Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that is almost always caused by occupational asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma affects the delicate tissues that surround the lungs and abdominal organs. In rare cases, mesothelioma can invade the tissues surrounding the heart or testicles.
The most common form of the disease is pleural mesothelioma in the lungs. Less common is peritoneal mesothelioma in the abdomen. The five-year survival rate for pleural mesothelioma is only 5-10%, while it is somewhat better for peritoneal mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is caused by inhaling or swallowing tiny asbestos particles over an extended period of time. The particles become lodged in delicate tissues in the body, leading to scarring, inflammation, and even cancer in some cases. (Verywellhealth.com).
Utah and Asbestos Exposure
Most asbestos exposure in Utah occurs in places where people work. There are many companies in the state that exposed workers to asbestos. Utah also has a lot of mines, steel and copper refineries, and other manufacturing companies that exposed workers to the dangerous mineral. (asbestos.com)
Utah has one former tremolite asbestos mine that exposed both workers and residents to asbestos over several years. There also are seven asbestos deposits in the state.
Utah Sites of Asbestos Exposure
If you worked in one of the industries below in Utah before the 1980s, it is possible you were exposed to asbestos. (mesothelioma.com)
Petroleum
The oil industry has used asbestos heavily for years to prevent fires and excessive heat in critical equipment. Asbestos was used in storage tanks, pipes, and other places to prevent fires from occurring around flammable liquids.
One of the worst asbestos offenders was Standard Oil Refinery in Salt Lake City. Other oil companies that used asbestos and neglected worker safety include American Oil Company, Amoco, Chevron, and Utah Oil Refining Company.
Chemicals
Asbestos is chemically stable and made it useful to control many chemical reactions. Chemical plants often used the toxic substance in their daily operations in filters and other asbestos products.
DuPont Chemical is the largest company in Utah that used asbestos in its chemical plants. Others include Stauffer Chemical, Chevron Chemical, and National Lead & Chemical.
Steel Production
Sharon Steel Company was operated from 1906 until the late 1970s. Based in Midvale, the steel worker site processed many metals, such as copper, lead and zinc. The EPA listed the site after smelting operations had stopped for 30 years before of extensive water and soil contamination.
Mining
Utah has many precious and base metal mines where miners could have been exposed to asbestos as they were mining for other minerals and metals. Some of the tools they used for mining also contained asbestos to combat heat and friction.
One asbestos mine existed in state history – Millard County’s Tremolite No. 1 Mine. Workers at this mine extracted tremolite fibers from a deposit of quartzite.
Asbestos also was used for smelting and refining of metal ores that were extracted from the earth. Some of the mines that may have exposed workers to asbestos were Bingham Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company, Kennecott Utah Copper, Empire Mining Company, and Little Bell Consolidated Mining Company.
Vermiculite Intermountain Products
For decades, asbestos from the WR Grace mine in Libby, Montana, was processed at two plants in Salt Lake City. These plants were next to Utah Power and Light. Soil and gravel at the Utah Power and Light site were found to contain asbestos in the 1990s.
In 2004, an asbestos abatement project was started by the EPA. All asbestos was successfully removed and the project was concluded after 10 weeks.
Utah Job Sites with Asbestos Exposure
Some of the Utah companies and entities that exposed workers to asbestos include:
- Bloomington Power Plant
- Murray Turbine
- Lake Side Power Plant
- North Salt Lake Refinery
- Woods Cross Refinery
- Geneva Steel Mill
- Salt Lake Metro Jail
- Intermountain Waste Oil Refinery
- Heber Light and Power Company
- Lone Peak Partners Power
Utah Asbestos Exposure Laws
The Utah Department of Environmental Quality – Air Quality is responsible for protecting human health and the environment from asbestos exposure. This is done by enforcing various state and federal regulations, including the Utah Asbestos Rule, Asbestos National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants, and the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act.
The purpose of the regulations is to inform the public, building owners, and contractors about asbestos and to ensure minimal asbestos exposure occurs during the renovation and demolition of buildings in the state. (DEQ.UTAH.gov)
Also of note are the criteria in Utah that plaintiffs have to prove to receive reimbursement for medical screenings to check for asbestos-related diseases:
- Exposure to asbestos
- Caused by the company’s negligence
- Resulted in a disease or increased risk for a disease
- Medical tests for early detection exist
- Early detection is beneficial
Utah Asbestos Attorneys
If you were exposed to asbestos in Utah and later developed mesothelioma, you could be entitled to mesothelioma compensation. Please contact one of the respected Utah attorneys below:
Siegfried & Jensen
5664 South Green Street
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84123
(801) 845-2799
www.sigfriedandjensen.com
The attorneys at Siegried & Jensen understand how terrible a mesothelioma diagnosis is. No one can undo the injury you suffered. But you could be entitled to substantial compensation for your asbestos exposure and illness. These attorneys can stand up for you and safeguard your rights in Utah.
Creekside Injury Law
11629 South 700 E
Suite 160
Draper, Utah, 84020
(435) 265-4865
www.creeksidelegal.com
Mesothelioma is almost always caused by asbestos exposure. If you have asbestos cancer, Creekside Injury Law can determine the company or companies that exposed you and hold them accountable. You could be entitled to a settlement or a financial award from a lawsuit. There also are asbestos trust funds available in Utah for workers who were exposed to asbestos by certain companies.
Request Utah Mesothelioma 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.
