Iowa Asbestos Exposure

Since Iowa is primarily an agricultural state, asbestos illness and death is not as common as in more industrialized states. However, of the 460 asbestos deaths recorded between 1979 and 1999, fully 80% were attributable to mesothelioma.

Iowa Cities where Asbestos Exposure Occurred

Provided below is a list of cities in the state of Iowa where asbestos jobsites are known to have been located. If you worked at any of these companies and/or jobsites in Iowa there is a possibility that you may have been exposed to harmful asbestos which is known to cause mesothelioma. Click on any link to view a complete list of jobsites in that city.

Sources of Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos is commonly used for fire-retardant insulation. It is found in any facilities that have steam generators and is used for fire doors. Not surprisingly, most cases of asbestos disease in the state filed by a mesothelioma lawyer are among workers employed at power generation plants. These are located in and around the state's major cities, and include:

• Alliant Power Stack
• Duane Arnold Alliant Energy
• Iowa Light & Power
• Iowa Power and Light
• Sioux City Coal and Gas
• Storm Lake Power Plant
• Tipton Power Plant.

“Blue” crocidolite asbestos is a form of this mineral that is particularly resistant to corrosive and caustic chemicals – and is heavily implicated in mesothelioma. Iowa is home to two major chemical manufacturers, Irwin Chemical Company and USI.

Asbestos On The Farm

Asbestos is not usually a danger in agricultural industries. However, the buildings in which farm machinery is stored and serviced frequently contain asbestos materials. In addition, asbestos-containing material are used in gaskets and brake material

Although asbestos exposure can result from the process of plowing and digging, Iowa is geologically inactive and has no natural asbestos deposits.

Statistics

The largest number of asbestos-related deaths in the 20-year period prior to the 2000 census were recorded in the Des Moines metro area. The lowest exposure rates were found in the rural counties such as Sioux, Washington, Calhoun, Crawford, Grundy, Monroe and Winneshiek. Residents in all these counties should seek medical attention at mesothelioma clinics if they believe they have been exposed to asbestos.

Other Iowa Jobsites Where Asbestos Exposure Occurred

If someone you know has ever worked at one of the Jobsites listed below, they may have been exposed to high levels of asbestos. Asbestos exposure at any one of these Jobsites could put them at risk for developing one of the following asbestos related diseases: malignant mesothelioma (a terminal cancer), asbestos related lung cancer, asbestosis or pleural mesothelioma.

Sources

Bowker, Michael. Fatal Deception: The Terrifying True Story of How Asbestos is Killing America. (New York: Touchstone, 2003.)

Evans, David and Greg Johnstone. “Asbestos Use Companies and Locations in Iowa.” All About Malignant Mesothelioma, September 2005.
http://www.allaboutmalignantmesothelioma.com/asbestos-use-locations-iowa.htm (accessed 23 August 2010).

Lipsher, Steve. “Small Towns Face Crunch to Eradicate Asbestos.” The Denver Post, 26 September 2007.