Asbestos in Illinois
Illinois Asbestos
Illinois is ranked seventh in the nation for asbestos-related deaths as it is well known for its large participation starting from the time of the Industrial Age that started in the late 1800s. In addition to the industrial boom, Illinois also imported over 370,000 tons of asbestos throughout the state. Urban areas located in Chicago, such as the W.R. Grace & Company facility, had processed more than 200,000 tons of asbestos-containing vermiculite. It has been reported that tests surrounding the plant are positive for asbestos in the surrounding soil.
Oil refineries located in Illinois are another source of asbestos exposure for workers. Pipes, gaskets and other various parts of an oil refinery are usually made with asbestos. There is no specific asbestos exposure level to gage whether or not employees will develop asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma, but it does appear that any level of asbestos exposure can cause such diseases.
As Illinois does have borders around Lake Michigan, the state is a part of the Great Lakes Naval Base—one of the largest, if not the largest, training facility for the U.S. Navy. Asbestos-containing products can be found on the fleets, sleeping quarters and even the building parts of the base. With the Navy’s presence, shipbuilding is also evident in the state’s different occupational industries. Shipyards contain asbestos. The constant moving and heavy pounding of the ship’s materials disturbs the asbestos fibers, causing them to be released into the air. When inhaled, asbestos fibers attach to the lining of the lungs to either cause scarring (asbestosis) or cancer of the lung lining (mesothelioma).
As with all other states, Illinois has power plants that provide nonstop electrical power to the towns and cities. These power plants also contain asbestos-containing products if they have not yet gone through abatement.
Power Plants:
- LaSalle County Generating Station
- Zion Nuclear
- Dresden Nuclear
- Quad Cities Nuclear
Metal Works:
- Allied Metal Co.
- Chicago Heights Steel
- LTV Steel
- Northwestern Steel & Wire
- ACME Metals
- Bohler Steel
- J.G. Braun Co.
