Seattle, Washington, is located between Puget Sound and Lake Washington with a population of 608,000. The city was established in 1851, with early industries in lumber and flour manufacturing. Today it is a modern city with a diverse economy that has industries ranging from lumber manufacturing to aerospace and technology. (city-data.com)
However, Seattle has a long history of industry and construction that made exposure to asbestos a serious concern for workers going back decades.
Below is more information about some industries that exposed workers to asbestos in Seattle and across Washington.
High-Industries for Asbestos Exposure in Seattle and Across Washington
Recent data shows that from 1999 to 2015, 1,338 residents in the state died from mesothelioma. The death rate in Washington for mesothelioma is at least 16.6 per million people, which is much higher than the US average, according to the CDC. (CDC.gov)
Washington also is the home of 34 asbestos deposits and mines, which are risks for anyone living near them. Kitsap and Mason counties have the highest death rates for mesothelioma in the state. The northeastern counties of Stevens, Ferry, and Pend Oreille also have high death rates from asbestos cancer. (mesothelioma.com)
The mining, manufacturing and maritime industries in Seattle and Washington made workers and residents more vulnerable to asbestos exposure:
Asbestos Mines
The state’s Cascade, Okanogan, and Rocky Mountain ranges have high amounts of serpentine rock, which is where most commercial asbestos comes from. In addition to five large asbestos mines in northern Washington, there are several serpentine deposits in the middle of the state near Ellensburg and Wenatchee.
Shipbuilding
The Northwest Pacific Coast is a vital commercial shipping center, with ports in many areas of the coastline, including Puget Sound.
That is why Seattle, Tacoma, and Vancouver all have large shipyards with a sorry history of exposing dock workers and shipbuilders to asbestos; large amounts of the deadly material were used in ocean-going vessels for decades. Some of the shipyards in the state include Talbott Shipyard, Kaiser Shipyard, and Voyage Repair station.
Timber
For many years, the timber industry has been the heart of the state economy, including the production of paper and paper products. Materials containing asbestos are still found in the state’s paper and pulp mills. Asbestos is used in the materials and machinery used to make paper, such as drying felts and adhesives. Some of the timber and paper companies that operate in Washington and near Seattle include Scott Paper Company, EK Wood Lumber Company, and Weyerhauser Timber Company.
Petrochemicals
Washington State is the first port of call in the US for Alaska tankers and many oil refineries are located there. Petroleum is a dangerous liquid at all stages of its production, so asbestos-containing materials were used at these facilities in fire doors, overcoats, hoods and gloves. Some of the big petroleum companies that exposed employees to asbestos were BP Oil, Chevron Chemical, Shell Oil, Texaco, and Mobil.
Aluminum
There have been several asbestos lawsuits filed in Seattle and Washington by former employees of aluminum plants in the state. Aluminum production has been an important part of the state economy since World War II. Its manufacturing requires high amounts of heat, so asbestos was used often to shield workers and machinery from heat and ire.
ALCOA aluminum smelters in Wenatchee and Vancouver are well-known to expose workers to heavy amounts of asbestos. But other companies in the Seattle area have had asbestos problems, too. These include Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corporation, INTALCO Aluminum, Harvey Aluminum, and Columbia Aluminum.
Duwamish Shipyard
This Seattle facility began operation in 1939 with a focus on building commercial vessels, such as tugboats and barges. While it only had about 200 workers at its peak, workers at the Seattle shipyard were exposed to asbestos in construction, repair and dismantling work.
Bremerton Naval Shipyard
Bremerton Naval Shipyard started to build naval ships during World War I. During World War II, it assisted in the repair of some vessels that were damaged at Pearl Harbor. It also helped to rebuild the Pacific Fleet that was destroyed in that attack. In recent years, Bremerton has been doing more work in dismantling and decommissioned ships and keeping some of the Navy’s inactive ships that are held in reserve.
Because of all the restoration and repair work done over the years, many military veterans and civilian workers were exposed to high amounts of asbestos that caused them to get mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Seattle Mesothelioma Attorney Information
If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition in Seattle or Washington state, talk to one of these experienced attorneys:
Bergman, Draper, Oslund, and Udo
821 2nd Avenue, Suite 2100
Seattle WA 98104
(206) 957-9510
www.bermanlegal.com
Bergman, Draper, Oslund, and Udo is one of the best mesothelioma and asbestos law firms serving Washington. The law firm has won more than $700 million for workers who were hurt by asbestos exposure. Since 1995, the practice has been devoted only to asbestos cancer cases. The firm takes great pride in helping mesothelioma victims and is ready to help today.
Schroeter, Goldmark, and Bender
810 Third Avenue, Suite 500
Seattle WA 98104
(206) 622-8000
www.sgb-law.com
SGB asbestos cancer attorneys have represented injured workers and their families longer than any other Washington law firm. Most of the key asbestos decisions in favor of mesothelioma victims were won by mesothelioma attorneys from this law firm. No law firm in the state has tried more asbestos cases than SBG, and it has won millions of dollars in mesothelioma lawsuit settlements and verdicts for asbestos victims.
Weinstein Caggio PLLC
601 Union Street, Suite 2420
Seattle, Washington 98101
(800) 406-1690
www.weinsteincaggiano.com
Weinstein Caggiano PLLC is one of the leading asbestos cancer law firms in the United States. This law firm represents asbestos cancer clients across the Northwestern US. Their attorneys have 50 years of combined mesothelioma litigation experience and are ready to help you.
See all Washington Mesothelioma Lawyers
Get Mesothelioma Legal Help Immediately
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