Asbestos in Nebraska
Nebraska Asbestos
The number of asbestos-induced deaths is lower in the state of Nebraska than most other states. Home to the Western Mineral Products located in Omaha, the vermiculite imported contained very high levels of naturally occurring asbestos.
Jobs with Asbestos Exposure
Nebraska’s power plants are operated 24 hours a day to supply the constant demand for electrical power and the need to supply that demand around the clock. The insulation used to cover pipes usually contains asbestos.
The petroleum industry workers also have a high risk of asbestos exposure. The exposure will typically be through building materials. Asbestos-containing materials were often used to provide additional protection to workers from heat and fire. Ironically, the same materials used to help protect the workers are the same materials that can kill them through asbestos exposure.
Railroad workers are also left at risk for asbestos exposure. The likelihood of the exposure coming from the trains themselves is very high, particularly the engine.
Power Plants:
- Cooper Nuclear Station
- Gerald Gentleman Station
- Municipal Power Plant
- Canaday Station
- Calhoun Nuclear
Asbestos-Related Deaths:
Nebraska had more mesothelioma deaths than asbestosis by a ratio of 2 to 1.
Asbestos-induced diseases such as mesothelioma have a very lengthy latency period in which no symptoms are apparent up to 50 years. This makes it very difficult to predict or even know if your asbestos exposure will lead to an illness later on. Workers are exposed and completely forget about their exposure due to the fact they were unaware of any asbestos around them or they lived normal, healthy lives for so long after their exposure they fail to get checked up.
