Virginia Asbestos Exposure

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Virginia's naturally-occurring asbestos deposits were formed by the same geologic processes that raised the Appalachian Mountains over 300 million years ago. Virginia has several asbestos deposits along the Blue Ridge, which have become exposed as this ancient mountain range has worn down over the millennia. Unfortunately, a sizable concentration of these deposits are located in a densely populated area just west of Washington D.C. south of the Maryland state line. Two more asbestos sites are located on the north and south edges of the Richmond metro area, while the rest are located along the east slope of the Appalachians to the southwest. Those who have been exposed to asbestos should seek medical attention at any of the mesothelioma clinics in their area.

Virginia Cities where Asbestos Exposure Occurred

Provided below is a list of cities in the state of Virginia where asbestos jobsites are known to have been located. If you worked at any of these companies and/or jobsites in Virginia there is a possibility that you may have been exposed to harmful asbestos which is known to cause mesothelioma. Click on any link to view a complete list of jobsites in that city.

Asbestos Jobsites

Industries that have been identified as asbestos exposure sites in the state of Virginia
  • shipyards
  • power plants
  • oil refineries
  • chemical laboratories.
Both the Dow and DuPont Corporations operate facilities in Virginia. Amphibole fibers such as amosite and crocidolite are highly resistant to chemical corrosion, which is why they were used extensively at these companies' facilities – primarily on lab surfaces (work tables and counters) and in the lining of protective clothing.
Asbestos is also an excellent insulator when it comes to electrical current. Virginia has several power generation facilities where asbestos exposure has been identified as a serious health hazard. This danger has been confirmed in numerous studies, including one published in 2007 in which 13% of chest x-rays taken of power plant workers showed abnormalities associated with asbestos disease. Workers who have been negligently exposed should seek legal counsel from a mesothelioma lawyer.
Asbestos insulation and lagging was used in the construction of the building itself as well as turbines and generators. As it aged, this material began to crumble and the movement of the machinery would blow loose fibers into the environment. Center for Heath Statistics data indicates that power plant workers are among those industrial employees most likely contract mesothelioma.
Virginia's maritime industries go back to the founding of the original Jamestown Colony four hundred years ago. Today, the following shipyards have been identified as asbestos jobsites:
  • Lyon Shipyard
  • Newport News Shipbuilding
  • Norfolk Navy Yard
  • Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
Asbestos was used throughout the construction of commercial and Naval vessels until the early 1980s. By some estimates, there were as many deaths from asbestos illness among shipyard workers as there were among active combat sailors.

Statistics

Between 1980 and 2000, 1,389 deaths due to asbestos disease were recorded in the state of Virginia. Most of these were from asbestosis; in Newport News, those who died from asbestosis outnumber mesothelioma victims by 75%.

Other Virginia Jobsites Where Asbestos Exposure Occurred

If someone you know has ever worked at one of the Jobsites listed below, they may have been exposed to high levels of asbestos. Asbestos exposure at any one of these Jobsites could put them at risk for developing one of the following asbestos related diseases: malignant mesothelioma (a terminal cancer), asbestos related lung cancer, asbestosis or pleural mesothelioma.

Altavista

  • Burlington Industries, Inc.
  • Dominion Energy Inc
  • Klopman Mills
  • L. G. and E. Westmoreland
  • Lane Company, Inc.
  • Ross Laboratories
  • Ultrasystems/Altavista

Amoco

  • American Oil Company
  • Virginia Electric & Power Company

Bermuda Hundred

  • American Tobacco Company
  • Brown and Williamson
  • Hurstbourne Highrise Office Building
  • Hydronautics Incorporated
  • R. C. Plant

Big Island

  • Bedford Pulp and Paper Company
  • Big Island Paper Mill
  • Georgia Pacific Corporation
  • National Container Corp of Virginia
  • Owens-Illinois Glass Company
  • Owens‐Illinois Paper Mill
  • Owens-Illinois, Incorporated

Blacksburg

  • Blacksburg Insulation
  • Corning Glass Works
  • Radford College
  • V.P.I. Dining Hall
  • V.P.I. Home Economics Building
  • Virginia Polytechnic Institute

Bremo Bluff

  • Bremo Bluff Power Station
  • Dominion Resources
  • Dominion Virginia Power
  • Vepco, Bremo Power Station
  • Virginia Electric & Power Company
  • Virginia Power and Light Company

Bristol

  • Bristol Memorial Hospital
  • Columbian Paper Company
  • Dealers Warehouse
  • Electric Transmission Company
  • Paty Lbr. Company, Inc.
  • Valley Dale Packing Company
  • Virginia Iron, Coal, and Coke Company

Buena Vista

  • Allegheny Ore and Iron Company
  • Buena Vista Fire Clay Company
  • Dickinson Fire Brick Company
  • Plant of A O and I Company
  • Reeves Brothers Inc
  • Ultrasystems

Carbo

  • Appalachian Electric Power Company
  • Clinch River Plant

Charlottesville

  • Charlottesville and Albermarle Railway Company
  • Institute of Textile Technology
  • Martha Jefferson Hospital
  • North Site Junior High School
  • O'Ferral, Incorporated
  • University of Virginia
  • Williams residence

Chesapeake

  • Dominion Virginia Power
  • Vepco, Portsmouth Power Station
  • Virginia Electric, Portsmouth Power Station
  • Volvo of America Corp

Chester

  • American Tobacco
  • Brown and Williamson Tobacco
  • Chesterfield Power Sta
  • Honeywell International
  • Philip Morris Usa
  • Vepco, Chesterfield Power Station
  • Virginia Electric & Power Company

Chesterfield

  • Allied Chemical Corporation
  • Chesterfield Power Sta Nbr 5
  • Dutch Gap Powerhouse
  • E.I. Du Pont De Nemours and Company
  • Ed Turner Excavating
  • Honeywell

Clifton Forge

  • C & O Railroad
  • Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad
  • General Electric
  • Gladys Inn Hotel
  • Y.M.C.A. Clifton Forge

Covington

  • Covington Paper Mill
  • Frank Lyman
  • Hercules, Inc.
  • Low Moor Iron Company of Ca
  • Virginia Pulp and Paper
  • West Virginia Pulp & Paper Company
  • Westvaco Plant

Dumfries

  • Atlantic Richfield - Cockpit Point
  • Possum Point Power Station
  • Virginia Electric Power Company

Dutch Gap

  • Chesterfield Power Sta Nbr 5
  • Dutch Gap
  • Virginia Electric & Power Company

Fairfax

  • Ashleigh Condominiums
  • C & P Telephone
  • Fairfax County Hospital
  • Fairfax Hospital
  • Melpar Office Building
  • Springfield Mall

Front Royal

  • American Viscose Corporation
  • Fmc Corporation
  • General Chemical Company

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