Maine Asbestos Exposure

Maine is known for its coastal lifestyle. It's no surprise that the shipyard industry holds a lengthy presence in the state. Maine also has industries in metal works and power plants, both of which expose workers to asbestos. For such a small, densely populated state, Maine does have its share of mesothelioma. With some of the highest numbers in asbestos-induced diseases in America, mesothelioma remains the most dominant. The small state of Maine has a population of a little over 1.2 million and is still growing every day. According to a study conducted, there are nearly 12 cases of mesothelioma per million people.

Jobs with Asbestos Exposure in Maine

The mining industry is not dominant in Maine, but there are some mines containing asbestos. Miners had a high risk of exposure due to the ill-ventilated spaces in which they worked. Miners often did not wear protective gear over their work clothes because manufacturers never disclosed the hazards and companies didn't feel the need for safety precautions. This increased the chances of miners carrying
asbestos-ridden clothes into their homes, leaving their families at risk for secondary exposure.

Maine's paper mills and other plants and factories may have asbestos. Providing electricity to millions of homes across the state, power plants generate a lot of electrical heat throughout pipelines. Because of this, asbestos insulation is typically used to provide protection to the pipes. Asbestos insulation is popular among power plants due to its heat and fire resistant properties. Construction and metal works industries also expose workers to asbestos in Maine.

Where You May Have Been Exposed to Asbestos in Maine

Metal Works

• Bath Iron Works

Power Plants

• Yankee Nuclear Power

Shipyards

• Portsmouth Naval
• Bath Iron Works

Asbestos-Related Deaths in Maine

Of all the asbestos-related illnesses, mesothelioma is the most common. The toxic fibers attach to the lung's lining before slowly developing into mesothelioma over a latency period of up to 50 years. Asbestosis is perhaps the second most common disease caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestosis is when the lungs begin to scar, causing great difficulty in breathing due to the lungs' inability to fully expand. Asbestos exposure can be fatal. The most popular methods of treatment for mesothelioma are the same as those used for other cancers.

Legal Resources for Maine

The statute of limitations in Maine to file a mesothelioma claim is six years after the date of your diagnosis. In the event you are filing a claim on behalf of a deceased individual under the wrongful death statute, you have two years from the date of death to file.