Texas Asbestos Exposure Sites

In the mid-1900s, prior to the enactment of Texas mesothelioma and asbestos laws, asbestos was commonly used in building materials, insulation for pipes, floor tiles as well as car brakes and clutches. Exposure to asbestos typically occurred during construction, ship repairs, or renovation while removing asbestos, or demolition.

Although the use of asbestos has been discontinued in Texas, the effects of its environmental distribution have been linked to several occupational and non-occupational asbestos exposure incidents across the state. This exposure has led to serious health complications amongst affected Texans. As a result, the state of Texas created the Texas asbestos program which is designed to minimize the effects of asbestos exposure and prevent future asbestos-related incidents across the state.

How Does Asbestos Exposure Happen in Texas?

There are two ways asbestos can enter the environment: natural mineral deposits that are weathered or fibers released from products containing man-made asbestos. Products such as floor tiles, cement, mastic adhesive, roof shingles, and plumbing and structural insulation installations release asbestos fibers into the atmosphere when disrupted by nature or human activity.

The most dangerous route of exposure to asbestos is through the lungs when breathing in air that contains asbestos. Although some asbestos fibers that get to the lungs are eradicated during an exhale, others are eliminated from the lungs when coughed out with mucus. Fibers that get to the deeper air passages of the lungs can cause severe damage to a living being. Another form of exposure to asbestos fibers is via the digestive system when drinking water and the lungs are cleared from mucous. Asbestos fibers can penetrate the cells that cover the digestive system even though few may get to the bloodstream. The fibers are then released in the urine. Asbestos fibers that contact the skin rarely go into the body through the skin.

Due to the structure of asbestos fibers (thin and light), they can linger undetected in the atmosphere for an extended period of time. Individuals that were consistently exposed to asbestos developed serious health issues. The common types of exposure include:

Occupational exposure: This is the most common method as workers came in direct contact with asbestos such as firefighters and construction workers
Paraoccupational exposure: Relatives and friends of workers could inhale asbestos fibers brought home from the clothes or hair of the workers
.Neighborhood exposure: This occurs when people who lived or worked near locations with asbestos-containing materials inhaled asbestos fibers.

Where Does Asbestos Exposure Occur in Texas?

Exposure to asbestos in Texas was common among shipyards, oil refineries, and shipping companies. The use of asbestos in these areas was mainly due to its chemical qualities which include its resistance to heat.

Oil Refineries: Texas cities that include Dallas and Houston were home to refineries such as Phillips Pride Refining. Asbestos was used to build such facilities as it was resistant to heat and other chemical reactions. Its use led to workers being exposed to asbestos.

Shipbuilding: The construction of ships included the use of asbestos which were harmful to workers in the vicinity. Shipyards such as American Bridge Shipyard in Orange, Port Adams Shipyard, and Todd Houston Shipbuilding Corporation docked in Texas to build, repair, and maintain their ships and as a result, this led to asbestos exposure.

Manufacturing: Asbestos were in facilities like Pathfinder Manufacturing and Chevron Phillips Plastics. This caused asbestos exposure due to its presence in their facilities. Their equipment used in manufacture contained asbestos products that were heat-resistant. Their buildings contained asbestos products in their construction as well.

Chemical Plants: Chemical plants such as Nalco Chemical Plant, Phillips Chemical Company, and Dow Chemical relied on asbestos materials for their production and construction. Their equipment and in some cases, protective clothing contained asbestos due to its durable minerals that are heat and chemical-resistant.

Schools: A lot of schools in Texas contained asbestos. This had to be removed or contained in order to minimize exposure to staff and children. In January 2019 two schools in Tyler, Texas had to stop construction in order to minimize asbestos exposure. The schools, Robert E. Lee and John Tyler had old buildings that had asbestos-contaminated floor tiles. In order for construction to continue, a professional asbestos removal company was hired to remove the affected tiles.

Who is at Risk of Asbestos Exposure in Texas?

