Mesothelioma is a form of cancer of the lung and abdominal lining that is caused by occupational asbestos exposure. When invisible asbestos particles become airborne, they can be inhaled or swallowed by anyone in the area. Over time, the asbestos particles can cause inflammation and scarring in body tissues that eventually can turn cancerous.

Approximately 80% of those diagnosed have pleural mesothelioma, which occurs in the lung lining. About 10% of cases are peritoneal mesothelioma in the abdominal organ lining.

There are 3,000 new cases of asbestos cancer each year. Many workers could have been exposed to asbestos 10-50 years ago and not even remember when and where it occurred. While most who get the disease worked directly with asbestos, there are cases of workers in the area who did not touch the carcinogen still got the disease. (Ceders-Sinai.org)

Rhode Island and Asbestos Exposure

Most asbestos exposure occurs in people who worked directly with the material in heavy industry and manufacturing. Rhode Island is a small state, and has not been known as one of the top states for asbestos exposure.

But there is a naturally-occurring crocidolite asbestos deposit near the northeast state line that was never mined. Manufacturing is the biggest industry in Rhode Island. (mesothelioma.com)

Rhode Island Sites of Asbestos Exposure

Rhode Island was once a leader in textile production that led to a lot asbestos exposure over the years. Textiles and the other industries below used asbestos over the decades.

Textiles

The textile industry in Rhode Island has a long asbestos exposure history because it was used so often in the production of cloth and fabrics. It also was used in industrial equipment in textile facilities to protect the equipment from friction and heat.

The textile industry is still part of Rhode Island’s economy, but many factories moved south after the Great Depression. The Rhode Island Textile Company still produces textiles in the state and was working when asbestos use was high from the 1920s through the 1970s.

Shipyards

Shipyards have been a large source of asbestos exposure in Rhode Island since the early 20th century. These shipyards in Rhode Island exposed workers to the mineral: (asbestos.com)

• Newport Naval Yard: This yard opened in 1861 to protect vessels from Confederate forces during the Civil ar. From 1941 to 1946, the Naval Operating Base worked at the same location until the conclusion of the Vietnam War.
• Walsh-Kaiser Shipyard: The US Maritime Commission was opened in 1942 as an emergency yard to construct cargo vessels. After building six Liberty ships, it built Tacoma Class frigates to protect conveys from the Germans in the North Atlantic. All of the frigates were sold to Great Britain after they were built. It employed more than 20,000 people during the height of the war and asbestos exposure occurred there.

Manufacturing

The city of Providence has been a major hub for industrial manufacturers for a century. Products these companies produced ranged from textiles to silverware. Some of the companies that used asbestos in their buildings and equipment included Halkyard Manufacturing Company, Acme Tile Company, and Biltmore Textiles.

Military

Newport, Rhode Island, was a major maritime city and it was a big naval port. The Newport Naval Base has been a key base since 1900, but it used a lot of asbestos in its ships, equipment, and buildings.

Breweries

Brewing companies have a storied history in Rhode Island. The older the building, the more likely it is to contain asbestos. Asbestos in the early 1900s was very common in all kinds of building materials, from insulation to roof shingles to flooring and cement. There are breweries in Cranston, such as Management Brewery and Narrangansett Brewery, that have had asbestos problems.

Schools

Several schools in Rhode Island are known to have had asbestos problems. They include Winsor Hill, Brown Avenue, and Sarah Dyer Barnes. More than 600 people between the three schools probably were exposed to asbestos for up to a year.

The exposure was from vinyl tiles that were torn out in the summer of 1990. The Department of Health in the state shut down the schools until all asbestos was safely removed, but exposure did occur.

Rhode Island Job Sites with Asbestos Exposure

The following companies are known to have exposed workers to asbestos:

• Synthron Chemical
• Puritan Aerosol
• Kaiser Aluminum
• Wickford Shipyard
• Charleston Navy Base
• Davisville Naval Station
• Narragansett Power
• The University of Rhode Island

Rhode Island Asbestos Exposure Laws

The Asbestos Control Program in Rhode Island is intended to protect the general public from asbestos exposure. It is charged with ensuring the regulations of the Rhode Island Rules and Regulations for Asbestos Control are followed.

Also, the Rhode Island Asbestos Act defines schools as top-priority buildings when asbestos-containing materials are involved. Regulations do not mandate its removal from schools, but the materials must be identified and kept safe. (Health.RI.gov)

Rhode Island Mesothelioma Attorneys

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma in Rhode Island, talk to one of the attorneys below:

Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini

1345 Jefferson Boulevard #3

Warwick, Rhode Island, 02886

(401) 751-8855

www.resiminilawoffices.com

The personal injury mesothelioma attorneys at the Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini are all known as ‘Super Lawyers’ or ‘Rising Stars’ by Super Lawyers Magazine. The firm has won millions of dollars in mesothelioma verdicts and settlements for its asbestos exposure clients.

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Gemma Law Associates

231 Reservoir Avenue

Providence, Rhode Island 02907

(401) 354-7881

www.gemmalaw.com

The asbestos exposure attorneys at Gemma Law Associates know that a mesothelioma diagnosis is scary. If you have been diagnosed and do not know where to turn in Rhode Island, their attorneys can work with you to get mesothelioma lawsuit after death compensation so you can take care of your health and your family.

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Request Immediate Legal Help

With over $30 billion available for victims through asbestos bankruptcy trust funds, you are entitled to financial compensations without ever filing an asbestos, lung cancer or mesothelioma lawsuit. You need legal representation to get started. Mesothelioma & lung cancer victims qualify immediately. Complete the form or call us toll-free (800) 352-0871 immediately.