Wisconsin Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure Risks

There are no naturally occurring asbestos deposits within the state of Wisconsin, except along its border with Michigan (which haven't been mined). The majority of the asbestos related medical cases in Wisconsin are from imported asbestos, which was used in a wide variety of products. The highest at-risk industries in Wisconsin are paper mills, construction, and power plants, plus, there are a few other companies that have been targeted as potential asbestos exposure hot spots.

For many decades, asbestos was used in a variety of products. Asbestos is a mineral that is formed in long thin fibers, which makes it easy to work with. The mineral is fireproof, heat proof, and flame retardant, doesn't conduct electricity, and is very resistant to chemical burns. Asbestos was and still is cheap, being found in natural deposits all over the world. In the early 1900s, it was beginning to become apparent that asbestos is hazardous to a person's health.

At-Risk Occupations and Locations in Wisconsin

One of the industries that currently has a higher risk of asbestos exposure is the construction industry. Asbestos was used as insulation in many older buildings and was added to other products such as floor tiles, ceiling tiles, wall board, and adhesives used in construction. When the demolition of an old building is scheduled, there are numerous inspections that have to be performed. If asbestos is found, abatement has to happen before the job can start. The same or similar rules apply to renovations in older buildings, too. The Environmental Protection Agency has set up nationwide guidelines for asbestos inspections and abatements.

There are about nine different power plants in Wisconsin that could be potential sources of asbestos. Spanning the state, power plants can be found in Portage, Green Bay, Pleasant Prairie, Genoa, Beloit, Alma, and, of course, Milwaukee. Asbestos was typically used to insulate various machines when power is being produced. Quite often asbestos fibers were introduced into the air as the machines ran. Unfortunately, power plant workers have a high potential for developing asbestos-related illnesses.

Wisconsin is the largest manufacturer of paper and paper products in the country. There are paper and pulp mills in Green Bay, Marinette, Kaukauna, Mosinee, Rapids, and Stevens Point. Not only was asbestos used as insulation material in these locations, the sheets that are often used in drying processes were made of asbestos. Asbestos could also be found in some of the adhesives used in these mills.

It was also common for many manufacturing jobs that involved working around heat or flames to use clothing made with asbestos for protection. In many cases, the outer fabric of the suits would become worn and allow asbestos fiber to escape. Even race car drivers used to wear asbestos suits to protect them in case of an accident.

Jobsites with Known Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos-Related Deaths in Wisconsin

There were 725 asbestos-related deaths between 1979 and 1999. Two main diseases arise from prolonged asbestos exposure, asbestosis and mesothelioma. While asbestosis is a lot more common, it is treatable if caught early. Of the 725 deaths in Wisconsin, 177 were from asbestosis. After prolonged exposure to airborne asbestos, the fibers enter and stay in the lungs. The lungs become more and more scarred as time passes. There comes a point where the scarring becomes so bad that it affects the victims breathing. Those with asbestosis are also more likely to contract lung cancer or mesothelioma. Asbestosis can be treated, but not cured. Mesothelioma, on the other hand, is very deadly. It accounted for 548 deaths in the same time period and the average lifespan after diagnosis is one year. The fibers are a carcinogen that can create tumors in the lining that covers and protects most of the vital organs in the chest and stomach. Once the tumors form, they can metastasize quickly and spread the cancer throughout the body.

Experts estimate that the number of asbestos-related medical cases will continue to rise over the next few years. It takes much time for asbestos damage to show up. It's also believed that the number of cases will peak in 2015 and then drop off pretty quickly, since the use of asbestos had dropped off so abruptly in the 1980s.

Legal Resources for Wisconsin Residents

There are still a large number of suits being filed regarding asbestos and the exposure some workers may have been subjected to. Some court proceedings are also beginning to involve the secondary exposure of the families of those who worked in asbestos-laden environments. The courts are still leaning towards the plaintiff in many of these cases. They are also going after companies that don't follow the rules for handling asbestos. In one recent case, the Wisconsin State Supreme Court recently made the ruling that a company in Wisconsin was liable for mishandling asbestos. These cases can be very complicated and a good attorney will handle every aspect of the case. For more information, please fill out the form on the right to receive a comprehensive packet.

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