Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure in Huntington, West Virginia

Common Sources of Asbestos Exposure in Huntington

Asbestos was woven into the fabric of Huntington's industrial infrastructure for decades. The following categories represent the most significant sources of occupational asbestos exposure in the greater Huntington area.

Glass Manufacturing

Glass production requires extremely high temperatures in furnaces and associated equipment, making it one of the most asbestos-intensive industries. Workers at Huntington-area glass plants encountered asbestos in furnace insulation, pipe coverings, protective clothing, molds, and building materials throughout the factory.

• Owens-Illinois Glass Plant — One of Huntington's largest employers for decades; asbestos used extensively in furnace linings, pipe insulation, gaskets, and factory building materials from the 1930s through the 1980s
• Blenko Glass Company — Specialty glass manufacturer in nearby Milton with asbestos use in furnace insulation and facility infrastructure

Nickel Alloy & Specialty Metals Production

Huntington's specialty metals industry involved smelting, forging, and processing metals at extreme temperatures — operations that demanded heavy use of asbestos for thermal insulation and fire protection. Workers in these plants handled asbestos-containing materials as part of routine operations and maintenance.

• International Nickel Company (INCO) — Major nickel alloy production facility; asbestos used in smelting equipment insulation, pipe coverings, gaskets, and protective gear throughout the plant
• Huntington Alloys/Special Metals Corporation — Produced high-performance nickel-based alloys; asbestos in furnace linings, heat shielding, pipe insulation, and factory infrastructure

Railroad Operations

The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (now CSX Transportation) operated major rail shops, locomotive maintenance facilities, and classification yards in Huntington. Railroad workers faced asbestos exposure from locomotive insulation, steam pipe lagging, brake linings, and building materials in maintenance shops.

• C&O Railway/CSX Huntington Shops — Major railroad maintenance and repair facility; asbestos in locomotive boiler insulation, steam pipe lagging, brake shoes, gaskets, and shop building materials
• C&O Classification Yards — Rail yard operations where workers were exposed to asbestos from locomotive maintenance, railcar repair, and deteriorating building insulation

Power Generation

Coal-fired power plants in the Huntington area used asbestos insulation on boilers, turbines, steam pipes, and electrical components. Workers who maintained these facilities faced regular asbestos exposure.

• AEP/Appalachian Power Plants — Multiple generating stations along the Ohio River near Huntington with documented asbestos use in boiler insulation, turbine casings, and pipe coverings
• Philip Sporn Power Plant (New Haven) — AEP facility near Huntington with asbestos in original construction materials and maintenance supplies

This is not an exhaustive list. Additional industrial facilities across the greater Huntington-Ashland area used asbestos-containing materials. If you worked at any manufacturing plant, railroad facility, power station, or construction site in the Huntington area before the mid-1980s, asbestos exposure is likely. Our attorneys maintain detailed databases of Huntington-area exposure sites and can investigate your specific work history as part of a free case evaluation.

Types of Mesothelioma Diagnosed in Huntington

Mesothelioma develops when inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers become embedded in the lining of internal organs, causing cellular damage that leads to malignant tumor growth over decades. Huntington's industrial exposure profile — dominated by glass manufacturing, metals production, and railroad operations — produces patterns of mesothelioma diagnosis that reflect the types and duration of asbestos contact these workers experienced.

Pleural Mesothelioma (Lungs)

Pleural mesothelioma accounts for approximately 75 to 80 percent of all mesothelioma diagnoses and is the most common form seen in Huntington patients. This type develops in the pleura — the thin membrane surrounding the lungs — when inhaled asbestos fibers migrate to the pleural lining and cause chronic inflammation and eventual malignancy. Glass plant workers, alloy factory employees, and railroad mechanics who inhaled asbestos dust during years of occupational exposure are at the highest risk. Symptoms typically include persistent chest pain, shortness of breath, unexplained weight loss, and fluid buildup around the lungs (pleural effusion).

Early detection significantly affects treatment options and prognosis. If you worked in a Huntington-area glass plant, metals facility, or railroad shop and are experiencing respiratory symptoms, inform your physician about your occupational asbestos exposure history. Visit our diagnosis and treatment page for detailed information about the diagnostic process and available treatment approaches.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma (Abdomen)

Peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum — the lining of the abdominal cavity — and accounts for approximately 15 to 20 percent of mesothelioma diagnoses. Asbestos fibers can reach the peritoneum through ingestion or through the lymphatic system. Symptoms include abdominal pain and swelling, unexplained weight loss, bowel changes, and fluid accumulation in the abdomen. Treatment has advanced significantly, with cytoreductive surgery combined with heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) showing improved survival rates. Regardless of the type diagnosed, the same legal options — personal injury lawsuits, asbestos trust fund claims, and VA benefits for veterans — are available to Huntington patients and their families.

Mesothelioma Treatment Centers Near Huntington, West Virginia

While West Virginia does not currently have NCI-designated mesothelioma specialty centers, patients from Huntington have access to the nation’s top treatment programs. Many of these leading centers accept out-of-state patients and offer travel assistance programs. Below are nationally recognized mesothelioma treatment centers that serve patients from Huntington and across the country.

Family Members Exposed to Asbestos in Huntington

Asbestos exposure in Huntington extended well beyond the factory floor and the railroad yard. For decades, industrial workers carried asbestos fibers home on their clothing, skin, hair, and personal items — unknowingly exposing their families to the same deadly material. This pattern, known as secondary or take-home exposure, has been documented in industrial communities across the country and has led to mesothelioma diagnoses in people who never worked at a glass plant, alloy factory, or railroad shop.

How Secondary Exposure Occurred

Huntington glass plant workers, metals workers, and railroad employees typically arrived home covered in dust that included asbestos fibers. Before the dangers were widely understood, spouses shook out, brushed off, and laundered contaminated work clothes at home. Children who greeted parents at the door, sat in their laps, or played near contaminated clothing were also exposed. In some cases, workers' vehicles served as an additional exposure pathway, with asbestos fibers accumulating in car interiors.

Legal Rights of Huntington Families

West Virginia courts recognize secondary asbestos exposure as a valid basis for mesothelioma claims. Family members who developed mesothelioma from take-home exposure have the same legal right to pursue compensation as the workers themselves. These claims can be filed against asbestos product manufacturers, employers who failed to prevent fibers from leaving the workplace, and the asbestos trust funds established through bankruptcy proceedings.

If a spouse, child, or other family member of a Huntington industrial worker or railroad employee has been diagnosed with mesothelioma and never worked directly with asbestos, secondary exposure should be investigated. Our attorneys have handled numerous secondary exposure cases and understand the specific evidence required to establish the connection between occupational exposure and a family member's diagnosis.

Support Groups & Resources for Huntington Families

A mesothelioma diagnosis affects the entire family. These organizations provide support, education, counseling, and practical assistance for patients and caregivers.

National Organizations

West Virginia Resources