No other state in the Union is as tied to the mining industry as West Virginia. Coal mines are still the anchor of the state’s economy; it will seemingly remain so as there are undoubtedly new coal-fired plants in the nation’s future. Some of the industries that use coal and other fuels for processing are also in the state; many of them are jobsites where asbestos exposure may have been a daily occurrence for workers.
West Virginians are familiar with the hazards of working in a mine and the respiratory diseases are caused by mine dust – black lung disease caused by coal dust was highly publicized as one of the state’s occupational safety woes. Asbestos is no different; exposure to the tiny fibers that asbestos gives off when disturbed can cause asbestosis and mesothelioma cancer. Asbestosis is reduction in lung capacity caused by scarring of the lungs while malignant mesothelioma is cancer that most often attacks the lining of the lungs and may ultimately lead to lung cancer. In all cases, mesothelioma is incurable and fatal.
Asbestos Exposure Risk in West Virginia
There are no asbestos mines in West Virginia but there are industries that made ample use of asbestos as insulation. Old asbestos will crumble and give off dust containing asbestos fibers; inhaling them in a factory setting is just as dangerous as in a mine if there is daily exposure.
The oil refineries and power plants in West Virginia are likely sites for asbestos exposure. Steel mills are also considered highly hazardous, as are many buildings and even homes that have asbestos insulation. That includes most buildings constructed prior to 1975. West Virginia has its share of potential asbestos exposure sites, some of which are listed below.
Asbestos Job Sites in West Virginia
If you were employed at one of these work sites in West Virginia during the past two or three decades, you are a potential candidate for an asbestos-related disease. Discuss the implications of your former job with your doctor; if you have received a mesothelioma diagnosis, or been diagnosed with another asbestos-related disease, consult a West Virginia mesothelioma lawyer about the compensation that may be owed to you.
COLUMBIA GAS TRANSMISSION CORPORATION ADALINE WV
COLUMBIA SOUTHERN CHEMICAL CORP. ADRIAN WV
MONONGAHELA POWER CO. ALBRIGHT WV
UNION CARBIDE ALLOY WV
GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER CO APPLE GROVE WV
KOPPERS COMPANY, INC. - TAR PRODUCTS DIVISION ARROYO WV
BECKLEY NATIONAL BANK BECKLEY WV
UNITED MINE WORKERS HOSPITAL BECKLEY WV
BEECH BOTTOM POWER CO BEECH BOTTOM WV
WHEELING PITTSBURGH STEEL BEECH BOTTOM WV
E. I. DUPONT DE NEMOURS & CO. BELLE WV
UNION BOILER BELLE WV
BALTIMORE & OHIO RAILROAD CO. BENWOOD WV
WHEELING PITTSBURGH STEEL BENWOOD WV
