History of Asbestos in Nebraska
Landlocked in the middle of the continental United States, Nebraska, like many of its neighbors, has a long history in agriculture. Without access to large, interstate rivers or the ocean, the state was able to avoid one major source of asbestos exposure in the 20th century: shipbuilding.
Unfortunately, because asbestos was so widely applied in numerous industries, the state was not immune to the dangerous of the mineral. Nebraska was home to a number of steam power plants. Power plants and stations often used asbestos:
- As a flame retardant in the construction of facilities
- In electric wiring
- In panel partitions
- In electrical cloth
- In conduits, where it was used in insulation, plaster, drywall and even cement.
Industries Susceptible to Asbestos Exposure
No state was immune to asbestos. Thankfully, Nebraska has some of the lowest mesothelioma rates in the country, but any mesothelioma is too much. This is because the disease is preventable. If those exposed to asbestos had been told about the dangers and given the option not be exposed, none of them would have developed mesothelioma.
Because asbestos is a natural flame retardant and insulator, is strong and durable, and was inexpensive, asbestos companies knew they could make billions of dollars off their products if they kept the deadliness of asbestos quiet.
As a result, these Nebraska industries, among others, were typical candidates for asbestos in the workplace:
- Manufacturing and processing of chemicals, fertilizer, agricultural and numerous other products
- Oil refineries
- Air Force bases and other military installations
- The railroad
Asbestos-related Deaths in Nebraska
Numbers for mesothelioma deaths in Nebraska are not 100% reliable for the years before 1999. This is because the Centers for Disease Control did not mandate reporting of mesothelioma, separate from other cancers, until then.
Mesothelioma is a distinct type of cancer, but can also occur in the mesothelial lining of the heart, stomach, and abdomen, and then spread to other areas of the body. This has given it a history of being misdiagnosed and therefore underreported.
One report that gives some insight into mesothelioma deaths in Nebraska is the numbers compiled by the Environmental Working Group, published in 2004. They note asbestos related deaths between 1979 and 2001 at 194. Those attributed to mesothelioma were reported at 129.
When the CDC mandated mesothelioma reporting in 1999, mesothelioma deaths doubled, on average, nationwide.
Where to Get Help
Mesothelioma Treatment Centers and Doctors
While mesothelioma is often treated with therapies common to other types of cancer, such as chemotherapy and radiation, leading mesothelioma doctors are experimenting with new types of treatment. A number of these, such as photodynamic therapy, gene therapy and immunotherapy show exciting promise but as yet, the disease is still considered incurable.
Most states, including Nebraska, have cancer treatment centers. However, many of these centers do not offer clinical trials and do not have physicians that specialize in mesothelioma treatment on staff. When you contact a cancer doctor or center, it is important to ask if they offer specialized mesothelioma treatment and whether or not they are offering any clinical trials.
You may not need specialized treatment or be eligible for clinical trials. Only you and your doctor can make these types of decisions. However, it is important to carefully research all of the options available to you and be sure to ask any questions you have.
Eppley Cancer Center
University of Nebraska Medical Center
600 South 42nd Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68198-6805
402-559-4238
Nebraska Comprehensive Cancer Control Program
Nebraska Health and Human Services
301 Centennial Mall South PO Box 95026
Lincoln, NE 68509
402-471-4411
Creighton University Medical Center
Cancer Center, Suite 2321
Mesothelioma Treatment Section—Dr. Brian Loggie
601 N. 30th Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68131
402-280-4100
Dr. Brian W. Loggie is Director of the Creighton University Cancer Center and is noted as a leading mesothelioma doctor who pioneered an important mesothelioma chemotherapy treatment.
Do you need help paying for your mesothelioma medical bills? How will your family get by financially after you're gone? Shouldn't someone have warned you that asbestos was dangerous?
If you are asking these questions, a Nebraska mesothelioma attorney can help you with the answers. You had a right to know the dangers of asbestos and Nebraska law has held asbestos companies financially responsible for mesothelioma cases.
Simon, Eddins & Greenstone, LLP has worked with Nebraska mesothelioma victims like you. We're experienced in asbestos litigation nationwide and are proud to offer a host of support services that make going through the legal process while coping with mesothelioma easier. Call us today for a free consultation, access to a free mesothelioma information guide, and a library of other mesothelioma resources. 866-632-7574.