Construction Workers and Asbestos Mesothelioma

September 21st, 2009. By LucyC

A new study out this month gives a whole new meaning to the term “Dirty Energy.” It turns out that construction workers who were employed at the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Hanford site back in the 1970s are dying at higher than normal rates of asbestos mesothelioma. 

The study, published this month in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine (Sept 2009), shows 94 of the 266 workers who had worked at the Hanford site had died of asbestos-related cancer. The study looked at data from the Building Trades National Medical Screening Program for Hanford, WA, and three additional Department of Energy sites. 

One of the authors of the study, Knut Ringen of Stoneturn Consultants in Seattle, told a Washington state newspaper, “The most significant finding at Hanford was a very high rate of mesothelioma.” And that was in addition to deaths from asbestosis, which was 30 times higher than that seen in the general population. According to the study, the workers were exposed to the asbestos between 20 and 30 years ago, and their average age at the time of volunteering for the study was roughly 60. 

So, that means there are families out there who are now suffering the consequences of something they very likely weren’t aware of in the first place—asbestos mesothelioma—a lethal, and incurable form of lung cancer that can take up to 30 years—or more—to manifest. To add insult to injury, their loved ones were exposed while working for the government. No comment there. 

Apparently, there is an Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program, through which people who worked at the Hanford site or their survivors may be able to claim compensation. And, there is information available at the Hanford website—Hanford.gov. 

But what about construction workers employed in similar working environments today? Are you at risk? Possibly. If you suspect you have been exposed or are currently being exposed to asbestos, consulting a health care professional may be a good idea. If you have been diagnosed with asbestos mesothelioma, you may want to explore your legal options.

Tags: Asbestos, Asbestos Mesothelioma

This was posted on Monday, September 21st, 2009 at 7:44 pm and is filed under Personal Injury . Feel free to respond, or trackback. Read our comments policy.