Des Moines, Iowa

As Iowa's capital city and most populous, Des Moines is a hub of political, economic, and cultural activity. It is also the county seat of Polk County, with a small portion of the city extending into Warren County. Des Moines was incorporated in 1851 as the city of Fort Des Moines. In 1857, the name "Fort Des Moines" was shortened to "Des Moines" and the state capital was moved here from Iowa City. Today the city of Des Moines, home to more than 200,000 residents, offers amenities of a big city with the atmosphere of a small town.

During the late-1800s and early 1900s, the railroad and coal mining were the impetus for significant growth in Des Moines. During the 1950s and through most of the 1980s, the city began a post-industrial decline. Eventually, Des Moines rebounded, transforming from a blue-collar industrial city to a white-collar professional city. Today, the city is largely recognized as a major center for the insurance industry, earning the nickname, "Hartford of the West". Other significant sectors of Des Moines’ diverse economic base are printing, finance, retail and wholesale trades as well as industry. The city is the headquarters for the Principal Financial Group, the Meredith Corporation, Ruan Transportation, EMC Insurance Companies, and Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. Other major corporations such as Wells Fargo, ING Group, and Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company have large operations in or near the metro area.

Use of asbestos containing products was prevalent for years at numerous jobsites in Des Moines, Iowa. Accordingly, asbestos exposure has been an issue for workers and others. If you were exposed to asbestos in Des Moines and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer, you should also consider contacting a mesothelioma law firm.

Large Jobsites in Des Moines where Asbestos Exposure Occurred

The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance has compiled information obtained from a number of sources to identify the following large job sites in Des Moines where asbestos exposure was known to have occurred. These sites are listed below. Click on them to get more detailed information.

Other Jobsites in Des Moines where Asbestos Exposure Occurred

These additional jobsites in Des Moines, IA have been identified as harboring asbestos containing materials. These sites, at one point in their history, were known to have exposed a variety of tradesmen to asbestos. We will be documenting in more detail how asbestos exposure occurred at these sites in the future on this web site.