Mesothelioma / Asbestos by State / Connecticut
Connecticut Mesothelioma Information
Connecticut ranks 29th out of 50 states for total deaths related to asbestos exposure. Approximately 200 people die from asbestos-related diseases each year.
Get Free Mesothelioma GuideConnecticut Asbestos Exposure
Being right next to the ocean, a significant part of Connecticut’s business came from shipyards, naval hubs, chemical processing plants, and metal works, to name a few. Many occupations involved the marine in some way.
Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral, was once used heavily in many of these types of industrial capacities due to its ability to withstand fire, electricity, and chemical corrosion. Most structures built before a period are likely to have some form of asbestos within. Connecticut ranks 29th in the U.S. for deaths related to prolonged asbestos exposure. Prolonged exposure has been known to cause a cancer known as mesothelioma, cancer that affects the lining of the lungs abdomen, or heart, and other lung-related conditions such as asbestosis.
High-Risk Areas
Besides the industries listed above, there are many other high-risk areas where asbestos is more likely to be found. Knowing the types of items that have asbestos in them can help you deduce where traces of the mineral could be. Some items commonly made with asbestos:
1) Materials that would need heat resistance.
These can encompass automobile parts such as brakes and valves, certain fabrics, insulation, hot water, and steam plumbing, water tanks, oil and coal furnaces, door gaskets, floor and walls surrounding wood-burning stoves, and air duct coverings to name a few.
2) Items that need to withstand chemical corrosion.
This can mean pipes, textured paint, vinyl products, gutters, exterior window panels, and popcorn ceilings.
3) Products that need protection against the elements.
Some including gutters, roofing, and siding shingles, sealants and coatings, and electric motor components.
Naval Yards, Shipping Hubs, and Other Industrial Factories
Navy and civilian shipyards, hubs, and other industrial factories made before the 1970s most likely include asbestos. 1970s was around the time when researchers began discovering the harmful effects of the mineral to human health. Some places in Connecticut that could’ve had high risks for exposure are:
- Derecktor Shipyards
- General Electric
- Groton Ironworks
- Mystic Shipyards
- Thames Shipyards
- United Illuminating Company
Superfund Sites
Due to the abundance of toxic work sites scattered throughout the U.S., The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began enforcing the cleanup of these sites to help protect the public health. These abandoned sites consist of those that contain hazardous materials where the owner or entity responsible doesn’t claim responsibility are then cleaned up by the EPA. They utilize money designated by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, also known as the Superfund, or Superfund law to remove the poisonous materials. Superfund sites in Connecticut are:
Site Name | CT City | Human Exposure Under Control? | Site-Wide Ready for Anticipated Use? | |
---|---|---|---|---|
LIBERTY STREET ANSONIA COPPER AND BRASS | ANSONIA | STATUS UNAVAILABLE | NO | |
PERO PROPERTY | WEST HAVEN | STATUS UNAVAILABLE | NO | |
RAYBESTOS MEMORIAL FIELD PARKING AREA | STRATFORD | STATUS UNAVAILABLE | NO | |
RAYMARK INDUSTRIES INC. | STRATFORD | NO | NO |
Asbestos causes latent mesothelioma. Think you were exposed? Request a case evaluation to pinpoint the cause and who’s responsible.
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Regulations Against Asbestos
Since researchers discovered the mineral to be a carcinogen (cancer-causing), specific uses of it began getting outlawed. This was primarily because several employees were getting exposed negligently, and consequently getting sick after prolonged exposure. These laws and regulations tend to put the responsibility of providing a clean, asbestos-free environment on the building owners, operators, and managers, with strict consequences if they aren’t followed. Penalties can include jail or prison time and heavy fines.
After researchers learned of the mineral’s toxicity, the EPA put together a set of national asbestos regulations guidelines for organizations called the National Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP). The state of Connecticut follows the NESHAP regulations and has also placed specific state laws for controlling further exposure to its residents. The NESHAP and Connecticut state regulations combined work to reduce the chances of releasing asbestos fibers during all activities that require contact and handling of the mineral.
Legal Recourse for Connecticut Residents
With all the state and national regulations put in place to protect their residents from negligent or unknown asbestos exposure, those who end up developing an asbestos-related illness are eligible for legal recourse. Speak with an experienced mesothelioma attorney about the complexities of your case and potentially filing a claim against the asbestos companies responsible for your exposure.
Treatment Centers Near Connecticut
Finding a cancer treatment center nearby can be very helpful, as they provide an abundance of information and resources for patients. Since mesothelioma can sometimes get mistaken for other illnesses, it can be misdiagnosed, so having a cancer-specific center can help avoid this issue. If you receive a medical diagnosis and would like a second opinion, or even if it’s your first trip, you can visit any of these cancer treatment centers with proximity to Connecticut or surrounding states.
Connecticut
- Yale Cancer Center
New Haven, Connecticut
Main phone: (203) 785 4191
New Hampshire
- Norris Cotton Cancer Center at Dartmouth
Lebanon, New Hampshire
Main phone: (603) 653 9000
New York
- Albert Einstein Cancer Center
Bronx, New York
Main phone: (718) 862 8840
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center
New York, New York
Main phone: (212) 305 2500
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Health
New York, New York
Main phone: (212) 731 6000
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
New York, New York
Main phone: (212) 639 2000
- Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
Buffalo, New York
Main phone: (716) 845 2300
- Tisch Cancer Institute
New York, New York
Main phone: (212) 241 6756
Pennsylvania
- Abramson Cancer Center
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Main phone: (215) 615 5858
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Main phone: (412) 647 2811
- Fox Chase Cancer Center
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cancer Information Line: 1 (888) 369 2427
- The Wistar Institute Cancer Center
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Main phone: (215) 898 3700
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center | Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Main phone: (215) 898 3700
Think You’ve Been Exposed?
If you’ve worked at any of the above-listed facilities or believe you were exposed to asbestos via other means, go to a doctor and get tested. There are a few early examinations that a doctor can administer depending on your circumstances, to help diagnose mesothelioma or other asbestos-related conditions.
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