Louisiana Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos Exposure in Louisiana

Asbestos in Oil Refineries

Louisiana is home to many oil refineries because of its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico. Asbestos is known for its heat resistant properties which made it a common insulation material so refineries could protect the highly flammable oil. Oil refineries often used asbestos materials to insulate pipes and tanks. The pervasive use of asbestos in these facilities means workers were likely exposed to asbestos and could be at risk for developing asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.

Shipyards and Asbestos Exposure

Louisiana’s coastline means it is also home to several shipyards where asbestos was frequently used. Shipbuilders and shipyard workers may have been exposed to asbestos while building and repairing commercial and naval ships. Asbestos-containing materials were used to insulate pipes, boilers, and other high heat machinery on ships. When workers had to repair or replace this equipment, asbestos fibers would become airborne and inhaled by those nearby. Inhaling asbestos fibers is extremely hazardous and can lead to the development of deadly diseases. Workers should monitor their health for respiratory illnesses.

Hurricane Katrina

First responders in Louisiana were exposed to asbestos during the rescue and recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina hit the state hard in 2005. Floodwaters and high winds from the hurricane destroyed buildings that contained asbestos materials sending asbestos fibers into the air. Many other individuals were exposed to asbestos during the cleanup and rebuilding of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Some older buildings had asbestos in the insulation, ceiling and floor tiles, and shingles, but many workers and volunteers did not take the proper safety precautions when cleaning up debris.

Vermiculite and Asbestos

Oil refineries, building debris, shipyards, chemical plants, and paper mills are not the only sources of asbestos exposure for Louisiana residents. The state was also home to the W.R. Grace Company from the 1960s to 1980s. The facility received several tons of asbestos-containing vermiculite from Libby, Montana. It then processed the asbestos-contaminated vermiculite to make attic insulation and other industrial products. Workers and residents near the facility were exposed to toxic asbestos fibers. W.R. Grace ended operations at the facility in the 1990s, but low levels of asbestos were detected at the facility and in the soil around the building years later.