New Mexico ranks 41st out of 50 states in the United States for total deaths related to asbestos exposure. Approximately 60 people die from asbestos-related diseases each year.
New Mexico, also known as the Land of Enchantment, is a robust state located in the Southwest and is home to many industries that run the risk of encountering asbestos. Different states have specific regulations governing the use of the mineral, resulting in varying levels of risk. New Mexico has several job sites where asbestos was used in construction, as well as numerous environmental sites with asbestos deposits.
For New Mexicans, it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with asbestos exposure and its impact on health. Whether you have encountered asbestos in the past on a local job site or recently received a mesothelioma diagnosis, understanding the dangers, seeking proper medical care, and knowing legal rights can make a significant difference in your mesothelioma journey.
There are certain areas in New Mexico where asbestos is more likely to be found than others. Higher-risk areas include natural deposits found in certain regions of the state, such as mining areas or geological formations known to contain asbestos minerals. Additionally, there is a processing site in Albuquerque where asbestos-related activities have occurred in the past, increasing the likelihood of asbestos dust being released in the general vicinity.
Other job sites across New Mexico, particularly mining, construction, and manufacturing industries, are also considered higher-risk areas due to historical asbestos usage. It is very important for New Mexican residents residing or working in these regions to be cautious and follow FDA safety regulations to minimize asbestos exposure. Areas include:
Asbestos minerals have been found in limestone and various other mineral deposits around New Mexico. However, unless disturbed, it’s unlikely people would inhale or ingest asbestos fibers. Those who are at high risk include miners, construction workers, and demolition crews. Asbestos can also be found in small amounts around various geologic terranes in the southern part of the state, but the level is low and less of a health risk.
Vermiculite is another mineral that develops in underground geologic formations worldwide. One of the largest deposits is located in Libby, Montana, where both vermiculite and asbestos minerals can be found together. Too, amphibole is a type of asbestos that was found in a vermiculite mine in Montana.
It was later discovered that the vermiculite ore processed from the mine held up to 26 percent amphibole minerals before it was concentrated and milled in Libby, Montana then shipped across the country. Shipments contained concentrations of asbestos ranging from 0.3 percent to 7 percent between 1920 to 1990. In 1990, the mine was closed, but not before it had supplied vermiculite to several hundred sites in the United States.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted extensive research and created a database from shipping invoices at a facility in New Mexico. The agency determined that 231 tons of vermiculite ore from the Libby mine was shipped to a chemical conglomerate, W.R. Grace, in New Mexico between September 1983 and May 1988. These shipments were contaminated with asbestos, exposing workers and nearby residents to the toxic minerals.
After this discovery, W.R. Grace told the EPA it would source vermiculite from a new facility in South Carolina. After observing this new facility closely, the EPA determined it was clean and that no further action would be needed.
The U.S. military used the carcinogen as insulation, specifically in ships, shipyards, aircraft, vehicles, and military bases. As a result, veterans have a higher risk of asbestos exposure, especially those who served in the Navy and spent most of their time in shipyards.
There isn’t a Marine or Navy base in the state, but there are currently three Air Force bases:
There are also two current Army bases:
Besides the military, asbestos has been used in many other job sites. Some areas include mining sites, oil refineries, power plants, and railroads. Job sites in New Mexico that have confirmed the use of asbestos at some point include:
| Name | Location |
|---|---|
| 6200 NORTHLAND N.E. SHOWHOUSE | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| AC HOUSTON LUMBER CO | GALLUP, NM |
| 4 CORNERS POWERHOUSE | FARMINGTON, NM |
| CHINO MINES COMPANY | HURLEY, NM |
| ALBUQUERQUE GAS & ELECTRIC | BERNALILLO, NM |
| BUILDERS MATERIALS INC | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| BATES LUMBER CO | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| BURN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. | LAS CRUCES, NM |
| BUILDERS MATERIALS, INCORPORATED | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| ACF/GE PLANT | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE ??? FOUR CORNERS POWER PLANT | FRUITLAND, NM |
| CHACO COMPRESSOR STATION | FARMINGTON, NM |
| CITY OF LAS CRUCES GAS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM | LAS CRUCES, NM |
