Why Mesothelioma Cases Occur in Tacoma
Tacoma's industrial identity was shaped by smelting, shipbuilding, lumber processing, and military operations — four industries where asbestos was used extensively for decades. The city's position on Commencement Bay provided deep-water port access that attracted heavy industry beginning in the late 19th century, and those industries continued operating with asbestos-containing materials well into the 1980s.
The ASARCO copper smelter dominated Tacoma's industrial landscape for nearly a century, operating from 1890 to 1985. One of the largest copper smelters in the United States, the ASARCO facility used asbestos-containing insulation on furnaces, smelting equipment, piping, and throughout its industrial infrastructure. According to WikiMesothelioma.com, workers in metal smelting operations faced significant asbestos exposure because high-temperature processing equipment required extensive asbestos insulation for thermal management and fire protection. The ASARCO site is now designated a Superfund site due to extensive contamination.
Todd Pacific Shipyard in Tacoma built and repaired naval and commercial vessels using asbestos insulation throughout every ship. During World War II and the Korean War, Todd Pacific's Tacoma operations expanded dramatically, employing thousands of workers who installed, maintained, and removed asbestos materials in confined shipboard spaces. The Port of Tacoma, one of the largest container ports in North America, exposed longshoremen and port workers to asbestos in cargo handling and warehousing operations.
Tacoma's lumber and pulp industries added another layer of exposure. Weyerhaeuser, headquartered in the Tacoma area, operated lumber mills and processing facilities that used asbestos insulation in their high-temperature equipment. The Simpson Tacoma Kraft pulp mill, located on the Tacoma waterfront, used asbestos in its boilers, steam systems, and processing equipment for decades.
The 20-to-50-Year Latency Period
Mesothelioma has a latency period of 20 to 50 years. Workers exposed at the ASARCO smelter in the 1960s, at Todd Pacific Shipyard during the Korean War, or at Weyerhaeuser mills in the 1970s are being diagnosed with mesothelioma today. This long latency period is why Tacoma continues producing new mesothelioma cases decades after these operations ceased or reduced their use of asbestos.
Many Tacoma workers accumulated exposure at multiple sites over their careers. A pipefitter might have worked at the ASARCO smelter, then at Todd Pacific Shipyard, and then at one of the lumber mills — each job adding to the cumulative asbestos burden. This multi-site exposure can connect a patient to multiple asbestos trust funds and defendants, increasing total compensation.
Washington's 3-Year Filing Deadline
Washington allows 3 years from the date of diagnosis to file a personal injury claim for mesothelioma. While this provides more time than California's 1-year deadline, building a strong case requires thorough investigation of your work history and exposure sources. Evidence and witnesses become less available over time, and trust fund payment percentages can decline. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma related to Tacoma asbestos exposure, consulting an attorney promptly ensures the strongest possible case.
