The dangers of asbestos were known to the owners of the oil refineries and petrochemical and chemical manufacturing facilities long before they were finally forced to stop using asbestos-containing products and remedy the facilities or replace the contaminated machinery.

Temperature control is key to the efficient operations of these facilities. As a result, asbestos was used extensively because of its insulation properties. Refineries and chemical and petrochemical manufacturing plants, for example, typically contain miles of piping insulated in the past with asbestos. In addition to the insulated piping, cracking coils in refineries as well as boilers and vats in chemical plants were often insulated with asbestos. Still further, valves and pumps with asbestos gaskets and packing were installed in these facilities.

The construction of these facilities required teams of pipe fitters, plumbers and other outside specialty trades. The day-to-day maintenance of refineries and chemical plants is typically performed by the full-time staff. The dismantling of these facilities was typically done by demolition specialists and. During the construction, maintenance and demolition of these facilities, the refinery, chemical and petrochemical workers were at an increased risk of asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma is linked to asbestos exposure where the cancer invades the lining of the organs. Many of these workers are unaware of the risk of working in and around asbestos-containing products until the diagnosis of mesothelioma or an asbestos related disease. Today, the greatest risk of exposure for these workers are those working in and around structures and facilities built before the 80’s that have yet to be remediated satisfactorily.

At the Throneberry Law Group, our clients are the innocent workers at the oil refineries and petrochemical and chemical facilities who were heavily exposed to asbestos and now suffer decades later from mesothelioma, asbestosis or lung cancer. We offer a free consultation at 866-280-7693 to answer your questions, and it costs nothing up front for us to represent you in the lawsuit — we collect no fees unless we recover compensation.