ASBESTOS EXPOSURE IN NEVADA

The number of reported incidents of asbestos exposure in Nevada is not as high as that recorded in other states. However, there have been reported issues of exposure especially within power plants, oil refineries, and historic buildings within certain cities that were constructed with asbestos containing materials. For some buildings in the LasVegas area for , asbestos containing construction materials were used past 1980, meaning restrictions on it’s use were enforced later there than in other parts of the country. This is a very useful development.

Asbestos was once widely used throughout the nation for its properties as it was also a cost-effective material mostly used in the construction of projects of various types. For industrial buildings and homes it was often used for insulation. For industries like the automotive industry many component parts of vehicles were manufactured with asbestos containing products.

Exposure to asbestos can cause serious health problems for those who come into contact with the toxic mineral. When asbestos fibers are released into the air and inhaled, they can become lodged in the lungs and lead to serious diseases like mesothelioma or lung cancer. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the protective lining of major areas of the body including the heart and lungs. Asbestosis is another health condition that may be developed from asbestos exposure.