Bystander Exposure
Union Carbide in West Virginia: A Legacy of Industry and Asbestos Exposure
For much of the twentieth century, Union Carbide Corporation stood as one of the most significant industrial employers in West Virginia. Its plants shaped the economy of the Kanawha Valley, drew thousands of workers into chemical manufacturing, and helped establish the region as a national center of the petrochemical industry. However, the very facilities that…
Read MorePhilip Sporn Power Station and Asbestos Exposure
American Electric Power, working through its subsidiaries Appalachian Power Company and Ohio Power Company, constructed the Philip Sporn Plant in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The facility was named for Philip Sporn, the engineer who became president of AEP on May 22, 1947, and who led the company until his retirement in 1961. Sporn…
Read MoreUnderstanding the Ongoing Threat of Asbestos Exposure in the Workplace
Asbestos is a well-documented health hazard regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Despite a significant reduction in its use, asbestos remains dangerous and is in many residential and commercial environments, posing serious health risks. When asbestos-containing materials deteriorate or are disturbed, they can release…
Read MoreSecondhand Asbestos Exposure Prevalent Among Steelworkers’ Families
Secondhand asbestos exposure can occur when an individual encounters asbestos fibers through the clothing or equipment of someone who has been working with asbestos-containing materials. This is also known as Bystander Exposure. Asbestos could be found throughout steel mills which included blast furnaces, coke ovens, basic oxygen furnaces, strip mills, and the open-hearth department. Heat…
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