After heavy rains fell on California earlier this year, nearly extinguishing the multi-year drought in many areas in just a matter of weeks of record-breaking rainfall, unanticipated consequences were seen.

One of the most concerning was flooding at the dam in Lake Oroville. Spillways of the dam were damaged by the storms, both the main and emergency spillways, which caused over 180,000 people to be evacuated from nearby homes.

Another main concern has been recently determined, as the Los Angeles Times recently reported.  As of mid-March, concerns are still high, as more rainy weather is still anticipated in the forecast, so now not only are workers worried about the spillways, they are also worried about the asbestos detected at the worksite.

Air quality and sediment testing performed at the Oroville dam worksite revealed that there was asbestos detected in some construction areas, according to a report issued by the Department of Water Resources, the Times stated.

Because of the asbestos detected, the DWR will formulate a dust-control plan that it will submit to the authorities in the local air quality management district in order to lessen the potential asbestos exposure to workers at the site.

Asbestos Exposure and Health Conditions

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral found in a number of areas in California. The mineral’s excellent fireproofing and insulation properties have made it a material common in construction, the automotive industry and in military applications.

Left undisturbed, the mineral is essentially inert. But when it becomes airborne, it can be inhaled and can lead to health problems. The two main serious health concerns linked with problems where there is asbestos detected include mesothelioma and lung cancer. While these two conditions are often used interchangeably, they are not the same condition.

Mesothelioma refers specifically to cancer in the mesothelial cells that line the lungs and abdomen. Mesothelioma is almost exclusively caused by previous conditions that had detected asbestos. It is rare for anything besides asbestos exposure to cause mesothelioma. This cancer is slow to develop, often taking several decades to be diagnosed. Typically, it is diagnosed at a later stage and there is a poor prognosis.

Lung cancer is also linked with asbestos exposure. Lung cancer affects the body’s lungs themselves. Lung cancer is also quite serious and may not be diagnosed until a later stage where it is difficult to medically intervene.

Asbestosis is yet another condition linked to situations that had asbestos detected and exposure occur. Asbestosis refers to severe inflammation and fibrosis of the lungs. This can cause individuals to experience shortness of breath that is very severe, and it is also linked to an increased risk of developing mesothelioma or lung cancer.

Filing a Lawsuit after Finding Asbestos Detected in a Workplace or School

If official reports have found asbestos detected at your or a loved one’s workplace or school sites, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit over the asbestos exposure and potential health conditions that may follow.

An experienced asbestos attorney can review your case in a free case consultation and can help guide you in the legal options that are available for you to pursue.