Koppers Follansbee WV Asbestos Exposure โ€“ What You Need to Know

Koppers Follansbee WV asbestos

Former employees at the Koppers facility in Follansbee, WV, may have faced significant asbestos exposure on the job. The Koppers plant, historically involved in treating wood with chemicals like creosote and producing carbon materials, operated at a time when asbestos was widely used in insulation, gaskets, pumps, and protective equipment. The risks didnโ€™t stop at the plant gatesโ€”many families may have unknowingly brought asbestos fibers home on work clothes, exposing spouses and children to long-term danger.

History of Koppers and Asbestos Use

Koppers has operated heavy industrial sites throughout the Ohio River Valley, and its Follansbee location was no exception. Equipment used in high-heat environments often included asbestos insulation and asbestos-lined pipes. Maintenance crews, machine operators, and boiler room staff at the plant are among those most likely to have encountered asbestos dust in their daily work.



How Asbestos Reached Families โ€“ Take-Home Exposure

Whatโ€™s particularly tragic is that the exposure wasnโ€™t limited to the plant. Workers often left their shifts with asbestos dust on their coveralls, lunchboxes, and even in their hair. That dust could settle into homes, onto furniture, and into laundry rooms. Over time, repeated take-home exposure placed spouses and children at increased risk for mesothelioma, a cancer that can take decades to appear. Read more about take-home asbestos exposure and your legal rights here.


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Your Legal Rights โ€“ Itโ€™s Not Too Late

If you or a loved one worked at the Koppers plant or lived with someone who did, and youโ€™ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, you may be entitled to compensation. Legal claims can be pursued even if the exposure happened many decades ago. Itโ€™s important to act quickly, as each state has a time limitโ€”called a statute of limitationsโ€”for filing these types of claims.

If youโ€™re reading this blog because you worked at Koppers or lived nearby and are wondering whether your illness or a loved oneโ€™s illness could be connected, that question alone is worth a call. Many of our strongest cases began just like thisโ€”quiet curiosity followed by a clear path to justice. You found this page through a link that helps us determine how visitors arriveโ€”thank you for helping us track what matters most: truth and accountability.


Call for Help โ€“ Your Case Matters

If you or someone you love was affected by asbestos exposure at Koppers in Follansbee, WV, weโ€™re here to help. With over 35 years of experience, including some of the original asbestos trials in the region, Lee W. Davis has built a career representing families just like yours.

๐Ÿ“ž Call us today at (412) 781-0525

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๐Ÿ“š Read our post on Union Carbide Institute WV exposure cases

John Amos Power Station Asbestos Exposure Risks

John Amos Power Station Asbestos Exposure

Located in Nitro, West Virginia, the John Amos Power Station asbestos exposure problem has deeply affected generations of workers and their loved ones. The facility, which has been a significant source of electricity for the region since the 1970s, also has a lesser-known legacy: widespread asbestos exposure from construction through operation.

Why Asbestos Was Present at John Amos Power Station

Constructed during a time when asbestos was commonly used for its heat resistance and insulation properties, the John Amos Power Station incorporated asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in pipe insulation, boilers, turbines, electrical panels, and fireproofing. These materials were especially prevalent in maintenance and utility areasโ€”putting workers like pipefitters, insulators, laborers, and electricians at particular risk of inhaling asbestos fibers during routine tasks.

How Exposure Occurred Inside the Facility

Asbestos fibers are microscopic and easily become airborne when ACMs are disturbed. At John Amos, workers performing maintenance or upgrades often encountered deteriorating insulation, floor tiles, and ceiling panels. Without proper personal protective equipment or ventilation systems, these fibers would lodge in the lungs of unsuspecting employees, sometimes lying dormant for decades before symptoms like shortness of breath or persistent coughing developed.

Families at Risk: The Take-Home Exposure Link

Perhaps even more devastating than direct exposure is the ripple effect of take-home asbestos exposure. Workers at John Amos unknowingly brought asbestos fibers home on their clothing, exposing spouses and children during routine activities like laundry or hugs at the door. These secondhand exposures have tragically resulted in mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis in family members who never set foot in the power station. Learn more about take-home exposure here.

Legal Rights for Workers and Families

Both former John Amos employees and their families may have the right to file claims for asbestos-related diseases. Laws in West Virginia recognize the danger of take-home exposure, and courts have held manufacturers and employers accountable for their failure to warn and protect. Itโ€™s important to act quickly, as time limitsโ€”called statutes of limitationsโ€”apply to these claims.

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If you or a loved one worked at John Amos Power Stationโ€”or lived with someone who didโ€”and are now facing a diagnosis of mesothelioma or another asbestos disease, you may be entitled to significant compensation.

