Coke plant asbestos WV exposure was a deadly reality for many industrial workers across the Ohio River Valley. From the Weirton Steel coke batteries to Follansbee and Benwood, workers in West Virginia’s coke-producing facilities faced some of the most intense and prolonged contact with asbestos in the state.
Many are now being diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or lung cancer—often decades after leaving the job. If you or a loved one worked in a coke plant and now face an asbestos-related illness, legal help is available.
Why Coke Plant Workers Faced High Asbestos Exposure
Coke production is a high-temperature process involving ovens, flues, quench towers, and complex refractory systems. For decades, these systems were insulated and lined with asbestos to handle extreme heat and prevent fire hazards.
Common asbestos sources in WV coke plants included:
- Refractory bricks and insulation in coke oven walls
- Pipe insulation throughout boiler houses and steam lines
- Gaskets and seals in valves, pumps, and compressors
- Asbestos cement boards and panels in control rooms
- Protective gloves, aprons, and blankets used during maintenance
WV Coke Plant Locations With Known Asbestos Hazards
Many of West Virginia’s coke-related job sites had extensive asbestos use, including:
- Weirton Steel Coke Plant – Weirton, WV
- Koppers / Follansbee Coke – Follansbee, WV
- Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Coke Batteries – Follansbee, WV
👉 Search Asbestos Job Sites in West Virginia
Even if the company you worked for is long gone, you may still have legal options through asbestos bankruptcy trusts or third-party lawsuits.
Trades at Risk in Coke Plants
The following trades faced frequent exposure inside and around coke plants:
- Millwrights and insulators
- Boilermakers and pipefitters
- Electricians and welders
- Refractory bricklayers and cleanup crews
Workers who performed shutdowns, repairs, or turnarounds in coke batteries or boiler rooms were especially at risk due to direct handling of asbestos materials.
Families Affected by Take-Home Asbestos Exposure
Spouses and children of coke plant workers may have been exposed secondhand. Dust carried home on work clothes could lead to devastating diagnoses years later.
If your loved one worked at a West Virginia coke plant and you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may still be eligible to file a take-home exposure claim.
Speak With a Lawyer Who Knows Coke Plant Cases
Attorney Lee W. Davis has represented asbestos victims in the Weirton-Steubenville industrial corridor for decades. From the coke batteries to the reheat furnaces, he understands how these plants operated — and how asbestos was used.
📞 Call 412-781-0525 or fill out the secure form below for a confidential case review.
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What jobs in a coke plant were most exposed to asbestos?
Pipefitters, bricklayers, insulators, and boiler operators all had direct exposure to asbestos-containing materials in coke ovens and quench towers.
Can I file a claim if my loved one brought asbestos home from a coke plant?
Yes. West Virginia law allows take-home asbestos claims if family members were exposed via contaminated clothing or personal items.
What types of asbestos products were used in coke production?
Refractory brick, pipe insulation, asbestos cement, gaskets, and fireproof clothing were commonly used in high-heat areas of coke plants.