Asbestos in Utah
Utah Asbestos
Several oil refineries are located in Utah and are owned by BP Amoco, Chevron, Phillips Petroleum, American Oil, and Flying J. Power plants are also another source for asbestos exposure.
Jobs with Asbestos Exposure
Those who work in oil refineries and power plants are at constant risk of asbestos exposure daily. The oil processing plants more than likely uses asbestos-containing insulation to cover its pipelines that convert crude oil into gasoline. The hundreds of workers in this refinery risk being exposed to asbestos every time they arrive at work. The asbestos may not be a threat, but at some point, the mere disturbance of a section of the fibers can cause it to release into the air and later inhaled by workers. Because the plant processed a very flammable chemical (oil), asbestos was used to insulate due to its resistance to fire and heat.
Power plants in Utah are constantly generating electrical power for the 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.
Power Plants:
- Intermountain Power
Asbestos-Related Deaths
Utah has been ranked 44th in the nation for the number of mesothelioma cases and 48th in the number of mesothelioma deaths. Over a 20-year span, Utah has had over 150 deaths that were attributed to asbestos exposure. Majority of the asbestos deaths were from mesothelioma.
