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Manufacturing

Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Port Allegany Plant

Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Port Allegany Plant

Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Port Allegany Plant Pittsburgh Corning Corporation's Port Allegany Plant manufactured Unibestos, one of the most widely used asbestos pipe and block insulation products in industrial and commercial construction. The product has been linked to thousands of asbestos disease cases.

Last verified: 2026-03-09
Written by Paul Danziger, J.D. & Rod De Llano, J.D.
•
Legally reviewed by Michelle Whitman, Mesothelioma Litigation Specialist
•
30+ years of mesothelioma litigation experience
Location
Port Allegany, PA
Industry
Insulation Manufacturing
Exposure Era
1960s–1970s
Primary Asbestos Products
Unibestos pipe insulation, Unibestos block insulation, Asbestos cement insulation, High-temperature insulation, Industrial insulation products
Job Categories at Risk
Insulation production workers, Machine operators, Mixing operators, Cutting operators, Maintenance workers

History & Asbestos Use

Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, a joint venture of Pittsburgh Plate Glass (now PPG Industries) and Corning Glass Works, manufactured the Unibestos brand of asbestos-containing insulation at its Port Allegany, Pennsylvania plant from the early 1960s until 1972. Unibestos was a calcium silicate insulation product heavily laden with amosite asbestos, one of the most dangerous forms of asbestos. The product was widely installed in power plants, refineries, chemical plants, and commercial buildings across the United States. Pittsburgh Corning filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2000 due to asbestos liabilities and established a trust to compensate victims.

Exposure Details

Workers at the Port Allegany plant were exposed to amosite asbestos during the mixing, molding, curing, and cutting of Unibestos insulation products. The use of amosite—a particularly hazardous amphibole asbestos—made exposure at this facility especially dangerous. Downstream insulators and pipefitters who cut, fit, and installed Unibestos products on jobsites across the country were also heavily exposed to amosite fibers.

Workers at Risk

The following job categories at Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Port Allegany Plant had the highest risk of asbestos exposure:

  • Insulation production workers
  • Machine operators
  • Mixing operators
  • Cutting operators
  • Maintenance workers

Health Effects

The amosite asbestos in Unibestos products has been associated with very high rates of mesothelioma among both plant workers and installers. Amosite is considered more carcinogenic than chrysotile, and Unibestos is one of the most frequently cited products in mesothelioma litigation. Former Port Allegany workers and the thousands of insulation workers who handled Unibestos have experienced devastating rates of asbestos-related disease.

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 Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Port Allegany 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 Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Port Allegany Plant?

Workers who were employed at Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Port Allegany Plant between 1960s–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 Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Port Allegany Plant may be eligible to file claims with the following trust funds:

Treatment Centers in Pennsylvania

If you were exposed to asbestos at Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Port Allegany Plant and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, these specialized treatment centers in Pennsylvania may be able to help.

Penn Medicine (Abramson Cancer Center)

Penn Medicine (Abramson Cancer Center)

Philadelphia, PA

Comprehensive Cancer Center
View Full Profile
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

Pittsburgh, PA

Comprehensive Cancer Center
View Full Profile

Browse all treatment centers →

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Unibestos insulation?

Unibestos was a calcium silicate pipe and block insulation product manufactured by Pittsburgh Corning Corporation. It contained amosite (brown) asbestos, which is considered one of the most dangerous types of asbestos for causing mesothelioma.

Why is Unibestos considered especially dangerous?

Unibestos contained amosite asbestos, an amphibole form that is more resistant to the body's clearance mechanisms than chrysotile and is associated with higher mesothelioma risk per unit of exposure. It is one of the most commonly identified products in mesothelioma cases.

Is there a Pittsburgh Corning asbestos trust?

Yes, the Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust was established to compensate individuals who developed asbestos-related diseases from exposure to Unibestos and other Pittsburgh Corning products.

Get a Free Case Evaluation

If you or a loved one worked at Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Port Allegany 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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Sources:

  • Pittsburgh Corning bankruptcy filings — accessed 2026-03-09
  • OSHA compliance records — accessed 2026-03-09
  • Product identification records — accessed 2026-03-09
  • Asbestos litigation discovery documents — accessed 2026-03-09
← All Exposure Sites in Pennsylvania ← All Exposure Sites
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