Florida ranks 2nd out of 50 states in the United States for total deaths related to asbestos exposure. Approximately 360 people die from asbestos-related diseases each year. Learn more about Florida asbestos exposure.
Hundreds of people are diagnosed with mesothelioma and other conditions each year due to Florida asbestos exposure. But how do Florida residents get exposed to asbestos in the first place? Well, before diving into the effect of the issue, it’s essential to look at the cause.
A group of six silicate minerals, asbestos was once known as a “wonder element.” The ore was widely utilized in various industrial applications because of its cost-effectiveness, durability, and fire resistance. This was before researchers discovered that asbestos could cause serious illnesses (including cancer) if a person were exposed to it for too long. In the U.S., Florida is second only to California in asbestos-related deaths.
Before asbestos health risks were discovered (and even after in certain cases), asbestos was heavily used in insulation, pipes, and the development of other industrial products. The U.S. military also used the mineral to develop military bases, tools, vehicles, aircraft, ships, and shipyards. Learn more about the risks of Florida asbestos exposure and who might be affected.
Asbestos does not exist naturally in Florida, but many shipments of the mineral were made to sites across the state. These sites then commercially distributed the product to the market, where other companies later used the toxic mineral industrially.
Typically, areas with high rates of illness and death related to asbestos exposure have high rates of continuous construction, shipyards, and/or manufacturing plants. The average age of a mesothelioma diagnosis is 72 years old, and some counties popular among senior citizens likewise have high rates of asbestos-related deaths. Out of all the states, Florida ranks 2nd in the U.S. for deaths related to asbestos exposure.
The top 20 counties with asbestos-related deaths in Florida are:
There was a mining site in Libby, Montana, that discovered an abundance of a mineral called vermiculite in 1881. Like asbestos, vermiculite was commonly used in insulation, brake linings, roofing, and soil conditioners. The vermiculite within this mining site was also heavily contaminated with asbestos. A company known as W.R. Grace took over Libby mining operations in 1963, fully aware of the asbestos contamination.
Despite W.R. Grace’s knowledge of asbestos pollution in the mine, as well as its harmful effects on human health, they didn’t notify their employees. They also continued distributing the contaminated vermiculite to construction sites around the country, especially in Florida. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that over 100,000 tons of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite were shipped to Tampa alone.
Asbestos is a bundle of fibers that does not pose a significant health risk if left undisturbed. However, in the case of construction, demolition, mining, renovation, and other projects that may disturb the mineral, the fibers can become airborne and are much easier to swallow or inhale.
In Florida, shipyards, oil refineries, power plants, construction sites, and five asbestos processing plants were operational until the 1980s, significantly increasing asbestos exposure risks. Countless people worked in shipyards from 1914 to the 1980s in the cities of:
Even today, exposure risk is still high among many Florida employees, especially construction workers. Employees of Florida Power and Light (FPL) have filed lawsuits against their employer for asbestos exposure.
Floridians who inhabit old houses or building structures are at considerable risk for exposure to asbestos. Many building products were manufactured with asbestos to increase their strength and fireproof them. Nearly all houses built before the 1980s have asbestos somewhere in their structure. Additionally, water damage and other types of weather damage significantly increase the chance of exposing residents to asbestos-containing insulation and cement.
Asbestos-containing products to look out for in older residential and commercial structures include:
Since asbestos fibers are harmful when disturbed, it could be dangerous to renovate or otherwise disturb older structures. If you happen to have asbestos items in your home and need to renovate or demolish them, there are professional asbestos abatement companies that can help you safely remove these items without risking exposure.
Across the state, there are 21 U.S. military bases, from all branches of the military. Furthermore, the Pensacola-Jacksonville area houses more military installations than any other city in the state. Today, veterans make up almost 30 percent of all mesothelioma diagnoses.
Veterans of the U.S. Navy (followed by Marines) are most likely to develop asbestos-related conditions due to their prevalence in ships, shipyards, buildings, and planes. Too many of Florida’s naval bases were built decades before public health regulations. Consequently, thousands of men and women stationed here faced Florida asbestos exposure. This is why finding a mesothelioma lawyer is so important, as the intricacies of local laws can be difficult to navigate alone.
Typically, military jobs that exposed servicemembers to the highest concentrations of asbestos include:
Military bases and shipyards built and run by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps in Florida include:
Several asbestos-related conditions can develop from prolonged asbestos exposure. Diseases from asbestos have long latency periods, as sometimes an illness can take over 20 years to develop. Diseases caused by exposure to the mineral include:
The most common symptom of these combined conditions is breathing difficulty. If you have reason to believe you’ve been exposed to asbestos and have chronic breathing issues, see a doctor immediately. The earlier the disease can be detected, the more treatment options a patient can have.
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Since there’s such a daunting number of old, asbestos-contaminated buildings in Florida, the state has a series of strict regulations put in place to prevent environmental exposure from the demolition of such properties. In 1982, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Asbestos Removal Program came into effect, pushed by the EPA to protect residents from Florida asbestos exposure.
Those who plan to bring changes to the structure of any of the following buildings must notify the Florida DEP first:
The state of Florida follows the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) to aid in protecting its residents. The NESHAP is a national set of regulations developed by the EPA, as stated by the Clean Air Act (CAA). NESHAP puts the responsibility of proper asbestos removal onto building owners and managers. The Florida DEP is the entity responsible for administering the NESHAP regulations under the Florida Administrative Code.
The NESHAP’s purpose is to protect public health by minimizing the release of asbestos fibers during activities involving processing, handling, and disposal of asbestos-containing materials, otherwise known as ACMs. The program also clearly defines work practices to be followed during the demolition, renovation, or disturbance of most structures, installations, and buildings. The regulations also require that the owner/operator of the building notify the correct DEP district office or local program before any demolition or renovation of ACMs.
Many Florida homes were built before materials like asbestos-containing popcorn ceilings or siding were outlawed. Continuous heat and rain can damage these structures and release hazardous toxins into the air, too small for the eye to see.
To protect homebuyers, Florida laws require sellers to disclose a range of information about the house. Any history of sinkholes, legal claims, and environmental hazards (including asbestos, Chinese drywall, lead, and mold) must be disclosed to buyers. Usually, sellers log these on the Florida Seller’s Property Disclosure form.
Those diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related conditions were most likely exposed while on a job site and without their knowledge. The employer may be liable for this exposure due to negligence or lack of adherence to asbestos regulations. Victims may be eligible for compensation if they’ve developed an illness from prolonged exposure. Patients can also file a personal injury lawsuit against the companies responsible, or if the patient dies before the claim is filed, a family member can file a wrongful death suit.
Speak with an experienced Florida mesothelioma lawyer about the unique details of your potential case. They’ll be able to tell you your options and suggest the best methods for filing a claim.
If you develop mesothelioma or another cancer due to asbestos exposure, a cancer medical treatment center could prove to be extremely beneficial. There are various medical professionals in Florida and surrounding states with specific experience in handling a patient’s cancer diagnosis and developing a specialized treatment plan.
Cancer treatment centers in and around Florida include:
Florida
Georgia
Alabama
Give your doctor a visit if you suspect you’ve been exposed to asbestos at any point in your life. You can also contact your local Florida Department of Environmental Protection if you have any questions about asbestos in your area. Our patient advocacy team can assist patients and families affected by Florida asbestos exposure who are dealing with a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Jennifer Verta thrives as a digital content writer at Mesothelioma Hub. She has been producing content for clients since before she graduated from the University of Colorado at Denver with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and a Minor in English Writing. Jen’s mission is to help promote awareness of mesothelioma to as many people as possible by providing only the most up-to-date and accurate content available. When she isn’t cranking the gears at work, Jen can be found snowboarding, hiking, catching live music, or socializing with friends.
Asbestos Nation. (2019). Asbestos-Related Deaths in Florida. Retrieved on November 18, 2019, from http://www.asbestosnation.org/facts/asbestos-deaths/fl/
EWG. 2004. Asbestos: Think Again: Deaths Due to Asbestos Related Diseases by State. Retrieved on November 15, 2019, from https://www.ewg.org/research/maps/deaths-due-asbestos-related-diseases
Florida Department of Health Bureau of Community Environmental Health Under Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (2005). Health Consultation. Retrieved on November 18, 2019, from http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/hazardous-waste-sites/_documents/w/wrgrace040105.pdf
Florida Department of Environmental Protection. (2019). Asbestos FAQ. Retrieved on November 18th, 2019 from https://floridadep.gov/air/permitting-compliance/content/asbestos-faq
G.S. (2016). The Risk of Asbestos Exposure in Florida Homes. Retrieved on November 18, 2019, from https://www.asbestos123.com/news/the-risk-of-asbestos-exposure-in-florida-homes/
National Cancer Institute. Asbestos. (2019). Finding a Cancer Center. Retrieved on November 18, 2019, from https://www.cancer.gov/research/nci-role/cancer-centers/find
Naval Technology. (2019). The Biggest Naval Bases in the US. Retrieved on November 18, 2019, from https://www.naval-technology.com/features/featurethe-biggest-naval-bases-in-the-us-4144545/
Santaniello, N. (1994). Many Old Buildings Have Asbestos, Experts Say. Retrieved on November 18th, 2019 from https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1994-08-13-9408120510-story.html