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Anaheim - Asbestos & Mesothelioma Resources

The city of Anaheim was founded by German settlers in 1857. Historically, Anaheim’s economy has been agriculturally based with the main crop being oranges. Today the economy is based on tourism, as there are many attractions in the area in addition to Disneyland. Anaheim has grown rapidly since the 1950s. In 2007, it was the nation’s 55th largest city with a population of 333,249.

Many concerns have been generated over asbestos exposure for workers in Anaheim. Some of these jobsites include the Anaheim Convention Center, the Anaheim Stadium, and the Children’s Hospital. Residents of Anaheim have also been concerned about asbestos exposure in neighboring Santa Ana. Some residents of Anaheim may have worked at the W.R. Grace Company Vermiculite Processing Plant in Santa Ana, where asbestos-containing vermiculite was processed for several years.

Statistical Data

Anaheim is located in Orange County. According to data compiled by the Environmental Working Group from statistics collected by the Centers for Disease Control, California has a higher asbestos-related death rate than any other state. In particular, Orange County has the third highest asbestos-related death rate among California counties. The chart below includes information on asbestos-related disease for Anaheim and other surrounding counties:

County	Asbestosis	Mesothelioma	Meso High	Total
Orange	130	187	307	312-432
Los Angeles	336	533	914	846-1227
San Bernardino	69	83	139	151-207
Riverside	81	88	142	162-216
San Diego	168	230	371	385-526

** It’s important to remember that the government did not begin tracking mesothelioma separately as a cause of death until 1998. When they did, the mortality rate nationwide for deaths from mesothelioma more than doubled. The lower number in each range represents an estimated mortality rate based on asbestos cancers that were thought to be mesothelioma. The higher range reflects the mesothelioma rate if one assumes that the incidence during the earlier years was actually twice that reflected by government statistics. Deaths caused by asbestos exposure that are not related to mesothelioma and asbestosis are not included in this chart.

Historical Asbestos Exposure Sites

Public Buildings

Anaheim Convention Center - The premier Anaheim Convention Center was originally built in the late 1960s. Since then, the center has been renovated and extensive asbestos removal and abatement has taken place. However, there were concerns about asbestos exposure for workers during the renovation or prior to it.

Asbestos is extremely dangerous when it releases toxic dust into the air. With age, asbestos-containing materials often become friable and release asbestos fibers, which is why flaking older paint and plaster can be a source of exposure. Former workers at the Anaheim Convention Center should seek the advice of their doctor if they are concerned about asbestos exposure.

Anaheim Stadium

Anaheim Stadium (now called Angel Stadium) was built in 1964. Like the Anaheim Convention Center, it was originally built with many asbestos-containing materials, but has since been renovated and asbestos abatement has been performed. Former workers who are concerned about possible exposure should be checked for asbestos-related diseases on a regular basis.

Power Plants

Electric power is supplied to Anaheim by Anaheim Public Utilities. The company has served the area for over a century, and its Orange County’s only publicly owned electric and water utility. Like other power plants across the country, Anaheim Public Utilities used asbestos extensively before the 1980s. People who worked in Anaheim power plants prior to the mid-1980s were likely exposed to asbestos. Anaheim Public Utilities has recently constructed new, environmentally-friendly substations that have met federal asbestos regulations.

Vermiculite Processing Plant

W.R. Grace & Company Santa Ana Plant - Between 1972 and 1993, the W.R. Grace & Company Plant has processed 400,000 tons of vermiculite ore from the Libby mines in Montana. Santa Ana is a neighboring community to Anaheim. Former workers of the Santa Ana plant have experienced an unusual number of cancers that are believed to be asbestos-related. Testing by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry has revealed that asbestos is still present in the soil surrounding the facility, but it is not believed to be hazardous to current workers or residents of the area.

Existing Asbestos Exposure Sites

The city of Anaheim is assumed to have many older buildings that still contain asbestos materials. However, these materials only present hazards if they are friable and are releasing dust into the air. The removal or abatement of asbestos should only be done by a hired profession with the proper equipment. Every state has different regulations regarding asbestos removal, so it’s important to check with your local or state department of health before getting started.

Regulations and Regulatory Agencies

Office of Public Affairs
Occupation Safety and Health Administration
U.S. Department of Labor
200 Constitution Avenue, NW.
Washington, DC 20210
(202) 693-1999
1-800-321-6742 (1-800-321-OSHA)

For information on the health effects of asbestos and for information on asbestos testing contact:

Information Resources Branch
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Robert A. Taft Laboratories
Mailstop C-18
4676 Columbia Parkway
Cincinnati, OH 45226-1998
1-800-356-4674 (1800-35-NIOSH)
eidtechinfo@cdc.gov

Treatment Centers

USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
1441 Eastlake Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90033
(800) 700-3956

USC University Hospital
1500 San Pablo St.
Los Angeles, CA 90033
(888) 700-5700

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