Charlotte - Asbestos & Mesothelioma Resources

North Carolina has experienced numerous instances of asbestos exposure, both from chrysotile deposits as well as job sites. Like many other states, North Carolina also has had problems with asbestos exposure due to the manufacturing industry, which causes cases to be higher in the metropolitan areas.

Statistical Data

** Keep in mind that this chart only looks at Charlotte, North Carolina (Mecklenburg County) and the other counties of North Carolina that are immediately adjacent. The chart is based on statistics gathered by the Environmental Working Group, which publicized the information that was collected by the Centers for Disease Control between 1979 and 1999. Mesothelioma figures may be lower than reality because mesothelioma was not considered a separate cause of death until 1998. Non-mesothelioma and non-asbestosis deaths related to asbestos exposure are also not included in this chart.

Historical Asbestos Exposure Sites

Due to the variety of manufacturing that is conducted in North Carolina, there are several historical asbestos exposure sites where residents, employees, and visitors may have come in contact with asbestos. Other sites can expose people to asbestos through contact with flooring, electrical wires, and other materials that contain asbestos.

• BASF - A chemical company that conducts both research and development in North Carolina.
• Civic Center - Also known as the Old Armory, this building was scheduled for demolition in 2008 due to asbestos contamination.
• Lance Plant - Lance is a manufacturer of snack foods, and employees may have come in contact with asbestos while working in the plant.
• Presbyterian Hospital
• Radisson Hotel
• River Bend Steam Plant - Like many industrial manufacturing plants, River Bend used asbestos as insulation material, putting numerous employees at risk.
• Southern Asbestos
• Southpark Shopping Center
• Starr Davis Company - This company worked with construction materials, such as insulation and drywall, where employees could have been exposed to asbestos.
• Thurstan Motors - This is a trucking company that made hauling tractor trailers.
• Westinghouse Plant - An electric company where employees may have been exposed to asbestos used in insulation designed to prevent electric fires on production equipment and wiring.

Existing Asbestos Exposure Hazards

North Carolina is still home to several current asbestos exposure hazards and occupations. Employees of steel mills, power plants, shipyard, and other industries have an increased risk of asbestos exposure, and therefore, also have an increased risk of asbestos-related disease.

Old jobsites that were built during the time when asbestos was commonly used are particularly dangerous, as the asbestos becomes brittle and easily broken with age. This increases the risk that the asbestos will become airborne, where it can be inhaled by workers.

Power plant workers in North Carolina are particularly at risk, as 3 percent of workers dying from work-related causes are being claimed by mesothelioma. As many as 13% of workers in power plants have had abnormal chest x-rays taken, which signals a respiratory condition is developing. Construction materials and fittings of power plants often contained asbestos to help prevent the risk of fire and damage.

Another risk in North Carolina comes from steel mills. Like power plants, steel mills often used asbestos as an insulator in equipment and even in protective clothing to help prevent the risks caused by the extreme heat.

The shipyards of North Carolina are another risky site for asbestos exposure. Asbestos was used in nearly all construction of ships between the early 1930s and 1980s. Wherever a chance of high temperatures existed on the vessels asbestos was likely used for insulation material. Asbestos could also be found in other materials aboard ships, such as brake linings, gaskets, and adhesives.

Legal Issues

North Carolina has seen numerous lawsuits relating to asbestos exposure. Most recently, Aqua-Chem Inc. has been one of the major defendants. Another key case was Raymond W. Williams vs. CSX Transportation, Inc. Williams had been diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of working with products containing asbestos. During the trial, a jury found that CSX had been aware of the hazards, as well as ways of protecting employees, but chose not to warn or protect their workers. Williams was awarded $7.5 million in the verdict.

Treatment Centers

Comprehensive Cancer Center at Wake Forest University
Medical Center Blvd.
Winston-Salem, NC 27157
(336) 716-2088

Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center
2424 Erwin Rd., Hock Plaza Suite 601
Durham, NC 27705
(888) 275-3853

Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Department of General Surgery
Medical Center Blvd.
Winston-Salem, NC 27157
(336) 716-4276

Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
450 West Dr.
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
(919) 966-4431

Vanderbilt Cancer Center
Vanderbilt University
(615) 936-5847