeguards were in place well before NSI was built, accidents do happen. Asbestos exposure occurs when asbestos fibers are inhaled and become lodged in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, and heart. If a worker does not wear protective gear, it is possible to inhale fibers. Asbestos fibers can also become attached to clothes. If uniforms are not disposed of after use, asbestos fibers can easily find their way into the home, resulting in secondary exposure to family members.
Naval Station Ingleside and Medical Help
The side effects from exposure to asbestos may take decades to appear. In some cases it can take 10 years to develop and in others it may take 50. The first signs of asbestos-related illness are shortness of breath and coughing. Other symptoms include chest tightness, wheezing, anemia, fever, weight loss, loss of appetite, swelling in the abdomen, chest pain and hoarseness.
Long-term exposure to asbestos can lead to asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer and other lung problems. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that is caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure. It affects the abdomen, lining of the lungs and chest cavity. Asbestosis is an inflammatory condition of the lungs that leads to scarring, which makes breathing difficult.
If you worked at Naval Station Ingleside and think you may have been exposed to asbestos, the first thing you should do is make an appointment to see your doctor. Your physician can perform a number of tests to determine if you are in the beginning stages of an asbestos-related illness.
Even if you receive a clean bill of health, regular checkups are still necessary, especially if you worked around asbestos. If the condition is caught early enough, there are a number of treatments that can help slow the progression of the condition or manage it. If you would like assistance finding treatment, our Doctor Match Program can help pair patients with specialists in asbestos-related disease. If you would like additional support resources, please fill out this form.
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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.
