Related Topics ► Other TopicsMaryland (MD) Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Maryland has the standard hotspots for asbestos exposure as most states. Power plants, ship yards and paper mills all have high incidents of asbestos exposure. While, geographically, Maryland is a very small state, it has a very high population. Even this doesn't explain why the number of asbestos-related fatalities is a little higher than national averages.
Asbestos has been used for centuries because it has some very positive qualities. It doesn't burn and is resistant to heat, it doesn't conduct electricity, it doesn't react to most chemicals and it is found in the form of small fibers that are easy to work with. It's found on every continent in naturally occurring deposits, it's easy to mine and, therefore, cheap. However, when the long thin fibers break off from the main chunk, they have a tendency to float in the air for a long time. As people travel through these areas, they inhale and swallow millions of these particles and even pick them up on their clothes to be carried elsewhere. These particles are carcinogenic and can seriously damage the body.
At-Risk Occupations and Locations in Maryland
Baltimore County and Baltimore City County had the most asbestos related deaths in the state. There were 559 deaths in those two counties between 1979 and 1999, which is more than half of the total number of deaths in the state. Baltimore and the areas around the city host many different industries that are high risk, as far as asbestos is concerned. Asbestos insulation was used extensively in the construction of ships. Not only were pipes wrapped with this insulation, it was also used in the walls as a fireproofer and sound dampener. Not only were the installers exposed, but often the insulation would break loose and float around the ship, exposing sailors to the same particles.
The construction of power plants involved the use of a lot of asbestos as it wouldn't conduct electricity. Power plants in Basco and Glen Burnie have been spotlighted as high risk employers. The nuclear power plant in Lusby and the Nuclear Power School in Bainbridge, both are listed as having had high exposure risks.
Currently, professions in the construction industry have the highest risk of exposure. While the use of asbestos and asbestos containing materials (ACM) dropped of sharply in the late 1970's and early 1980's, there were already a large number of ACMs in use in buildings and homes. Insulation, floor tiles, ceiling tiles, wall board and some adhesives used extensively in the building industry were made from asbestos. Now, many of these buildings need to be either updated to prolong and improve their usefulness or torn down to make room for more construction. Disturbing asbestos without the proper inspections and abatements can lead to the introduction of particles into the air, which can lead to workers and the public being exposed.
Asbestos-Related Deaths in Maryland
There are two diseases that are exclusively related to asbestos exposure. The most common is asbestosis. When the fibers enter and sit in the lungs, they cause the tissues of the lungs to thicken and scar. A patient's lung capacity can be severely diminished and their risk of contracting lung cancer and mesothelioma goes up. Typically, if asbestosis is caught early enough further damage to the lungs can be prevented. There is no cure for asbestosis, but it can be controlled. In most states, the number of deaths from asbestosis is far out weighed by the number of deaths from mesothelioma, three to one in some cases. Not so in Maryland, where 633 of the 1,086 deaths were from asbestosis between 1979 and 1999.
Mesothelioma, on the other hand, is always fatal, but fortunately, much more rare than asbestosis. In the same twenty year time span, there were 453 mesothelioma-caused deaths. Asbestos is a carcinogen that works on the mesothelium, a lining that covers and protects many of the vital organs in the chest and stomach, including the lungs and the heart. It can take years for tumors to appear, but once they are diagnosed, the average lifespan for a patient is eighteen months.
By the 1980's exposure to asbestos had been lowered considerably. However, since damage from asbestos can take so long to appear, experts estimate that the number or asbestos-related medical cases will continue to rise. It's believed that the number of cases will peak in about the year 2015 and then go down quickly after that.
Legal Resources for Maryland Residents
There have been asbestos related lawsuits in Maryland as recently as 2007. Maryland does appear to be more on the side of individual plaintiffs in these cases and the statute of limitations in Maryland for these kinds of cases is three years. The time frame begins when the illness is, or should have been, discovered.
These kinds of law cases can take some time to get a ruling. If you think you have a legitimate claim against a previous employer, it's a really good idea to do a bit of research and find a good lawyer, preferably someone with experience in similar cases.
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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