Asbestos in Colorado
Colorado Asbestos
Colorado is known for its ties to the mining industry, and many of their popular vacation spots (Vail, Fort Collins, Denver, and Boulder) have naturally occurring asbestos. Naturally occurring asbestos is found throughout the state. Among the types of asbestos found in Colorado, amphibole is one and is friable. Friable asbestos means that its fibers are very thin, therefore it is easier to disturb amphibole fibers and the likelihood of its fibers being released into the air upon disturbance is greater.
Inhalation of these asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma or asbestosis. Mesothelioma is a rare type of lung cancer and is directly caused by exposure to asbestos. Unlike lung cancer, mesothelioma is the cancer of the lung linings. Exposure can be primary or secondary. Secondary exposure means either you or a loved one were exposed through a loved one who may have worked in an industry that was heavily using asbestos products.
Jobs with Asbestos Exposure
In addition to the various power plants that are located all across Colorado, companies such as Conoco-Phillips use of asbestos minerals/fibers is extensive. Such industries find asbestos to be an ideal material for their products because of its affordability as well its ability to resist heat and corrosion, particularly in industries that generate high heat such as power plants.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral found beneath the surfaces of Colorado soil. In addition to what occurs in nature, asbestos are also found as pollutants, pieces left behind by industrial operations or military bases that have been abandoned. Unfortunately, the cost to conduct a complete asbestos abatement exceeds the value of the property and is often more than the towns can afford.
- Cameo Power Plant
- Craig Power Station
- Hayden Generating Station
- Ray D. Nixon Station
- Zuni Station
- Valmont Station
- Nuclear Station
- Colorado-Lite Power Plant
- Fort St. Vrain Generating Station
- Araphahoe Generating Station
- Cherokee Power
- Comanche Power Station
- Martin Drake Power Plant
- Pawnee Power Station
- Rawhide Power Station
Deaths Caused by Asbestos
A total of 400 deaths have occurred in the state of Colorado, all resulting from asbestos exposure. With the highest number of deaths in Denver County, 42 cases out of the 65 were from mesothelioma. Since the 1970s, there have been over 600 people who have filed lawsuits against asbestos manufacturers for their asbestos-related illnesses. This number can, and probably does, include family members filing on behalf of a deceased asbestos victim.