| AQUA FRIA SCHOOL | SANTA FE, NM |
| AMERICAN GYPSUM CO. | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| ALBUQUERQUE CONVENTION CENTER | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| CLIMAX CHEMICAL | MONUMENT, NM |
| ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY – FOUR CORNERS | FRUITLAND, NM |
| CINEZA REFINERY | GALLUP, NM |
| BREWER BUILDERS | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| CHINO MINES POWER PLANT | HURLEY, NM |
| CITY OF BERNALILLO – WASTEWATER PLANT | BERNALILLO, NM |
| CLOWE AND COWAN INC | ROSWELL, NM |
| HOMESTAKE MINING & UNITED NUCLEAR CORPORATION | GRANTS, NM |
| HOLMAN AFB | HOLMAN, NM |
| HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE | ALAMOGORDO, NM |
| EPPSCO INC | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| DUVAL SULFUR & POTASH | CARLSBAD, NM |
| DESERT INDUSTRIES | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| FORT WINGATE PLANT | GALLUP, NM |
| EL PASO NATURAL GAS CO | FARMINGTON, NM |
| COOPER MILL | TYRONE, NM |
| COMMUNITY PUBLIC SERVICE | LORDSBURG, NM |
| FARMERS COMPRESS COMPANY | LAS CRUCES, NM |
| ELDORADO HIGH SCHOOL | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| GEO. S. THOMPSON CO. | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| HOLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE | ALAMAGORDO, NM |
| H.B. ZACHRY COMPANY | HOBBS, NM |
| GLENN RESIDENCE, 1938 HANE | SANTA FE, NM |
| FOUR CORNERS POWER PLANT | FRUITLAND, NM |
| FOUR CORNERS POWERHOUSE | FARMINGTON, NM |
| COLUMBIA ASBESTOS COMPANY | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| HAINES SEWING PLANT | LAS CRUCES, NM |
| IDEAL CEMENT CO. | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| INTERNATIONAL MIN. & CHEMICAL CORPORATION | CARLSBAD, NM |
| LAS VEGAS – WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT | LAS VEGAS, NM |
| J. KORBER & COMPANY | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| HOUSTON LUMBER COMPANY | CLOVIS, NM |
| KINNEY BRICK COMPANY | KINNEY, NM |
| KERR-MAC POTASH CO | CARLSBAD, NM |
| KERR MCGEE POTASH MINE | CARLSBAD, NM |
| LEA COUNTY ELECTRIC COO | LOVINGTON, NM |
| KIRKLAND AIR FORCE BASE | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| LOS ALAMOS ATOMIC TESTING SITE | LOS ALAMOS, NM |
| INTERNATIONAL MINERALS AND CHEMICAL CORPORATION | CARLSBAD, NM |
| HUDSON ENGINEERING CORPORATION | GALLUP, NM |
| LEXCO CO | MORIARTY, NM |
| KIRTLAND AFB, SANDIA BASE | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| LEA COUNTY CO-OP | LOVINGTON, NM |
| KINNEY BRICK CO | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| LOCO HILLS PRESSURE MAINTENANCE COMPANY | ARTESIS, NM |
| KENT NOWLIN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| MADDOX POWER PLANT | HOBBS, NM |
| NEW MEXICO PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY, SAN JUAN UNIT #2 | LA MESA, NM |
| NEW MEXICO PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY – SAN JUAN UNIT #2 | LA MESA, NM |
| NEVADA CONSOLIDATED COPPER CORPORATION (A/K/A KENNECOTT COPPER) | HURLEY, NM |
| NATIONAL MINE | CARLSBAD, NM |
| NATIONAL POTASH CO | CARLSBAD, NM |
| NEW MEXICO METALS CORP | LOS LUNAS, NM |
| NAVAJO REFINING | ARTESIA, NM |
| NEW MEXICO ELECTRIC SERVICE CO – MADDOX PLANT | HOBBS, NM |
| NEW MEXICO POWER COMPANY | DAWSON, NM |
| NALLEYS INC | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| MATHIS AND MATHIS MINING AND | SILVER CITY, NM |
| MONTERREY SCHOOL | ROSWELL, NM |
| MOLYBDENUM CORPORATION OF AMERICA | QUESTA, NM |
| LOS ALAMOS LABS | LOS ALAMOS, NM |
| LOS ALAMOS LABORATORIES | LOS ALAMOS, NM |
| NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS UNIVERSITY | LAS VEGAS, NM |
| LOS ALAMOS POWER PLANT | LOS ALAMOS, NM |
| NALLAYS INC | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| MUNICIPAL LIGHT PLANT FARMINGTON | FARMINGTON, NM |
| RECKLAW RESIDENCE, RIO RANCHO ESTATES | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| PUBLIC SERV CO NM | WATERFLOW, NM |
| PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT CORP | FARMINGTON, NM |
| RUBIS METAL INC | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY | LAS CRUCES, NM |
| RESIDENCE, 12400 MORROW N.E. | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| NEW MEXICO PUMP & EQUIPMENT | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| POTASH COMPANY OF AMERICA | CARLSBAD, NM |
| PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW MEXICO | FRUITLAND, NM |
| REEVES STATION | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| ROSWELL BRACKISH WATER TREATMENT FACILITY | ROSWELL, NM |
| REEVES POWER PLANT | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| SAN JUAN POWER PLANT | FARMINGTON, NM |
| NEW MEXICO STATE PENITENTIARY | SANTA FE, NM |
| PECOS VALLEY COMPRESS | ROSWELL, NM |
| RUBIS METALS INC | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| POTASH CO OF AMERICA | CARLSBAD, NM |
| PLATEAU REFINERY | FARMINGTON, NM |
| PAN AMERICAN PETROLEUM CO. | ARTESIA, NM |
| RED SEAL INC | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| U.S. POTASH COMPANY | LOVING, NM |
