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Olin Corporation

Founded in Virginia in 1892 as Mathieson Chemical, Olin Corporation began its life as a producer of soda ash made from deposits of limestone, salt and coal. The company soon added bleaching powder to its list of products and then began to produce chlor-alkali products, which remains one of its primary lines of product.

Early in the 20th century, Mathieson began to produce synthetic ammonia and liquefied chlorine, which was bought in large quantities by the U.S. military for purification purposes. Prospering greatly through both World Wars, Mathieson continued to grow in the l940s (when it was renamed Olin Corporation) and into the 1950s, expanding its facilities to include the manufacture of industrial and agricultural chemicals.

Looking for a good match for its chlorine business, Olin acquired Squibb Pharmaceuticals in the 1950s. Chlorine is a major component in many pharmaceutical products. This same era saw more acquisitions, with Olin purchasing companies such as Frost Lumber, Ecusta Paper and Ramset Fasteners.

In the 1960s, Olin entered the urethane chemicals business and also expanded into the manufacture of leisure products such as skis and camping equipment. Forays into the home-building industry followed, as well as more acquisitions (some of which were later divested), but Olin kept its eye on its first and most prolific industry—the chemicals business. However, the economy of the 1980s had a major impact on the company and Olin sold 18 under-performing businesses and product lines between 1991 and 1995.

The 21st century brought reorganization of companies and personnel, with Pioneer Companies, Inc., a leading producer of chlorine, caustic soda, bleach, hydrochloric acid and related products, merging into Olin in 2007.

Asbestos and Other Dangers at Olin Corporation Plants

Through the years, Mathieson/Olin has been involved in the manufacture of myriad products, from chemicals and cellophane to tents and rifles (as part of Winchester). Their factories employed tens of thousands of individuals in jobs that were sometimes quite dangerous, especially in the field of chemical production. Inside an Olin Corporation chemical plant, where chlor-alkali products were produced, fires and explosions could easily occur if things were not done carefully.

For several decades, those who worked for Olin were subject to asbestos exposure, which is now known to pose a significant health hazard. Those who were employed with Olin often encountered asbestos that may have been used as insulation on any number of pieces of equipment ranging from pipes and pumps to ovens, furnaces and boilers. Anyone who worked with these and similar items were potentially exposed to toxic asbestos. Furthermore, anyone responsible for the replacement or repair of worn or damaged asbestos would have been exposed to the toxic mineral, as well as those who wore protective gear (hats, masks, aprons, etc.) woven from asbestos fibers.

If asbestos is damaged or old, it can release airborne fibers that are likely to be inhaled by anyone working in the vicinity. Once inhaled, it is impossible to dislodge these fibers and they become stuck in the lining of the lungs, chest cavity or abdomen, where they can cause permanent scarring, inflammation and the formation of cancerous tumors or asbestosis.

Olin Corporation and Asbestos Litigation

There has been a connection between asbestos and lung diseases for many centuries. In the time of the Roman Empire, it was recognized that slaves who worked in the asbestos mines died at a young age. In more modern times, medical journals profiled the sufferings of asbestos workers as early as the 1930s, yet there was not much attention paid to asbestos-related diseases. Company owners like using asbestos in their factories and products because the material was known to work well and cost little. Almost no one stopped using the material when the health risks were known, which resulted in generations of workers developing diseases that could have otherwise been avoided.

Olin Corporation has been sued many times for its negligence in allowing workers to be exposed to asbestos. Most allege that Olin knew of the dangers of asbestos inhalation yet continued to allow its workers to work with the material. For those who filed lawsuits, the disregard for human health often resulted in a diagnosis of mesothelioma, months of pain and suffering and a life cut tragically short.

Resources for Chemical Plant Workers

If you worked for a chemical plant between the 1940s and the end of the 1970s, chances are you may have encountered asbestos on the job. If you were married to someone who worked at a chemical plant or lived with a chemical plant worker, you may have been exposed to fibers brought home on the clothing of your spouse or roommate. This is called secondhand exposure and is considered a risk factor for developing mesothelioma, a rare but serious cancer related to asbestos exposure.

In either case, it is recommended to keep close watch on your health, especially if you begin to experience any breathing problems, lung-related ailments or other possible mesothelioma symptoms. If symptoms do arise, schedule an appointment with your doctor immediately and remember to tell your doctor about any history of occupational asbestos exposure.

Individuals facing a diagnosis of mesothelioma will have many questions about the disease. If you are looking for answers, call a Patient Advocate at (800) 615-2770 or fill out the form on this page for more information.

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