Chemical Plants

Monsanto Sauget Plant

Monsanto Sauget Plant The Monsanto Sauget Plant, located across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, was a major chemical manufacturing facility that operated for decades producing industrial chemicals. Workers at this plant were exposed to asbestos in insulation and process components throughout the facility.

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: Sauget, IL
Industry: Chemical Manufacturing
Exposure Era: 1930s–1970s
Primary Asbestos Products: Pipe insulation, Gaskets, Valve packing, Boiler insulation, Fireproofing materials
Job Categories at Risk: Chemical operators, Pipe fitters, Insulators, Boilermakers, Electricians

History & Asbestos Use

Monsanto Chemical Company established its Sauget manufacturing plant in 1929, and the village of Sauget was actually incorporated largely to serve the plant operations. The facility produced a wide range of chemicals including PCBs, plasticizers, and agricultural products. Asbestos was used extensively in the plant insulation, gaskets, and fireproofing from the earliest days of operation through the late 1970s. The site is now an EPA Superfund location due to widespread contamination.

Exposure Details

Workers at the Monsanto Sauget plant encountered asbestos in the insulation covering chemical process piping, reactors, boilers, and heat exchangers. The plant age meant that original asbestos insulation in many areas had deteriorated significantly, releasing fibers during routine operations and maintenance. Maintenance and trades workers who removed and replaced worn insulation and gaskets faced the heaviest exposure.

Workers at Risk

The following job categories at Monsanto Sauget Plant had the highest risk of asbestos exposure:

Chemical operators
Pipe fitters
Insulators
Boilermakers
Electricians

Health Effects

Former Monsanto Sauget workers have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases in addition to health effects from chemical exposures at the plant. The combination of asbestos exposure with PCBs, dioxins, and other toxic substances produced at the facility created compounded health risks for workers. The Sauget area has seen elevated rates of cancer linked to the decades of industrial operations at the site.

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 Monsanto Sauget 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.

2 asbestos trust funds 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 Monsanto Sauget Plant?

Workers who were employed at Monsanto Sauget Plant between 1930s–1970s 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 Monsanto Sauget Plant may be eligible to file claims with the following trust funds:

Related Exposure Sites

Refineries

Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery

Roxana, IL

Treatment Centers in Illinois

If you were exposed to asbestos at Monsanto Sauget 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 Monsanto Sauget plant still operating?

The original Monsanto chemical manufacturing operations at Sauget have been largely shut down, and portions of the site are designated as an EPA Superfund location. However, former workers exposed to asbestos during the plant operational years continue to be diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases.

What chemicals were produced at the Monsanto Sauget plant?

The plant produced a wide range of chemical products including PCBs, plasticizers, herbicides, and various industrial chemicals. Workers were exposed to these chemicals in addition to asbestos-containing insulation materials, creating complex occupational health risks.

Who is liable for asbestos exposure at the Monsanto Sauget plant?

Monsanto corporate successors, including Bayer following its 2018 acquisition, as well as the manufacturers of asbestos-containing products used at the plant, may be liable. Multiple asbestos trust funds cover products that were installed at the facility. An experienced attorney can identify all responsible parties.

Get a Free Case Evaluation

If you or a loved one worked at Monsanto Sauget 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.

Nationwide Representation Licensed to handle mesothelioma cases in all 50 states from our Houston office.

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Sources:

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

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