If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma – or any kind of cancer or serious disease – one of the first questions you probably asked your oncologist was: “Can I be a mesothelioma survivor?” Happily, for many cancer patients these days, the answer is a resounding “yes”.
Mesothelioma Life Span
Mesothelioma Life Span – Over the years, many advances have been made in the treatment of cancer. Some forms of the disease are no longer an automatic death sentence, with new therapies showing much progress in regards to extending the life span of patients.
PPG Natrium Plant has an Ominous History
With 156 manufacturing facilities worldwide, Pittsburgh Plate Glass (PPG) Company has experienced significant growth since its founding in 1883 by Captain John Ford and millionaire industrialist John Pitcairn, Jr. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, the corporation reported net sales of $15.4 billion in 2014 and ranks 190th on the Fortune 500 list.
Despite the company’s impressive 130-year history, its employees have not fared as well. PPG, a global supplier of paints, coatings, optical products, specialty materials, glass, and fiberglass, has exposed many workers to various toxins during their employment.
The products manufactured by PPG, such as paints and coatings, contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and glass and fiberglass also involve hazardous chemicals. Additionally, the production processes often exposed employees to asbestos-containing materials.
Asbestos was widely used from the early 20th century until the late 1970s, primarily as insulation for pipes, electrical wires, generators, boilers, and other high-temperature machinery. Its durability also led to its inclusion in cement, paint, pastes, wallboard, and many other products that PPG employees handled regularly.
Despite the U.S. government’s stern rulings on asbestos use in 1977, the removal of asbestos from workplaces came too late for many employees, including those at PPG. By the late 20th century, workers were being diagnosed with severe respiratory issues, ranging from minor lung scarring to asbestosis and mesothelioma—a cancer with a grim prognosis, with only a single-digit percentage of patients surviving five years post-diagnosis.
Pittsburgh Plate Glass also holds a 50 percent interest in Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, where workers similarly suffered from asbestos exposure. In 2013, as part of a bankruptcy reorganization plan, PPG and its insurers agreed to fund a trust with hundreds of millions of dollars to resolve all future personal injury claims against PPG for asbestos exposure from products associated with Pittsburgh Corning.
This situation highlights the extensive impact of asbestos exposure on Pittsburgh-area workers, while PPG continues to prosper. Unfortunately, mesothelioma sufferers face a bleak future, with their lives irrevocably altered by negligent asbestos exposure at work. These victims inhaled asbestos during their regular duties, without any warning about the health risks they faced.
If you were employed by PPG and now have mesothelioma, a local Pittsburgh-area attorney can help determine who is responsible for your pain and suffering. Schedule an appointment today to learn more and discover how you can obtain the compensation you and your family deserve.
Do you know someone who worked at PPG Natrium who is struggling with asbestos-caused cancer? Are you a former employee that’s been diagnosed with the disease?
Q: Was asbestos used at the PPG Natrium Plant?
A: Yes. Historical records and litigation show asbestos was present in pipe insulation, boilers, and other equipment.
Q: Can I file a claim if I never worked there but got sick?
A: Yes. If a family member brought asbestos home on their clothes, you may be eligible under take-home exposure claims.
Did you know that you might be eligible for compensation for this negligent exposure? An in-depth consultation with an experienced local attorney can help you determine your legal rights. Schedule one today for more detailed information.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, Lee Davis is here to help. With his expertise, dedication, and compassionate approach, he is committed to fighting for the rights of mesothelioma victims and their families, seeking justice and fair compensation. Contact Lee Davis today directly at 412-781-0525 for a confidential consultation and take the first step towards reclaiming your future.
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.
Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma
Malignant mesothelioma is a rare and complicated disease. It’s a diagnosis that oncologists don’t like giving and one that individuals dread. It’s a form of cancer that, though rare, has impacted so many lives in the United States and beyond, especially since – in most cases – the development of the disease could have been avoided if companies had stopped using asbestos as soon as concerns about the mineral were brought forth.
Mesothelioma Survival Rate
A cancer diagnosis is always frightening, but for those who are diagnosed with mesothelioma, the diagnosis is even more alarming because of the short life expectancy associated with the disease. While it’s true that some new therapies have resulted in slight improvements in prognosis, mesothelioma remains one of the most lethal forms of cancer, with few real strides being made within the last several decades of research.
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 the gigantic power station, where the first unit was commissioned in 1965 with additional units going on line in 1966 and 1973.
Dominion Resources operates the Mount Storm Power Station, and it’s their largest plant, generating in excess of 1,600 megawatts of electricity.
The accompanying lake serves as a cooling pond for the power plant but it also functions as a recreation area for those who live in or visit this area in the rugged Allegheny Mountains. The warm temperatures in the lake make it ideal for swimming and diving, some say, though others suggest concern due to its proximity to the coal-fired plant.
Mount Storm Power Station a Torrent of Asbestos Exposure
In actuality, there’s been plenty of concern about the Mount Storm Power Station over the years. Like all coal-fired stations, Mount Storm produces particulates known as fly ash, which circulate through the air around the plant.
The ash has always been a worry though Dominion has worked harder in the last few decades to reduce the amount of ash and sulfur dioxide that makes its way out of the plant’s boilers.
However, the hazard that wasn’t addressed for the first few decades of the plant’s existence was exposure to asbestos. Indeed, the employees of Mount Storm Power Station faced a much more ominous foe than fly ash.
They were consistently exposed to products made from dangerous asbestos and no one ever told them their health was at stake if they didn’t protect themselves from this toxic mineral.
Tradesmen who may have encountered asbestos products at Mount Storm include:
• Pipefitters
• Insulators
• Electricians
• Welders
• Machinists
• Technicians
• And many others
Asbestos materials may have included:
• Insulation
• Gaskets
• Rope
• Packing material
• Asbestos clothing like aprons, gloves, booties, and even masks
Asbestos exposure was nearly unavoidable for those who worked at Mount Storm Power Station prior to about 1980, and even though there were warnings about asbestos issued as early as the 1930s, often by doctors who monitored the health of plant and factory workers, the practice of using the mineral continued until rules were passed in the late 1970s. As a result, generations of workers would eventually be diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses, including asbestosis and the much more deadly mesothelioma.
Today, those who worked at Mount Storm Power Station throughout the 1970s are now being diagnosed with asbestos-caused cancer, which can lay dormant in the body for as much as 50 years. These individuals are being struck with the illness during the prime of their life, when they were set to enjoy a leisurely retirement with family and friends. Instead, they are fighting to simply hang on.
Former Mount Storm Power Station employees who are now sick with mesothelioma should know that they have a right to compensation for their suffering. Hiring a local attorney who has had experience with previous Mount Storm-related suits is your best bet for a successful case. Take the time to schedule an appointment with someone who knows the particulars of Mount Storm’s history of asbestos use and you’ll find that your odds of a successful outcome will be largely in your favor.
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.
Asbestos Woes at Kanawha River Power Plant
Coal has always been a huge commodity in West Virginia and, as such, coal-fired power plants have been abundant in the region. One of those plants is the Kanawha River Power Plant, located near the town of Glasgow and just recently shuttered after more than 60 years of operation.