Asbestos Exposure Sites in Winston-Salem, N.C.

In the early 1900s, a virtually indestructible and heat-resistant mineral called asbestos was used in many industrial and manufacturing products. By the 1970s, the prevalence of asbestos-containing materials became a serious problem, largely because the federal government began issuing warnings of a possible link between certain cancers (such as mesothelioma) and asbestos exposure.

Today, it is known that asbestos exposure may increase an individual’s risk of developing the following diseases and medical conditions:

• Mesothelioma, is a rare, but deadly cancer of the lining of the chest cavity.
• Cancers of the lung, colon, larynx, throat, esophagus or pharynx.
• Asbestosis, is a scarring of delicate lung tissue. This scarring can spread through the lungs and cause severe respiratory problems.
• Pleural disease, is a scarring of the lung lining that can cause significant respiratory problems.

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is home to several global brands and national corporations, including R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Krispy Kreme, BB&T, and Hanesbrands, Inc. Unfortunately, the city is also home to hundreds of instances of hazardous asbestos exposure.

Not only are employees of these businesses at greater risk of developing asbestos-related diseases, but the businesses themselves are being held liable for any injury or harm caused by the work environment they provided.

Known asbestos exposure sites in the Winston area include:

• Baptist Hospital Winston-Salem, NC
• Hanes Dye & Finishing Plant / Sara Lee Hosiery Winston Salem, NC
• R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Whitaker Park Plant Winston Salem, NC
• R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Bailey Power Plant Winston Salem, NC
• R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Duplan Plant Winston Salem, NC
• R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Archer Div. Plant Winston Salem, NC
• R.J. Reynolds Tobacco 4th Street Plant Winston Salem, NC
• Schlitz / Stroh’s Brewery Can Plant Winston Salem, NC
• Western Electric /AT&T Waughtown Plant Winston-Salem, NC
• Western Electric /AT&T Chatham Road Plant Winston-Salem, NC
• Western Electric /AT&T Lexington Road Plant Winston-Salem, NC
• Western Electric /AT&T Oak Street Plant Winston-Salem, NC
• Duke Power Belews Creek Steam Plant Walnut Cove, NC
• Pittsburgh Plate Glass / PPG Lexington, NC

Other asbestos exposure sites have been documented across North Carolina, including cities and towns such as: