Asbestos in Idaho
ranking in U.S. for mesothelioma & asbestosis deaths
Idaho is a primarily rural state known for its agriculture and technological industries. Its rocky mountain terrain is home to naturally occurring asbestos deposits, while factories such as the Pacific Lumber Company, Micron Technology and Cascade Corporation brought industrial asbestos to the area.
Several asbestos deposits were scattered across Idaho, including the former Kamiah asbestos deposit. The Kamiah deposit was the state's only producing mine, home to brittle mass-fiber anthophyllite and tremolite. Other non-producing deposits were located in Clearwater County and Adams County.
Idaho businesses, like businesses across the nation, used asbestos in their daily operations, yet the state ranks in the bottom 10 states for asbestos-related illnesses. Workers were exposed to asbestos used in machinery parts and insulation, as well as in some final products such as construction materials and lumber. Exposure to asbestos can cause fatal diseases, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.
Treatment Centers in this State
Mesothelioma and Asbestosis Deaths, 1999-2008
- 117mesothelioma deaths in Idaho
- 37asbestosis deaths in Idaho
- 154total mesothelioma and asbestosis deaths
Occupations and Environmental Areas at Risk
The United States Geological Survey identifies several sites in Idaho where naturally-occurring asbestos was identified. Most of the state's asbestos occurs in the panhandle. In addition to the commercial mine at Kamiah, Idaho was home to the Blacktail asbestos prospect, the Orofino Creek anthophyllite deposit, the Teakean asbestos deposit, the Olson asbestos prospect and several unnamed occurrences in Adams County.
Asbestos deposits in Idaho were found among host rocks such as talc, magnesite and iron oxide. When these minerals were mined, the accompanying asbestos may have been released into the air. Asbestos in its natural state can become also airborne from weathering.
While miners may have been exposed to asbestos in Idaho mines, other occupations also placed employees at high risk for asbestos exposure. With a booming science industry, chemical plants and technology factories are major employers in Idaho. Monsanto Chemical Plant and Idaho Chemical were two prominent manufacturers in the area, potentially exposing their employees to asbestos in equipment and protective gear. Additionally, power plants such as the hydroelectric power plant at Pocatello may have contained asbestos in the air, soil and site machinery.
Jobsites with Known Asbestos Exposure
Monsanto Co., and its spinoff companies have been named as defendants in multiple asbestos lawsuits, including approximately 570 asbestos accusations by 2003. While the Monsanto plants in Soda Springs, Filer, Nampa and Payette were not specifically named in these lawsuits, the company has notoriously exposed its workers to numerous environmental toxins, and workers in their Idaho branches were at high risk for inhaling asbestos.
The Western Equipment Company, also known as the Western States Equipment Company, was another Idaho jobsite where asbestos exposure led employees to develop asbestos-related diseases. In 2011, a former Western Equipment forklift mechanic and equipment salesman who repaired the company’s machinery filed a lawsuit. As part of his job, he was required to clean and replace asbestos-laden brakes for Western Equipment forklifts. The company continued to use these drum brakes even though asbestos-free alternatives were available.
- Boise Cascade Corporation
- Clover Club Foods
- Lodge Brothers and Bullet Pawn Shop
- Northwest Roads Company
- Southern Industries Piping
- Westvaco Mineral Production
- Bonner County Courthouse
- Fluor Corporation
- Intermountain Gas Company
- Plateau Supplies Company
- Union Pacific Railroad Company
- Yankee Machine Shop
Asbestos-Related Legal Issues in Idaho
Idaho courts have tried numerous asbestos lawsuits. One such trial was the Waters v. Armstrong World Industries case, which was filed by the widow and survivors of a mesothelioma patient. The wrongful death case was filed on behalf of a former Waters Asbestos and Supply Company worker who died of asbestosis and lung cancer. The case was brought to the Idaho Supreme Court in September 1985.
Precision Demolition and Abatement, LLC, was fined $36,000 by the EPA in 2009 for several violations of the asbestos National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants under the Clean Air Act. Similarly, contractors at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory paid more than $160,000 in penalties in 2001 for violating federal asbestos emissions laws.
Priest River
The former Priest River landfill in Boise, which was polluted for years with chemicals, metals and asbestos, is currently being turned into a waterfront park under the State Department of Environmental Quality. The abatement part of the plan started in 2010. The former Meridian Creamery is also being turned into a new city-owned facility despite EPA studies that revealed limited asbestos use on the site.
Idaho State University
Medical researchers in Idaho are developing new treatments for the growing asbestos-related health problems. In 2010 the National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded Idaho State University a $191,962 grant to learn more about the cellular changes asbestos exposure can cause.
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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.
