In Portland and across Oregon, many people are suffering from mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and other devastating illnesses due to exposure to asbestos. For decades, companies used this dangerous mineral in construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, and many other industries even though they knew it could cause cancer and death. Throneberry Law Group is dedicated to fighting for the rights of mesothelioma victims and holding the companies that exposed them to asbestos accountable.
If you live in the Portland area, you may have been exposed to asbestos without even realizing it. Many homes, schools, public buildings, and workplaces built before the 1980s contain asbestos; these includes insulation, floor tiles, roof shingles, and other materials. When asbestos products start to deteriorate or are disturbed during renovation work, the tiny fibers become airborne and can be inhaled or ingested, potentially leading to mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases that may not appear until decades later.
Portland Companies Known for Asbestos Use
Some of the companies and job sites in the Portland metro area that are known to have exposed workers to asbestos include:
- Albina Engine & Machine Works: This shipyard used asbestos extensively in building and repairing ships. Many different trades were exposed.
- ATOFINA Chemicals: This chemical plant had asbestos-containing equipment used for insulation and fireproofing that exposed workers.
- Dant & Russell Shingle Mill: Workers at this shingle mill were exposed to asbestos in roofing shingles and equipment.
- Georgia-Pacific Plywood Mill (Portland) – This plywood facility used asbestos insulation, gaskets, and other materials that exposed many different tradespeople.
- Oregon Steel Mills: Asbestos insulation was widely used at this steel mill, putting workers at risk of exposure.
- Portland Gas & Coke Company: The equipment and buildings at this former gas plant contained asbestos that endangered worker health.
- Western States Portland Cement: Asbestos was common in cement manufacturing, and this plant exposed employees to the hazardous mineral.
These are just some of the many Portland work sites where asbestos exposure occurred. Even people who did not work directly with asbestos materials could be at risk of developing mesothelioma or related diseases from exposure.
Asbestos in Portland Homes and Buildings
In addition to occupational asbestos exposure, many people in Portland are still at risk from asbestos in homes, schools, and buildings. Thousands of homes and structures in the Portland area were constructed with asbestos-containing building materials.
Some common places where asbestos may be found in Portland homes and buildings include:
- Insulation around pipes, ducts, furnaces and boilers
- Vinyl floor tiles and flooring adhesives
- Popcorn ceilings and other textured paint
- Roofing shingles and felt
- Siding shingles
- Drywall and joint compounds
As long as asbestos materials are not disturbed, they may not pose an immediate threat. However, once they start to break down or are cut, sanded, scraped, or damaged during remodeling work, the asbestos fibers can be released into the air. Many homeowners may try to remove asbestos on their own to save money, but this is extremely dangerous and can cause high levels of exposure.
Let Us Fight for You
Contact us today for a free consultation. You did not deserve this disease – now let us fight for you.