The use of asbestos was widely common in the 20th century and was a huge part of manufacturing in the United States of America. As a result, over 75 occupations faced asbestos exposure in their line of work. However, workers with the highest risk of exposure to asbestos hazards include:

Construction workers
Miners
Military
Firefighters
Shipbuilders
Mechanics
Custodians
Industrial workers
Power plant workers

Half of the public buildings in Texas contain asbestos. As a result, residents and workers who dwell near these buildings can face asbestos exposure. Firefighters and first responders are more likely to be exposed when burning buildings release asbestos into the atmosphere. Relatives of workers exposed to asbestos are also at risk of similar exposure when they return home. This can lead to the development of asbestos-related illnesses. This occurs when workers’ relatives come in contact with the workers’ clothes contaminated with asbestos fibers and dust. The minerals can also attach to the workers’ skin and hair which deposit onto surfaces in their homes. The family members will breathe in these fibers and dust, leading to paraoccupational exposure. To reduce the risk of asbestos exposure to families, it is a requirement for workers who come in contact with asbestos to shower and change their clothing before going home.

How Much Asbestos Exposure Causes Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare membrane cancer that envelopes the chest cavity, lungs, the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity, or membranes surrounding other internal organs. Symptoms of this disease appear 30 to 40 years after asbestos exposure. The development of malignant mesothelioma can start after short-term asbestos exposure. Malignant mesothelioma can occur from very low levels of exposure of only a few weeks. There is no proof of a benchmark where there is no risk of contracting mesothelioma when exposed to asbestos. The risk of getting mesothelioma increases with the duration and intensity of asbestos exposure.

Despite most deaths resulting from mesothelioma in the country due to asbestos exposure 40 years prior, there are new cases that may stem from occupational exposure. The exposures are from asbestos fibers disturbed during demolition and other maintenance activities. Asbestos exposure in buildings occurs if there are no adequate control measures for workers’ protection.

Studies show that family members of workers heavily exposed to asbestos are susceptible to a higher risk of developing mesothelioma. The risk is a result of exposure to asbestos fibers introduced into the home from the shoes, hair, skin, and clothing of workers. Federal law regulates workplace practices to reduce asbestos exposures. People without occupational exposure who live close to inactive asbestos mines have been seen with cases of mesothelioma. Factors that affect the risk of developing mesothelioma include:

The source of exposure
Personal risk factors like smoking, and prior lung disease
The size, shape, and chemical components of the asbestos fibers
The source of exposure
The duration the individual was exposed to asbestos
The amount of asbestos exposure to the individual

Although all types of asbestos are harmful, different forms of asbestos are associated with different health risks. Studies show that amphibole forms of asbestos may be more hazardous than chrysotile, especially for mesothelioma risk because they can occupy the lungs for a longer duration.

Asbestos Exposure Symptoms

In addition to mesothelioma, other diseases that occur due to asbestos exposure include lung cancer and asbestosis. Asbestosis stems from prolonged inhalation of respirable asbestos fibers. It is a chronic, fibrotic lung disease. Symptoms of asbestosis include:

Shortness of breath
Cough
Coughing up blood also known as hemoptysis
Tightness of the chest or chest pain
Periodic respiratory infections

Lung cancer affects the tissues and passages of the respiratory system, it is a malignant tumor. Exposure to asbestos in addition to smoking cigarettes increases the risk of individuals contracting lung cancer. Lung cancer symptoms include:

Recurring chest paints
Shortness of breath
Wheezing
Erratic weight loss
Coughing up blood

Mesothelioma affects the cells that line the abdominal cavity or the chest. It is also known as cancer of the mesothelium. Symptoms of this disease include:

Weight loss
Abdominal pain
Bowel obstruction
Blood system abnormalities
Chest pain resulting from an accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity
Shortness of breath

Cancer of the larynx and ovary is also a risk factor of asbestos exposure. Recent studies suggest asbestos exposure may cause cancer of the pharynx, stomach, and colorectum. Diseases caused by exposure to asbestos can take 20 to 50 years to develop in the human body.

Asbestos Exposure From Products

Due to the heat resistance and fiber strength of asbestos, it was used for various building construction materials such as fire retardants and for insulation. There were also manufactured goods that contained a wide range of asbestos. These were mainly in building materials (ceiling and floor tiles, paper products, roofing shingles), friction products (brake, motor clutch, transmission parts), and heat-resistant fabrics, coatings, and packaging.

