Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma in North Dakota
Though agriculture holds the top spot in North Dakota’s state economy, the state still has its fair share of industrial activity including oil refining, power plants, and military bases. However, despite the success of these industries in the Roughrider State, these industries have left a tragic legacy of mesothelioma, a terminal cancer, and other deadly illnesses caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos-related illnesses usually begin to show 20+ years after original exposure. This means that individuals, and their family members, who worked in industries in North Dakota that involved asbestos, even decades ago, may still be at risk for asbestos related illnesses.
The attorneys at MesoLawyersCare have been able to recover financial compensation for workers and their families who have suffered from asbestos-related illnesses as a result of jobsite exposure to asbestos throughout North Dakota. Below are summaries of five work sites within North Dakota that have been particularly problematic in exposing workers to asbestos.
1. Milton R. Young Station – Center, ND
The Milton R. Young Station is a coal fired power plant in the town of Center, North Dakota with two units. The units went into service in 1970 and 1977 and have the combined capacity to produce approximately 700 megawatts of power. Asbestos was commonly used in power plants like the Milton R. Young station built prior to the 1980s—it was favored as a heat resistant material that protected plant machinery, pipe, boilers, and other equipment. Because this machinery had to operate at extreme temperatures, asbestos insulation and gaskets kept them working properly. However, workers, such as boiler operators and maintenance workers, were frequently exposed to asbestos on the job. Former workers at the Milton R. Young station years ago can still be at risk of developing mesothelioma even decades after their exposure to asbestos at this power plant.
2. Grand Forks Air Force Base – Emerado, ND
The Grand Forks Air Force Base was opened in 1957. Because of the Cold War, fighter inceptor planes were sent to this North Dakota base to protect the U.S. border. Later B-52 heavy bombers were brought to the site in an effort to keep them safe from potential attacks. Today the base is still in operation with more than 3,000 military members. Air Force bases are infamous for exposing military personnel and civilian workers to dangerous levels of asbestos. Prior to its phasing out in the 1980s, military planes were built with asbestos-containing materials that were used in gasket materials, clamps, brakes, and other aircraft parts. As planes became worn down, mechanics and maintenance workers and other workers in the immediate vicinity were exposed to dust from new and worn asbestos-containing aircraft parts. Due to this exposure, former workers at the Grand Forks base have an elevated risk of developing asbestos diseases.
3. Amoco Refinery – Mandan, ND
Built in 1954, the Amoco Refinery in Mandan is the largest oil refinery in North Dakota. In the beginning, the refinery had four processing units with the ability to produce 29,000 barrels a day. Today, the refinery can produce over 74,000 barrels a day. Oil refineries built in the 20th century were known for using liberal amounts of asbestos for its heat-resistant properties. Specifically, asbestos was used to insulate and protect high-heat equipment and machinery that powered the plant and thus help the oil refining process operate smoothly. The refinery workers and their family members were unknowingly exposed to asbestos at the refinery in Mandan because Amoco, who employed the workers, and those who manufactured and supplied the asbestos-containing equipment, failed to warn them about the hazards of asbestos. The MesoLawyersCare firms have obtained large numbers of documents identifying asbestos-containing products used at this massive job site.
4. Minot Air Force Base – Minot, ND
Construction for the Minot Air Force Base began in 1956 and was completed a year later. Over the years, the base has been home to several different squadrons performing various tasks from combat defense to airborne missile maintenance and strategic deterrence. Similar to other Air Force Bases built in the early-to-mid 20th century, the Minot Base used asbestos in base construction and airplane parts and materials. The health of military and civilian workers at Minot Air Force Base was put at risk when they inhaled asbestos fibers while performing maintenance on brakes, engines, and gaskets on airplanes or even cement, pipes, and ceiling tiles in structures on base. These workers and their family members, who were often exposed to asbestos dust carried home on clothing, are at risk for developing mesothelioma.
5. Stanton Power Station – Stanton, ND
The Stanton Power Station was a coal-fired power plant located in central North Dakota. The plant, owned and operated by Great River Energy, had the ability to produce 190 megawatts of power. The Stanton Power Station was the target of significant criticism because of its years of pollution. In addition, the health of workers at the Stanton Plant was put in jeopardy because of significant asbestos use. As in other power plants built prior to the 1980s, the Stanton Plant used large amounts of asbestos throughout its facilities and sometimes even in protective gear worn by certain workers. Although the plant closed its doors in 2017, former workers and their families may yet face health risks due to being exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos that was used in materials such as insulation, gaskets, packing, and cements at the power station.
The attorneys from MesoLawyersCare have recovered more than $10 billion dollars for people diagnosed with mesothelioma. Our firm has successfully represented workers exposed to asbestos at worksites throughout North Dakota. For more information or for a free consultation with our attorneys, fill out the form on this page, start a “live chat” on this page, or call 1-888-568-1177.
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