History of Asbestos in Kansas
Kansas' big business is agriculture. Farming and related industries are not generally associated with asbestos exposure. This fact has helped Kansas post mesothelioma death rates below the national average. However, Kansas still has a lengthy history with asbestos and dozens of citizens are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year.
Heavy manufacturing processes that require high levels of heat are places that often pose a heightened risk for asbestos exposure. This is because asbestos products were commonly used for insulation and flame-retardation purposes until the 1980s. In Kansas, such jobsites include oil refineries, construction sites, steel mills, power plants, chemical plants and railroads.
Kansas also operated three asbestos mines during the 20th century. Poor ventilation and high levels of airborne asbestos particles resulted in many miners contracting asbestos-related illnesses. However, these mines have been closed for some time now and do not pose much of a risk to present-day Kansas residents.
Companies at Risk for Asbestos Exposure
There are many Kansas jobsites and structures that have been identified as known sources for heightened risk to asbestos exposure. The following list indicates the most identifiable, though there are many others.
- American Cornice Works
- Amoco
- Apco Refinery
- Aquila Inc.
- Armco Steel
- Ash Grove Lime & Portland Cement
- Beech Aircraft
- Bendix Aviation
- Boeing Aircraft
- Buckley Construction Industries
- Carey Salt Company
- City Electric Plant
- Coffeyville Municipal Light & Power
- Colgate-Palmolive
- Construction Plastics Inc.
- Co-Op Fertilizer
- Derby Refining
- Dick Long Company
- Dupont
- East Side Disposal Plant
- Empire District Electric Co.
- Emporia State Teachers College
- Farmland Industries
- Foor Engineering
- Forbes Air Force Base
- Fort Riley
- Frontier Chemical
- Goodyear Tire
- Grede Foundry
- Gulf Oil Co.
- Hallmark Cards
- Hercules Powder Co.
- Holt Plumbing
- Indian Springs Shopping Center
- International Milling
- Jeffrey Energy Center
- Kansas City Board of Public Utilities
- Kansas City Power and Light
- Kansas State University
- Kansas University
- Kinsler Plant
- Larned Power Plant
- Lawrence Powerhouse
- McNally Foundry
- Menninger Hospital
- Midwest Solvents
- Missile Base
- Mobil Oil
- Modine Radiator
- Monark Cement
- National Co-op Refinery
- Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America
- OCF Power
- Olin Matheson
- Owens-Corning Fiberglass
- Pan American Kinsler Plant
- Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line
- Phillips Petroleum
- Proctor & Gamble Manufacturing
- Salina Supply
- Santa Fe Railroad
- Skelly Oil Co.
- Southwest Grease Plant
- St. Benedict's College
- Standard Oil
- Swift & Co.
- Tecumseh Power and Light
- Texaco Oil Refinery
- Topeka Insulation
- University of Kansas
- U.S. Penitentiary
- Vickers Oil Refinery
- Western Light and Power
- Westvaco Chemical
- Wolf Creek Nuclear Powerhouse
Kansas Mesothelioma Deaths
Records for asbestos-related deaths only go back a few decades. From the years of 1979 to 2000, it is estimated that between 265 and 450 residents of Kansas died from mesothelioma. An additional 95 deaths are attributed to asbestosis during the same time period.
In 1999, the U.S. government began a more comprehensive tracking procedure for mesothelioma deaths. Between the years of 1999 and 2004, the state of Kansas reported 128 asbestos-related deaths. Sadly, due to the long latency period between asbestos exposure and diagnosis, these numbers are expected to remain relatively constant over the next few years.
Where to Find Mesothelioma Help in Kansas
Mesothelioma Treatment Centers in Kansas
Cancer Center of Kansas
Community Clinical Oncology Program of Wichita
Heritage Plaza Medical Building
818 N. Emporia, #403
Wichita, Kansas 67214
Patient Information: 316-262-4467
Kansas Mesothelioma Attorney
A Kansas mesothelioma attorney can help with your asbestos lawsuit. With the experience of a mesothelioma attorney on your side, you may be able to receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering.
Whether you know where and when you were exposed to asbestos or not, we encourage you to contact us today. A mesothelioma attorney will work directly with you to determine if there is enough evidence to bring your lawsuit to trial. Call today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation – 866-632-7574.