Asbestos in Iowa
Iowa Asbestos
Iowa does not have any deposits for naturally occurring asbestos. However, the state of Iowa does have asbestos-using industries. Majority of Iowa’s industries use asbestos-containing parts to insulate pipes. Due to its heat and fire resistant properties, asbestos is used often for insulation purposes.
Jobs with Asbestos Exposure
The largest industry in Iowa is energy production. Power plants are scattered throughout the state, providing electrical power to millions of homes and businesses. As the main source of asbestos in Iowa, 10 out of 12 plant sites have records of asbestos problems. These asbestos-affected power plants are found in the cities of Palo, Pleasant Hill, Storm Lake, Sioux City, Lansing, Carroll, and Tipton. Thousands are employed annually at the power plants, many of which were at risk and may still be at risk for asbestos exposure.
Asbestos fibers are typically found in the flooring, insulation and piping of power plants. When disturbed by either movement or loud noises, asbestos fibers are released into the air. Once fibers are released, they become ready for human inhalation. The toxic fibers eventually attach themselves to the lining of the lungs, sitting dormant for up to 50 years during the latency period. The outcome of asbestos exposure can be mesothelioma, a rare form of lung cancer that affects the lining of the lungs.
Power Plants:
- Iowa Power & Light
- Duane Arnold Nuclear
- Tipton Power
Asbestos-Related Deaths
Between 1979 and 1999, there have been over 450 deaths in Iowa that were asbestos-induced. Over 350 of the deaths were due to mesothelioma, an asbestos-induced cancer affecting the lining of the lungs. Mesothelioma can cause tumors in the lungs to metastasize and spread to other organs and parts of the body.
