> Asbestos Exposure > Asbestos In Your Area > Iowa (IA)

Occupational and Environmental Areas at Risk

The following locations in Iowa have been a source of asbestos exposure for state residents.

Fort Dodge

Consisting of more than 25,000 residents, a significant amount of asbestos exposure in Iowa takes place in the city of Fort Dodge because of the city's mining and industrial history. With a major focus on mining, manufacturing and construction, the city is home to many companies that use asbestos in the manufacturing of their products.

Because industrial workers often remain within similar sectors throughout their careers, the chances of harm from long-term asbestos exposure is increased. The city's economy is notable for its focus on limestone mining, drywall manufacturing, gypsum mining and trucking. All of these sectors are known to use asbestos-containing products. In the gypsum sector alone, companies like United States Gypsum Company, Celotex Corporation, Georgia Pacific Corporation and National Gypsum Company have gypsum operations in Fort Dodge.

Iowa City

Iowa City has recently seen its share of hazardous threats, from tornadoes in 2006 to a massive flood in 2008. Both of these natural disasters may have put residents in danger to asbestos exposure. According to some experts, the 2008 flood was the worst natural disaster in the state's history. Some estimates have damages in the tens of millions of dollars for the 2006 tornadoes while the economic damages of the flood was estimated at costing upwards of billions of dollars, because of the long-term impact of agricultural damage, in addition to all of the immediate damage.

These two destructive forces demolished countless older homes and building structures, many of which contained asbestos. This left residents and public officials in the position to clean up a potentially dangerous mess. During this period, various levels of disturbed asbestos fibers were likely present in the air and water and may have posed a health threat to residents. Public health officials stated one of the biggest concerns for asbestos occurred when the flood waters receded. The fibers left behind in the flood's wake were allowed to dry and become airborne, increasing the risk of exposure.

At-Risk Occupations in Iowa

Because of the heavy focus on manufacturing and industrial production, specific occupations in Iowa may have higher risk of asbestos exposure when compared to others. Power plant workers are one of the most notable occupations at risk. Because many of the materials or structures they deal with on a regular basis may contain asbestos, the risk to their health becomes real.

Not only is the worker directly at risk, but their family members are also at risk as a result of secondary exposure, which is common because asbestos fibers are carried home on the clothing or skin of a worker. This occurred in the case of a power plant worker's wife who died after being exposed to asbestos by washing asbestos-contaminated clothing day after day. Her husband claimed that the power plant was ultimately responsible in the wrongful death from asbestos exposure.

Other occupations in Iowa that are also of high risk include construction workers, metal workers and industrial workers. Because of the frequent use of asbestos-containing products in these industries, workers may be increasing their chances of developing asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma.

As the economic incentives have attracted many big industrial companies to conduct business in Iowa, it has also increased the number of employees working in these at-risk occupations. Companies like Georgia-Pacific Corporation, National Gypsum Company, Celotex Corporation all have facilities in Iowa. These companies are known for using asbestos products in their facilities and have been involved in asbestos litigation as a result.

Sources: