Asbestos exposure remains a serious health concern across Pennsylvania, even decades after its peak use. Many of the state’s most important industries, including steelmaking, shipbuilding, and power generation, relied heavily on asbestos for insulation, fireproofing, and machinery maintenance.
While asbestos use has declined, new environmental testing and historical investigations continue to uncover high risk jobsites where workers may have been exposed. In 2025, several locations across Pennsylvania have been flagged for ongoing or historical asbestos hazards, reminding workers and families that exposure risks can linger for years.
Below are the Top 5 high risk jobsites in Pennsylvania currently recognized for asbestos contamination and worker exposure concerns.
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Babcock & Wilcox (Seamless Tube Plant), Koppel, Pennsylvania
For decades, Babcock & Wilcox operated one of the state’s largest industrial manufacturing facilities, producing boilers, tubing, and heat systems used in power plants across the country. Workers at this site were often exposed to asbestos through pipe insulation, refractory materials, and machinery maintenance.
Even years after production ended, asbestos dust and residue can remain in the environment. Many former B&W workers have since developed mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis, leading to numerous trust fund claims and lawsuits.
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Armco Steel Mill, Butler, Pennsylvania
The Armco Steel facility has long been recognized as a major asbestos exposure site in western Pennsylvania. Asbestos was used throughout the mill in furnaces, ladles, steam lines, and heat resistant clothing.
Maintenance crews, pipefitters, and production workers were all at high risk of inhaling fibers during repair and cleaning operations. Today, the site is regularly cited in asbestos trust claims because of its long history of worker exposure.
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U.S. Steel, Clairton Works, Clairton, Pennsylvania
Clairton Works, one of the largest coke production plants in the United States, has a long and complex asbestos history. For decades, asbestos was used to insulate pipes, boilers, and ovens that processed coal into coke for steelmaking.
Despite modern safety improvements, the aging infrastructure means some asbestos materials still remain. Former employees, including maintenance workers, welders, and engineers, are now among those filing claims related to occupational exposure.
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Bethlehem Steel Corporation Plant, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
At its peak, Bethlehem Steel employed thousands of Pennsylvanians in an industry that heavily relied on asbestos for its heat resistant properties. Boilers, furnaces, and conveyor systems all contained asbestos insulation, making exposure common for laborers, electricians, and mechanics.
Even after the plant closed, asbestos contamination remained in the buildings and soil. The site has since been redeveloped, but former workers continue to face long term health consequences.
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BoRit Asbestos Superfund Site, Ambler, Pennsylvania
Located in Montgomery County, the BoRit site was once part of an asbestos manufacturing and waste disposal operation. For decades, workers handled raw asbestos materials, and nearby communities were exposed to dust from the site.
The EPA later designated BoRit as a Superfund cleanup site, meaning federal agencies are still working to remove and contain asbestos contamination. While the factory no longer operates, past exposure continues to affect former employees and residents in the area.
Why These Sites Still Matter in 2025
Even though asbestos use declined sharply after the 1980s, its health effects can take 20 to 50 years to appear. Many former workers are only now being diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases.
These sites remind us that asbestos exposure doesn’t disappear with time, it lingers in old equipment, building materials, and soil. Modern testing in Pennsylvania has confirmed that several industrial locations still contain asbestos, meaning both former and current workers should remain cautious.
What You Can Do if You Were Exposed
If you or a loved one worked at any of these sites, you may be eligible for financial compensation through asbestos trust funds or legal claims. It’s important to:
- Document your work history and jobsite locations.
- Obtain medical evaluations if you experience breathing issues or chest pain.
- Speak with an attorney who specializes in asbestos litigation.
How the Halpern Law Firm Can Help
At the Halpern Law Firm, we’ve represented thousands of asbestos victims across Pennsylvania, helping them secure compensation for medical treatment, lost wages, and family support. Our team understands the industries that built Pennsylvania, and the asbestos risks that came with them.
We investigate your work history, determine which companies or trust funds may be responsible, and handle all the legal steps while you focus on your health.
Call the Halpern Law Firm today at (800) 505-6000 for a free consultation, or visit halpernlawfirm.com to learn more about asbestos exposure and your legal rights.
Sources:
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/asbestos/asbestos-fact-sheet
https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/cursites/csitinfo.cfm?id=0301842