Manufacturing companies exposed their workers to asbestos due to its presence in their companies. Equipment like gaskets contained asbestos products that aid in protection from heat. The buildings also contained several asbestos products during construction. Presently, only products that have historically contained asbestos can be used. This means there are no new uses of the mineral permitted in the country. Products that historically contain asbestos include the following:

Asbestos cement
Wall panels
Boiler insulation
Electrical insulation
Floor times
Ceiling times
Asbestos paper and millboard
Spray-on fireproofing
Wallboard joint compound

The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule to make sure that discontinued asbestos products are not introduced into commerce without the evaluation of the agency and putting in necessary restrictions or preventing its use. The rule includes the following prohibited products under the 2019 Final Rule:

Roofing Felt
Arc chutes
Beater-add gaskets
Adhesives
Sealants
Roof and non-roof coatings
Extruded sealant tape and other tapes
Friction materials
High-grade electrical paper
Filler for acetylene cylinders
Cement products

Occupational Asbestos Exposure in Texas

Asbestos can form microscopic particles when handled and the particles remain in the air where workers inhale them into their lungs. As a result, workers are at risk of contracting asbestosis through the inhalation of small asbestos fibers. This is known as an occupational health hazard. This hazard takes place mainly at work during fireproofing, structural insulation, and friction materials such as brake linings. Despite the reduction in the use of asbestos-containing products over the years, asbestos is still a health risk to workers and their families.

The Texas Health and Human Services offer an asbestos program that provides direct services to prevent occupational and environmental diseases. The services include the evaluation, identification, and control of asbestos health hazards. The program has regional inspectors that are available to monitor asbestos removal in buildings and will respond to community concerns to make sure public exposure is at a minimum. A Texas law with occupational code: Chapter 1954 - Asbestos Health Protection protects workers who might be at risk of asbestos exposure.

There are organizations that protect workers who may face asbestos exposure and they include the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These organizations are part of the Department of Labor (DOL) set up with the regulatory responsibility of protecting the health and safety of workers from possible asbestos exposure in the workplace. Under the Toxic Substance Control Act (TCA), the EPA has the regulatory authority to protect state and local employees. It protects workers who might be exposed to asbestos from their jobs in states without an OSHA-approved state occupational safety and health plan.

Another arm of the DOL, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) enforces regulations that relate to mine safety. MSHA encourages miners to use protective equipment provided by their employers and follow approved workplace practices and safety procedures. For instance, when required, respirators approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) should be worn by workers. Workers in asbestos exposure sites are advised to do the following to prevent asbestos exposure when on site:

Use effective personal protective equipment and respiratory protection when at work
Leave contaminated clothes at work
Shower before leaving work if possible
Change clothes before leaving work
Do not wash work clothes together with non-work clothes and family clothes
Store non-work clothes separately from work clothes
Prevent family members from coming to work sites
Do not take tools, scraps, packaging, and similar things home from work.

Environmental Asbestos Exposure

Environmental asbestos exposure occurs when natural asbestos deposits or asbestos-containing products are disturbed. Following this disturbance, tiny asbestos fibers are released into the air. These tiny fibers may remain suspended in the atmosphere for a long time. They may also move a far distance in the atmosphere before settling. On the other hand, larger fibers travel a shorter distance and as a result, settle quickly. Once asbestos fibers enter the environment, they cannot be broken down easily so it does not change in the environment for a long time.

A disturbance to asbestos-containing consumer products or natural asbestos deposits can also spread asbestos throughout soils and release asbestos fibers into the atmosphere. Naturally, asbestos forms in specific types of rocks and are often located near fault zones. Fault zones are the locations where two blocks of rock have fractures between them.

In addition, waste piles from old asbestos mines or other products such as vermiculite or talc may contain asbestos. Alternatively, asbestos veins may be seen in rocks containing asbestos located at the ground surface. Most products no longer contain asbestos in the United States but asbestos is available in old consumer products. Eventually, when these old products break down due to age or poor disposal, the asbestos fibers can spread into the environment.

