The Dupont Chemical Plant in Memphis, Tennessee is one of 162 sites in Tennessee known to have asbestos contamination. Asbestos is a fibrous material used in many commercial and industrial operations. When the invisible fibers of this substance become airborne, workers and others can inhale or ingest them, which can lead to serious health problems.
Exposure to asbestos at the Dupont Chemical Plant in Memphis may not cause health problems immediately. In fact, many asbestos-related diseases do not present any symptoms for years, if not decades, following asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is the most serious asbestos disease, which often remains latent for up to 50 years before becoming symptomatic.
Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the cellular lining of the lungs, heart, or abdominal cavity. While rare, this form of cancer is aggressive and often proves fatal within months.
Chemical plants, such as the Dow Memphis plant, often used chrysotile asbestos, which companies long argued was harmless. However, numerous scientific evidence have found that this type of asbestos can cause cancer. While the dangers of asbestos are well known, this material is still present at sites such as the Dow Memphis Chemical Plant and continue to present serious health risks.
Dupont has a long storied history of environmental problems. For example, a team of researchers at the Political Economy Research Institute of the University of Massachusetts Amherst ranked DuPont as the largest corporate producer of air pollution in the U.S. At one point, Dupont was producing 150,000 pounds of ammonia annually, which is also harmful to human health.
If you or a loved one have worked at this Memphis chemical plant and subsequently developed an asbestos related disease such as mesothelioma or asbestosis, you may wish to speak with a qualified and experienced Tennessee asbestos attorney who can evaluate your case to determine your legal rights and options. If you are concerned about asbestos exposure, you may wish to speak with your doctor.
