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The state of Louisiana has been exposed to asbestos and shows incidents of deaths resulting from Mesothelioma. However, the number of deaths here is still low. The reason for asbestos exposure was the contaminated vermiculite which was shipped here from Montana. It has been reported that at least 680 people have been the victim of asbestos exposure out of which 340 to 540 died from Mesothelioma in Louisiana.
Being a very aggressive cancer, it is a deadly disease which develops in the lining of the lungs or pleura or the stomach lining or the peritoneum. There is no cure for this cancer and it can kill a person within 16-18 after its diagnosis. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are some of the ways which can be used for treatment but they are not known to work 100% in some of the cases.
The only cause of Mesothelioma is prolonged exposure to asbestos. If you have inhaled asbestos particles while working in a shipyard, dockyard, asbestos mine or mill or factory, without wearing any protective gear or masks, you can get this deadly disease. Due to these reasons, EPA has banned the commercial use of asbestos. Symptoms of Mesothelioma are shortness of breath and stomach pains apart from other symptoms depending upon the kind of cancer you have. To have proper and effective treatment, early diagnosis is necessary.
Your family is also vulnerable to Mesothelioma if you brought your work clothing home with asbestos particles on them. These particles can be inhaled by anyone who washes or dusts them.
Mesothelioma in Louisiana
It came to be known that 1,341 shipments of vermiculite were sent to 8 locations in New Orleans, Louisiana during 1948 and 1993 from Libby, Montana. Oil City and Monroe also some of this contaminated ore. 3 unknown locations also received some of this ore. Zonolite Company at 4729 River Road in New Orleans is listed as the priority site for large storage of asbestos contamination.
State |
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Crude Mortality |
Rate |
Rank |
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Age-Adjusted Mortality |
Rate |
Rank |
|
VYLL to life Expectancy |
Total |
Rank |
VYLL/death |
Rank |
|
| Louisiana |
47 |
19 |
13.83 |
16 |
14.78 |
14 |
718 |
16 |
15.3 |
11 |
Remember, all of vermiculite is not dangerous for health or causes Mesothelioma. This vermiculite which was sent from Libby poses a national threat as it contained asbestos and to use it in various products, it had to be exfoliated. This exfoliation caused massive amounts of asbestos dust to be released in the air which posed a serious health risk and caused Mesothelioma in millions of people. |
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