Manufacturing

Johns-Manville Waukegan Plant

Johns-Manville Waukegan Plant The Johns-Manville Waukegan Plant manufactured asbestos insulation and building products on the shore of Lake Michigan for six decades. The facility's operations left widespread asbestos contamination affecting workers, their families, and the surrounding community.

Last verified: 2026-03-09

Written by Paul Danziger, J.D. & Rod De Llano, J.D.

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Legally reviewed by Michelle Whitman, Mesothelioma Litigation Specialist

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30+ years of mesothelioma litigation experience

Location: Waukegan, IL
Industry: Asbestos Product Manufacturing
Exposure Era: 1920s–1980s
Primary Asbestos Products: Pipe insulation, Building insulation, Asbestos textiles, Packing materials, Roofing products
Job Categories at Risk: Factory workers, Machine operators, Maintenance crews, Material handlers, Quality inspectors

History & Asbestos Use

Johns-Manville opened its Waukegan, Illinois facility in 1923 along the Lake Michigan shoreline, producing asbestos insulation, pipe covering, and building materials. The plant was a major employer in Lake County and operated continuously until the early 1980s. After closure, the site was designated an EPA Superfund site due to extensive soil and groundwater contamination from asbestos waste. Cleanup efforts have spanned decades, with asbestos-contaminated debris found across the plant property and adjacent areas.

Exposure Details

Workers handled raw asbestos fibers in mixing, weaving, and forming operations with minimal protective equipment for most of the plant's history. Asbestos dust accumulated throughout the facility and was carried home on workers' clothing, exposing family members to secondary contamination. The lakefront location meant asbestos waste was also dumped along the shoreline, creating environmental exposure pathways for the broader community.

Workers at Risk

The following job categories at Johns-Manville Waukegan Plant had the highest risk of asbestos exposure:

Factory workers
Machine operators
Maintenance crews
Material handlers
Quality inspectors

Health Effects

Former Waukegan plant workers have experienced elevated rates of mesothelioma, asbestosis, and asbestos-related lung cancer. Community health studies documented increased asbestos-related disease among residents living near the plant. Family members of workers have also been diagnosed with mesothelioma from take-home asbestos exposure on contaminated work clothing.

Health information is based on established medical research on asbestos exposure. Asbestos is classified as a known human carcinogen by the National Cancer Institute, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Consult a physician for medical advice specific to your situation.

Compensation May Be Available

Workers exposed to asbestos at Johns-Manville Waukegan Plant may be entitled to compensation through asbestos trust funds, personal injury lawsuits, or veterans benefits. Mesothelioma patients and their families have recovered billions in compensation from companies that manufactured or used asbestos products.

1 asbestos trust fund have been identified as potentially related to exposure at this site. Many mesothelioma patients qualify to file claims with multiple trusts simultaneously.

Find Out If You Qualify

Were You Exposed to Asbestos at Johns-Manville Waukegan Plant?

Workers who were employed at Johns-Manville Waukegan Plant between 1920s–1980s may have been exposed to asbestos-containing materials. If you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may have legal options including trust fund claims and lawsuits.

Speak with an Attorney — Free Request a Free Case Evaluation

Related Asbestos Trust Funds

Workers exposed to asbestos at Johns-Manville Waukegan Plant may be eligible to file claims with the following trust funds:

Related Exposure Sites

Manufacturing

Johns-Manville Manville Plant

Manville, NJ

Treatment Centers in Illinois

If you were exposed to asbestos at Johns-Manville Waukegan Plant and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, these specialized treatment centers in Illinois may be able to help.

University of Chicago Medicine

Chicago, IL

Comprehensive Cancer Center

View Full Profile

Northwestern Medicine (Lurie Cancer Center)

Chicago, IL

Comprehensive Cancer Center

View Full Profile

Browse all treatment centers →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Johns-Manville Waukegan site a Superfund location?

Yes, the former plant property is listed on the EPA's National Priorities List as a Superfund site due to widespread asbestos contamination in soil and along the Lake Michigan shoreline.

What products were made at the Waukegan plant?

The plant manufactured asbestos insulation, pipe covering, asbestos textiles, packing materials, and roofing products using chrysotile and other forms of asbestos.

Can former Waukegan plant workers file asbestos claims?

Yes, former workers and their families may be eligible to file claims with the Manville Personal Injury Settlement Trust and may also have grounds for additional legal action depending on their circumstances.

Get a Free Case Evaluation

If you or a loved one worked at Johns-Manville Waukegan Plant and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, our attorneys can help you explore your legal options. There is no cost, no pressure, and no obligation.

Free & Confidential No upfront costs, no hidden fees. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation.

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Over 25 Years of Experience Our attorneys have recovered over $2 billion for mesothelioma patients and families.

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Or call us 24/7: 1-800-400-1805

Sources:

EPA Superfund records — accessed 2026-03-09
OSHA compliance records — accessed 2026-03-09
Illinois EPA site investigation reports — accessed 2026-03-09

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