Asbestos Exposure Sites in Missouri
Missouri 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 Missouri
Missouri's industrial base centered in St. Louis and Kansas City created extensive asbestos exposure pathways. St. Louis was a hub for automotive manufacturing, with General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler assembly plants that used asbestos materials. The Anheuser-Busch brewery complex in St. Louis, one of the world's largest, contained asbestos insulation in its brewing and refrigeration systems. The Mallinckrodt Chemical Company in St. Louis processed uranium for the Manhattan Project and later nuclear weapons programs, using asbestos alongside radioactive materials. The McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) aircraft manufacturing facility in St. Louis used asbestos in aircraft components and factory insulation. Monsanto Chemical Company's operations in the St. Louis area and chemical plants throughout the state used asbestos-containing materials. The Ameren Missouri power plants, including the massive Labadie Energy Center, relied on asbestos insulation. Kansas City's industrial facilities, including automotive assembly plants, rail yards, and grain processing operations, also exposed workers. The Lake City Army Ammunition Plant near Independence and Fort Leonard Wood in the Ozarks contained asbestos in their facilities. Missouri provides one of the most generous statutes of limitations at five years from the date of discovery for personal injury claims, though wrongful death claims must be filed within three years. St. Louis has been a significant venue for asbestos litigation.
Major industries linked to asbestos exposure in Missouri: Automotive manufacturing, Chemical manufacturing, Aerospace, Brewing, Power generation, Military installations.
Notable exposure sites: Mallinckrodt Chemical Company, St. Louis; McDonnell Douglas (Boeing), St. Louis; Anheuser-Busch, St. Louis; Ameren Labadie Energy Center; Lake City Army Ammunition Plant.
Frequently Asked Questions: Asbestos Exposure in Missouri
What is Missouri's statute of limitations for mesothelioma claims?
Missouri has a five-year statute of limitations from the date of diagnosis or discovery for personal injury claims, one of the longest in the nation. Wrongful death claims have a shorter three-year filing period from the date of death.
Why is St. Louis a significant venue for asbestos litigation?
St. Louis's history as an industrial center with automotive, chemical, and manufacturing operations, combined with its courts' experience handling complex asbestos cases, has made it an important venue for mesothelioma litigation. Many major asbestos defendants have connections to the area.
What industries caused asbestos exposure in Missouri?
Automotive assembly plants, chemical manufacturing (including Mallinckrodt and Monsanto), aerospace manufacturing at McDonnell Douglas, power plants, brewing operations, and military installations all contributed to widespread asbestos exposure in Missouri.
Were chemical plant workers in Missouri exposed to asbestos?
Yes. Mallinckrodt Chemical Company, Monsanto, and other chemical manufacturers in Missouri used asbestos insulation extensively in processing equipment, pipes, and buildings. Workers at these facilities were routinely exposed during operations and maintenance.