Related Topics ► Other TopicsNevada (NV) Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
While there is no naturally-occurring asbestos in Nevada, and there has never been an asbestos industry in the state, Nevada does have a large number of power generation plants, where workers may have been exposed to friable asbestos.
In addition there are more general asbestos exposure risks, as in most US locations, buildings constructed between the 1940s and 1980s may have been built using some asbestos-containing materials. This risk extends to public, commercial, and residential buildings.
At-Risk Occupations and Locations in Nevada
In power plants, asbestos was used as an insulator against electrical current and heat, and as a flame retardant and fireproofing material. Electrical cloth, panel and wiring partitions and insulation were all made using asbestos. Many construction materials, such as plaster, drywall, and cement, which were used in constructing the facilities themselves, also contained asbestos fibers.
Asbestos-containing construction materials were widely used up until the mid-1980s. Las Vegas, the most densely-populated region in Nevada, has few old buildings. However, any built prior to the mid-1980s may contain some asbestos materials. This means exposure risks for the workers who constructed the buildings, and perhaps for the maintenance and custodial workers who work in the buildings today.
Foreland oil refinery in Tonopah may also present an occupational asbestos hazard. According to the Agency of Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, employees in the oil industry are at risk of asbestos exposure. The volatility of petroleum products means a high-risk fire hazard, meaning that large amounts of asbestos are likely to have been used in the construction of oil refineries.
Known asbestos-exposed jobsites and locations in Nevada include:
- The Harry Allen Station (Apex)
- The Beowave Power Plant
- The Empire Farms Power Plant
- Mohave (Laughlin)
- Reid Gardner Station (Moapa)
- Valmy Generating Station (North Valmy)
- Dixie Valley Power Plant, Soda Lake I and II (Fallon)
- Brady Power Plant, Desert Peak Power Plant (Fernley)
- Clark Station, Sunrise Station (Las Vegas)
- Caithness Power Plant, Steamboat Power Plant (Reno)
- Foreland Refining (Tonopah)
- Pinon Pine Power Project, Tracy Generating Station (Tracy-Clark)
- Wabuska and Fort Churchill Generating Station (Yerington)
If you or someone you know works in these locations, know that regular check-ups for signs of asbestos-related disease is important both for personal health and for legal reasons. Asbestos-related diseases - particularly mesothelioma - have long latency periods, and even if your jobsite has been cleaned up and asbestos has been removed, exposure may have occurred prior to the abatement. Getting regular check-ups is important, as is ensuring that your doctor knows that asbestos exposure is a risk in your occupation and jobsite.
In addition, be aware that this list may not be exhaustive. There may be other Nevada jobsites that contain asbestos but have not yet been reported.
Asbestos-related Deaths in Nevada
Data from the Center of Health Statistics indicate that the most at-risk occupations in power plants are electricians, boilermakers, pipefitters, and repair and maintenance workers. Mesothelioma is the cause of death for more than three percent of power plant workers who die of work-related causes. The danger was further demonstrated in a 2003 study carried out by doctors in Puerto Rico, in which thirteen percent of chest x-rays taken of power plant employees showed abnormal results.
Between 1979 and 1999, 154 Nevada residents died from asbestos-related causes, giving a mortality rate of approximately 0.1%. The majority of these died from mesothelioma. Most deaths were in the Clark County and Las Vegas Metropolitan area.
Legal Resources for Nevada Residents
Nevada has been home to few high-profile cases involving mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases, ranking at 31 in the nation for the number of mesothelioma cases.
One important and high-profile case involved a Nevada man who had worked for Nevada Power of Las Vegas between 1957 and 1964. During this time, the man worked at several of the company's power stations, as a plant operator. The plaintiff was involved in the supervision of plant shutdowns, in which repairs and maintenance of boilers was a common duty. The boilers contained asbestos, and the case was settled at a value of more than $2 million.
In Nevada, the statute of limitations for personal injury is two years. According to the discovery rule, the two year period begins upon diagnosis of an asbestos-related disease. Wrongful death cases also fall under the same two year statute and the above discovery rule. This is the case even when the case involves asbestos.
Because you have just two years from the time of diagnosis in which to begin legal action, it's important to contact a lawyer quickly following diagnosis, if you wish to pursue a lawsuit. Two years may seem like a long time, but sometimes mesothelioma and asbestos lawsuits can drag on for months or even years, and it is often prudent to start the legal process as soon as possible.
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
Get an Asbestos Awareness Wristband. Read More
| Asbestos.com now offers free assistance with your VA Claims. Read More |  |
 | Mesothelioma Book |
Get a Free Copy of Lean on Me - Cancer Through a Carer's Eyes. Read More
Learn about asbestos exposure and legal options in your area. Read More