๐Ÿ“ทย ๐Ÿ‘‰ Call The Law Offices of Lee W. Davis, Esquire, L.L.C. at (412) 781-0525

๐Ÿ“Serving Nitro, WV and surrounding Kanawha County

๐Ÿ”— Explore our prior post on asbestos exposure at Columbia Carbon Black in Proctor, WV

Columbia Carbon Black Asbestos Risk in Proctor, WV

Columbia Carbon Black Asbestos

For decades, workers at the Columbia Carbon Black Plant in Proctor, West Virginia were at risk of serious asbestos exposure. Located along the Ohio River, this facility played a key role in the carbon black production chain but did so using materials and insulation that often contained asbestos. If you or a loved one worked at Columbia Carbon Black, asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma may be linked to that exposure.

Asbestos Exposure at Columbia Carbon Black

The asbestos risk was tied to high-heat operations that required asbestos-containing insulation, gaskets, and machinery components. Maintenance workers, operators, and laborers regularly inhaled airborne fibers during equipment repairs and overhauls. The plant operated during an era when little to no protective equipment was provided, and the dangers were rarely disclosed.



How Take-Home Exposure Happened

Asbestos fibers cling to clothing, hair, and skin. At Columbia Carbon Black, workers unknowingly brought those fibers home on their work clothes. Spouses and children who shook out or washed dusty uniforms faced secondhandโ€”or โ€œtake-homeโ€โ€”exposure. Over time, this repeated contact led to diagnoses of mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases in family members who never set foot inside the plant. Learn more about take-home asbestos exposure and your legal options here.


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Legal Rights for Columbia Carbon Black Families

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness and have a connection to Columbia Carbon Black in Proctor, WV, you may have legal rights. Our firm investigates site-specific exposures and builds strong claims using historical records, expert testimony, and personal narratives to pursue compensation.


Why Proctor, WV Workers Matter

Proctor sits in the heart of the Ohio River industrial corridor. For years, its economy was driven by facilities like Columbia Carbon Black. But that legacy came with a hidden cost: asbestos exposure that would not manifest until decades later. Now, those same families are left coping with health problems that trace back to the very jobs that built the region.


We Can Help โ€“ Get in Touch Today

If your family has been affected by asbestos exposure at Columbia Carbon Black in Proctor, WV, weโ€™re here to fight for you. Call 412-781-0525 or click below to learn more about your rights.

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Union Carbide Institute Asbestos Exposure and What It Means for West Virginia Families

Union Carbide Institute Asbestos

The Union Carbide Corporation plant in Institute, WV was once a hub of industrial productionโ€”but it was also a site of serious asbestos exposure. Workers at the Institute facility handled, installed, or worked near asbestos-containing materials daily. Many were unaware that the dust and fibers could lead to devastating illnesses like mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. The phrase Union Carbide Institute asbestos exposure isnโ€™t just legal jargonโ€”itโ€™s a tragic reality for too many West Virginia families.

Asbestos was used in insulation, pipe coverings, pumps, valves, boilers, and protective clothing. Many former Union Carbide employees were exposed during maintenance, repairs, and even routine operations. What they didnโ€™t know at the time was that every breath could carry microscopic fibers deep into their lungs, potentially triggering terminal disease decades later.



How Union Carbide Institute Asbestos Exposure Happened

Union Carbide operated its chemical plant in Institute with a heavy industrial footprint, and like many facilities from the mid-20th century, safety practices were often secondary to production. Maintenance crews regularly disturbed asbestos insulation during shutdowns and turnarounds. As a result, fibers became airborne and were easily inhaled by both tradesmen and general plant workers.

Adding to the danger was poor ventilation, inadequate personal protective equipment, and a lack of clear warnings about the hazards of asbestos exposure. Contractors and visiting workers were no exception. Union Carbide Institute asbestos exposure didnโ€™t discriminate based on job titleโ€”it was built into the daily fabric of the jobsite.


Take-Home Asbestos Exposure from Institute Plant

Importantly, this exposure didnโ€™t stop at the gates. Take-home asbestos exposure occurred when workers unknowingly brought asbestos fibers home on their clothes, shoes, and gear. Spouses who did the laundry or children who hugged their parents at the door were often exposed in their own kitchens and living rooms. These families never worked at the plantโ€”but they got sick anyway.

If you or a loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma and lived with someone who worked at the Institute Union Carbide facility, you may have a legal right to file a take-home exposure claim. Learn more about how these cases work here:

๐Ÿ‘‰ Take-Home Asbestos Exposure Cases


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Legal Help for Union Carbide Institute Asbestos Victims

You are not powerless. If you or someone in your family has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease and had any connection to the Union Carbide Corporation plant in Institute, WV, itโ€™s time to explore your legal options. These claims are real. The law is on your side.