Asbestos Exposure by Texas County

Asbestos exposure in Texas is mainly occupational in nature. Victims of exposure worked in construction, industries, or old buildings that contained asbestos-tainted materials. Texans exposed to asbestos suffered from asbestos-related illnesses and in some cases, death. The Texas Asbestos Health Protection Rules control and reduce asbestos exposure by regulating the demolition or renovation of buildings that may contain asbestos. Each county has an assigned asbestos inspector that individuals can contact to inspect a building to prevent exposure. There are records (1999-2017) of estimated asbestos-related death according to Texas counties and they include:

Harris County ……2,214 deaths
Dallas County …… 842 deaths
Tarrant County…. 750 deaths
Jefferson County …. 697 deaths
Bexar County ….634 deaths

Texas Counties with the Most Naturally Occurring Asbestos

Naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) is asbestos minerals found in its natural state located in bedrock. Humans face potential asbestos exposure as a result of their small fibers that can be airborne due to nature or human activity. NOA are scarce in the central part of the country, and in turn, in Texas. Asbestos found in Texas is set in various geological settings such as talc deposits. There are no records to show that mining of asbestos ever took place in Texas. However, records show there were 2 former asbestos prospects and 6 asbestos occurrences in Texas. Occurrences are asbestos reported on the site. Prospects are asbestos deposits appraised for possible economic value either by drilling or trenching but the deposits were no longer developed.

Dallas County

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Registry (ATSDR) evaluated the W.R. Grace & Company/Texas vermiculite site in Dallas. This was because more than 396,900 tons of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite were transported to the site from the Libby asbestos mine in Montana. The purpose of the vermiculite site was to expand asbestos-contaminated vermiculite by an exfoliation process. The exfoliation process would heat uniformly graded pieces of the asbestos-contaminated vermiculite in a furnace to expand or “pop” them into smaller nuggets.

This caused the release of more asbestos into the air than any other processing method. During operation, workers at the facility and members of their households were exposed to asbestos. This was from the workers handling and processing the asbestos-contaminated vermiculite and waste rock. ATSDR estimates that 200 to 450 former employees were victims of asbestos exposure during the plant’s operation.

Allamoore Talc District, Hudspeth and Culberson Counties

The most prominent talc-producing areas of the country are the Allamore District of Hudspeth and Culberson counties. In the Allamore district, long-fiber asbestos was discovered within talc deposits in 1960 while drilling Buck Claim. Small amounts of white asbestos were later seen at the site. At the beginning of 1971, an asbestos deposit was discovered by Albert Gregory of Van Horn, Texas, and known as the Diablo prospect.

There was preliminary exploratory work on the prospect that indicated the possible presence of commercially exploitable asbestos. X-ray diffraction and chemical analyses confirm that the white asbestos from the Allamore district was amphibole asbestos. These were located in several igneous and metamorphic rocks such as carbonate rocks, serpentine, and iron formations. Minor amounts of white asbestos were found while drilling and developing relatively large amounts of talc body of the Buck mine. Asbestos from the Buck mine is richterite which resembles those at Diablo prospect and surrounding occurrences.

Texas Public Buildings with Documented Asbestos

The Texas Asbestos Health Protection Rules (TAHPR) define a public building as an interior space of a building for purposes that offer public access. These include hospitals, schools, and prisons. Interior spaces include exterior hallways that connect buildings, and mechanical systems used to condition the interior space. The term incorporates interior spaces during a period of vacancy, including periods during preparations before demolition.

Due to its heat resistance and insulating qualities, older buildings in Texas contain asbestos materials used in construction. Presently, some rules guide the removal of asbestos, demolition, or even renovation to prevent exposure to the hazard. Texas Administrative Code §296.211 details requirements for asbestos abatement in a public building. Prior to the commencement of the project, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) must also be notified.

It is a requirement of the Texas Asbestos Health Protection Rules (TAHPR) and the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) to inspect buildings for asbestos-containing building material (ACBM) before demolition or renovation. Although there is no published list of every public building in Texas with asbestos, the public can retrieve that information from the government. This is possible through the Texas Government Code, Chapter 552 also known as the Public Information Act. However, information that is confidential by law, either constitutional, statutory, or by judicial decision is exempt from the Act.

In 2018, there were reports in Austin, Texas of nearly 200 employees who suffered asbestos exposure during projects in public buildings. Most of the exposure was due to renovations carried out without proper protective equipment. The discovery was from a 6-month investigation that exposed 4 city departments. The departments affected include:

Austin Water Utility
Fire Department
Aviation Department
Parks and Recreation Department

Texas Asbestos Mines and Environmental Risks

There are no records of asbestos mines in Texas. However, there was a factory in operation from 1953 to 1992 that processed over 300,000 tons of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite. The vermiculite came from asbestos mines in Libby, Montana. The factory was called W.R. Grace and Company. It was a vermiculite exfoliation factory located in Dallas, Texas.

