Asbestos in Arkansas
ranking in U.S. for mesothelioma & asbestosis deaths
The risk of asbestos exposure for residents of Arkansas extends across the state. Arkansas has certain areas that are at increased risk of asbestos exposure, specifically areas where asbestos was imported, where mining occurred and where improper demolitions took place. Not typically known for asbestos exposure, Arkansas ranks 35th in number of deaths from asbestos-related diseases. From 1999 to 2008, at least 202 people died from an asbestos-related disease in the state. Arkansas has no Superfund sites in which asbestos is listed as an official contaminant, but the toxic chemical can still be found in areas that pose a risk to residents. Arkansas was one of many states that received asbestos-tainted vermiculite from Libby, Montana. The amount was estimated to be approximately 70,048 tons over 826 different shipments, according to the EWG. The vast majority of this vermiculite went to North Little Rock. The remaining shipments went to other Arkansas cities like Nashville, Hope, Pine Bluff and Little Rock.
Treatment Centers in Arkansas
Winthrop Rockefeller Cancer Instituteview more
Mesothelioma and Asbestosis Deaths, 1999-2008
- 135mesothelioma deaths in Arkansas
- 67asbestosis deaths in Arkansas
- 202total mesothelioma and asbestosis deaths
Occupations at Risk
Occupational hazards exist in multiple fields, sectors and workplaces in Arkansas. Much of the danger is dependent on the daily functions of the occupation of an employee. Certain occupations provide more extreme hazards, like asbestos exposure, which can end up being fatal. The following list includes occupations that are at increased risk of being exposed to the toxic material known as asbestos:
- Power plant workers
- Insulators
- Chemical plant workers
- Park Staff
- Demolition workers
- Navy personnel
- Construction workers
- Teachers
Jobsites with Known Asbestos Exposure
Although Arkansas is not generally associated with widespread asbestos exposure, the state does contain certain jobsites where the toxic material has known to be present. Employees and visitors of these locations should take caution and consider seeking medical attention if exposure occurred. The following are a list of jobsites with known asbestos exposure in Arkansas:
- North Little Rock Parks
- Stuggart School District
- Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation
Fort Chaffee
Buildings in and near Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, were identified as containing asbestos and were demolished. According to a 2011 EPA review, asbestos was known to be contained within the buildings that were destroyed. But through a series of improper decisions, the EPA allowed Fort Chaffee building to be demolished using a new and unproven asbestos control method that had not been properly tested and approved by the agency.
North Little Rock
In December of 2011, officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) met with residents of the North Little Rock community to discuss possible asbestos exposure that occurred from a former vermiculite processing facility. EPA officials confirmed that asbestos contamination was present on the site and that further testing would be required to confirm more details. The vermiculite plant that previously existed in North Little Rock may have contained asbestos from Montana's Libby Mine, which was considered magnitudes more toxic than other types of asbestos.
Asbestos Litigation
Arkansas, like most other states with known cases of asbestos exposure and subsequent development of cancers, has seen its share of asbestos lawsuits. Lawsuits dating back decades stemmed from exposure victims against asbestos manufacturers, employers and other negligent parties. Asbestos lawsuits have dated back since the 1960s and have caused many companies to file for bankruptcy and settle claims through various trusts.
More than 40 asbestos-related lawsuits were filed in Arkansas since the 1990s. Some are class action lawsuits, meaning that the plaintiffs are a group of individuals, and many include multiple defendants. Nationally, some plaintiffs were awarded hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts. Others received more modest amounts through settlements or jury verdicts. Specifics settlement amounts or jury verdicts of Arkansas asbestos lawsuits are often held private and are therefore not accurately known. Because of Arkansas' more recent incidences of asbestos exposure through imported asbestos and water contamination, it is likely that more asbestos-related lawsuits will follow in the future.
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© 2012 The Mesothelioma Center |
Last Modified Thursday, February 16th, 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.
