Working in an oil production facility may carry some inherent risks, which include inhaling toxic fumes and asbestos fibers that are known to cause serious illness and even death. Oil plant workers at the following Ashland Oil facilities may be at heightened cancer risk:
- Canton, Ohio
- South Point, Ohio
- Catlettsburg, KY
Asbestos was long considered the most effective commercial and industrial insulator because of its resistibility to extreme heat and fire.
In some cases, American oil plants took no precautions to protect workers from the dangers of asbestos. This negligence resulted in generations of oil plant workers developing asbestos-related diseases and other lung conditions.
Nearly any worker in an Ohio chemical plant could be at risk of developing serious health issues, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
Joe Lyon is a highly-rated Asbestos attorney representing plaintiffs nationwide in a wide variety of toxic tort and mesothelioma claims.
Oil Plant Occupational Exposure
An industry study published in 1994 stated, “exposure to asbestos in oil refineries causes pleural mesothelioma.” The researchers concluded that mesothelioma should be considered an “occupational disease among oil refinery workers” because of the widespread use of asbestos in the industry.
In 2005, another report stated that over 95 percent of the mesothelioma cases of workers were directly linked to asbestos exposure.
Ashland Oil Asbestos
Ashland Oil took control of the South Point property in 1979, demolished most of the older structures and built several new plants.
Through a partnership with other corporations, they developed an ethanol processing plant that made alcohol from corn to be used as a gasoline additive under the corporate name South Point Ethanol and continued operations until 1995. The grounds and work sites were thought to have a number of hazardous chemicals and asbestos, possibly endangering workers for many years.
Asbestos in Oil and Chemical Plants
Oil production plants manage large amounts of piping that connect manufacturing and industrial buildings. These pipes, and other equipment such as ovens, tanks, boilers and pumps, contain asbestos in the following plants:
- Canton, Ohio
- South Point, Ohio
- Catlettsburg, KY
Asbestos is especially toxic when it is disturbed or naturally deteriorates over time. Anyone working in the area is likely to inhale the fibers, which can get lodged in tissue surrounding the lungs and cause permanent and fatal damage.
What Are Other Oil Companies with Asbestos Risks?
• Ashland Oil—South Point, Ohio
• Marathon Refinery—Canton, Ohio
• Sunoco Oil—Toledo, Ohio
• Shell oil—Belpre, Ohio
• BP Amoco—Toledo, Ohio
• Pearl Oil Company—Bowling Green, Ohio
• Gulf Oil Company—Cleves, Ohio
• Clark Refining—Lima, Ohio
• Marathon Ashland Petroleum—Colesville, Ohio
• Sunoco—Haverhill, Ohio
• Gulf Oil Refinery—Hooven, Ohio
• Occidental Petroleum Corp—Kenton, Ohio
Symptoms of Asbestos-Related Conditions
Mesothelioma and asbestosis can lay dormant for decades; symptoms may not present themselves until many years after exposure. When they do appear, symptoms could include the following:
• Pain in the chest
• Pain in the lower back
• Trouble breathing
• Coughing
• Fever
• Excessive sweating
• Fatigue.
• Weight loss
• Trouble swallowing
Legal Action—Ashland Oil Lawsuits
America’s Oil companies have a responsibility to provide employees with safe working environments. When they fail to protect workers, they should compensate employees and families for the damage they have caused.
Workers in Catlettsburg, Canton and South Point oil plants who have developed health issues may have claims against their former or current employers. Please do not hesitate to seek medical and legal assistance.
