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How Can a Rancher Get Mesothelioma by Occupational Exposure to Asbestos?
Ranchers may have been exposed to asbestos by virtue of their typical job duties. Ranchers work directly with farm animals and farmland. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in many types of soil. When agricultural activities are completed on the land, these asbestos fibers may become dislodged and breathed in by ranchers, farmhands and other agricultural workers.
In addition to being in the soil itself, asbestos was added to many other agricultural products that ranchers may have spread or otherwise used, such as animal feed, potting soil and pesticides. Some potting soils to this day contain asbestos in them, despite the well-known health risks of this mineral, so today’s ranchers may still be at risk of being exposed to it.
Ranchers could also have helped construct or renovate structures that contained asbestos in them. Asbestos was widely used in the construction industry because it was durable, affordable and versatile. This made it ideal for use in many products in the construction industry, including shingles, insulation and drywall.
Common job duties of ranchers include:
- Determine how to raise livestock by evaluating soil conditions, disease and market conditions
- Feed and water livestock
- Herd animals
- Car for livestock
- Select, purchase and spread supplies, such as seed and fertilizer
- Operate farm machinery
- Harvest products from livestock
- Maintain farming equipment
- Maintain farm facilities, including fences, animal shelters, water pipes and hoses
- Sell livestock and other farm products
- Inspect land and animals
- Research technological improvements in animal breeding
- Monitor and tend to the health of farm animals and livestock
Locations in the United States for the Highest Employment Rates for Ranchers
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 975,400 farmers, ranchers and other agricultural managers currently employed in the United States. States with the highest employment rates for farmers, ranchers and other agricultural managers include:
- California
- Texas
- Illinois
- Idaho
- Washington
Similar Occupations as Ranchers
Similar occupations as ranchers include:
- Agricultural and food science technicians and scientists
- Agricultural engineers
- Agricultural workers
- Animal care and service workers
- Construction equipment operators
- Dairy farmers
- Farmhands
- Forest and conservation workers
- Grounds maintenance workers
- Purchasing managers, buyers and purchasing agents
- Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers
Lawsuits and Settlements Involving Ranchers and Mesothelioma
While there are limited reports of cases involving ranchers who have received awards or settlements for cases alleging asbestos exposure, there are some cases involving agricultural workers. For example, the estate of a former inspector at the University of Connecticut who spent significant time inspecting chicken coops filed for workers’ compensation benefits after the inspector’s death in 2016.
Additionally, people who operated farm equipment and who were exposed to asbestos from these machines have sued the manufacturers. The terms of settlements are often kept confidential as a condition of receiving compensation.
Studies Related to Ranchers and Asbestos
There have been a number of studies that have explored the connection between asbestos and agricultural workers. One study indicated that asbestosis was associated with agricultural workers as soon as 1967. Additionally, several studies have noted the connection between asbestos in the soil and mesothelioma. One study published in 2005 showed a link between naturally occurring asbestos and an increased rate of mesothelioma in farmers who lived or worked nearby. The study concluded that the closer a farm or residence was to naturally occurring asbestos, the higher the likelihood of developing mesothelioma. Additionally, a 2012 study entitled “Asbestos and agriculture: new perspectives of risk” found that agricultural activity increased the natural rate of asbestos of 2 fibers per liter to 23.6 fibers per liter.
Types of Asbestos Products Used by Ranchers
Ranchers may have been exposed to asbestos-containing products that were used to construct farm structures, including insulation, drywall board, roofing, shingles, flooring tiles and materials, roofing felt, siding and asbestos cement. They also could have been exposed to asbestos found in products added to the soil or given to animals and crops, such as:
- Animal feed
- Fertilizer
- Pesticides
- Potting mix
- Root cuttings
- Seed encapsulation
- Seed germination
- Soil conditioner
- Sowing composts
Manufacturers of Asbestos Products Used by Ranchers
Some manufacturers of products that ranchers may have used or came in contact with include:
- A&I Corporation
- A-Best Products
- AC&S
- API, Inc.
- Armstrong World Industries
- ASARCO LLC
- Babcock and Wilcox Company
- Burns and Roe
- E. Thurston and Sons
- Combustion Engineering
- Congoleum Corporation
- Eagle-Picher Industries
- EJ Bartells Company
- Federal-Mogul
- Flintkote Company
- K. Porter
- T. Thorpe
- Kaiser Aluminum
- Keene Corporation
- Lykes Brothers Steamship Co.
- National Gypsum Company
- North American Refractories Company
- Pittsburgh Corning Corporation
- Porter Hayden
- Quigley Company, Inc.
- Raytech Corporation
- Shook and Fletcher
- Skinner Engine Co.
- Stone and Webster
- Swan Transportation Company
- Synkoloid Company
- Thorpe Insulation Company
- United States Mineral Products Company
- UNR Industries
- Utex Industries, Inc.
- Western Asbestos Company
