Asbestos in Kentucky
Kentucky Asbestos
Kentucky is a state that is without any known naturally occurring asbestos deposits. Those exposed to asbestos were exposed through working with asbestos manufacturer, Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM). Asbestos use grew between the 1940s and 1970s. Homes, businesses and schools contained asbestos products, mostly used for insulation. Asbestos fibers are small and cheap. This is why many opt to use asbestos fibers in their products due to the low costs.
Jobs with Asbestos Exposure
The construction industry is known for its asbestos use. Typically using asbestos in the form of insulation, the construction industry has left thousands at risk for asbestos exposure at the work sites. Asbestos exposure risks did not exists only during the construction phase of buildings, but also during the demolition phase as many older buildings being torn down contained asbestos. The asbestos in these old buildings are then disturbed when knocked down, releasing toxic fibers into the air. Construction workers, as well as civilians in close proximity to the demolition site were both at risk for exposure.
Asbestos was also widely used in Kentucky power plants due to its ability to resist heat and fire, making it an ideal insulator for the pipelines that ran throughout the plants. Thousands of workers in these power plants are at risk for asbestos exposure everyday they are at work. Without the proper safety precautions on behalf of employers, these plant workers can expose their families and homes to asbestos through their work clothes.
Power Plants:
- Paradise Coal Plant
Metal Works:
- Reynolds Aluminum
Asbestos-Related Deaths
The two asbestos-induced diseases most commonly developed after exposure are asbestosis and mesothelioma. Asbestosis is the scarring of the lung’s tissues, causing great discomfort while breathing, though not malignant and usually treatable. Mesothelioma is a rare form of lung cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, but can spread to other organs and parts of the body.
Millions of homes and businesses use electricity 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In order to supply this never ending demand, power plants employees work around the clock. Asbestos-containing products are often used in power plants to help insulate pipes throughout. This is due to the fact that asbestos is fire and heat resistant. Thousands of plant workers are at risk for asbestos exposure each shift they work. Asbestos fibers are small and cheap. This is why many opt to use asbestos fibers in their products due to the low costs.
