Asbestos in Texas
ranking in U.S. for mesothelioma & asbestosis deaths
Asbestos use was prevalent in Texas during much of the 20th century to insulate equipment and clothing used by workers in major industries, such as oil refineries and shipyards. Texans' exposure to this toxic, fire-resistant mineral resulted in thousands of asbestos-related deaths from mesothelioma and asbestosis. In fact, at least 1,623 people died from asbestos-related diseases in Texas between 1999 and 2008, placing the state fourth nationwide in deaths attributed to the toxin. While the majority of those who died or have been diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases in Texas worked in occupations where they inhaled the asbestos fibers regularly, others were exposed from simply living near hazardous jobsites, such as the W.R. Grace & Company/Texas Vermiculite site in Dallas, which imported shipments of asbestos-tainted vermiculite from Libby, Montana until 1992.
Treatment Centers In Texas
University of Texas MD Andersonview more
Mesothelioma and Asbestosis Deaths, 1999-2008
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1,234mesothelioma deaths in Texas
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389asbestosis deaths in Texas
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1,623total mesothelioma and asbestosis deaths
Occupations at Risk
Most Texans who suffer from asbestos related diseases like mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos on the job, where they worked in oil refineries, steel mills and foundries, chemical plants, automobile factories and petro-chemical industries.
Jobsites with Known Exposure:
- Texaco Oil
- Lone Star Industries
- Texas Chemical
- Lyondell Chemical
- Chevron Phillips Chemical
- Gulf Oil (till 1984)
- Bethlehem shipping company
- Gulfport shipping company
- Todd shipping company
Oil Refineries & Corporations
Oil and chemical refineries provide jobs to thousands of people in Texas, but these occupations are dangerous as they require constant exposure to high-intensity heat. Because of its heat resistant qualities, asbestos was used as an insulating material as well as a fire retardant to protect workers and keep them safe while working in these conditions. As a result of this practice, workers in these fields have died from asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and asbestosis.
What are some oil refineries in Texas?
Shipyards & Ship Building
Shipyard workers and crews are occupations that have been known to have high risks for asbestos exposure because the material was widely used until the 1980s. Not only was asbestos used as a fire retardant in these ships and shipyards, it was often used to coat pipes and boilers located in engine rooms because of its insulation properties.
How was asbestos used in shipyards in Texas?
Other Exposure Sites:
W.R. Grace Mine in Libby, Montana has endangered numerous lives in Libby as well in many areas of Texas. The nonprofit organization EWG reports more than 675,000 tons of this contaminated vermiculite was shipped to more than 24 different locations in Texas. These shipments were sent from the Grace mine from 1963 till the last shipment touched Texas in 1992. The worst affected places were:
With more than 7,208 shipments spread across 24 locations, thousands of people who worked in the vicinity, their families and those living nearby may have been exposed to asbestos. Asbestos filaments are known to lie latent in the body for decades. Manifestations of asbestos related diseases like mesothelioma and asbestosis can take between 20 and 50 years to show up. This is a fact that is reflected in the high asbestos-mortality rate. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Center for Health Statistics both reported that the number of asbestos related deaths in the area has tripled since 1989.
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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.
