Missouri Asbestos Information

The State of Missouri has a number of industries that have been associated with asbestos exposure. Missouri mines excavate lead, coal, and other minerals. Miners can be exposed to asbestos, particularly if the soil is contaminated with naturally occurring asbestos. Many manufacturing worksites have also been linked to asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. In the sixties, seventies and eighties, thousands of products were fabricated with asbestos-containing materials. Unprotected plant workers were sometimes exposed to the carcinogenic fibers. Many construction supplies also contained asbestos, and workers could be exposed during the cutting, sanding, installing, or removing of these materials. Tragically, many employers knew about the dangers of asbestos exposure but failed to take adequate measures to protect employees from such hazardous materials.

The actions of one company are currently the subject of an ongoing federal investigation. The W.R. Grace/Zonolite Company mined vermiculite ore in Libby, Montana, and shipped it elsewhere for processing. More than 140,000 tons of raw vermiculite was sent to Missouri between 1948 and 1993, mostly to St. Louis and Kansas City. The vermiculite ore from the Libby mine was contaminated with asbestos. During processing, asbestos fibers were released, filling the air with microscopic asbestos dust. These airborne asbestos fibers permeated the plants and likely dispersed into surrounding neighborhoods. Studies have shown that communities near such facilities in other states had significantly elevated rates of asbestos-related diseases. Individuals who worked in or lived near one of these processing plants may have been exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos.

Asbestos Exposure in Missouri

Due to the concentration of industry in certain areas of Missouri, some counties have reported a higher number of asbestos-related deaths.

Missouri Counties Most Affected by Asbestos Deaths

• Saint Louis County
• Jackson County
• Saint Louis City
• Saint Francois County
• Greene County
• Saint Charles County
• Jefferson County
• Clay County
• Franklin County
• Cape Girardeau County
• Jasper County

If you previously worked in an industrial occupation and have been diagnosed with lung cancer, our Missouri asbestos attorneys can help.

Find an Asbestos Lawyer near You

If your loved one has developed asbestosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma from working around asbestos, please contact our Missouri asbestos lawyers to explore your legal options. Use our online directory to locate an asbestos lawyer in your city.