Arkansas Asbestos Exposure

Due to the large number of oil company facilities, power and electric plants, asbestos exposure is possible in many areas throughout the state of Arkansas and is not just isolated to the areas of Hot Springs and Russellville where it is naturally found. Many workers who were employed at these facilities suffered asbestos exposure, with the highest exposure rates being found in Jonesboro, Little Rock, Pine Bluff and Fayetteville.
Asbestos was used throughout these structures, for use in pipes, insulation and roofing. However, it's most common use was for siding. It utilized both for its fire-resistant properties and the fact that it was a more low-maintenance option for homeowners who did not want to pay for their siding to be painted.
While the use of asbestos in new construction has been greatly reduced, asbestos continues to pose a problem to the citizens of Arkansas. According to a local newspaper, in October 2007, two buildings were scheduled to be demolished in the town of Lowell. Right before work began, more than 700 square feet of asbestos-containing material was discovered throughout the buildings. In addition to the health risks this could have potentially caused, the taxpayers were also burdened with asbestos abatement costs of approximately $3,000.

Arkansas Cities where Asbestos Exposure Occurred

Provided below is a list of cities in the state of Arkansas where asbestos jobsites are known to have been located. If you worked at any of these companies and/or jobsites in Arkansas there is a possibility that you may have been exposed to harmful asbestos which is known to cause mesothelioma. Click on any link to view a complete list of jobsites in that city.

Arkansas Construction Regulations

On May 30, 1997, the state Pollution Control and Ecology Commission Regulation 21 on asbestos abatement was established. This regulation was created in order to bring Arkansas into compliance with the safety and disposal regulations formed by the Environmental Protection Agency. This regulation not only delegated regulation of the removal of asbestos-containing material to the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, but also established licensing requirements for contractors performing asbestos abatement. Licensing for asbestos abatement contractors is now regulated by the Department of Pollution Control and Ecology and severe penalties are imposed for hiring unlicensed asbestos abatement contractors.

Asbestos-Related Illnesses & Deaths in Arkansas

Between 1979 and 1999, 276 deaths have been reported due to mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. These deaths occurred throughout 60 counties, with Pulaski County containing the highest fatality rate with 25 mesothelioma cancer deaths, and 19 asbestosis related fatalities. The lowest fatality rate occurred in Sevier County, with only one death resulting from asbestosis. These findings are particularly alarming because of the high occurrence of mesothelioma disease rather than asbestosis, since asbestosis is far more common.

Other Arkansas Jobsites Where Asbestos Exposure Occurred

Any tradesmen who worked at one of the Arkansas Jobsites listed below could have been exposed to high levels of asbestos. Asbestos exposure at any one of these Arkansas Jobsites could put them at risk for developing one of the following asbestos related diseases: malignant mesothelioma (a terminal cancer), asbestos related lung cancer, asbestosis or pleural mesothelioma.

Arkadelphia

Alcoa
Arkansas Light and Heat and Power Company
National Gypsum Company
Reynolds Aluminum Plant
Reynolds Metals Company

Augusta

Carl E. Bailey Generating Station

Bauxite

Alcoa
Alcoa Aluminum
Aluminum Company of America
Hurricane Creek Plantt
Indeck Power Equipment Company
Reynolds Aluminum
Reynolds Metals Company

Benton

Alcoa
Alcoa Aluminum
Aluminum Company of America
Hurricane Creek Plant
Owasso Manufacturing Company
Reynolds Aluminum
West Side Paint

Camden

Davis Construction Company
International Paper Company
John L. McClellan Generating Station
N.A.D. Ordinance Plant
Southern Kraft Corporation
Southern Kraft Div International. Paper Company
Tri State Mill & Supply Company

Crossett

Anderson Elementary School
Crossett Lumber Company
Crossett Paper Mills Inc.
Georgia Pacific Corporation
Georgia Pacific Pulp & Paper
Jones Mechanical Contractors
Tri State Mill & Supply

Gentry

Flint Creek Power Plant

Helena

Arkansas Power & Light Company
Arkla Chemical Company
Helena Cotton Oil Company
Helena Gas Electric Company
Helena Ice Company
Helena Power Company
Middle South Utilites, Inc.
Premier Cotton Mills

Jones Mill

Arkansas Power & Light Company - Lake Catherine
General Motors Corp; Fabricast Div
Kansas Power & Light Company
Lake Catherine Power Station
Reynolds Aluminum Company
Reynolds Metal Aluminum Plant

Jonesboro

Arkansas Glass Container Corporation
Arkansas State College
Arkansas State University - New Cafeteria Building
Arkansas Water and Light Plant
City Water & Light Plant
Jonesboro Water & Light Plant
Northeast Arkansas Insul. Company
State Teachers College

Magnolia

Arkansas Louisiana Gas Company
Arkla Chemical Corp
Ethyl Corporation
First Methodist Church
Great Lakes Chemical
Kalmar Steel Corp
Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation
Southernextrusions
Southwestern Bell Telephone

Malvern

Acme Brick
Arkansas Power & Light Company
General Sheet Metal Company
International Paper Corp
Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America
Reynolds Metals

Newark

Independence Steam Station

Russellville

Arkansas Nuclear One Generating Station
Arkansas Power & Light
Bechtel Power Plant
Bornice Anthracite Coal. Company
Firestone
Nuclear One Powerhouse

Smackover

Cross Oil

Stamps

Arkansas Power & Light
Arkansas Power & Light Company - Couch S. E. Station
Entergy Pine Light
Harvey Couch Steam Elec
Middle South Utilities Inc.
Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation
Pineville Kraft Corp

Stephens

Berry Petroleum

Trumann

Plant 7, Poinsett Lumber and Manufacturing Company
Poinset Lumber and Manufacturing Company, Plant Number 9
Poinsett Lumber and Manufacturing Company
Poinsett Lumber Company Plant North 8
Poinsett Lumer Company
Singer Company Wood Prod Div
Singer Furniture
Singer Manufacturing Company

Warren

Bradley Lumber Company
Bradley Lumber Company of Arkansas
Potlatch Forrests Inc
Southern Lumber Company
Tri State Mill & Supply Company
Warren Bank

West Memphis

Cacus Lumber Company
Dacus Lumber Company
Flint Steel Company
Mississippi Valley Generating Company
Southwestern Bell Telephone Company

Wilson

Buckeye Cellulose Corp
Delta Products Company
Lee Wilson Company Soy Bean Mill
Tri State Refining Company
Wilson Lee & Company