๐Ÿ“ž Call Lee W. Davis Now at 412-781-0525

๐Ÿ“„ Read our related post on: American Cyanamid Willow Island Asbestos


Willow Island Power Station Asbestos Exposure and Its Lasting Effects

Willow Island Power Station Asbestos

The Willow Island Power Station asbestos exposure crisis remains one of the most significant yet underreported industrial hazards along the Ohio River in West Virginia. Located near St. Marys and adjacent to the Pleasant Power Station, this facility employed countless workers during the height of Americaโ€™s coal-fired energy production boom. But with that work came exposure to dangerous asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) โ€” insulation, gaskets, boilers, pipe lagging, and turbine components were all common sources.

If you or a loved one worked at the Willow Island Power Station, asbestos exposure could have caused more than occupational harm. Many families of workers were unknowingly placed at risk due to take-home asbestos exposure, a tragic consequence of dust brought home on work clothes.


Asbestos on the Jobsite: A Known Danger

Asbestos was valued for its heat resistance and insulating properties โ€” both essential in a power generation setting. Unfortunately, its microscopic fibers, once airborne, are easily inhaled and can become embedded in the lungs or abdomen, leading to mesothelioma, asbestosis, or lung cancer decades later. Maintenance personnel, insulators, pipefitters, and electricians at Willow Island Power Station faced heightened risk.

Asbestos remained in use well into the 1980s, and even post-regulation, old equipment and building materials continued to pose exposure threats during routine repairs or decommissioning.


The Hidden Hazard: Take-Home Asbestos Exposure

Workers werenโ€™t the only ones affected. Spouses and children often laundered contaminated uniforms or hugged workers whoโ€™d just come home from the plant. This โ€œpara-occupationalโ€ or take-home asbestos exposure was especially dangerous because it went entirely unregulated. If your family member worked at Willow Island Power Station, and you later developed an asbestos-related illness, you may have a right to pursue compensation.

Read more about take-home exposure here and how legal precedent supports these claims.


Other Known Ohio River Jobsites Near St. Marys

The Willow Island facility is part of a larger legacy of industrial sites along the Ohio River with known asbestos issues โ€” from Ormet in Hannibal to the chemical plants in Parkersburg. Many of these locations share overlapping workers and contractors, amplifying risk across communities.


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Weโ€™re Here to Help

If your family has been impacted by Willow Island Power Station asbestos exposure, or you suspect that take-home exposure may have caused illness in someone you love, now is the time to act. Weโ€™re currently accepting cases for asbestos-related diseases linked to Ohio River Valley jobsites.

๐Ÿ“ž Call us now at 412-781-0525 or

๐Ÿ”— Read our recent post on American Cyanamid exposure

Pleasants Power Station Asbestos Risk in St. Marys, WV

Pleasants Power Station Asbestos

Former workers at the Pleasants Power Station near St. Marys, West Virginia, may have been exposed to asbestos-containing materials during the facilityโ€™s decades of operation. The keyphrase Pleasants Power Station asbestos applies to anyone who spent time in the boiler rooms, pipe chases, turbine decks, or control areas, where friable insulation and gaskets were used extensively.

Constructed in the 1970s and operated for years under various corporate owners, the station was built with industrial materials that frequently included asbestos. Boilers, high-temperature piping, and steam components all required thermal insulation. Workers who installed, maintained, or demolished these systems often did so without any warning of asbestos risks.



How Were Workers at Risk for Pleasants Power Station Asbestos Exposure?

Employees involved in maintenance and repair tasks were most vulnerable to Pleasants Power Station asbestos exposure. Gaskets, block insulation, refractory linings, and joint compounds all released airborne fibers when disturbed. Even electricians, painters, and HVAC crews faced exposure due to the widespread use of asbestos throughout the facility.

Sadly, many workers were unaware that they were breathing in microscopic asbestos fibersโ€”a risk that wouldnโ€™t show up for decades. Asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer often develop 20โ€“40 years after initial exposure.


Families May Have Been Exposed Too

The risk didnโ€™t end at the plant gates. Take-home asbestos exposure occurred when fibers clung to work uniforms, hair, and skin. Workers returning home would unknowingly introduce asbestos dust into the family environment, where spouses and children could inhale the same deadly fibers.

If your loved one worked at Pleasants Power Station and youโ€™ve since developed an asbestos-related illness, you may have a valid take-home asbestos case. These cases are legally recognized in West Virginia and have resulted in compensation for affected families.

