New Mexico Asbestos-Related Deaths from 1999-2017

245
Mesothelioma Deaths
37
Asbestosis Deaths
282
Total Deaths

Asbestos Exposure in New Mexico

New Mexico’s energy production and manufacturing industries are typical trades know for using asbestos-containing products. The insulating and fire-resistant properties of asbestos made it a popular product for use on piping, machinery, brakes, and boilers. Employees at the Kirtland Air Force Base may have been exposed to asbestos that was used in paint and piping insulation at the facility.

Mining and Asbestos Exposure

New Mexico was also a popular location for mining limestone, talc, and copper. It has been noted that asbestos was found in trace amounts while mining for these other minerals. Typically, naturally occurring asbestos is harmless unless it becomes disturbed. When the fibers are disturbed and become airborne, they can be inhaled creating a health hazard to anyone nearby. Breathing in toxic asbestos fibers can cause deadly asbestos-related diseases, like mesothelioma and asbestosis.

Asbestos in Power Plants and Refineries

Refineries and power plants in New Mexico used asbestos-containing materials to insulate machinery and equipment. Workers in these industries may have been exposed to asbestos fibers while operating or repairing asbestos insulated equipment. These individuals should monitor their health for respiratory illnesses.

Partial list of work sites in New Mexico with known asbestos exposure
  • American Gypsum Plant
  • Anapra Power House (El Paso Electric Co.)
  • Carlsbad Power House
  • Chaco Canyon Plant (Natural Gas)
  • Chevron Gas Plant
  • City Of Alexandria Power Plant
  • Cuttingham Station
  • El Paso Electric Rio Grande Power Plant
  • El Paso Natural Gas Company Booster Station
  • El Paso Natural Gas Plant
  • El Paso Natural Gas Refinery
  • Four Corners Power Plant
  • Four Corners Power Plant/Arizona Public Service
  • Houston Lumber Company
  • Johnson Space Center
  • Kennecott Copper Refinery
  • Kerr‐Mcgee Potash Refinery
  • Kirtland Air Force Base
  • Kirtland Power Plant
  • Los Alamos National Laboratory
  • New Mexico Power & Light
  • New Mexico Public Service
  • New Mexico State College
  • New Mexico State University
  • Newman Power Plant
  • Person Power Plant
  • Phelps Dodge Copper Refinery
  • Phelps Dodge Corp. Concentrator
  • Phelps Dodge Tyrone Mine
  • Public Service Co. Of New Mexico (San Juan Power Plant)
  • Public Service Powerhouse
  • Reeves Power Plant
  • San Juan Generating Plant
  • San Juan Power Plant
  • Sandia Air Base
  • Southwestern Public Service Power Plant
  • St. Mary’s Hospital
  • University Of New Mexico
  • University Of New Mexico Hospital
  • White Sands Missile Site

Statute of Limitations to File Mesothelioma Claim in New Mexico

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