If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should contact an Alaska mesothelioma attorney to file a case against the companies that have used asbestos at their job sites. Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer of the mesotheliom, and this condition has no cure, it is for this reason that you should contact an Alaska mesothelioma lawyer to guide you on how to file a case to claim retribution for your suffering.

When it comes to mesothelioma, the numbers of deaths that have resulted in the state of Alaska because of this deadly disease are lower, as compared to those that have resulted in the rest of the country. This does not mean that Alaska does not have asbestos contaminated areas, or that its population is not at risk at all.

Many companies in Alaska have used asbestos in their work place which has exposed workers to this deadly mineral. Mesothelioma takes decades to develop, and the exposure to asbestos may have happened 20 years ago at known asbestos contaminated job sites. Workers at these job sites were unaware of the risks that asbestos posed on their health.

Asbestos Deposits Found in Alaska:

Alaska has many large deposits of asbestos in its huge geology. Along the pan handle region, there are four major areas that are considered high asbestos containing areas. Two major deposit sites are located near the heavily populated towns of Ketchikan and Juneau. More asbestos deposit sites are found in remote areas throughout the state of Alaska. More heavy deposits of asbestos are found in the Kobuk Valley, and all along the Yukon River. About 55 miles to the East of Yukon territory there are many asbestos deposit sites [1]. Apart from these sites the Wrangell-St. Elias National Parks are also linked with asbestos contamination. These areas are dangerous for people who are involved in working in oil refineries and paper mills that have been built at these sites. The general population is also at risk for asbestos exposure at these sites as the fibers of asbestos can be easily inhaled and also carried on the clothing of people.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring element found in silicate minerals like muscovite. This material has been extensively used in construction materials, outer wear and protective clothing. Many companies in the United States have used this mineral in their machinery and building structures due it its excellent insulation properties and cost effectiveness.  Asbestos being used at job sites has caused workers like construction workers and other workers such as welders, and maintenance workers to be exposed to asbestos by inhalation. Asbestos is a known air pollutant as its fibers are easily carried in the air [2].

Alaskan Industries Using Asbestos

If you or your loved one worked at any of the below mentioned job sites in Alaska, and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should contact an Alaska mesothelioma lawyer to help you file a claim against these companies. The job sites that are contaminated with asbestos in the state of Alaska include:

Ship repair: Asbestos exposure has frequently resulted due to ship repair, and Alaska has many ship repair facilities spread throughout the state.

Paper mills: Alaska is home to vast wood lands and due to this reason there are abundant paper mills located in the state. These paper mills have also been linked with asbestos exposure and are considered high risk asbestos contaminated areas.

Oil refineries: The most central feature in the economy of Alaska is oil. Out of all other industries, oil refineries have used asbestos abundantly for the purposes of insulation and in order to control heat. Alaska has many facilities that refine and also store crude oil.

Buildings: As such, asbestos usage in buildings has not been a problem in Alaska as there are not many old buildings in the state. There are however, risks of asbestos exposure in all the structures that have been built before the 1970’s. Military facilities are also high risk asbestos contamination areas.

High asbestos risk sites: Some of the known asbestos contamination sites are Campbell Creek pump station in Anchorage, Cheveron Asphalt company Anchorage, Industrial air products Anchorage, union oil company Anchorage, Beluga power Beluga, General electric Bernice Lake, Elson Air force base located at Fair banks, Shell Oil Kenai, Standard Oil Kenai, Alaska Pipe Line Valdez, standard oil Valdez. These are just a few among many more asbestos contaminated sites found throughout Alaska. If you or a family member, who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, worked at any of the above mentioned sites, you should contact an experienced Alaska mesothelioma attorney and file your case as soon as possible.

Alaska mesothelioma attorney: Mortalities Resulting from Mesothelioma

Mortalities resulting from mesothelioma in Alaska during the periods between the 1970’s and the year 2000 have been around thirty, while twenty five deaths have occurred due to asbestosis, which is also a deadly disease of the lungs due to asbestos exposure.  Although these numbers are small, the population of Alaska also has to be taken into consideration, which is not very high as well. Even though asbestos is not used anymore in the construction of buildings due to strict government regulations, the number of people being diagnosed with mesothelioma is on the rise. This can only be due to the asbestos exposure people have in high asbestos contamination sites.