To learn more about take-home exposure and legal options for family members, read our detailed overview here.


Why This Matters Now

Legal deadlines apply to asbestos cases in West Virginia. If you or someone in your family has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, itโ€™s critical to act quickly. In some cases, multiple employers or product manufacturers may share liabilityโ€”and we can help you trace their identities through detailed work history and product exposure analysis.


Speak to a Mesothelioma Attorney Familiar with the Pleasants Power Station Asbestos and the Ohio River Valley

๐Ÿ“ž Call 412-781-0525 to speak with Lee W. Davis, a mesothelioma attorney with over 30 years of experience helping families affected by jobsite and take-home asbestos exposure across the Ohio River Valley.

๐Ÿ–ผ๏ธ
๐Ÿ”— Read more about asbestos exposure at nearby American Cyanamid in Willow Island, WV


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Mount Storm Asbestos Exposure: What West Virginia Families Need to Know

Mount Storm Asbestos Exposure

Mount Storm Power Station, located in Grant County, West Virginia, was once a major hub of energy productionโ€”but it was also a silent threat to worker health. Mount Storm asbestos exposure was a serious risk for anyone who worked in or around the power plant during its peak operational years.

In the early days of the plantโ€™s construction and operation, asbestos-containing materials were heavily used for insulation, piping, and machinery parts due to their fire-resistant properties. Electricians, pipefitters, boiler operators, and maintenance crews at Mount Storm Power Station were likely exposed on a routine basisโ€”often without adequate protective equipment or warnings from management.


Why Mount Storm Power Station Workers Are at Risk

Power stations like Mount Storm used asbestos in:

  • Turbine and generator insulation
  • Boiler linings and refractory bricks
  • Pipe insulation and gaskets
  • Control rooms and electrical panel housing

The Mount Storm asbestos exposure wasnโ€™t limited to a single trade. Anyone working inside the plantโ€”whether directly handling asbestos materials or simply in proximityโ€”faced inhalation risks. In many cases, workers unknowingly carried asbestos dust home on their clothing.



How Take-Home Asbestos Exposure Affects Families

A hidden danger of working at Mount Storm was take-home asbestos exposure. Spouses and children who never stepped foot in the power plant still faced significant risk. Laundry done at home and shared spaces like cars or furniture became secondary exposure zones.

If your loved one worked at Mount Storm and you later developed an asbestos-related illness, you may have a valid claim even if you never worked there yourself. Read more about take-home asbestos cases here.


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๐Ÿ”— Read our related coverage on Mt. Storm Power Station


Legal Options for Victims of Mount Storm Asbestos Exposure

If you or a family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease linked to Mount Storm Power Station, legal compensation may be available. Claims can cover medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.

In many cases, these claims do not require going to court and may be processed through asbestos bankruptcy trusts or direct legal action.


๐Ÿ“ž Call Us Today for a Free Consultation โ€“ (412) 781-0525

If you believe your familyโ€™s health was affected by Mount Storm asbestos exposure, donโ€™t wait. The Law Offices of Lee W. Davis has decades of experience representing workers and families across West Virginia.


๐Ÿ”— Read our prior coverage on DuPont Washington Works asbestos.

Asbestos Exposure at American Cyanamid in Willow Island, WV

Asbestos Exposure at American Cyanamid

The history of chemical manufacturing in West Virginia includes facilities like American Cyanamid in Willow Island, which played a significant role in the local economyโ€”but also left behind a toxic legacy. Workers at this site, especially those involved in production, maintenance, or insulation, faced regular asbestos exposure at American Cyanamid due to the widespread use of asbestos in piping, insulation, and equipment housing.

Asbestos-containing materials were common in high-heat chemical plants. Inhaling these microscopic fibers could cause lasting harm, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Even decades later, those who worked at the Willow Island plantโ€”or their surviving familiesโ€”may still be eligible for compensation.



Known Hazards and Delayed Health Effects

American Cyanamid operated during a time when asbestos was used as a default insulator. Unfortunately, asbestos exposure at American Cyanamid wasnโ€™t limited to direct contact. Dust from worksites often settled on workersโ€™ clothes, hair, and gear. Without proper decontamination practices, this resulted in take-home asbestos exposure for spouses and children.

Weโ€™ve seen multiple instances where family membersโ€”many of whom never worked at Cyanamidโ€”developed illnesses from laundering contaminated clothing. This legal theory, known as โ€œtake-home exposure,โ€ is now a valid basis for compensation in West Virginia.

Read more about take-home exposure here.


