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The latest statistical data released by the federal government puts the number of deaths from asbestos related diseases in Minnesota at 668 since 1979. Of this total, it is estimated that up to 613 people have died from Mesothelioma alone.
Caused by asbestos exposure, Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer which proves fatal in most of the cases. You can develop Mesothelioma if you have been exposed to asbestos at work, neighborhood or through someone who worked at asbestos industry. People working in shipyards, construction and insulation industries, asbestos mines and mills, car repair shops and asbestos manufacturing industries are most vulnerable to Mesothelioma. Those who worked in any of these industries from 1950’s to 1970’s are at highest risk as businesses involving asbestos were at peak in US during this period.
If anyone from your family or your loved ones works or has worked in any of these industries and did not wear any masks or protective gear, the other family members are also susceptible to Mesothelioma. Asbestos particles are easily carried from one place to another with the workers’ clothes, shoes and hair and cause Mesothelioma if they are inhaled. The only protection against this cancer is prevention as there is no effective and 100% treatment.
If anyone from your family or you suffer from this disease, it is recommended that you immediately contact a Mesothelioma attorney and get professional help. Being a very destructive and aggressive disease, it can kill the patient within a year after the first symptom appears. Mesothelioma can occur in either the lining of the lung or the lining of the stomach.
Mesothelioma in Minnesota
Below are the figures for the number of deaths, mortality rate (per million population), and years of potential life lost (YPLL) in Minnesota in the year 1999, among residents aged 15 years and older.
State |
|
Crude Mortality |
Rate |
Rank |
|
Age-Adjusted Mortality |
Rate |
Rank |
|
VYLL to life Expectancy |
Total |
Rank |
VYLL/death |
Rank |
|
Minnesota |
61 |
13 |
16.34 |
9 |
16.82 |
7 |
875 |
14 |
14.3 |
19 |
These statistics may not be accurate for that fact that until 1999 Mesothelioma was not recognized as a deadly disease by the government agencies. However, it can be said for sure that Minnesota runs a high risk for Mesothelioma as 2,349 shipments or 163,401 tons of asbestos contaminated vermiculite was transferred from Libby, Montana to 17 locations in Minnesota between 1948 and 1993. Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Cottage Grove and Hopkins were some of the cities where this asbestos was sent. Minneapolis was the city where the largest amounts of vermiculite were shipped to 4 plants.
1720 Madison St. NE , Western Mineral Products plant in Minneapolis has been declared as the place with the highest amount of asbestos by the ATSDR and EPA. One of the reasons as to why Minnesota received the largest asbestos shipments is that during the World War II, shipbuilding was carried out here. It was in 1950 to 1970 that most of the Minnesotans worked in asbestos industry.
Contact a Mesothelioma attorney if you are suffering from this deadly disease and you contracted it due to an unsafe working environment. We have listed Mesothelioma attorneys in each state on this site to help you find suitable legal help. |
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