Pennsylvania is referred to as a “rust belt” state because of its history of asbestos mining and manufacturing. Pennsylvania, home to two major asbestos industrial hubs in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, is most commonly known for its steel production, hence the name of its football team, the Pittsburgh “Steelers.”
In addition to its booming steel industry, Pennsylvania also thrives on other major industries including the shipbuilding, oil and power industries. Many of Pennsylvania’s power plants are still operating today, and have been so since the Industrial Revolution.
Industry and Asbestos Exposure
Pennsylvania’s thriving industries have been the culprit of serious toxic asbestos exposure; thus, the industries that have helped this city thrive have also led to the death of thousands of its own residents and workers.
Asbestos was widely used in the shipbuilding, oil, power and steel industries up until studies proved it was toxic if breathed in and ingested. Unfortunately, however, once its effects were discovered, it was too late for many workers who had already been exposed to the dangerous asbestos fibers. Even worse, some companies failed to listen to the warnings and continued to expose workers to the dangers of asbestos for months and even years after learning about its harmful effects.
Steel and Energy Workers and Mesothelioma in Pennsylvania
Steelmaking needs a great amount of heat and flame at very high temperatures. So, asbestos often was used for ovens, ladles, boilers, steam pipes, linings and gaskets. Some of the job descriptions that had workers that likely were exposed to asbestos include:
- Pourers and casters
- Tenders
- Machine setters
- Millwrights
- Welders
- Furnace operators
Any of these workers in PA who think that they might have been exposed to deadly asbestos fibers should speak to qualified mesothelioma counsel immediately.
Pennsylvania Asbestos Mines
Pennsylvania is one of the few states home to asbestos mines, which has also attributed to many asbestos cancer deaths. Those who worked in the mines and their family members were most likely exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos. The toxic fibers were often carried home in workers clothes, exposing family members to the harmful effects.
Cities with Mesothelioma and Asbestos in Pennsylvania
Below are some of the cities and towns in this state where asbestos jobsites and mesothelioma problems are known to exist:
- Aliquippa
- Allegheny
- Altoona
- Bethlehem
- Bridgeport
- Midland
- Pittsburgh
- New Castle
- Philadelphia
- Harrisburg
- Kingston
- Warren
- Washington
- York
The Libby MT Connection in Pennsylvania
New Castle PA is more than 2000 miles from Libby MT, but both communities have had a great degree of exposure to asbestos.
The reason is that from 1948-1933, WR Grace Corp. shipped more than 400,000 tons of vermiculite asbestos from Libby to the processing plant located in New Castle. There it was manufactured into various gardening and insulation products. There also were asbestos ore processing plants in Lancaster, Philadelphia and seven other towns in this state. The asbestos fibers that were released into the air would have affected both workers and residents of the area.
Philadelphia Asbestos Exposure
The City of Brotherly Love unfortunately was the home of many asbestos-related industries. Two of the largest sites of asbestos-containing materials were:
- Philadelphia Shipyard
- Sunoco Philadelphia
The shipyard was first established in 1801 and is probably the oldest in America. The shipyard was used a lot during WW II. In this period, the shipyard built at least 53 ships and virtually all of them contained high levels of asbestos in areas where heat and fire were involved. At one time, there were more than 1700 shipyard workers there.
At the Sunoco plant, a high level of amosite asbestos was used for decades. This type is very resistant to many of the chemicals that are used in large oil refineries. Fortunately for all workers, this type of asbestos was banned 40 years ago.
Pittsburgh Asbestos Exposure
Some of the largest sources of asbestos contamination in this city included these:
- ARMCO
- J&L Specialty Steel
- Sunoco Pennsylvania
- USX Corp.
Anyone who worked for these companies in the 1960s or 1970s will want to be evaluated by a medical professional to see if they have any signs of asbestos-related disease.
Asbestos and Mesothelioma Statistics in Pennsylvania
There have been at least 3,000 asbestos-related deaths in PA in the last 30 years. Most of these fatalities were because of asbestosis and largely were in workers in the vicinity of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
Mesothelioma Attorney Pennsylvania
Because symptoms of mesothelioma and other asbestos illnesses can take up to 50 years to develop, many individuals who worked and lived in Pennsylvania when asbestos-use was at its peak are just now experiencing the effects. Our mesothelioma attorneys are familiar with the history of asbestos use in the state and are helping individuals and families recoup damages from the companies responsible for their exposure.
Compensation may include:
- Past, present and future medical bills
- Lost ability to work or engage in social activities
- Decreased quality of life
- Loss of economic support in cases of death
- Funeral and burial costs
Our lawyers also assist individuals in seeking quality medical care and can help you get the care you need. While there currently isn’t a cure for mesothelioma, there are several treatment options available to help ease the pain and increase patients’ quality of life. While advocating for your rights, we will also make sure you receive the best care possible.
Contact a Pennsylvania Asbestos Attorney
If you or someone you love has been exposed to asbestos and has been diagnosed with asbestosis, mesothelioma cancer or another fatal disease, one of the most important things you can do is contact a Pennsylvania asbestos attorney who will assist you and your family in recovering compensation for medical bills, long term treatment programs, lost wages and emotional pain and suffering. To schedule a free consultation with an experienced attorney, please contact us today.
