Asbestos Exposure Sites in Maryland
Maryland has 2 documented asbestos exposure sites spanning 2 industries. Workers at these facilities were exposed to asbestos-containing materials — often in shipyards, power plants, refineries, and manufacturing plants — and may be eligible for compensation through trust fund claims and lawsuits.
Asbestos Exposure in Maryland
Maryland has a profound asbestos exposure legacy driven by the Baltimore shipbuilding industry, military installations, and the steel industry. The Bethlehem Steel Sparrows Point plant in Baltimore was the largest steel mill in the world at its peak and used asbestos extensively throughout its facilities, exposing steelworkers, pipefitters, and maintenance crews for decades. The Baltimore shipyards, including the Maryland Drydock Company and the Bethlehem Steel shipyard at Key Highway, built and repaired thousands of ships using asbestos insulation materials. The U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Fort Meade, Andrews Air Force Base, and the Patuxent River Naval Air Station all contained asbestos in their buildings and facilities. The Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant on the Chesapeake Bay used asbestos materials during its construction. Baltimore Gas and Electric Company operated power plants with significant asbestos insulation. W.R. Grace operated a vermiculite processing facility in Baltimore that handled asbestos-contaminated materials from the Libby, Montana mine. The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory and other research facilities around the state also used asbestos. Maryland's three-year statute of limitations from the date of discovery gives mesothelioma patients somewhat more time than many states, but prompt legal action remains important to preserve evidence and identify all responsible parties.
Major industries linked to asbestos exposure in Maryland: Shipbuilding, Steel production, Military installations, Power generation, Chemical processing, Research facilities.
Notable exposure sites: Bethlehem Steel Sparrows Point, Baltimore; Maryland Drydock Company, Baltimore; Aberdeen Proving Ground; Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant; W.R. Grace vermiculite plant, Baltimore.
Frequently Asked Questions: Asbestos Exposure in Maryland
What is Maryland's statute of limitations for mesothelioma claims?
Maryland allows three years from the date of diagnosis or discovery to file a personal injury claim for mesothelioma. Wrongful death claims also have a three-year filing period from the date of death.
Was Bethlehem Steel Sparrows Point a major asbestos exposure site?
Yes. The Sparrows Point plant was the world's largest steel mill and used asbestos extensively in insulation, gaskets, and equipment throughout the facility. Thousands of workers were exposed over the plant's long history of operation.
How did Baltimore shipyards contribute to mesothelioma?
Baltimore's shipyards, including the Maryland Drydock Company and Bethlehem Steel Key Highway shipyard, built and repaired ships using large quantities of asbestos insulation. Shipyard workers, particularly insulators and pipefitters, had heavy and prolonged asbestos exposure.
Can military personnel exposed at Maryland bases file mesothelioma claims?
Yes. Veterans and civilian workers exposed at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Fort Meade, the Naval Academy, and other Maryland military installations can file claims against asbestos product manufacturers. VA benefits may also be available for service-connected illness.