Mesothelioma Information Washington DC Blog | Parker, Dumler and Kiely LLP

Bethlehem Steel owned the Bethlehem Sparrows Point Shipyard at Sparrows Point, Maryland from 1916 to 1997 where it built and repaired ships during WWI and WWII. The company’s 180,000 shipyard workers were exposed to asbestos used in the construction of over 1,000 ships. Bethlehem Steel was sued successfully by workers who developed mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

Baltimore Marine acquired the Bethlehem Sparrows Point Shipyard in 1997 and was awarded the contract to dismantle old ships and find ways to dispose of their hazardous wastes safely. Asbestos was one of these wastes. The company also repaired Navy and U.S. Maritime ships employing 700 workers, many claiming that the asbestos safety regulations were not really enforced, and workers were dangerously exposed to a great deal of hazardous waste.

Asbestos was used in so many parts of ships that there was no escaping exposure. Sailors, workers, and longshoremen alike were exposed. Poorly ventilated areas accumulated asbestos fibers that escaped from the insulation around pipes and fittings concentrating them in the air breathed by anyone who entered those areas.

Dismantling these ships and salvaging the metal further exposed people to the uncontained fibers and this was worsened by not making every effort to contain fibers and protect the workers from asbestos exposure by means that were readily available.

If you or a loved one suffers from an asbestos related disease please contact Parker, Dumler & Kiely, LLP, the experienced asbestos lawyers serving Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C. to learn more about compensation for employer negligence.

Baltimore has a higher death rate from asbestos exposure than anywhere in the rest of Maryland due to Baltimore's many asbestos exposure sites. Power plants and shipyards are numerous in the Baltimore area, and both are known for their extensive use of asbestos for insulation and other purposes. Power plants depend upon asbestos because it is non-conductive and fire resistant. Shipbuilding used uses asbestos for insulation in walls and to wrap pipes and wires.

Construction is a major industry in Baltimore, and restoration and demolition of older buildings is a common construction project here. Buildings that are deteriorating may be releasing asbestos into the air, and buildings under renovation may be releasing fibers at a much more dangerous rate. Asbestos was also used in floor and ceiling tiles, counter tops, the adhesive for counters, floors and carpets, wallboard, heater and air duct insulation, concrete sewer pipes, and so much more.

Sites where asbestos was used in significant quantities may still be contaminated. They include shipyards, chemical plants, sugar plants, steel mills, processing plants and many others manufacturing plants. People who worked in or lived near these buildings have been exposed and should be aware of the risks and any health changes that might indicate the presence of asbestos disease.

If you were exposed to asbestos and have been diagnosed with an asbestos disease, please contact Parker, Dumler & Kiely, LLP, attorneys experienced in getting asbestos settlements in Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C.

Shipyard workers between WWII and the Korean war were probably exposed to asbestos routinely. Ideal as insulation, asbestos was used for boilers, ship walls incinerators, water pipes and steam pipes. Asbestos fibers built up around these areas exposing many people to contamination. Exposure to asbestos affected shipbuilders, sailors and longshoremen, primarily.

Baltimore Marine Industries began dismantling old ships in 1997 at the Bethlehem Sparrows Point Shipyard. Prior to 1997 the shipyard was used for building and repairing ships since 1916, work that involved the extensive use of asbestos. Baltimore Marine also repaired ships and built several more while dismantling the older ones.

Although one of the goals of the Baltimore Marine Industries contract was to develop safer ways to dismantle ships and dispose of hazardous wastes, over 700 employees were exposed to asbestos from 1996 to 2003 in addition to those who worked for the previous owner, Bethlehem Steel.

Former workers report that asbestos safety requirements were often overlooked as employees were urged to work fast to salvage all usable metal. Not only were the ships contaminated with asbestos, oil and other hazardous waste, but evidence of land and water contamination in the surrounding areas exists, as well.

These recent exposures may, one day, result in cases of asbestos-caused diseases. Since mesothelioma and other diseases can take up to fifty years before being diagnosed, be aware of any symptoms of lung, heart or abdominal disease and let your doctor know of your asbestos exposure.

If you would like more information about asbestos diseases please contact Parker, Dumler & Kiely, LLP, the experienced asbestos lawyers serving Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C.

Based upon a government exemption that protects it and a number of asbestos companies from liability, one of the most at risk asbestos occupations in Washington, D.C. might well be as a maintenance worker for any of the Capital Hill buildings. Not only are these workers exposed regularly to airborne particles from asbestos used for heating, plumbing and insulation in the basements of these buildings, but they have no legal recourse to collect monetary damages for the asbestos related diseases they have developed as a result of their work.

The Washington Navy Yard is another dangerous location for workers because it was heavily fireproofed with asbestos. Prior to 1961 it was used to produce munitions and guns and housed blast furnaces and an array of flammable substances. Steel and iron casting were done in the buildings, adding to the demand for fireproofing. The Navy Yard workers also wore asbestos protective clothing that could release asbestos fibers if they were torn or wore thin.

If you have been diagnosed with any lung or stomach disease that could have been caused by your exposure to asbestos please contact Parker, Dumler & Kiely, LLP, the experienced mesothelioma lawyers serving Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C.

Most products containing asbestos were manufactured prior to the 1980s, but many of them are still in use or available from antique and rummage stores, flea markets, garage sales or just acquired from attics and basements. Other categories of products that are still manufactured include some construction materials and brake linings.

Older products that create heat, or protect from heat, are the most likely sources of household asbestos contamination. Items like potholders, oven mitts, electric blankets, or anything fireproof that was manufactured before the 1980’s probably does contain asbestos. One big problem today is that these products are at least 30 years old and deteriorating. Their age increases the chances of asbestos fibers escaping into the air where they can be breathed or ingested.

Other asbestos products used in building construction pose an especially dangerous risk. Many people are buying older homes and renovating them as a home improvement project. The problem is that most lay people have no idea the extent to which their older home contains asbestos or the danger they are exposing themselves to.

If you have been exposed to asbestos through the use of household products or construction materials please contact the experienced asbestos lawyers serving Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C. Parker, Dumler & Kiely, LLP to learn more about your legal rights.

Over half the Maryland deaths from asbestos related diseases between 1979 and 1999 occurred in Baltimore County and Baltimore City County. High-risk asbestos exposure in these counties is a known risk in many different industries that used asbestos extensively.

Ship construction is one industry that used significant amounts of asbestos to wrap pipes and insulate walls. Both construction workers and sailors were exposed to the fibers that had become airborne within the ships.

Construction industry professionals are at the highest risk of exposure today. Homes and buildings constructed prior to the mid-1980s used extensive amounts of asbestos containing materials for insulation, floor and ceiling tiles, wallboard, paint, counter tops, and some adhesives. Workers who renovate these older buildings are at significant risk of exposure.

The average consumer can become exposed to deteriorating asbestos insulation from using products that contained asbestos insulation and were made prior to the 1980s. The list is lengthy, but includes such common items as toasters, oven mitts, hair dryers, and rope.

If you live near or work in a power plant, the construction industry, or ship building areas and have an asbestos-related disease please contact the experienced asbestos lawyers serving Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C. Parker, Dumler & Kiely, LLP to find out if you may be entitled to compensation.