More than 500 current and former West Dallas residents and others who once worked in the community appeared for Parkland Hospital’s free asbestos screening over the weekend, many more than the hospital could test. The asbestos screening was offered to those who lived or worked close to the Texas Vermiculite Plant, operated by W.R. Grace & Co. on Manila Road in West Dallas from 1953 - 1992. The plant manufactured fire-retardant materials from vermiculite ore through a process that released asbestos fibers into the air and into the surrounding community. Asbestos has been linked to the cancer mesothelioma and other diseases.
The hospital received a $250,000 state grant to provide the free asbestos screening to 300 participants. It took the names of the people it turned away in hopes it can secure the funds to offer additional screenings. Eight of the first 25 people who participated in the screening demonstrated signs of asbestos exposure on their chest X-rays, a higher rate than had been expected.
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