Press Releases: Domtar Gypsum American Company Workers Were Exposed to Low Levels of Asbestos Between 1967 and 1984

Press Releases > Domtar Gypsum American Company Workers Were Exposed to Low Levels of Asbestos Between 1967 and 1984

Media Announcement

Domtar Gypsum American Company Workers Were Exposed to Low Levels of Asbestos Between 1967 and 1984

United States Dept. of Health & Human Services
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Protecting America's Health from Toxic Exposure

Media inquiries: 404-498-0070 or atsdrmediainquiries@cdc.gov
Public inquiries: 1-888-422-8737 (toll free) or e-mail: atsdric@cdc.gov
ATSDR Web site: www.atsdr.cdc.gov

Public Health Officials Seek Former Workers

Workers at the Domtar Gypsum Company in Antioch, California, were exposed to low levels of asbestos between 1967 and 1984, says a public health consultation from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). It is unlikely, however, that current workers are at risk from asbestos exposure. Public health officials are seeking former workers to inform them of potential effects of asbestos exposure and seek other former workers through personal networks.

Those who lived with workers between 1967 and 1984 are also at risk of asbestos exposure as Domtar workers may have carried asbestos fibers home on their hair and clothing. The degree to which household members might have been exposed cannot be determined.

During those years, the facility, located at 801 Minaker Drive, combined vermiculite mined in Libby, Montona, with gypsum about once a week to produce fire-resistant wallboard. The vermiculite from Libby contained a particular type of asbestos known as amphibole. ATSDR has linked some exposures to Libby amphibole to respiratory illnesses such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Domtar stopped using this vermiculite from Libby in 1984 and no tests of air, dust, or soil have been conducted at the site to determine if asbestos contamination from Libby vermiculite exists today. Based on sampling data from other gypsum facilities that received vermiculite made from Libby amphibole, CDPH concludes that it is highly unlikely that any remaining traces of asbestos contamination at this facility would pose a risk to current and future workers. Sampling at this facility could confirm this conclusion.

During Domtar's operations between 1967 and 1984, dust and asbestos fibers may have been released into the air within a few blocks of the facility. CDPH reviewed cancer records and death certificate information in the neighborhood near the facility to see if asbestos-related cancers and deaths might be higher than expected. The review of cancer records did not find that the number of cancer illnesses associated with asbestos exposure was higher than expected. The review of death certificates showed inconsistent evidence that the number of deaths associated with asbestos exposure was higher than expected. However, these record reviews are imperfect tools for determining whether asbestos from the facility made people sick.

CDPH and ATSDR recommend that former workers and household members take specific steps to protect their health and improve quality of life:

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral made up of fibers that are invisible to the naked eye. If inhaled, asbestos fibers can remain in the lungs for a lifetime. In some cases, this can cause illness and even death from lung disease. Most people don't show any signs or symptoms of disease until 10 to 20 years or more after exposure.

Vermiculite is lightweight filler used in potting soil and gypsum wall board. It is produced by heating rock through a process known as exfoliation until the vermiculite "pops" like popcorn. The airborne asbestos fibers are a residual of the exfoliation process. Additionally, rock that did not "pop" in the exfoliation process was often used in driveway and landscaping operations, further exposing others to asbestos fibers.

For more information about the Domtar Gypsum American health consultation, community members and former workers can contact ATSDR Communication Specialist Maria Teran-MacIver, toll-free, at 1-888-422-8737. Callers should refer to the Domtar Gypsum American facility in Antioch, Ca.

For more information on asbestos exposure and health, go to the ATSDR Web site: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/asbestos/. ATSDR is a public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and evaluates the human health effects from exposure to hazardous substances.