Iowa Asbestos-Related Deaths from 1999-2017

492
Mesothelioma Deaths
56
Asbestosis Deaths
548
Total Deaths

Asbestos Exposure in Iowa

In Iowa, construction workers, chemical plant workers and other industrial workers were often at risk for asbestos exposure because of the frequent use of asbestos-containing products in these industries. Workers in these industries should monitor their health for signs of asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.

Power plant workers in Iowa were also at high risk for asbestos exposure because asbestos-containing materials were often used to insulate equipment and machinery in these facilities. Workers who used or repaired this equipment may have been exposed to asbestos.

Tornadoes and Floods in Iowa

Natural disasters in Iowa present another source of asbestos exposure. Many times tornadoes and floods have caused massive structural damage to the numerous manufacturing facilities and homes in Iowa. Since asbestos is often used in manufacturing and in the construction of buildings, natural disasters can destroy these facilities and cause asbestos-containing materials to release fibers into the air.

Tornadoes and floods in Iowa City may have put residents in danger of asbestos exposure. These disasters demolished older homes and buildings which contained asbestos. Residents and officials may have been exposed to asbestos during the cleanup. Disturbed asbestos fibers were likely airborne and may have contaminated water posing a health threat to residents.

Mining and Asbestos Exposure

Fort Dodge, Iowa was known for its limestone mining, drywall manufacturing, and gypsum mining. Workers in these occupations were likely exposed to asbestos. In mining, workers were exposed to asbestos fibers during the excavation process and often handled the toxic mineral. Drywall manufacturing put workers at risk of exposure because asbestos was used as a key material in the manufacturing of plaster and drywall products. Workers handling asbestos materials in these occupations should monitor their health for any signs of respiratory illness.

Partial list of work sites in Iowa with known asbestos exposure
  • 6th Street Powerhouse
  • Ames Powerhouse
  • Beaver Channel Steam Plant
  • Burlington Steam Plant
  • Cedar Falls Steam Plant
  • Chemplex Chemical Plant
  • Clinton Corn Processing Plant
  • Council Bluffs Steam Plant
  • Falls City Creamery
  • Firestone Tire & Rubber Plant
  • Goodyear Tire & Rubber Plant
  • Hawkeye Chemical Plant
  • Helix Associates Inc.
  • Humboldt Iowa Steam Plant
  • Interstate Steam Plant
  • Iowa Southern Utility Steam Plant
  • Iowa State University
  • Marston Steam Plant
  • J.I. Case International Harvester Plant
  • John Deere Steam Plant
  • John Deere Tractor Plant
  • Kohrs Meat Packing Plant
  • Louisa Steam Plant
  • Marshalltown Steam Plant
  • Maytag Washing Machine Factory
  • Monsanto Chemical Plant
  • Murray Iron Works Foundry
  • National Gypsum Rotan Plant
  • Northwestern Bell Telephone Building
  • Oscar Meyer Meat Processing Plant
  • Pella Steam Plant
  • Prairie Creek Steam Plant
  • Proctor & Gamble Chemical Plant
  • Rhodes Chemical Plant
  • Riverside Steam Plant
  • Sioux City Brick & Tile Plant
  • Sioux City Coal and Gas
  • Southwest Federated
  • Storm Lake Steam Plant
  • Tipton Steam Plant
  • University of Iowa
  • University of Iowa Steam Tunnels
  • U.S. Gypsum Sperry Plant
  • Veterans’ Administration Hospital

Statute of Limitations to File Mesothelioma Claim in Iowa

There is a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit for mesothelioma that varies for each state called the statute of limitations. This means if you do not file within the time limit, you will never be able to pursue legal action or obtain compensation. It’s important that you take legal action within this time frame so you do not miss out on receiving the compensation you may deserve. Contact us here to learn more about how we can help.

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What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a deadly and rare form of malignant cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure. The most common forms of mesothelioma are: pleural and peritoneal. Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lining of the abdominal cavity.

Victims with pleural mesothelioma may have respiratory symptoms, such as coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, and fatigue. Victims with peritoneal mesothelioma may have abdominal swelling, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss.

The latency period for mesothelioma is very long. The average latency period is about 30 years, but can be shorter than 15 years or longer than 40 years. This means individuals with mesothelioma may take decades to present symptoms from the time they were exposed to asbestos.

What is asbestosis?

Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by asbestos exposure. When asbestos is inhaled the fibers irritate and scar the lining of the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. The lungs become stiff and cannot expand and contract normally. Symptoms of asbestosis are shortness of breath, chest pain, and a dry, persistent cough. Like mesothelioma, the latency period for asbestosis is very long. Symptoms may not present for 10 to 40 years after asbestos exposure.

Military Asbestos Exposure

It is extremely important to know that our attorneys do not sue the military. We seek accountability from the asbestos companies that sold dangerous asbestos products to the military.

Members of all branches of the military may have been exposed to asbestos before it became more restricted in the 1970s. The U.S. military used asbestos products in many areas because of its low cost, durability, and heat resistant properties. The common use of these asbestos products put many U.S. veterans at risk of developing asbestos related diseases, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. Below is a list of the military branches and common asbestos exposure sites:

  • Navy – shipyards, boiler rooms, submarines
  • Army – barracks, shipyards, construction
  • Marine Corps – armored vehicles, barracks, ships, aircraft
  • Coast Guard – inside ships, ships, boiler rooms
  • Air Force- bases, airplanes, jets, aircraft maintenance