01. History of Asbestos Use
Dow Chemical Company History of Asbestos Use
Founded in 1897 in Midland, Michigan, Dow Chemical Company (Dow Chemical) was a major chemical manufacturer during an era when asbestos was widely used. From the early 1900s to the 1980s, asbestos was commonly used in products because of its chemical and heat resistance, along with its strength.
Dow Chemical used asbestos materials throughout its facilities and plants. The mineral was also found in safety gear issued to its employees. This put Dow Chemical workers at potential risk of exposure.
Dow Chemical still operates today but has merged with other companies. In 2001, Dow Chemical merged with Dupont to form DowDuPont, which is now the world’s largest chemical manufacturer. The merger and subsequent legal issues have included dealing with historical asbestos-related claims.
In 2014, Dow Chemical acquired Union Carbide Corporation, another chemical manufacturer. Union Carbide has a history of asbestos use in insulation and construction materials. The company also mined and sold asbestos fibers under the brand name “Calidria.”
Today, Dow Chemical is part of Dow Inc. Asbestos is no longer used in the company’s facilities or procedures. Dow Chemical has settled many lawsuits from people exposed during earlier years of production.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
02. Asbestos Products
Dow Chemical Company Asbestos Products
Dow Chemical did not make asbestos products, but it used asbestos materials in its factories, labs and offices. In its chemical plants, asbestos was often found in insulation, safety gear and machine parts.
The following locations are known sites of asbestos exposure at Dow Chemical facilities:
- Dow Louisiana Operations in Plaquemine, Louisiana
- Dow Michigan Operations in Midland, Michigan
- Dow Texas Operations (Dow Freeport Complex) in Freeport, Texas
Some asbestos products commonly used in chemical plants include:
- Adhesives
- Boilers
- Cement products
- Chemical processing equipment
- Construction materials
- Countertops
- Fireproof protective gear
- Floor and ceiling tiles
- Furnaces
- Gaskets
- Insulation
- Ovens
- Paint films
- Pumps
- Sealants
- Valves
03. Occupational Exposure
Dow Chemical Company and Occupational Exposure
In line with industry practices of the time, Dow Chemical used asbestos in its operations. This put its workers at risk of occupational asbestos exposure, which can lead to mesothelioma and other serious diseases.
At Dow Chemical facilities, workers may have been exposed to asbestos from dust, equipment or machinery. The amount and type of exposure depended on the worker’s job. People in chemical processing, maintenance and construction faced a higher risk of exposure.
In 1968, Dow Chemical acknowledged the risks, stating that “any death due to mesothelioma would be considered due to asbestos exposure.” This admission underscores the company’s awareness of the link between asbestos and serious health conditions long before it stopped using the material.
Workers’ family members could also face secondary asbestos exposure. Asbestos fibers can cling to clothes, shoes or hair, which means workers may unknowingly have brought them home. Over time, this may put their loved ones at risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses.
04. Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos Lawsuits Against Dow Chemical Company
Several asbestos lawsuits have been filed against Dow Chemical, and some plaintiffs have received large settlements. Some notable cases include:
- In 2011, a pipeline insulation worker said he was exposed to asbestos while working as a contractor at a Dow plant in Freeport, Texas. His family was awarded $9 million.
- In 2012, a plaintiff was exposed to asbestos while working at a Dow Chemical plant operated by Hercules Inc., a subsidiary of Ashland Inc. His widow was awarded $8.4 million.
- In 2013, an electrician at Dow’s plant in Plaquemine, Louisiana, developed mesothelioma because of asbestos exposure. He was awarded $5.95 million.
Here are a few more examples of Dow Chemical workers who filed lawsuits and received settlements:
- $2,363,893 for a 78-year-old iron worker
- $1,921,536 for an 81-year-old insulator
- $1,889,044 for a 71-year-old insulator
- $1,466,405 for a 47-year-old plant worker
Dow Chemical workers exposed to asbestos on the job who later got sick with an asbestos-related illness may qualify for compensation. People who once worked at some Dow Chemical jobsites may also be eligible to file trust fund claims with other companies. A mesothelioma lawyer can help file lawsuits and guide them through the legal process.