| TRI-STATE INSULATION | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| UNITED NUCLEAR CORP HOMES | GRANTS, NM |
| SOUTHERN UNION GAS PLANT | BLOOMFIELD, NM |
| SINCLAIR OIL & GAS COMPANY | TATUM, NM |
| STEARN ROGERS, INC. | WATERFLOW, NM |
| SANTE FE HOSPITAL | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| SOUTHWEST POTASH CORP | CARLSBAD, NM |
| SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY | ROSWELL, NM |
| SANTA FE RAILROAD FACILITY | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| SOUTHWEST POTASH | CARLSBAD, NM |
| SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE CO | CLOVIS, NM |
| SOHIO NATURAL RESOURCE | SEBUYETA, NM |
| SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE – CUNNINGHAM STATION | HOBBS, NM |
| TOWN OF CLOVIS – WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT | CLOVIS, NM |
| SOUTHERN PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY | CLOVIS, NM |
| UNITED NUCLEAR CORPORATION | GRANTS, NM |
| SOUTHERNWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY | CARLSBAD, NM |
| TOWN OF FARMINGTON | FARMINGTON, NM |
| SANDIA LABS | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE | WHITE SANDS, NM |
| UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO | ALBUQUERQUE, NM |
| US POTASH | CARLSBAD, NM |
| WARREN PETROLEUM CORPORATION | HOBBS, NM |
| WALKER AIR FORCE BASE | ROSWELL, NM |
| WARREN PETROLEUM CO. | MONUMENT, NM |
| ZIA CORPORATION | LOS ALAMOS, NM |
It’s possible to avoid asbestos exposure if you take certain precautions. Having an awareness of where asbestos is located can make it much easier to avoid. A few states have banned the mineral outright, making it less common to find, but it’s still important to be vigilant.
The easiest way to prevent asbestos exposure is to avoid the mineral when it is broken up or crumbled. If a crew is demolishing, building, or renovating a building that contains asbestos, there’s a higher chance the fibers could be airborne, exposing people in the area.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken several steps to ban asbestos. In 1989, there was a partial ban on manufacturing, importing, processing, and distributing some products containing the mineral. New uses for the carcinogen were also banned, preventing its presence in the marketplace.
Most recently, the “Final Rule,” passed in April 2019, closed a loophole declaring asbestos products no longer on the market be banned from returning to commerce without further evaluation from the EPA. The EPA is also evaluating ongoing uses of asbestos and analyzing future risks. If the risk of a product or application is too significant, then the agency will address it.
The Air Quality Bureau (AQB) in New Mexico aims to protect New Mexico’s residents by addressing issues regarding air quality, including asbestos. One goal is to protect the environment and the public by eliminating the release of asbestos fibers into the air. The agency’s regulations focus on contractors, facility managers, and owners, requiring they abide by strict regulations or be liable if they don’t.
New Mexico adopted the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) to give contractors and facility owners a way to minimize asbestos risk. One way is by requiring notices for renovation and demolition projects only when they are up to standard.
If you reside in New Mexico and have any questions or concerns, contact the AQB bureau’s Asbestos Hotline at 1-800-224-7009, or send an email to [email protected].
Prolonged exposure to asbestos can lead to cancer and other illnesses that develop over time. Generally, older adults and seniors are the primary groups affected since there’s usually a significant latency period. Asbestos-related conditions include:
If you believe you’ve been exposed to asbestos, it’s recommended that you see a doctor to receive an evaluation and discuss potential treatment.
There are several cancer treatment centers around New Mexico for patients with symptoms or concerns about asbestos exposure or related illnesses. Treatment centers include:
These treatment centers are either in New Mexico or bordering states, making them relatively close.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases due to on-the-job asbestos exposure and feel like there is no justice and no way out, our team of experienced attorneys and patient advocates is here to help. We know the ins and outs of the New Mexico legal system, so partnering with an established firm like ourselves can take much-needed stress off your plate.
Dealing with the consequences of asbestos-related illnesses can be overwhelming, and we firmly believe that no one should face these challenges alone. By entrusting your case to our dedicated lawyers, you can rest assured that you have a compassionate and knowledgeable advocate fighting for your rights and seeking the justice you deserve. You can also contact one of our experienced attorneys for a free case evaluation. No one should go through this alone.
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.
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