Asbestos exposure in Louisiana oil refineries
Asbestos exposure has been documented in a host of industrial and workplace settings including many within the oil industry. Southern Louisiana is home to many oil refining operations, and prior to changes in federal law, asbestos was commonly used to insulate equipment that operates at the high temperatures common at these facilities.
Louisiana oil refineries where asbestos exposure may have occurred:
- Atlas Oil Refinery
- Bay Petroleum Oil Refinery
- BP Amoco Refinery
- Citgo Oil Refinery
- Conoco Oil Refinery
- Exxon Oil Refinery
- Marathon Oil Refinery
- Mobil Oil Refinery
- Murphy Oil Refinery
- Pennzoil Oil Refinery
- Shell Chemical Refinery
- Tenneco Oil Refinery
- Universal Oil Products Plan
Louisiana chemical plans where asbestos exposure may have occurred:
- Grant Chemical
- Foster Grant
- Allied Signal Chemical (Solvay Chemical)
- Olin Matheson
- Georgia Pacific
- Hercules
- Cities Services
The history of the oil industry and asbestos
Unfortunately, it has come to light in recent years that the use of asbestos in the oil industry is a common cause of many severe medical complications including lung cancer, mesothelioma and other serious health defects.
Between 1976 and 2000, oil industry giant Halliburton was a defendant in more than a quarter of a million lawsuits involving asbestos exposure. Alongside Halliburton, Harbison-Walker was also liable for over tens of thousands of asbestos claims against them under the same conditions.
Halliburton and Harbison-Walker are not the only companies that have had a difficult time dealing with the consequences of working with what was once thought a safe and productive material. The main predicament that has arisen in the field of asbestos exposure law is that time is now only just presenting new information and medical cases.
How do I know if I was exposed to asbestos?
If you have ever worked in an oil field or oil processing facility, and Louisiana many of them, there is a chance you may have come into contact with asbestos under many different circumstances.
Drilling for oil presents a number of risks, but it’s easy to forget the source of a hazard if it isn’t immediately obvious. Those who work on an oil-drilling site, such as pipe-fitters, run a higher risk of developing diseases or defects due to their regular expose to the material.
But, even if you did work on an oil refinery, you may not be at risk.
Asbestos was often used to insulate piping used at the oil fields due to the fire hazard presented from working with such flammable material. Asbestos, as you might know, has a high resistance to fire and heat and is an efficient insulator. It was also commonly used as an insulator in many other industries as well.
Over time, it has become clear that as asbestos ages, it flakes and dries and the small particles can become airborne. When inhaled, the hazardous properties would come into direct contact with respiratory systems and manifest over time; so those working directly with the material fit in the highest risk bracket.
Secondary exposure
Also important to note is that asbestos was commonly used in clothing, usually worn by oil workers as protection against heat and the risk of potential of fires that commonly occur at refineries. The material, similar to that used within the pipes, contained asbestos fibers and would also decompose over time and circulate in the wearers immediate area.
Additionally, family members of oil field workers affected by secondary or family exposure were amongst those with an increased risk of asbestos related diseases from being in contact with the fibers present on the clothing of those who worked in this area.
I think I might have been exposed, what do I do next?
If you have worked in an oil field and feel you were equipped with or otherwise exposed to asbestos, please contact one of our qualified Louisiana mesothelioma attorneys who will explain the legal process and what options you may have.
We aim to guide you through the process with simplicity and sympathy and are available to answer any questions you might have.