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Legal Options for Asbestos Exposure at American Cyanamid Workers and Families

If you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos at the Willow Island American Cyanamid plant, itโ€™s essential to act. West Virginia law allows claims long after retirement or even after death, depending on when diagnosis occurs. You may be eligible for compensation through settlements or existing asbestos bankruptcy trusts.


Call for Help โ€“ Youโ€™re Not Alone

๐Ÿ“ž Call now: 412-781-0525

You can also visit our dedicated asbestos intake page for more info and next steps.

Previous post on DuPont Washington Works

DuPont Washington Works Asbestos Exposure: What You Should Know

DuPont Washington Works Asbestos

DuPont Washington Works asbestos exposure is a serious issue for former employees and their families in Parkersburg, West Virginia. For decades, the Washington Works plant handled materials and components containing asbestos, placing workers at risk of developing mesothelioma and other deadly diseases.

Asbestos Exposure in Chemical Plants

Industrial facilities like DuPont Washington Works used asbestos for its heat resistance and durability. This included insulation for machinery, gaskets, pumps, and pipe systems. Workers who maintained or repaired these systems may have unknowingly inhaled asbestos fibers. This exposure can lead to long-latency diseases, including pleural mesothelioma.

DuPont employees often had no warning that their work environment was filled with hazardous asbestos fibers. Protective measures were minimal or nonexistent, particularly before federal regulations began to phase out asbestos use in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Many workers went home covered in dust, leading to take-home asbestos exposure among family members.



Take-Home Asbestos Risks for Families

Even those who never worked at DuPont were exposed. Spouses who laundered dusty work clothes and children who hugged their fathers at the door were at risk. These secondary exposures have tragically led to diagnoses of mesothelioma among innocent family members. If someone in your household worked at DuPont Washington Works before the 1990s, you may have a valid legal claimโ€”even if you never stepped foot in the plant.


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Learn more about these types of cases by reading our take-home exposure guide here:

๐Ÿ‘‰ Take-Home Asbestos Case โ€“ Learn More

How We Can Help

Our firm has over 35 years of experience with asbestos litigation in the Ohio River Valley. Weโ€™re committed to holding companies accountable for dangerous working conditions and seeking justice for affected families.


Donโ€™t Wait to Act

If you or someone you love was exposed to asbestos at DuPont Washington Works, even indirectly, legal help is available. Contact us today to explore your options.

๐Ÿ“ž Call Now: 412-781-0525

๐Ÿ“Ž Learn more in our related post: Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel and the Asbestos Legacy


Asbestos Hazards at Elkem Metals in Alloy, WV: What Workers and Families Need to Know

Elkem Metals asbestos exposure

Elkem Metals asbestos exposure in Alloy, West Virginia, has left a long and troubling legacy. Located in Fayette County, this ferroalloy plant was once a vital employer for many in the Upper Kanawha Valleyโ€”but its use of asbestos-containing materials placed both workers and their families at risk. From the 1930s to 1981 Union Carbide owned Elkem Metals.

From insulating pipes and equipment to protective clothing, asbestos was once used widely at Elkem to control heat and fire risk. Unfortunately, the very workers who helped power the American industrial engine were unknowingly exposed to deadly airborne asbestos fibersโ€”fibers that can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis decades after initial contact.


Known Risks for Elkem Metals asbestos exposure

Those employed in maintenance, smelting, engineering, and even clerical roles at Elkem Metals may have been exposed to asbestos dust. Even more troubling is the known take-home exposure risk. Workers unknowingly carried fibers home on their clothes, exposing spouses and children in laundry rooms, kitchens, and family vehicles.

This type of secondary asbestos exposure has tragically led to mesothelioma in people who never set foot in the plant itself. If a loved one worked at Elkem Metals, and you now face a diagnosis, you may have the right to file a legal claim.


How Take-Home Exposure Changed the Law

The legal landscape surrounding take-home asbestos cases has evolved. Courts have increasingly recognized the duty of companies to prevent exposure risks not just to workers, but to the people in their households. Learn more about take-home asbestos cases here.

If you or a family member was diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, and you have ties to the Elkem plant, donโ€™t wait to explore your options.


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Previous Related Post

For a broader view of asbestos issues at local industrial sites, see our post about Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel exposure cases.


You Have Legal Options

We understand the stress that comes with a diagnosis and the questions that follow. If your familyโ€™s story includes Elkem Metals asbestos exposure, you deserve answersโ€”and possibly compensation.

๐Ÿ“ž Call Now: 412-781-0525

๐Ÿ“ Serving West Virginia and the Upper Ohio Valley with over 35 years of experience.

๐Ÿ“ Free consultations. No fee unless we win.