The location of the factory was a quarter of a mile south of residential areas with over 7,000 residents. The residents were living within a mile of the factory site in the last decade of vermiculite processing. In the year 2000, the EPA paid a visit to the factory site but found no visible piles of the asbestos-contaminated vermiculite.

As a result, the EPA did not conduct any cleanup and carried no further actions. Nevertheless, the company directed a voluntary facility demolition and cleanup of the site from 2001 to 2002. In 2006, the EPA stated it may reassess the site by carrying out an activity-based sampling in the future.

Texas Firefighter Asbestos Exposure

Texas is one of 5 states with the highest employment rates for firefighters. Although the firefighters are aware of the dangers their occupation entails, asbestos exposure was not a recognized hazard. Before the 1970s, a lot of construction materials contained asbestos. As a result, burning buildings containing asbestos would release asbestos fibers into the air and are breathed in by firefighters during an operation.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health states that firefighters face greater risks of dying from mesothelioma than the general public. In addition, the protective personal equipment (such as jackets, helmets, and boots) used by the firefighters during this period (pre-1970) contained asbestos due to its heat-resistant properties. This unknowingly increased firefighters’ exposure to asbestos even when they thought they were under protection.

The location where firefighters work can also expose them to asbestos. These include firefighters that worked on ships or buildings that were constructed with asbestos products. In the event of a fire outbreak, a firefighter can face asbestos exposure at dangerous concentrations. For example, in 2021, there was a report of 115 firefighters in Austin who faced possible asbestos exposure at a warehouse fire. The firefighters were sent for x-rays to establish a baseline record should they develop health issues and need treatment in the future.

The state of Texas has enacted laws that protect firefighters during and after firefighting. In addition, The Texas Department of Health Services Asbestos Program provides resources to identify, evaluate and control asbestos hazards to prevent occupational diseases. It is a requirement of the Texas Asbestos Health Protection Rules (TAHPR) that an individual be appropriately licensed, or registered to engage in any asbestos-related activity.

Texas Veterans Asbestos Exposure

Veterans may be at risk of asbestos-related diseases. During the Second World War, the construction of military vessels included asbestos-containing materials. This led to exposure of several World War II veterans to asbestos. There are reports of veterans exposed to asbestos that served in the following wars:

Korean War
Vietnam War
Gulf War
Iraq War
Afghanistan War

Military veterans involved in activities that include construction, building, welding, demolition, firefighting, and asbestos mining, may have a higher risk for asbestos-related conditions. Prior to its restriction in the 70s, the US military used asbestos products due to their economical, durability, and heat resistance qualities. This put the veterans at risk of contracting asbestos-related diseases. The following is a list of common asbestos exposure sites and military branches:

Navy: Shipyards, submarines, boiler rooms
Air Force: Bases, aircraft maintenance, airplanes
Coast Guard: Ships, boiler rooms
Army: Barracks, construction
Marine Corps: Armored vehicles, aircraft, barracks

As a result of the wide use of asbestos in the military, veterans make up 30% of a mesothelioma diagnosis. Veterans were likely exposed to asbestos on the ships, aircraft, and buildings on bases during their service. Familiar Texas sites where veterans were exposed to asbestos include Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin and the Naval Station Ingleside in Corpus Christi.

Non-cancerous Conditions Caused by Asbestos Exposure in Texas

Pleural disease is a lung condition that is not cancerous but causes changes to the membrane that surrounds the chest cavity (pleura) and the lungs. This may make the entire membrane thicker or in some isolated areas (pleural plaques), or fluid may build up around the lungs as a result. The fluid build-up is known as pleural effusion. Some patients may experience breathing problems while others may experience weaker lung functions. Some individuals may develop continuous shortness of breath with exercise or at rest if there is a decrease in their lung function.

