Working in an oil production facility or refinery may carry some inherent risks, which include inhaling toxic fumes and asbestos fibers that are known to cause serious illness and even death. Gulf Oil plant workers at Ohio facilities and other locations nationwide were likely exposed to toxic asbestos materials that have been proven to cause deadly cancers like mesothelioma.
Asbestos was long considered the most effective commercial and industrial insulator because of its resistibility to extreme heat and fire.
In some cases, Gulf Oil plants took no precautions to protect workers from the dangers of asbestos. This negligence resulted in generations of oil refinery workers developing asbestos-related diseases and other lung conditions.
Nearly any worker in a Gulf Oil refinery 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.
Gulf 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 toxins in the industry.
In 2005, another report stated that over 95 percent of the mesothelioma cases of workers were directly linked to asbestos exposure.
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.
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.
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—Can You Sue Gulf Oil?
Gulf Oil no longer operates a business, but the company had a responsibility to provide employees with safe working environments. When they failed to protect workers, they should compensate employees and families for the damage they have caused.
Workers in Gulf Oil refineries who have developed health issues may have claims against their former or current employers. Please do not hesitate to seek medical and legal assistance.
