South Carolina Asbestos-Related Deaths from 1999-2017

613
Mesothelioma Deaths
198
Asbestosis Deaths
811
Total Deaths

Asbestos Exposure in South Carolina

Asbestos in Vermiculite Mining and Processing

South Carolina has several naturally occurring deposits of vermiculite in the northwest regions. Vermiculite mining in South Carolina was a major industry. Vermiculite by itself is not hazardous, but it can often be contaminated with asbestos. Mining vermiculite deposits in South Carolina presented its own hazards, but the state also received shipments of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite from Libby, Montana.

South Carolina is the largest producer of vermiculite in the country. Workers at the vermiculite mines and vermiculite processing facilities were likely exposed to asbestos. Also, residents who lived in the area of the mines or processing facilities may have been exposed to asbestos. When asbestos fibers become airborne they can be inhaled and lead to the development of asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.

The Patterson Vermiculite Company and the W.R. Grace & Company operated the two mining facilities in the state. Vermiculite mined at both locations was found to contain low concentrations of asbestos. Vermiculite shipped to South Carolina from Libby, Montana contained high concentrations of toxic asbestos. Workers that handled the asbestos tainted vermiculite from Libby were exposed to hazardous asbestos fibers. Many workers did not have the proper safety equipment while handling the asbestos tainted vermiculite. Workers in these facilities should monitor their health for any respiratory issues.

Asbestos in the Textile Industry

Workers in the textile industry and shipyard workers were also at an elevated risk of asbestos exposure. The Raybestos-Manhattan textile plant was a job site known for extremely hazardous asbestos exposure. The yarn spinning and weaving processes in the plant sent toxic asbestos fibers into the air. Former employees are at a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases.

Shipyards and Asbestos Exposure

Ships commonly used asbestos as an insulation material on pipes, boilers, and other machinery. Shipyard workers and shipbuilders were at high risk for asbestos exposure. Asbestos was used as an insulating material on commercial and military vessels. Workers at the Charleston Naval Shipyard were likely exposed to asbestos while working on naval ships.

Partial list of work sites in South Carolina with known asbestos exposure
  • Allen Steam Plant
  • Barnwell Nuclear Plant
  • Bowater Paper Mill
  • Canadys Power Plant
  • Catawba Plant
  • Celanese Chemical Plant
  • Champion Paper Mill
  • Charleston Shipyard
  • Chemstrand
  • Clemson University
  • Cliffside Steam Plant
  • Cone Mill
  • Daniel Construction Company
  • Daniel International Corp.
  • Denton Shipyard
  • Duke Power Plant
  • Dupont Chemical Plant
  • Dupont Powder Plant
  • Excelsior Finishing Mill
  • Excelsior Textile Mill
  • Fiber Industries Textile Plant
  • Florence Paper Mill
  • Fort Jackson
  • Furman University
  • Georgetown Powerhouse
  • Georgetown Veneer Co., Inc.
  • Goose Creek Naval Shipyard
  • Greenwood Mills
  • Greenwood Powerhouse
  • Harleyville Cement Plant
  • Hercules Textile Mill
  • Hystron Industries
  • International Industries
  • International Paper Mill
  • J.P. Stevens Textile Mill
  • Jocasse Steam Plant
  • La France Industries
  • Lee Steam Plant
  • Little Giant Cement Company
  • Magnolia Finishing Plant
  • Milliken Mills
  • Monsanto Chemical Plant
  • Oconee Nuclear Plant
  • Orangeburg State College
  • Owens‐Corning Plant
  • Regal Textiles
  • Rock Hill Printing & Finishing Plant
  • Rocky River Plant
  • S.C. Electric And Gas Plant
  • Savannah River Plant
  • Sonoco Paper Company
  • South Carolina Electric & Gas
  • South Carolina Power And Light
  • Spartan Mill
  • Spring Cotton Mill
  • St. Francis Hospital
  • Starr‐Davis
  • Stauffer Chemical Plant
  • Stone Container Paper Mill
  • Textile Mill
  • U.S. Naval Base
  • Union Bleachery
  • University of South Carolina
  • Wannamaker Chemical Plant
  • Wateree Powerhouse
  • West Virginia Pulp & Paper Mill
  • Westvaco Paper Mill
  • Winyard Steam Plant
  • Woolen Mill

Statute of Limitations to File Mesothelioma Claim in South Carolina

There is a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit for mesothelioma that varies for each state called the statute of limitations. This means if you do not file within the time limit, you will never be able to pursue legal action or obtain compensation. It’s important that you take legal action within this time frame so you do not miss out on receiving the compensation you may deserve. Contact us here to learn more about how we can help.

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What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a deadly and rare form of malignant cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure. The most common forms of mesothelioma are: pleural and peritoneal. Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lining of the abdominal cavity.

Victims with pleural mesothelioma may have respiratory symptoms, such as coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, and fatigue. Victims with peritoneal mesothelioma may have abdominal swelling, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss.

The latency period for mesothelioma is very long. The average latency period is about 30 years, but can be shorter than 15 years or longer than 40 years. This means individuals with mesothelioma may take decades to present symptoms from the time they were exposed to asbestos.

What is asbestosis?

Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by asbestos exposure. When asbestos is inhaled the fibers irritate and scar the lining of the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. The lungs become stiff and cannot expand and contract normally. Symptoms of asbestosis are shortness of breath, chest pain, and a dry, persistent cough. Like mesothelioma, the latency period for asbestosis is very long. Symptoms may not present for 10 to 40 years after asbestos exposure.

Military Asbestos Exposure

It is extremely important to know that our attorneys do not sue the military. We seek accountability from the asbestos companies that sold dangerous asbestos products to the military.

Members of all branches of the military may have been exposed to asbestos before it became more restricted in the 1970s. The U.S. military used asbestos products in many areas because of its low cost, durability, and heat resistant properties. The common use of these asbestos products put many U.S. veterans at risk of developing asbestos related diseases, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. Below is a list of the military branches and common asbestos exposure sites:

  • Navy – shipyards, boiler rooms, submarines
  • Army – barracks, shipyards, construction
  • Marine Corps – armored vehicles, barracks, ships, aircraft
  • Coast Guard – inside ships, ships, boiler rooms
  • Air Force- bases, airplanes, jets, aircraft maintenance