Albuquerque has a current population of 915,000 and was founded in 1706 (Macrotrends.net). Over the years, the city and surrounding area have been the home of mining and industry that may have led many people to be exposed to asbestos.
For example, records indicate that more than 57,000 tons of asbestos were shipped to Albuquerque for various manufacturing and industrial purposes over the decades. The dangerous asbestos material was brought in from Libby, Montana. The mineral was used by many companies in the city for machinery, piping, wiring, gaskets, braking, and boilers.
Some other companies in Albuquerque that are known to have used asbestos are:
- University of New Mexico
- HM Public Service Power
- Owens Corning Fiberglass
- Reeves Power Plant
- Bates Lumber Company
- Albuquerque Gas & Electric
- Ken Nowlin Construction Company
High-Industries for Asbestos Exposure in Albuquerque and New Mexico
From 1999 until 2015, 226 residents of the city and state died from mesothelioma. New Mexico has a mortality rate from mesothelioma of seven people per million per year. New Mexico has 11 known sites of asbestos, including four sites of chrysotile asbestos and two deposits of amphibole asbestos. (CDC.gov)
Oil Refineries
The oil and gas industries are critical to New Mexico. The state has been a big producer of oil since the early 20th century. Approximately 11,000 people work in the industry here currently. The industrial processes needed to refine crude oil into petroleum and other products require a high amount of heat and chemical processes, so asbestos has been used throughout these facilities for years.
SEE ALSO: Oil Refinery Workers Asbestos Exposure Mesothelioma
Some of the oil refineries near Albuquerque include Giant Refining and Navajo Refining and both are known to contain large amounts of asbestos.
Power Plants
Power plants and other industrial structures built before the 1980s are likely to contain high levels of asbestos, especially asbestos insulation. Equipment in these facilities, such as thermal control devices and turbines, also are likely to contain asbestos. Albuquerque Gas & Electric Company in Albuquerque and United Nuclear Corporation in Gallup used a lot of asbestos in their buildings that may have endangered workers.
SEE ALSO: Power Plant Workers Asbestos Exposure & Mesothelioma
Mining
While New Mexico did not have any active asbestos mines, there are other mines in the state that contain traces of asbestos. According to the New Mexico Environment Department, small amounts of asbestos have been found in mines for talc, limestone, and copper. Even a small amount of asbestos exposure among miners could lead to health problems later in life. Some of the mining companies that have come across asbestos include Phelps Dodge Mining, Chino Mines Company, and the Kerr Mcgee Potasa Mine.
Railroads
Railroad workers in Albuquerque and other parts of the state were at high risk of asbestos exposure because of the heavy use of asbestos on locomotives. Gaskets, boilers, and engine rooms usually contained asbestos because of its high heat resistance. A.T. and Santa Fe Railway and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad are two companies that are known to have used asbestos.
SEE ALSO: Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit Lawyers & Settlement Amounts
Military
One of the biggest employers in the state is Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, which employs more than 23,000 people. Until the 1970s, asbestos was often used throughout the US military on bases and in naval vessels. In the mid-1980s, the US Air Force stated that asbestos was a hazard on its bases and created a system to begin asbestos abatement at its facilities throughout the country.
Prewitt Abandoned Refinery
The Prewitt Refinery ceased operations in 1957, but the 70-acre site has many environmental dangers from old chemical and industrial processes. There are various wastes from refinery operations from decades ago, including asbestos and lead in the soil and groundwater. The EPA has been cleaning the site for several years, but it is possible former workers and residents in the area may have been exposed to asbestos and other toxins.
Albuquerque Asbestos Lawsuits
New Mexico is like many states when it comes to lawsuits involving asbestos. People with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases have pursued legal action by holding companies liable for the development of their health problems.
SEE ALSO: Largest Mesothelioma Asbestos Lawsuit Settlements Payouts & Amounts
For instance, in 2003, PNM Resources, which is the biggest electrical and power provider in New Mexico, was a defendant in 15 asbestos lawsuits. In another case, a woman sued 48 companies in 2011 for allegedly causing her husband’s lung cancer.
Mesothelioma patients in New Mexico are now able to sue several defendants at once. The state is seeing more mesothelioma lawsuits filed involving asbestos because the latency period for mesothelioma can be as long as 50 years.
Albuquerque Asbestos Attorney Information
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact one of these asbestos attorneys below:
Black Law Group
(855) 220-5290
505 Cerrillos Road Suite A209
Santa Fe NM 87501
www.blacklawgroupllc.com
If you or a loved one has mesothelioma, you know the financial toll of medical costs and disability can make dealing with cancer much worse. This law firm is experienced in providing support to mesothelioma victims and their families. They can get you the mesothelioma compensation you deserve for your losses.
Branch Law Firm
2025 Rio Grande Blvd. NW
Albuquerque NM 87104
(800) 828-4529
www.branchlawfirm.com
People in New Mexico who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestosis need an experienced law firm fighting for them. Branch Law Firm has the years of experience and knowledge of the asbestos industry in New Mexico to get you the mesothelioma compensation you need to deal with your diagnosis.
The Crecca Law Firm
3200 Monte Vista Blvd. NE
Albuquerque NM 87106
(505) 819-3677
www.thecreccalawfirm.com
At the Crecca Law Firm, your best asbestos attorney will work with you to get the maximum mesothelioma compensation for your family. This law firm has spent years working on complex mesothelioma cases and knows how to stand up to big industrial and manufacturing companies that needlessly exposed workers to asbestos.
Get Albuquerque Mesothelioma Legal Help
With over $30 billion available for victims through the Asbestos Trust Funds, you could be entitled to financial compensations without ever filing a lawsuit. Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer victims qualify immediately. Complete the form or call us toll-free (800) 352-0871.