VIRGINIA ELECTRIC & POWER CO - MOUNT STORM STATION BISMARCK WV
J. F. PRITCHARD & COMPANY BUCKHANNON WV
CABIN CREEK POWER PLANTG CABIN CREEK WV
HOPE NATURAL GAS COMPANY CABIN CREEK WV
PURE OIL COMPANY - REFINING DIVISION CABIN CREEK WV
ADALINE COMPRESSOR STATION CAMERON WV
SHELL CHEMICAL CANOVA WV
A & I COMPANY CHARLESTON WV
ACANDS, INC. CHARLESTON WV
ALLIED SERVICES INCORPORATED CHARLESTON WV
AMHERST INDUSTRIES, INC. CHARLESTON WV
ANAWHA CTY CHARLESTON WV
APPALACHIAN POWER CO. CHARLESTON WV
ASHLAND OIL & REFINERY CO. CHARLESTON WV
ATLAS STORAGE WAREHOUSE CHARLESTON WV
BALDWIN SUPPLY COMPANY CHARLESTON WV
C & P TELEPHONE BLDG CHARLESTON WV
CARBIDE & CARBON CHEMICALS CORP. CHARLESTON WV
CHARLESTON GENERAL HOSPITAL CHARLESTON WV
CHARLESTON NATIONAL PLAZA CHARLESTON WV
DANIEL BOONE HOTEL CHARLESTON WV
FMC CORPORATION CHARLESTON WV
GOODRICH GULF CHEMICAL CO. INSTITUTE CHARLESTON WV
INTERNATIONAL NICKEL CO. CHARLESTON WV
JOHN AMOS POWERHOUSE CHARLESTON WV
KENTUCKY UTILITIES CO CHARLESTON WV
MONONGAHELA POWER CO. CHARLESTON WV
MONSANTO CHEMICAL CO CHARLESTON WV
OHIO POWER CO CHARLESTON WV
OWENS ILLINOIS GLASS COMPANY CHARLESTON WV
PORT AMHERST CHARLESTON WV
UNION CARBIDE CHEMICAL CO. CHARLESTON WV
WESTVACO CHLOR ALKALAI DIVISION - UNION CARBIDE CO CHARLESTON WV
FMC CORPORATION CHARLOTTE WV
HOPE NATURAL GAS COMPANY CHELYAN WV
CELOTEX CORPORATION CHESTER WV
BROCKWAY GLASS COMPANY - ANCHOR GLASS CLARKSBURG WV
EQUITABLE RESOURCES, INC. CLARKSBURG WV
HOPE NATURAL GAS COMPANY CLARKSBURG WV
PITTSBURGH PLATE GLASS CO CLARKSBURG WV
STUART-MCMUNN COMPANY CLARKSBURG WV
UNION PROTESTANT HOSPITAL CLARKSBURG WV
COLUMBIA GAS TRANSMISSION CORPORATION COCO WV
UNITED FUEL GAS CO - COCO COMPRESSOR SIZTION COCO WV
QUAKER STATE REFINERY CONGO WV
CAPTINA OPERATING CO - KAMMER PLANT CRESAP WV
CONSOLIDATED COAL CO CRESAP WV
MITCHELL POWERHOUSE CRESAP WV
OHIO POWER CO CRESAP WV
MOUNT STORM POWERHOUSE DAVIS WV
ACANDS, INC. DUNBAR WV
ARMSTRONG CORK COMPANY DUNBAR WV
DUNBAR GLASS DUNBAR WV
PORT AMHERST DUNBAR WV
UNION CARBIDE DUNBAR WV
RAVENS METAL PRODUCTS ELIZABETH WV
ALLEGHENY VEENER PLANT ELKINS WV
BARHARD & WETZEL BLOCK COMPANY ELKINS WV
CHESAPEAKE & POTOMAC TELEPHONE CO ELKINS WV
HOPE NATURAL GAS COMPANY FAIRMONT WV
OWENS ILLINOIS GLASS COMPANY FAIRMONT WV
SHARON STEEL FAIRMONT WV
WESTERN ELECTRIC CO. FAIRMONT WV
WESTINGHOUSE - SEALED BEAM & GLASS PLANT FAIRMONT WV
E. I. DUPONT DE NEMOURS & CO. FALLING WATERS WV
POTOMAC RIVER CONSTRUCTION FALLING WATERS WV
KOPPERS CO., INC. FOLLANSBEE WV
KOPPERS COMPANY, INC. - TAR & CHEMICAL DIVISION FOLLANSBEE WV
WHEELING PITTSBURGH STEEL FOLLANSBEE WV
MONONGAHELA POWER CO. FORT MARTIN WV
CELANESE CORPORATION OF AMERICA GALLIPOLIS FERRY WV
HOECHST CELANESE GALLIPOLIS FERRY WV
APPALACHIAN ELECTRIC - KANAWHA RIVER PLANT GLASGOW WV