Asbestosis: The nose and airways filter out most particles inhaled from the atmosphere. However, due to the long, thin, microscopic glass-like features of asbestos fibers, some fibers can pass through the filters and enter the lungs. The lungs have macrophages which are cleaning cells that prevent foreign particles from entering the lungs. In the process of getting rid of asbestos fibers, the macrophages cut open and release digestive enzymes. The enzymes wound the lungs and form scarring known as fibrosis. Due to the lungs scarring, and the macrophages' attempt at ridding the lungs of asbestos fibers, asbestosis develops. Breathing becomes difficult as oxygen and carbon dioxide are unable to pass through scarred lungs. Asbestosis occurs in people who had long and high exposures to asbestos such as occupational exposure. The risk of developing the disease increases in smokers. Late stages of asbestosis include ongoing cough, chest pain, and increasing shortness of breath.

Pleural Plaques: These are visible on a chest x-ray and only when calcified. They are markers of previous asbestos exposure. They identify a patient who may face an increased risk of more serious asbestos-related conditions developing in the future. This is dependent on the previous duration and level of exposure. Patients with the disease sometimes report non-specific chest pains. In some cases, pleural plaques patients may not remember prior asbestos exposure. However, a work history highlights specific occupations that confirm previous exposure.

Diffuse pleural thickening: Is a health effect of asbestos exposure that involves the visceral pleura. A patient can be seen with benign exudative effusions that associate with pleural thickening. Both are health risks of asbestos-related pleuritis. Pleural thickening causes shortness of breath with chest discomfort and can also cause extrapulmonary restriction.

Rounded atelectasis (or Blesovsky syndrome): Is a type of pleural thickening that shows a mass-like, rounded opacity radiological appearance. The disease occurs as a low-grade inflammatory reaction at one pleural site which causes a fusion of the two pleural surfaces. The syndrome proceeds to form a thickening in the fused region. Furthermore, a compression of the underlying lung is formed with an associated collapse. The bronchus and adjacent blood vessels cause the ‘tail’ or standard comet sign seen on CT images. Due to the disease’s mass-like appearance on CT images, malignancy may require exclusion.

Asbestos Exposure in Texas: Who is Responsible and How Do I Prove It?

Victims exposed to asbestos can sue negligent companies responsible for the effects of the exposure. Manufacturers of asbestos were aware of the dangers of asbestos and failed to shield their workers and families from the hazardous material. This makes the companies liable for primary and second-hand exposure. Texans who suffer from asbestos-related illnesses contracted the disease while on the job. Texas is one of 5 states with the most asbestos filings in federal and state courts from 1988 to 2000. In the mid-90s, 3 counties in Texas (Harris, Galveston, and Jefferson) made up 42% of new filings in the state.

Texas adopted the SB15 Act, which is a state law enacted with specific medical criteria for asbestos claims. The law requires plaintiffs to show an asbestos-related disability before filing a claim. This ensured claimants with asbestos-related diseases and serious ailments had their cases resolved sooner. The SB 15 Act cleared unimpaired asbestos victims from Texas courts, moving them to an inactive docket. Claimants in the inactive dockets must provide proof of an asbestos-related impairment or cancer diagnosis to be transferred back to the active docket. A plaintiff can establish responsibility if the following can be proven: negligence, breach of warranty, and strict liability. The statute of limitation for an asbestos lawsuit in Texas is 2 years according to the Civil Practice and Remedies Code section 16.1130. The length of the statute can begin in 2 ways:

From the date of death of the victim exposed to asbestos or,
The day the plaintiff serves their medical report to the defendant. It should fall in line with the code.

In 2016, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) penalized 5 Texas companies for several willful asbestos violations. The companies faced a total of $185,150 in fines for infractions that include:

Failure to notify employees of the location, quantity, and presence of asbestos
Failure to ensure workers properly remove asbestos-contaminated materials
Failure to utilize safe work practices for asbestos removal

The violating companies and their fines listed below are:

Colors Unlimited ($8,400)
One Eleven Park ($2,800)
Roscoe Properties Inc. ($70,000)
Varco Builders of Texas (safety citations for $9,240 and health citations for $18,480)
One Eighty Construction Inc ($76,230)

Can Multiple Jobs Be Responsible for Asbestos Exposure?

Yes, it can. In the past, it was not uncommon for workers exposed to asbestos to have multiple employers who were responsible for their asbestos diagnosis. There were several former industrial workers who worked in multiple locations that had asbestos exposure. This was due to the extensive use of asbestos before 1980 as a result of the mineral’s practical properties. As a result, victims of asbestos exposure are eligible for compensation from multiple asbestos trust funds since all affected employers are responsible for their exposure.