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Manufacturing

Johns-Manville Manville Plant

Johns-Manville Manville Plant

Johns-Manville Manville Plant The Johns-Manville Manville Plant was one of the largest asbestos manufacturing facilities in the United States, producing insulation, roofing, and building materials for over six decades. The plant employed thousands of workers who were routinely exposed to high concentrations of airborne asbestos fibers.

Last verified: 2026-03-09
Written by Paul Danziger, J.D. & Rod De Llano, J.D.
•
Legally reviewed by Michelle Whitman, Mesothelioma Litigation Specialist
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30+ years of mesothelioma litigation experience
Location
Manville, NJ
Industry
Asbestos Product Manufacturing
Exposure Era
1920s–1980s
Primary Asbestos Products
Insulation boards, Pipe covering, Roofing materials, Asbestos cement, Brake linings
Job Categories at Risk
Factory workers, Machine operators, Maintenance workers, Shipping workers, Laborers

History & Asbestos Use

Founded in 1912, the Johns-Manville plant in Manville, New Jersey became the company's flagship manufacturing facility and the economic backbone of the town. The plant produced a wide range of asbestos-containing products including insulation, roofing shingles, pipe covering, and brake linings. By the 1970s, mounting evidence of asbestos-related disease among workers led to lawsuits, and Johns-Manville filed for bankruptcy in 1982. The site was eventually demolished and remediated, though asbestos contamination persisted in surrounding neighborhoods for decades.

Exposure Details

Workers at the Manville plant were exposed to chrysotile, amosite, and crocidolite asbestos during raw material handling, mixing, cutting, and finishing operations. Dust levels in the plant regularly exceeded safe limits by orders of magnitude, and workers often went home covered in asbestos dust, creating secondary exposure for family members. Maintenance workers who repaired machinery and insulated pipes faced some of the highest exposure levels.

Workers at Risk

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

  • Factory workers
  • Machine operators
  • Maintenance workers
  • Shipping workers
  • Laborers

Health Effects

Thousands of former Johns-Manville Manville workers have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. The town of Manville itself experienced elevated rates of asbestos-related disease among residents who lived near the plant. Studies found that even workers with relatively short employment periods developed serious asbestos-related conditions decades later.

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 Manville 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 Manville Plant?

Workers who were employed at Johns-Manville Manville 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 Manville Plant may be eligible to file claims with the following trust funds:

Related Exposure Sites

Manufacturing

Johns-Manville Waukegan Plant

Waukegan, IL

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the Johns-Manville Manville Plant operational?

The plant operated from approximately 1912 until it was shut down in the mid-1980s following the company's bankruptcy filing in 1982.

What asbestos-related diseases have been linked to the Manville Plant?

Workers and nearby residents have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and other asbestos-related conditions at rates significantly higher than the general population.

Is there a trust fund for former Johns-Manville workers?

Yes, the Manville Personal Injury Settlement Trust was established in 1988 and has paid billions in claims to asbestos victims. It remains active and accepting claims today.

Get a Free Case Evaluation

If you or a loved one worked at Johns-Manville Manville 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.

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Over 25 Years of Experience Our attorneys have recovered over $2 billion for mesothelioma patients and families.
Fast Results Trust fund claims can resolve in as few as 90 days. We move quickly for our clients.

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Sources:

  • EPA Superfund records — accessed 2026-03-09
  • OSHA compliance records — accessed 2026-03-09
  • Historical manufacturing records — accessed 2026-03-09
  • Manville Personal Injury Settlement Trust documents — accessed 2026-03-09
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