E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (DuPont) is one of the nation’s largest chemical companies. Historically, DuPont has had a significant manufacturing presence in Western New York, with facilities in Niagara Falls and at the Yerkes Plant located in Tonawanda, New York. As a result of occupational exposure to asbestos, former employees of DuPont Tedlar, DuPont Niagara Falls and DuPont Yerkes plants have developed and died of mesothelioma, lung cancer and have suffered from a host of asbestos-related diseases, including asbestosis. DuPont’s Western New York plants were involved in the manufacture of chemicals such as polyvinyl acetate (PVA), chlorine or chemical base products such as cellophane. The production of these materials involved the use of high-temperature equipment to process the materials and chemicals. For decades, asbestos products were used as an insulating material that was applied to a wide variety of surfaces including pipes, furnaces, ductwork, drying towers and turbines.
For many years, both outside contractors and the direct employees of DuPont handled asbestos in many forms. Asbestos cement, blocks, pipe covering and insulating blankets were used extensively. Asbestos gaskets and rope packing were used throughout the plants in the installation, repair and maintenance of pumps, valves, pipe flanges, compressors and ducts. DuPont workers were constantly exposed to asbestos dust throughout the entire plant.
The attorneys at Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC have gathered a vast amount of information concerning the type and variety of asbestos-containing products used at DuPont’s plants. Our clients understand the importance of securing legal representation as soon as possible after a diagnosis of mesothelioma or lung cancer. If you or a loved one were once employed at DuPont and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer, we urge you to contact us regarding your legal rights.