Why Mesothelioma Cases Occur in Little Rock
Little Rock's asbestos legacy is tied to its military and industrial base. Little Rock Air Force Base, home to C-130 Hercules airlift operations, has been a major military installation since 1955. Asbestos was used extensively in aircraft maintenance, hangars, base buildings, and utility systems, exposing thousands of military personnel and civilian employees.
Dassault Falcon Jet operates a major completion and maintenance center in Little Rock where business jets are fitted out and serviced. During the peak asbestos era, aircraft insulation, heat shields, and brake components contained asbestos. AP&L (now Entergy Arkansas) operated power plants where asbestos was standard in boiler insulation, turbine casings, and steam piping.
The 20-to-50-Year Latency Period
Mesothelioma has a latency period of 20 to 50 years. A worker exposed to asbestos at Little Rock facilities in the 1970s may only receive a mesothelioma diagnosis in 2025 or later. This is why Little Rock continues to produce new mesothelioma cases decades after asbestos use was restricted.
Welspun Pipes (formerly Jindal SAW) operates a pipe manufacturing facility in the Little Rock area. Timex operated a factory in the region. Both facilities used asbestos in industrial equipment insulation and manufacturing operations during the peak asbestos era.
Little Rock's construction industry used asbestos-containing materials extensively in commercial and residential building projects, exposing construction workers, electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians throughout the region.
Little Rock's Asbestos Legacy by the Numbers
Little Rock AFB is home to the C-130 training mission and employs thousands. Entergy Arkansas serves over 700,000 customers. Dassault Falcon Jet is one of the largest employers in the Little Rock area. Arkansas allows 3 years from diagnosis to file a mesothelioma claim. Documenting your asbestos exposure history is a critical first step.

