Arizona Asbestos-Related Deaths from 1999-2017

920
Mesothelioma Deaths
161
Asbestosis Deaths
1,081
Total Deaths

Asbestos Exposure in Arizona

Mining and Asbestos Exposure

There are over 100 sites in Arizona that contain naturally occurring asbestos, the majority of which are chrysotile deposits. Mining for asbestos stopped in the early 1980s, but mine workers were exposed to harmful amounts of asbestos at the worksite. High levels of asbestos exposure can lead to the development of fatal diseases, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.

Asbestos and Industrial Occupations

Dangerous levels of asbestos exposure occurred in other industrial facilities, such as copper mills, power plants, oil refineries and paper mills. Asbestos was often used in oil refineries and copper mills. The heat resistance and durability of asbestos made it a commonly used material in the equipment at these facilities. Power plants used asbestos to insulate machinery because it is resistant to electricity and heat. Workers who operated or repaired asbestos-insulated machinery may have been exposed to hazardous asbestos fibers.

Vermiculite and Asbestos

Asbestos manufacturer, W.R. Grace & Co, operated a vermiculite plant in Phoenix, Arizona. The vermiculite was contaminated with asbestos from the company’s mines in Montana. Employees working at the plant were likely exposed to asbestos while processing and handling the asbestos-tainted vermiculite. Workers at this facility should monitor their health for respiratory illnesses.

Partial list of work sites in Arizona with known asbestos exposure
  • Aqua Fria Steam Plant
  • Arizona Bank
  • Arizona Pacific Paper Mill in Phoenix
  • Arizona Public Service Utility Power Plant
  • Arlington Valley Steam Plant
  • Asarco Copper Smelter in Hayden
  • Catalyst Paper Mill in Carefree
  • Catalyst Paper Mill in Snowflake
  • Chandler Power Plant
  • Cholla Power Plant
  • Cochise Power Plant
  • Coolidge Steam Plant
  • Desert Basin Steam Plant
  • Doubletree Paper Mill in Gila Bend
  • Gila River Steam Plant
  • Good Samaritan Hospital
  • Griffith Energy Steam Plant
  • Harquahala Steam Plant
  • International Paper Mill in Tolleson
  • International Paper Mill in Nogales
  • International Paper Mill in Phoenix
  • International Paper Mill in Yuma
  • Irvington Steam Plant
  • Kennecott Copper Mine
  • Kyrene Powerhouse
  • Mesquite Steam Plant
  • Morenci Copper Smelter
  • Navaho Generating Station
  • Ocotillo Steam Plant
  • Palo Verde Nuclear Plant
  • Phelps Dodge Copper Plant
  • Phoenix Civic Plaza
  • Salt River Power Plant
  • Santan Steam Plant
  • Southwest Forest Industry Paper Mill
  • Spicers Paper Mill in Phoenix
  • Springerville Generating Station
  • Tucson Gas & Electric (TGE) Company
  • University of Arizona
  • Valley Bank Building
  • West Phoenix Steam Plant
  • Yucca Steam Plant
  • Yuma Steam Plant

Statute of Limitations to File Mesothelioma Claim in Arizona

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