GLASGOW POWERHOUSE GLASGOW WV
TRIANGLE CONDUIT & CABLE CO., INC. GLENDALE WV
BALTIMORE & OHIO RAILROAD CO GRAFTON WV
PHILIP SPORN STATION GRAHAM WV
VIRGINIA ELECTRIC & POWER CO - STONY RIVER GRANT COUNTY WV
HALLTOWN PAPER BOARD COMPANY HALLTOWN WV
HOPE NATURAL GAS COMPANY HASTINGS WV
ALLEGHENY ENERGY HAYWOOD WV
CHESAPEAKE & OHIO RAILWAY CO HINTON WV
HINTON SANITARY BOARD HINTON WV
ACF INDUSTRIES HUNTINGTON WV
AMERICAN CAR HUNTINGTON WV
ASBESTOS SERVICE COMPANY HUNTINGTON WV
CHESAPEAKE & OHIO RAILWAY CO HUNTINGTON WV
CONNORS STEEL HUNTINGTON WV
CSX TRANSPORTATION HUNTINGTON WV
DANCO INCORPORATED HUNTINGTON WV
DUPONT CHEMICAL HUNTINGTON WV
ENTERPRISE-BLACK DIAMOND CORPORATION HUNTINGTON WV
HUNTINGTON ALLOYS - INCO ALLOYS HUNTINGTON WV
INTERNATIONAL NICKEL CO HUNTINGTON WV
MOREHEAD STATE COLLEGE HUNTINGTON WV
OHIO VALLEY INSULATING COMPANY, INC. HUNTINGTON WV
OWENS CORNING FIBERGLASS HUNTINGTON WV
OWENS ILLINOIS GLASS COMPANY HUNTINGTON WV
WEST SIDING HUNTINGTON WV
B. F. GOODRICH INSTITUTE WV
BF GOODRICH SYNTHETIC RUBBER PLANT INSTITUTE WV
CARBIDE & CARBON CHEMICAL INSTITUTE WV
MONSANTO CHEMICAL COMPANY INSTITUTE WV
UNION CARBIDE CORPORATION INSTITUTE WV
LINDE AIR PRODUCTS CO. LONG REACH WV
UNION CARBIDE LONG REACH WV
UNION CARBIDE & CARBON CO. - SILICONS DIVISION LONG REACH WV
WEST VIRGINIA PULP & PAPER LUKE WV
ALLEGHENY ENERGY MAIDSVILLE WV
FORT MARTIN POWER STATION MAIDSVILLE WV
CAPTINA OPERATING CO - KAMMER PLANT MARSHALL CTY WV
CORNING GLASS WORKS MARTINSBURG WV
MITCHEL POWER STATION MARTINSVILLE WV
MOBAY CHEMICAL CO. MATRIUM WV
BLENKO GLASS COMPANY MILTON WV
BUREAU OF MINES MORGANTOWN WV
FIRST NATIONAL BANK MORGANTOWN WV
MATHIESON CHEMICAL CORP. MORGANTOWN WV
OLIN MATHIESON CHEMICAL CORP. MORGANTOWN WV
ORDNANCE WORKS DISPOSAL AREAS MORGANTOWN WV
STERLING FAUCET MORGANTOWN WV
U. S. BUREAU OF MINES MORGANTOWN WV
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR MORGANTOWN WV
WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY MORGANTOWN WV
ALLIED CHEMICAL MOUNDSVILLE WV
ALLIED CHEMICAL & DYE CORP - NATIONAL ANILINE DIV. MOUNDSVILLE WV
CONSOLIDATION COAL CO - COAL GASOLINE PLANT MOUNDSVILLE WV
FOSTORIA GLASS COMPANY MOUNDSVILLE WV
MOUNDSVILLE POWER PLANT MOUNDSVILLE WV
OHIO POWER MOUNDSVILLE WV
OWENS CORNING FIBERGLASS MOUNDSVILLE WV
POWER PLANT MOUNDSVILLE WV
SOLVAY CHEMICAL COMPANY MOUNDSVILLE WV
ST. JOSEPH LEAD WORKS MOUNDSVILLE WV
GAVENS POWERHOUSE MOUNT PLEASANT WV
MOUNT STORM POWER COMPANY MOUNT STORM WV
STONE & WEBSTER ENG. CORP. - MT STORM POWER PLANT MOUNT STORM WV
VIRGINIA ELECTRIC & POWER CO MOUNT STORM WV
COLUMBIA SOUTHERN CHEMICAL CORP. NATRIUM WV
MOBAY CHEMICAL CO. NATRIUM WV
PITTSBURGH PLATE GLASS CO - CHEMICAL DIVISION NATRIUM WV
PPG INDUSTRIES NATRIUM WV
NOVAMONT CORPORATION NEAL NEAR KENOVA WV
