Moundsville, West Virginia has always been a highly industrial area. For much of the 20th century, especially in the middle decades, plants seemingly sprang up everywhere and locals found employment and the American Dream in a place that was suitable for bringing up children and making a life that would be perhaps hard, but content.
Asbestos
Cheswick Power Station a Toxic Disaster Area
Two huge smoke stacks loom over the town of Springdale, Pennsylvania, just a short distance from Pittsburgh. They’ve been there since 1970, when the coal-fired Cheswick Power Station was built and became part of the landscape of the town. Situated on 82-acres, the plant has long employed plenty of locals but it’s been a bone … Read more
Smoking and Asbestos: An Unhappy Partnership
So, you’re a smoker. Millions of Americans are, even today, when all the risks associated with smoking are quite apparent. Maybe you enjoy lighting up during your breaks, at lunch time, or after a long day at the factory. Perhaps it’s a way to relax, a way to unwind after the stresses of a tedious and difficult work shift.
The Toxic Homer City Generating Station
In the mid-20th century, coal-fired power stations were all the rage, especially in western Pennsylvania and West Virginia, where coal mining has long been a major industry. Whereas other parts of the country may have been unfamiliar with such power plants, they became an everyday sight to those who reside in that area. The plants were touted as efficient and the companies that ran them employed hundreds of locals in a variety of different jobs. Many of them are still operating today.
Former Pleasants Power Station Workers Sickened
Mention Pleasants Power Station to a long-time West Virginian and they’ll no doubt tell you about one of the greatest construction accidents in the history of the U.S. At this power station, located in western Pleasants County, West Virginia, 51 construction workers died when a cooling tower that was under construction collapsed on site in 1978. … Read more
Coal Mining Asbestos And Mesothelioma
In West Virginia and Pennsylvania, the coal mining industry has employed hundreds of thousands of individuals over the centuries. For many families, working in the mines has been a given, with one generation after another laboring in places where many of us would never dare to go. Coal mining is grueling work and, often, coal miners live short lives due to the risks associated with their jobs.
Red Flags for Former Koppers Follansbee Plant Workers
Koppers Follansbee Plant – The tiny city of Follansbee, West Virginia, population about 3,000, is a humble place. With a median household income of only $30,000 per year, according to the 2010 census, it’s a place where people have historically worked hard for the little bit of money that they make.
The Dangers of Friable Asbestos
There are a lot of misconceptions about asbestos, especially issues about when the material is dangerous and when it’s not. Generally, asbestos that is intact – not old or damaged in any way – is safe to be around. However, when the material becomes “friable” and is in poor condition, that’s when the concerns should begin.
Mount Storm Power Station
Situated on an artificial lake of the same name, the Mount Storm Power Station is one of many coal-fired power stations in the state of West Virginia. This one is located near the town of Bismarck, just along West Virginia Route 93, a largely rural, mountainous area consisting of many residents who have worked for … Read more
Asbestos Lining In Surprising Places
The beer industry is huge in the United States and has been for well over a century. These days, craft breweries are “in” and lovers of the foamy stuff can often choose from dozens of types of beer in a single restaurant.