Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is known for its steel, aptly nicknamed the Steel City. Asbestos, a naturally occurring silicate material, was used in steelmaking in order to protect both the equipment and employees from the heat. In steelmaking, very high temperatures as well as flames are used in order to make the steel. This asbestos was then exposed to workers in these steel mills, causing asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma.
Additionally, recently, the Allegheny County Health Department fined a contractor close to $1.1 million after he was accused of getting rid of asbestos illegally in the process of renovating the Westinghouse. This all started in 2017, when a building inspector claimed to see people removing asbestos-containing material from the property. The removal of asbestos in a dangerous way put those in the surrounding areas at high risk of exposure and makes them more likely to develop the cancer mesothelioma. The only way to safely get rid of asbestos is through abatements, which involves a set of procedures with the purpose of controlling the release of asbestos fibers and this was obviously not done properly in this circumstance.
In the past, those in Allegheny county were at a particularly high risk of asbestos exposure because of the U.S. Steel job sites. UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is close to Allegheny and specializes in treating mesothelioma. This cancer center uses different treatment options including peritonectomy, pleurectomy and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Another cancer center, The Cleveland Clinic in nearby Ohio, can treat patients with mesothelioma. At the Taussig Cancer Center at the Cleveland Clinic, victims of mesothelioma can get treatment through the Lung Cancer Program. Allegheny County has the highest number of asbestos related deaths compared to every other county in Pennsylvania. One of the reasons for this is because Allegheny county in particular has a high amount of iron working, construction, plumbing and carpentry, in which asbestos containing materials were used.
Here at the Halpern Law Firm, we specialize in mesothelioma cases. If you or someone you love lives in the Pittsburgh area and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, call today. We have two offices in the Pittsburgh area. We have represented thousands of clients over the years and have helped them get the compensation they deserve. With over 30 years of experience, we are here to help. Call 800-505-6000 for a free case evaluation today.
Sources:
https://www.mesothelioma.com/states/pennsylvania/allegheny/
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