Dow Chemical Plant

The Dow Chemical Company was founded in 1897 by Herbert Henry Dow, a Canadian-born chemist who invented a new method of extracting the bromine that was trapped underground at a location in Midland, Michigan. Dow Chemical Company is the second largest manufacturer of chemicals in the world with headquarters in Midland, Michigan. The company produces plastics, chemicals, and agricultural products and has facilities in more than 175 different countries.

The company initially sold a limited range of chemical products that included bleach and potassium bromide. For the first three decades of its existence, Dow battled with German chemical companies for its share of the market. In the 1930s, Dow began producing plastic resins such as ethylcellulose and polystyrene. At the start of the 1940s, the company began producing magnesium, an important manufacturing part for aircrafts.

Dow underwent restructuring during the 1990s and also acquired other major companies, including Union Carbide in 1999. Further restructuring was announced in 2006, with the company planning to close facilities in several locations around the world. Currently, Dow is the largest plastics producer in the world.

Asbestos Use at Dow Chemical Plant

Dow Chemicals is one of the worst corporate polluters in the United States. In fact, Environmental Protection Agency records show that Dow is in the top ten list of companies responsible for the creation of toxic Superfund sites. Unfortunately, many of Dow's past and present workers have experienced asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is highly resistant to thermal and chemical degradation. For these reasons, it was widely used in chemical laboratories for tables, lab equipment, and even clothing.

Much of the asbestos used in chemical plants was chrysotile asbestos, which many companies claimed was harmless. However, this is not true, and several studies have shown that chrysotile can cause cancer. Asbestos is especially dangerous while it ages, as it can crumble and become more friable. Once this occurs, the material is more likely to release airborne asbestos fibers that can be inhaled. Industrial facilities that were built prior to the 1980s are definite areas where asbestos was used.

In recent years, Dow has become a commonly-named defendant in asbestos-related lawsuits. Asbestos exposure can cause a range of serious diseases, including mesothelioma and asbestosis. Asbestosis is a chronic lung condition that usually develops due to heavy or repeated exposure to asbestos. The root cause of the disease is chronic lung inflammation and the subsequent development of scar tissue.

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops after relatively small amounts of asbestos exposure. The disease usually develops in the lining of the lungs, but it can also occur in the lining of the heart or abdomen. It's important to note that mesothelioma usually has an extreme latency period that varies between 20 and 50 years.

If you believe asbestos exposure might have occurred during your employment, regular health check-ups are important for early detection. If you or a loved one have already been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related disease, consider speaking with a mesothelioma lawyer. Treating asbestos-related diseases is an expensive endeavor, and speaking with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer about the legal options available could result in financial assistance to help pay for medical expenses. For more information on qualified mesothelioma lawyers, please fill out the form at the top, right corner of this page or call 800-615-2270.