Asbestos in Arkansas
The risk of asbestos exposure for residents of Arkansas extends across the state. Arkansas has specific areas that place people at increased risk for exposure, where the mineral was imported, where mining occurred and improper demolitions took place.
Written by Michelle Whitmer | Scientifically Reviewed By Arti Shukla, Ph.D. | Edited By Walter Pacheco | Last Update: July 16, 2024
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Written by Michelle Whitmer | Scientifically Reviewed By Arti Shukla, Ph.D. | Edited By Walter Pacheco | Last Update: July 16, 2024
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Ranking in Deaths:30th -
Mesothelioma Deaths:225 -
Asbestosis Deaths:99 -
Total Deaths:324
Asbestos Exposure in Arkansas
Arkansas has no Superfund sites in which asbestos is listed as an official contaminant. The toxic mineral can still be found in areas that pose a risk to residents. Arkansas was one of many states that received tainted vermiculite from Libby, Montana. The vast majority of this vermiculite went to North Little Rock. The remaining shipments went to other Arkansas cities like Nashville, Hope, Pine Bluff and Little Rock.
In December 2021, the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment issued a Consent Administrative Order. It carried a civil penalty of $1,320 against Arkansas Pollution Control & Ecology Commission. The group failed to inspect the dangers of asbestos before renovating an old building in Blytheville, Arkansas.
Occupations at Risk in Arkansas
Occupational hazards exist in multiple fields, sectors and workplaces in Arkansas. Much of the danger depends on the daily functions of an employee’s occupation. Certain occupations provide more extreme hazards, like asbestos exposure, which can be fatal.
The following list includes occupations that are at increased risk of being exposed to the toxic material:
- Power plant workers
- Insulators
- Chemical plant workers
- Park Staff
- Navy personnel
- Teachers
- Construction & Demolition workers
Job Sites with Known Exposure
Arkansas is not generally associated with widespread asbestos exposure. The state does contain certain job sites where the toxic material was present. Employees and visitors of these locations should take caution. Consider seeking medical attention if exposure occurred.
Job Sites known for asbestos exposure in Arkansas include:
- North Little Rock Parks
- Stuggart School District
- Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation
Fort Chaffee
Buildings in and near Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, were identified as containing asbestos and were demolished. According to a 2011 review by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), asbestos was known to be contained within destroyed buildings. Through several improper decisions, the EPA allowed the Fort Chaffee building to be demolished. The control method was new and had not been tested and approved by the agency.
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In December 2011, officials from the EPA met with residents of the North Little Rock community. They discussed possible exposures that occurred at a former vermiculite processing facility. EPA officials confirmed that contamination was present on the site. Further testing would be required to confirm more details. The vermiculite plant that previously existed in North Little Rock may have contained asbestos from Montana’s Libby Mine. This type was considered much more toxic than other types of asbestos.
This Page Contains 8 Cited Articles
The sources on all content featured in The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com include medical and scientific studies, peer-reviewed studies and other research documents from reputable organizations.
- JD Supra. (2021, December 24). Asbestos Enforcement: Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment - Division of Environmental Quality and Mississippi County Facility Renovator Enter into Consent Administrative Order. Retrieved from https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/asbestos-enforcement-arkansas-2199396/
- Hope, H. (n.d.). The Thrill of a New Home Without the Cost; The Evolution of Residential Siding Materials in Arkansas. Retrieved from http://www.arkansaspreservation.com/Historic-Properties/National-Register/residential-siding-materials-in-arkansas
- Sala, O. et al. (2011). Proposed Classification of Ophiolites Deposits and Use of Materials Extracted According to Their Content of Asbestos. Retrieved from http://www.cprm.gov.br/pgagem/bari_italia/129.pdf
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2011, December 14). Early Warning Report: Use of Unapproved Asbestos Demolition Methods May Threaten Public Health. Retrieved from https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/274911-epa-inspector-generals-early-warning-report.html
- Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry. (2008, April 1). Where Asbestos Can Be Found. Retrieved from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/asbestos/asbestos_exposure_health/where.html
- Justia. (2015, June 24). District of Arkansas Torts Injury Cases. Retrieved from https://dockets.justia.com/browse/state-arkansas/noscat-3/nos-368
- Morris, J. and Hamby, C. (2011, December 15). EPA Allowed Unsafe Handling of Asbestos, IG Says. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/the-center-for-public-integrity/epa-allowed-unsafe-handli_b_1151476.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. (2015, January). Underlying Cause of Death 1999-2013 on CDC WONDER Online Database. Retrieved from http://wonder.cdc.gov/ucd-icd10.html
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