Key Takeaways
- New environmental testing and historical investigations continue to flag high-risk Pennsylvania jobsites for asbestos, including Babcock & Wilcox in Koppel, Armco Steel Mill in Butler, U.S. Steel Clairton Works, Bethlehem Steel, and the BoRit Asbestos Superfund Site in Ambler.
- Workers at these sites, including pipefitters, maintenance crews, welders, engineers, electricians, and mechanics, were regularly exposed to asbestos through pipe insulation, refractory materials, furnaces, boilers, and machinery maintenance.
- Even after several of these plants closed, asbestos contamination often remained in buildings, soil, and equipment, and the BoRit site in Ambler is now an EPA-designated Superfund cleanup location.
- Because asbestos-related health effects can take 20 to 50 years to appear, many former workers at these sites are only now being diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
- Workers or family members exposed at these or similar sites should document work history and jobsite locations, seek medical evaluation for breathing issues or chest pain, and speak with an attorney experienced in asbestos litigation.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Pennsylvania jobsites have been flagged as high risk for asbestos in 2025?
The five sites include Babcock & Wilcox’s Seamless Tube Plant in Koppel, Armco Steel Mill in Butler, U.S. Steel’s Clairton Works, the Bethlehem Steel Corporation Plant, and the BoRit Asbestos Superfund Site in Ambler.
What types of workers were most at risk at these sites?
Pipefitters, maintenance crews, welders, engineers, electricians, mechanics, and production workers were commonly exposed while working around pipe insulation, boilers, furnaces, ladles, steam lines, and heat-resistant materials and clothing.
Why does asbestos exposure at these sites still matter today?
Asbestos-related health effects can take 20 to 50 years to appear, so many former workers are only now being diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, even decades after these facilities operated or closed.
Is the BoRit site in Ambler still being addressed today?
Yes. The EPA designated BoRit as a Superfund cleanup site, meaning federal agencies are still working to remove and contain asbestos contamination, though past exposure continues to affect former employees and nearby residents.
What should I do if I worked at one of these sites and believe I was exposed to asbestos?
Document your work history and jobsite locations, get a medical evaluation if you experience breathing issues or chest pain, and speak with an attorney who specializes in asbestos litigation. Call the Halpern Law Firm at (800) 505-6000 for a free consultation.
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