CITGO Lake Charles Refinery The CITGO Lake Charles Refinery is a major petroleum refining complex in southwest Louisiana with a processing capacity of approximately 425,000 barrels per day. Workers at this facility were exposed to asbestos-containing materials used throughout the refinery from its construction in the 1940s through the early 1980s.
Last verified: 2026-03-09The Lake Charles refinery was built during World War II to support the war effort and began operations in 1942. Originally operated by Cities Service Company, the refinery was later acquired by Occidental Petroleum and then CITGO Petroleum Corporation in 1983. Asbestos was a standard construction and insulation material throughout the facility from its wartime origins through the late 1970s, used in pipe coverings, gaskets, and fireproofing.
Workers at the Lake Charles Refinery encountered asbestos in thermal insulation on the extensive piping network, distillation towers, heat exchangers, and boilers. The humid Louisiana climate accelerated deterioration of asbestos insulation, leading to frequent maintenance and replacement that generated airborne fibers. Contract insulation workers and pipe fitters brought in for turnaround maintenance faced particularly intense exposure over compressed time periods.
The following job categories at CITGO Lake Charles Refinery had the highest risk of asbestos exposure:
Former CITGO Lake Charles Refinery workers have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer linked to occupational asbestos exposure. The southwest Louisiana industrial corridor has seen elevated rates of asbestos-related disease due to the concentration of refineries and chemical plants in the region. Workers exposed during the 1940s through 1970s continue to receive diagnoses due to the long latency period of asbestos diseases.
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.
Workers exposed to asbestos at CITGO Lake Charles Refinery 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 QualifyWorkers who were employed at CITGO Lake Charles Refinery between 1940s–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.
Workers exposed to asbestos at CITGO Lake Charles Refinery may be eligible to file claims with the following trust funds:
If you were exposed to asbestos at CITGO Lake Charles Refinery and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, these specialized treatment centers in Louisiana may be able to help.
The refinery was originally constructed in 1942 as a wartime petroleum production facility. Asbestos was used as a standard insulation and fireproofing material from the beginning of operations through the early 1980s.
The refinery used chrysotile and amosite asbestos in pipe insulation, gaskets, valve packing, boiler insulation, and refractory materials. These products were manufactured by companies including Johns-Manville, Owens-Corning, and other major asbestos product manufacturers.
Claims may be filed against CITGO or its predecessor companies, as well as against the manufacturers of asbestos-containing products used at the refinery. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can help identify all responsible parties and available trust fund claims based on your specific work history.
If you or a loved one worked at CITGO Lake Charles Refinery 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.
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