Louisiana's oil refineries are a crucial part of the American economy, responsible for processing crude oil into various products such as gasoline, diesel, and heating oil. Cancer Alley is the term for a stretch of land along the Mississippi River, between Baton Rouge and New Orleans in Louisiana, where numerous oil refineries are located. While these facilities provide jobs and contribute to economic growth in the region, they pose significant health risks to Louisiana workers due to asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral once considered a miracle material due to its strength and resistance to heat and fire. These qualities made it popular for use in insulation, fireproofing, and other construction materials. However, it was later discovered that asbestos fibers can cause serious health problems when inhaled or ingested, leading to new regulations and a sharp decline in its use.
Unfortunately, many workers at Cancer Alley oil refineries are still at risk of asbestos exposure, especially those in maintenance and construction roles. In this article, we will uncover the dangers of asbestos exposure at Louisiana oil refineries and how workers can protect themselves.
Filing a lawsuit will allow you to hold your employer accountable for occupational asbestos exposure in Louisiana, while also providing real compensation for asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma or cancer. Contact us today for a free consultation.
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Asbestos fibers can become airborne when products containing asbestos are broken, demolished, or otherwise disturbed. Workers at Louisiana oil refineries may be exposed to asbestos fibers through drilling, cutting, or sanding materials that contain asbestos.
While the presence of asbestos-containing materials and the risks they pose are well known throughout Cancer Alley refineries, working with these materials continues to pose a serious risk for wokers. Most refineries badly need renovations or decommissioning, both of which are deemed cost-prohibitive by many refineries.
The health dangers of asbestos exposure are not limited to workers at Cancer Alley oil refineries. Family members of these workers may also be at risk if they come into contact with their work clothes contaminated with asbestos fibers.
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Most Cancer Alley refinery workers are at risk, but some are at greater risk than others. Contact with the following items poses a risk for asbestos exposure in Louisiana refineries.
Old Equipment: In the past, many refinery machines and tools were insulated with asbestos because it is heat resistant. When workers repair, take apart, or perform maintenance on older machines, they may disturb asbestos fibers.
Safety clothes: Some safety gear, such as fireproof gloves and other antiquated fire safety garments, also contain asbestos. Workers who have worn this kind of gear may also have been exposed to asbestos.
Workers at Louisiana oil refineries must take precautions to protect themselves from asbestos exposure by wearing respirators, gloves, coveralls, and other personal protective equipment (PPE) when working with materials that may contain asbestos.
Some tasks that may put Louisiana refinery workers at risk of asbestos exposure include:
Diseases caused by asbestos exposure can take years and even decades to develop and may not display any symptoms until it is too late for effective treatment. Therefore, regular medical check-ups are crucial for detecting and monitoring potential health problems related to asbestos exposure. This allows workers to seek medical attention and take necessary precautions to prevent further exposure.
Medical check-ups may include lung function tests, chest X-rays, blood tests, and CT scans to detect signs of asbestos-related diseases such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Early detection can help in successful treatment and management of these diseases.
In addition to regular medical check-ups, oil refinery workers should also be aware of the symptoms associated with asbestos exposure, which may include:
If you or a loved one experiences these symptoms, you should immediately inform your employer and seek medical attention. Be sure to notify your doctor of your occupation and any suspected asbestos exposure throughout your life.
Anyone who worked at, or lived with someone who worked at, these facilities could have been exposed to asbestos, which could have taken decades to result in cancer.
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