Related Topics ► Other TopicsMaine (ME) Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Maine has some of the highest numbers of asbestos related injuries (particularly mesothelioma) of any of the states. The current population of Maine totals a little over 1.3 million people. Statistics on a national level show that there are about 11.7 cases of mesothelioma that develop per million people according to a 2004 study. Maine has more than three times that number at 26.4 cases per million.
There are many, many sites that have been targeted as containing asbestos and exposing people to asbestos fibers floating through the air. As with many states, there are several industries that are particularly likely to have used asbestos extensively, including power plants, oil refineries, mines and shipyards. What makes Maine unique is that there are also many buildings listed that house everything from schools to hospitals where asbestos has been known to be used.
At-Risk Occupations and Locations in Maine
There are a few asbestos mines located in the state. Asbestos is a natural mineral that is made up of small, thin fibers. When these fibers break off from the main chunk, they are very likely to float through the air and stay suspended there for some time. People who walk through these areas are very likely to inhale or swallow a lot of these fibers, which is what causes injury. Taking asbestos from a mine is going to expose the workers to very high levels of asbestos, especially if there aren't safety respirators worn that can filter out these fibers. Miners also wore these fibers home and likely exposed their spouse or children to the same risks they, themselves, were exposed to at work. As a note of interest, Canada has continued to mine and use asbestos.
Power plants are usually designated as an asbestos hotspot and asbestos inspections are performed regularly. There are power plants in many cities, including Augusta, Old Town, Portland, Caribou and Vezie, just to name a few. The Maine Yankee Nuclear Power Plant sits in Wiscassett. Asbestos is not only resistant to heat, it also doesn't conduct electricity and was therefore used as insulation around pipes and stuffed into machines. Power plant employees have a high risk of exposure.
There are many other asbestos sites listed for Maine. These include paper mills in towns like Rumford, Jay and Lincoln. You can find shipyards and military bases in New Brunswick, Bangor and Bath. Chemical plants in South Hope, Gardiner and Old Town have been listed. The list that I found, which I am sure is not exhaustive, mentioned almost fifty cities and well over 100 employers and buildings that may have had asbestos issues in the past. One scary thing to note in Maine, as mentioned above, is that many of the sites are listed because they may potentially have asbestos insulation used around the building. For instance, there are several buildings that are a part of the University of Maine in Orono that have been listed as potential sites for asbestos exposure. There are many schools and even hospitals included on the list.
One industry that still has a high potential for exposure to asbestos is the construction industry. As noted above asbestos containing materials (ACM) were used in a wide variety of products. When a building does need to be renovated to improve or prolong its usefulness, there are many inspections and precautions that must taken to insure the safety of the workers.
Asbestos-Related Deaths in Maine
In most states the numbers of deaths from mesothelioma typically outweigh the number of deaths from asbestosis. Asbestosis is a scarring that occurs in the lungs that results from the inhalation of asbestos. This scarring can dramatically decrease a victim's lung capacity and make it difficult for them to catch their breath. These people are also more likely to contract lung cancer and mesothelioma. However, asbestosis, while incurable, is treatable and many people diagnosed with this problem live normal life spans. That is why it is surprising to see 219 deaths between the years of 1979 and 1999 ascribed to asbestosis, while only 168 were due to mesothelioma in the same time period.
Asbestos is a carcinogen that causes tumors to develop in the lining that covers and protects the majority of the vital organs located in the chest and stomach area of the human body. It can take years for those exposed to asbestos to develop diagnosable conditions. However, once the tumors have formed they metastasize very quickly, sending cancerous cells to many other parts of the body. The average life span of an individual diagnosed with mesothelioma is eighteen months.
Experts believe that the number of asbestos related medical cases will continue to increase for the next several years. It is believed that the numbers will peak in about 2015 and then quickly taper off. Asbestos use was severely curtailed in the 1980's and exposure rates dropped.
Legal Resources of Residents of Maine
Maine has a very generous six year statute of limitations for personal injury. This time frame begins at the point that the asbestos related injury is diagnosed or should have been diagnosed. It also appears that the courts in Maine lean more towards the plaintiff in most of these cases.
Maine, itself, has seen low numbers of court cases related to asbestos exposure, but it is the home of several companies that have been taken to trial for nationwide cases. One company that has been the focus of many national lawsuits is the MetLife Insurance Company. Many people are suggesting that MetLife should have known, though their research, that asbestos exposure was dangerous to individuals. While their own records prove that they had an idea of the dangers inherent in asbestos, they never informed their clientele or the public.
State Index
- Asbestos Testing for Oneida County Building Funded by Union
2008-11-20 15:50:02
The Oneida County Office Building in Utica, New York has recently tested negative for airborne asbestos. Apparently though, that isn't good enough for the union, which represents county employees. Uni ...Read More
- Asbestos Tests Show New Jersey Sports Field Poses No Risk
2008-11-20 15:36:54
Asbestos was discovered last month at a public area in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, which prompted concerns that there may be exposure risks for locals. Now, however, those fears have been allayed, as tests ...Read More - EPA and Vermont Working Together to Solve Asbestos Mine Problem
2008-11-20 15:19:39
State of Vermont officials have released a new statement about the urgent need for investigating the impact of an abandoned asbestos mine in Colchester. The mine, located near the towns of Eden and Lo ...Read More
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