CENTRAL OPERATING COMPANY NEW HAVEN WV
MOUNTAINEER POWERHOUSE NEW HAVEN WV
PHILIP SPORN POWERHOUSE NEW HAVEN WV
CENTRAL VALLEY INSULATION CO. NEW MARTINSVILLE WV
CENTURIAL PRODUCTS NEW MARTINSVILLE WV
COLUMBIA SOUTHERN CHEMICAL CORP. NEW MARTINSVILLE WV
L AIR LIQUIDE - MOBAY CHEMICAL CO. NEW MARTINSVILLE WV
MAGNOLIA HIGH SCHOOL NEW MARTINSVILLE WV
MOBAY CHEMICAL NEW MARTINSVILLE WV
PIERCE ELECTRIC NEW MARTINSVILLE WV
PPG INDUSTRIES NEW MARTINSVILLE WV
ERGON-WEST VIRGINIA NEWELL WV
KOPPERS CO., INC. NEWELL WV
QUAKER STATE CORPORATION NEWELL WV
AMERICAN VISCOSE RAYON PLANT - FMC NITRO WV
FMC CORP. NITRO WV
FMC ORGANIC PLANT NITRO WV
CORNING GLASS CO PADEN CITY WV
AMERICAN VISCOSE RAYON PLANT - FMC PARKERSBURG WV
BROCKWAY GLASS COMPANY PARKERSBURG WV
DUPONT CHEMICAL PARKERSBURG WV
KEENE CORPORATION PARKERSBURG WV
LIBBEY OWENS FORD GLASS CO. PARKERSBURG WV
MOUNTAIN STATE STEEL CASTINGS FOUNDRY PARKERSBURG WV
SHELL OIL PARKERSBURG WV
WASHINGTON WORKS PARKERSBURG WV
CSX TRANSPORTATION PEACH CREEK WV
ALLIED CHEMICAL & DYE PERKINS WV
GRANT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL PETERSBURG WV
GEORGIA-PACIFIC CORPORATION PINEVILLE WV
FORT MARTIN STATION POINT MARION WV
GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER CO POINT PLEASANT WV
MARIETTA MANUFACTURING POINT PLEASANT WV
KAISER ALUMINUM & CHEMICAL RAVENWOOD WV
RAVENWOOD GLASS NOVELTY RAVENWOOD WV
GEORGIA-PACIFIC CORPORATION RICHWOOD WV
WESTERN MARYLAND RAILROAD RIDGELEY WV
ALLEGHENY ENERGY RIVESVILLE WV
MONONGAHELA POWER CO. RIVESVILLE WV
GREENBRIER INSTRUMENTS, INCORPORATED RONCEVERTE WV
ALLIED CHEMICAL & DYE CORP. MARSHALL COUNTY WV
AMOS POWER PLANT SCARY WV
HARRISON POWER PLANT SHINNSTON WV
SISTERSVILLE TANK WORKS, INC. SISTERSVILLE WV
UCC SISTERSVILLE WV
A & I COMPANY SOUTH CHARLESTON WV
CARBIDE & CARBON CHEMICAL SOUTH CHARLESTON WV
CARBIDE & CARBON CHEMICAL - BLAINS ISLAND PLANT SOUTH CHARLESTON WV
CARBIDE DEVELOPEMENT CENTER SOUTH CHARLESTON WV
CHLOR ALLIED DIVISION SOUTH CHARLESTON WV
FMC SOUTH CHARLESTON WV
FOOD MACHINERY CORP. SOUTH CHARLESTON WV
SOUTHEASTERN CONSTRUCTION CO. - DEPOT TRACK (C&O) SOUTH CHARLESTON WV
TECH RESEARCH CTR OLEFINS LAB SOUTH CHARLESTON WV
UNION CARBIDE CHEMICAL CO. SOUTH CHARLESTON WV
UNION CARBIDE TECH. CENTER CHEMICAL PLANT SOUTH CHARLESTON WV
WESTVACO CHEMICAL - FOOD MACHINERY & CHEMICAL CORP. SOUTH CHARLESTON WV
A & I COMPANY SPRING HILL WV
ASHLAND OIL INC SPRING HILL WV
FMC CORP SPRING HILL WV
GIRDLER CORP SPRING HILL WV
HASTINGS COMPANY SPRING HILL WV
KENTUCKY POWER SPRING HILL WV
MANSANTO CHEMICAL CO. SPRING HILL WV
OHIO POWER CO SPRING HILL WV
OHIO VALLEY INSULATION CO SPRING HILL WV
SHELL OIL COMPANY SPRING HILL WV
UNION CARBIDE PLASTICS SPRING HILL WV
QUAKER STATE OIL REFINING CO ST. MARYS WV
