South Carolina Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure Risks

In the United States, South Carolina is one of the states most affected by the problems cause by asbestos. Mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other health concerns associated with asbestos have left many seeking treatment and help. South Carolina was instrumental in the mining, manufacturing, and use of asbestos due to its natural deposits and shipping industry.

At Risk Occupations and Locations in South Carolina

South Carolina is home to a number of industries that used asbestos on a daily basis. One of the largest industries contributing to asbestos problems in this state is the shipping industry. In the early 1900s, fires aboard ships became a major concern for captains along the east coast. Asbestos was a way to minimize this risk. Although dangerous for the body, asbestos is flexible, durable, lightweight, and heat-resistant. Therefore, it was a great building material for those building ships, as it could hold up to the water but still be safe in terms of fire. Some of the shipyards/shipbuilding companies that used asbestos include Carolina Shipping Company, Charleston Navy Yard, and Detyen Shipyards, Inc.

There are also a number of power plants in South Carolina in addition to power companies such as Catawba Nuclear Power and Oconee Nuclear Power. Because fire at a power can be a disaster, it is important that heat-resistant materials be used. Asbestos was mainly used in power plants for insulation to boilers and other machinery, although it was also found in gaskets, building materials, and even clothing. This cut down on the risk of fire in these power plants, but at the same time, caused another danger. As the machinery wears down, asbestos particles break off and fill the air, placing power plant employees at risk of asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a natural substance mined from a number of locations in the United States, Canada, and many other countries. Although most of the asbestos used in the United State was shipped in from other countries, some was mined within this country as well. South Carolina is one of the states that had asbestos mines. These deposits of asbestos are of the chrysotile variety. Also known as white asbestos, this is the asbestos most commonly used in manufacturing. It is the safest type of asbestos, but it is still by no means safe to be around. Deposits of asbestos in South Carolina are found in the Foothills, along the eastern slope of the Appalachian Mountains, and in the south, along the Georgia border.

Jobsites with Known Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos Related Deaths in South Carolina

Asbestos has caused a number of deaths in the United States, and asbestos exposure in South Carolina has been especially dangerous. Between 1980 (when the EPA began to regulate the use of asbestos) and 2000, there were 634 recorded deaths due to asbestos exposure in South Carolina. Some of these were a result of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, while others were from asbestosis. The industrial cities in South Carolina, like Charleston, were impacted greatly by asbestos-related deaths.

Legal Resources for South Carolina Residents

Due to the large number of asbestos-related industries in South Carolina, the state has seen numerous court battles over personal injury and wrongful death cases. These lawsuits have been both job-related and building-related. For example, in 1995, Janet Murphy sued Owns-Corning Fiberglas Corp because she developed mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos carried home on her father's clothing and in his hair. In another key case, the Kershaw County Board of Education sued U.S. Gypsum Co., a company that used asbestos in the plaster used to build gyms in the school district.

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