Because it is one of the lowest population states in the country, South Dakota has a low rate of asbestos-related deaths. According to the Environmental Working Group, at least 61 people were killed by asbestos exposure in South Dakota from 1979 to 2001. These deaths primarily centered around Minnehaha and Pennington Counties, covering the metropolitan areas of Sioux Falls and Rapid City.
If you or someone you love has mesothelioma (asbestos cancer) because you were exposed to asbestos while working in South Dakota, attorneys Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason can help. Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason understand the stressful and complicated mesothelioma legal process. We are mesothelioma lawyers with over 30 years of success. We have recovered millions of dollars in settlement compensation for mesothelioma patients and their heirs. Our attorneys provide a free mesothelioma case evaluation, and there is no up front cost to you for our services.
South Dakota is a sparsely populated state, and most of its economy is based on agriculture. Asbestos poisoning from agricultural occupations is usually due to exposure in machine shops and mechanical repair facilities. Asbestos-containing components were installed in many vehicles, including farm equipment. Other industries where South Dakota workers may have been exposed to high levels of asbestos include power plants, air force bases and construction.
South Dakota is home to several older power plants. Because even the smallest fire at a power plant can be a disaster, asbestos was heavily used in power stations because of its ability to resist heat, flame and electricity. Prior to the 1980’s, asbestos insulated boilers, generators, turbines and other machinery. It was also used in gaskets, building materials, roofing and even the clothing that workers wore. When power plant equipment or facilities were repaired or asbestos-containing clothing frayed or became damaged, dangerous asbestos fibers were released into the air. Utility and maintenance workers in these facilities were particularly vulnerable, since they were more likely to come in close contact with potential sources of asbestos exposure.
South Dakota has many older homes, schools, hospitals and commercial buildings that might have used asbestos-containing materials. Asbestos was commonly used in the construction industry for insulation, roofing materials, floor tiles and millboard. People who work in the construction trade run a high risk of exposure, especially on buildings constructed before the mid 1980's. Construction workers, even today, can be exposed to asbestos while building, upgrading and demolishing buildigns that used asbestos products, unless proper safety measures are taken. These measures include: dampening asbestos-containing materials, wearing disposable protective clothing and avoiding the use of power tools.
South Dakota has two Air Force Bases. The entire U.S. Military made extensive use of asbestos in facilities, barracks, ships, planes, vehicles, power stations and just about every other building, mostly in the forms of insulation and fireproofing. Plumbing, walls and ceilings, floor tiles, electrical partitions and wiring were often made of asbestos-containing products.
Air Force Bases in South Dakota
If you or a member of your family has been affected by asbestos cancer in South Dakota or any state in the U.S., contact Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason. Whether your asbestos exposure was due to working at a contaminated jobsite or because you used asbestos-containing products, our mesothelioma attorneys can give you sound, legal advice. We have over thirty years of experience providing mesothelioma legal representation to clients across the United States. We offer a free case evaluation and can fly to South Dakota to meet with you in person.
If you are in need of mesothelioma medical information or treatment, visit our list of South Dakota mesothelioma treatment centers. Mesothelioma attorneys Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason are here to help.
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