Asbestos in South Carolina
South Carolina Asbestos
South Carolina has an extensive history in the mining and manufacturing industry. Both of which use asbestos heavily. This is due to the natural asbestos deposits found in the mines and manufacturers asbestos through the shipping industry.
Jobs with Asbestos Exposure
Power plants in South Carolina are constantly generating electrical power for surrounding homes and businesses. The pipelines in the power plants are insulated with asbestos to protect workers from the heat. Asbestos is widely used to insulate power plant pipes due to its resistance to heat and flames.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring substance that can be found in the mines of South Carolina. Workers are at risk for exposure due to the ill-ventilated environment, making it difficult to avoid asbestos exposure if the fibers have already been disturbed and released into the air. These deposits of naturally occurring asbestos are found in the eastern and southern region of the state.
Asbestos can be found in the shipping industry in South Carolina. Asbestos is a flexible material that is nearly indestructible, particularly by heat or fire, and light in weight. This made it an ideal substance to help pack cargo for shipping. The moving of cargo can disturb the asbestos fibers, causing them to release into the air. Once release, the fibers are more prone to human inhalation.
Power Plants:
- Oconee Nuclear Power Plant
- Virgil C. Summer Generating Station
- Catawba Nuclear Power Plant
Shipyards:
- Charleston Navy Shipyards
- Braswell Services
- Detyens Shipyards
- Carolina Shipping
Asbestos-Related Deaths
There have been over 600 deaths due to asbestos exposure since 1980. Urban areas of South Carolina were affected by asbestos, more so than rural areas. Mesothelioma accounts a good amount of South Carolina’s asbestos fatality rate. Mesothelioma is a rare form of lung disease that affects the lining of the lungs.