DAVIS LYNCH GLASS STAR CITY WV
VIRGINIA ELECTRIC & POWER CO STONY RIVER WV
KEENE CORP - PENN METAL DIV VIENNA WV
NATIONAL BOTTLE VIENNA WV
UNIVERSAL GLASS VIENNA WV
CARBORUNDUM METALS CO. WASHINGTON WV
SAINT-GOBAIN ADVANCED CERAMICS CORP. WASHINGTON WV
WASHINGTON WORKS WASHINGTON WV
CABOT CORP WAVERLY WV
CONTINENTAL CAN WEIRTON WV
KOPPERS COMPANY, INC. - FOLLANSBEE PLANT WEIRTON WV
NATIONAL STEEL WEIRTON WV
WEIRTON STEEL WEIRTON WV
WHEELING PITTSBURGH STEEL WEIRTON WV
HUDSON PAPER COMPANY WELLSBURG WV
HOPE NATURAL GAS COMPANY WEST UNION WV
AMSTAN CORPORATION WHEELING WV
BLAW KNOX FOUNDRY WHEELING WV
BLOCH BROTHERS TOBACCO COMPANY WHEELING WV
BLOCK BROS TOBACCO CO WHEELING WV
GARVIN'S JERSEY FARMS, INC. WHEELING WV
MOBAY CHEMICAL WHEELING WV
T & L SUPPLY, INC. WHEELING WV
WHEELING COLLEGE WHEELING WV
WHEELING JESUIT UNIVERSITY, INC. WHEELING WV
GREENBRIER HOTEL - BOILER PLANT WHITE SULPHUR SPGS WV
AMERICAN CYANAMID WILLOW ISLAND WV
CYTEC INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED WILLOW ISLAND WV
MONONGAHELA POWER CO. WILLOW ISLAND WV
PLEASANTS POWERHOUSE WILLOW ISLAND WV
E C ERNEST ELECTRIC COMPANY WINFIELD WV
Deaths from Asbestos Exposure in West Virginia
A survey was done analyzing the reported deaths from asbestosis and mesothelioma cancer over the twenty years between 1979 and 2000. The researchers analyzed recorded death certificates and in the case of mesothelioma, developed a range of probable deaths because some cases of lung cancer were cited as the cause of death when they were secondary to pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer in the linings of the lungs caused by asbestos.
The survey shows 410 deaths in West Virginia associated with asbestosis over the two-decade period. Mesothelioma deaths were in the range from 585 to 697 for the same period. Those figures are high in comparison to many other states, taking total population into account. In 1999 the federal government began tracking mesothelioma deaths carefully. From 1999 through 2004 there were 149 deaths in West Virginia attributed to mesothelioma.
Cancer Treatment in West Virginia
Cancer Care Center of Southern West Virginia
3200 MacCorkle Ave SE
Charleston, WV 25304
(304) 388-9413
Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center Clinic
One Medical Center Drive
Health Sciences Center
PO Box 8110
Morgantown, WV 26506-8110
(304) 293-4500 or
1-877-427-2894
Options in nearby states:
Comprehensive Cancer Center
The Ohio State University
OSU James Cancer Hospital
300 W. 10th Ave.,
Columbus, Ohio 43210
Tel: (614) 293-7521
University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
UPMC Cancer Pavilion
5150 Centre Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15232
Tel: (412) 623-3205
Fax: (412) 623-3210
