Mesothelioma: The Case of Gainesville, Florida

Mesothelioma: The Case of Gainesville, Florida – History

Gainesville is the largest city in Alachua County, it is located between Atlanta and Miami. The city is five hours (5hrs) from Atlanta and from Miami, placing it in the center of the two cities. It was previously a Timucuan Indian settlement. The city is home to one of the largest universities in the Unites States – the University of Florida.

Seal of Gainesville, Florida

In 1854 Gainesville became the county seat of Alachua County and in April 1969 it became an incorporated city. The sports drink Gatorade was invented in Gainesville. The drink was invented for use by the University of Florida’s football team.

The city’s economy was carried by the cotton and phosphate industry but during the twentieth (20^th) century the cotton and phosphate industry collapsed. The emergence of the University of Florida revived the area and brightened the future of the city. Thereafter residential areas were developed and utilities were established. Examples of such utilities are:

• Gainesville Gas Company
• Gainesville Regional Utility

After the city’s development many companies set up job sites in the city. Some companies that set up in the city were:

• Deerhaven Power
• General Elec Company
• Koppers Company Inc.
• Florida Industrial Corporation.

Mesothelioma: The Case of Gainesville, Florida – Asbestos exposure and job sites

There are a number of job sites where asbestos exposure occurred, some of these are:

• Atkins Manufacturing Company
• Shands Hospital

There are also a number of job sites in the city that have been identified as having asbestos containing materials. At some point in their history these sites were known to have exposed tradesmen and workers to asbestos and may have resulted in mesothelioma, asbestosis and/or asbestos related illnesses. Examples of such job sites are:

• Testing Lab. Department of Highway
• School “H”
• Baird Hardware Company
• Big Star Coloniel Store
• H. F. Dutton and Company
• Veterans Administration Hospital