Pennsylvania Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure Risks

Pennsylvania's history of mining and manufacturing make it a prime location for asbestos exposure. Asbestos exposure in Pennsylvania has caused quite a number of health problems, including asbestosis and mesothelioma. Unfortunately, major manufacturers could have prevented many of the health concerns with proper regulation of asbestos.

Instead, those who worked in Pennsylvania's mines, steel mills, power plants, and other industries are receiving an asbestos-related disease diagnosis. Almost 50 major companies in Pennsylvania used asbestos in their daily operations, and the widespread use of this substance also put anyone working in schools, office buildings, and other structures at risk of exposure.

At Risk Occupations and Locations in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is a diverse state with two major industrial urban hubs - Philadelphia and Pittsburgh - on each side and vast expanses of farmland linking the two. Both rural residents and those living in the cities of this state were potentially exposed to asbestos prior to the 1980s when the EPA began to more closely regulate its use. Pennsylvania was, and still is, home to a number of industries that once used asbestos regularly.

Steel mills were popular in a number of Pennsylvanian cities other than Pittsburgh including Clairton and Morristown. Steel's counterpart, oil, was also a major industry in Pennsylvania, and oil refineries in Bradford, Marcus Hook, Philadelphia, Rouseville, and Warren all placed employees at risk os asbestos exposure.

In addition to the steel and oil industries, one of Pennsylvania's major employers during the industrial revolution was the power industry. In fact, this state is home to a number of power plants still in operation today. Power plants in Berwick, Holtwood, Martin's Creek, New Castle, Peachbottom, Philadelphia, Reesedale, Santatoga, Shamokin, York, and a number of other locations utilized asbestos.

Pennsylvania is a landlocked state, but is home to the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. Like all military shipyards (as well as most civilian shipyards), this was a breeding ground for asbestos-related diseases. During World War II, Philadelphia's shipyard built more than 50 new ships and repaired hundreds of others. Many of the materials used were made with asbestos, since this material is strong, flexible, durable, lightweight and fire-resistant. In other words, asbestos is a perfect building material for ships.

The mineral was also used in a number of Pennsylvania's other buildings from churches to schools to residential homes.

It is important to note that Pennsylvania was also one of the few states in the Unites States that had asbestos mines. Along the Maryland and New Jersey borders, a number of asbestos mines remained in operation for years after the companies owning them found out about the health risks associated with asbestos. Those working in these mines were some of the hardest hit in terms of respiratory illnesses.

Jobsites with Known Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos Related Deaths in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is one of the hardest-hit locations for asbestos-related death and non-fatal medical problems in the United States. According to statistics, this state is third in the nation for mesothelioma, and the mortality rate is 16.8 per million, ranking Pennsylvania 7th in the nation in terms of deaths from asbestos-related mesothelioma. In 1999 alone, there were 162 deaths from mesothelioma.

Asbestosis accounted for almost 3,000 deaths in Pennsylvania between 1980 and 2000. Note that this rate comes during a time period after the EPA set in place regulations regarding the use of this substance. Asbestos naturally takes years or even decades to affect the body and patients do no typically demonstrate symptoms of an asbestos-related illness for 20 to 50 years.

Legal Resources for Pennsylvania Residents

Pennsylvania has been home to a number of high-profile asbestos cases, such as Georgine vs. Amchem Products in 1994. In addition, a group of companies known as the CCR negotiated a number of settlements in 1991. This situation paved the way for a class action settlement, providing money for all future claims.

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