According to the Associated Press…

At least 15 people who worked at or lived near a West Dallas Vermiculite Plant now suffer from symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses/diseases, according to medical findings.  So far, doctors have analyzed about 250 of 421 chest x-rays conducted this summer on former employees, as well as their family members, of the Texas Vermiculite Plant.  Neighborhood residents and former students at nearby schools also received chest x-rays.  15 people or about 6% of those analyzed so far, show signs of asbestos-related diseases.  A few more showed spots on their lungs that will require additional medical study.

Asbestos exposure causes asbestos-related disease which include but is not limited to, cancer, asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. 

This Texas Vermiculite Plant produced fire-retardant materials extracted from vermiculite, and the process involved caused the release of asbestos fibers, which are small enough to be inhaled, into the air and surrounding area.  W.R. Grace & Co. operated the Plant from 1953 to 1992 before it was demolished between 2001 and 2002. 

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 26th, 2007 at 12:29 am and is filed under Mesothelioma. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.