01. History of Asbestos Use
Mobil Oil History of Asbestos Use
Mobil Oil Corporation used asbestos in its products, oil refineries, ships and equipment, exposing workers to harmful fibers. Because asbestos is resistant to heat, it was commonly used in insulation, boiler rooms and industrial machinery. As a result, many Mobil Oil workers faced long-term health risks, including mesothelioma.
Known as ExxonMobil today, the company started as Standard Oil Company, founded by John D. Rockefeller in 1870. By the early 1900s, Standard Oil controlled much of the U.S. oil industry. In 1911, the Supreme Court ruled that the company had engaged in monopolistic practices, including price-fixing and trade restraints, and ordered it to be broken into 34 smaller companies. One of these, Standard Oil Company of New York, eventually became Mobil Oil Corporation in 1966.
The company thrived in the second half of the 20th century, advancing engine lubricants, deep-sea drilling and gasoline production. In 1999, Exxon and Mobil, both former Standard Oil companies, merged to form ExxonMobil.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
02. Asbestos Products
Mobil Oil Asbestos Products
ExxonMobil and its predecessors produced and used a range of asbestos products, from bonding agents to construction materials. One example was the Dum Dum product line, which included adhesives and cements. The company faced a $16 million lawsuit over its use of asbestos in these products.
Some of its products had to withstand high temperatures. For example, the Hi-Heat Dum Dum, a plastic coating used to seal joints on boilers and furnaces, contained asbestos for its heat-resistant properties. Other products had to be durable, flexible and/or water-resistant — qualities that made asbestos a common ingredient in Mobil’s manufacturing.
03. Occupational Exposure
Mobil Oil and Occupational Exposure
The oil industry used asbestos in many ways. This often put workers at risk of occupational exposure. Mobil Oil Corporation used asbestos-containing products in gaskets, insulation and sealants. This affected many workers, including those in boiler rooms and oil refineries. Being around asbestos can lead to serious diseases, like mesothelioma.
Workers’ families were also at risk. Asbestos fibers can stick to clothing, spreading the dangers of this mineral to loved ones at home. This is called secondary asbestos exposure and can also cause mesothelioma and other illnesses.
04. Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos Lawsuits Against Mobil Oil
ExxonMobil has faced many asbestos lawsuits because its predecessor companies, including Mobil Oil Corporation and Exxon, used the dangerous mineral. Here are a few case outcomes:
- Virginia Ship Fitter: A ship fitter repaired over a dozen Exxon oil tankers in the 1960s and 1970s. He later developed mesothelioma and sued ExxonMobil in 2009 at age 72. He won $17.5 million in 2011.
- New Jersey Electrician & His Wife: An electrician at an Exxon oil refinery in the 1970s and 1980s unknowingly brought home asbestos fibers on his clothes. His wife, who also worked at the refinery, developed malignant peritoneal mesothelioma from direct and secondary exposure. She was awarded $7 million, and her husband received an additional $500,000 in 2008.
- Washington Foreman: In 1979, a contract worker was hired to remove asbestos-containing insulation at ExxonMobil’s Ferndale refinery. He and his team lacked proper safety precautions and were unaware of the full dangers of asbestos exposure. He later developed mesothelioma and passed away in 2015. His family sued ExxonMobil in 2018, and in 2023, the Washington Supreme Court upheld a $4 million verdict in their favor.
Lawsuits are only one way for asbestos victims to seek compensation. Qualified mesothelioma lawyers can help victims look into other options. These may include Veterans Affairs (VA) claims and workers’ compensation. Some asbestos companies even have dedicated trust funds to pay victims.
