Abex Corporation
The Abex Corporation began as the American Brake Shoe and Foundry in 1928, specializing in the manufacture of brakes and wheels for railroad cars. The Virginia-based company also produced hydraulic systems for airplanes and ships, brake linings for cars and trucks, and other related products for transportation vehicles.
Illinois Central Industries Inc., a railroad company that operated freight and passenger trains, bought Abex in 1968. A decade later, the parent company obtained Pneumo Corporation, an aerospace, food and drug company based in Boston.
Abex and Pneumo were merged to create the Pneumo Abex Corporation, which manufactured aerospace, industrial and fluid power products. The merger effectively shut down an Abex manufacturing facility located in Portsmouth, Va.
During the 50-year period the Abex facility was active, one of its practices was particularly detrimental to the surrounding land. The foundry melted old railroad car components and recast the metal for use in new components, a process that required sand. The spent waste sand contained lead and other metal contaminants.
Soil contamination led to the Environmental Protection Agency’s intervention in 1986, nearly a decade after the plant was shut down. Under EPA supervision, Abex excavated and removed contaminated soil on and around its facility, demolished the former foundry building, and decontaminated the area.
Abex Corporation Asbestos Use
Lead contamination was one health concern created by Abex. Another was the company’s use of asbestos in products to increase the durability and heat resistance of metals. The inclusion of asbestos placed Abex employees at risk to develop illnesses such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Workers stationed in metal works plants before the 1980s were often at risk of being exposed to airborne asbestos fibers from raw and finished materials and sometimes from their flame-resistant protective clothing. Railroad workers were also placed at a high risk of asbestos exposure while installing and maintaining metal train parts that frequently contained the hazardous material.
Even though Abex executives understood the impacts of asbestos exposure on human health, they continued using the toxic mineral in company products. Former employees of Abex may be at risk of developing mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease as a result of being exposed throughout their employment.
Litigation
Abex Corporation’s asbestos use prompted numerous lawsuits against the company. One recent case was brought by a former pipefitter who dealt with large amounts of asbestos in piping and insulation during the 1970s. Charles Gillenwater sued Pneumo Abex and three other companies after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2009.
One company was found guilty of negligence for allowing Gillenwater to unknowingly be exposed to a carcinogen. Pneumo Abex and the other two companies were charged with conspiracy because they agreed to conceal the dangers of asbestos exposure. Pneumo Abex was responsible for $20 million in damages for its role in Gillenwater contracting mesothelioma.
Resources for Metal Workers and Railroad Workers
Employees of Abex or those who used its products may be at risk for developing asbestos-related illnesses. Metal workers in particular should be concerned if they develop shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue or a dry cough. These are some of the more common symptoms of mesothelioma.
Because of the long latency period associated with the onset of mesothelioma symptoms, metal and railroad workers should have frequent medical examinations. Should mesothelioma develop, an early diagnosis is helpful for the treatment process.
If you have been exposed to asbestos or believe you may have developed a related illness, look for a specialist in the Mesothelioma Doctor Directory. If you have already been diagnosed with mesothelioma, speak to a Patient Advocate at (800) 615-2270.
A patient advocate can help you find top doctors in your area and discuss treatment options. For more information about asbestos-related illnesses, fill out the form on this page.
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© 2012 The Mesothelioma Center |
Last Modified Thursday, February 9th, 2012 | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy |
The information provided by The Mesothelioma Center is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Sponsored by a law firm concentrating in asbestos litigation, The Peterson Firm, LLP with offices at 1350 Connecticut Ave, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington DC 20036.
