Asbestos Exposure Sites in High Point, N.C.
When the railroad industry was at its peak, High Point became one of the most well known railroad stops in the Triad. This led to a boom in the manufacturing industry as more factories laid down roots in the High Point area in order to be accessible to that form of transportation. One of the main items being manufactured was furniture, even today High Point is considered the “furniture capital of the world”. This rise in manufacturing during this time caused many High Point employees, factories, and plants to be exposed to dangerous substances, including asbestos.
Asbestos is a virtually indestructible and heat-resistant mineral. It was once used in manufactured products including insulation, gaskets, cement powder, auto brakes, and floor tiles. After studies linked certain cancers (including mesothelioma) and asbestos exposure, High Point, N.C. businesses were reviewed if they were in related industries including chemical, construction, and manufacturing companies. Many of these companies were found to have utilized these hazardous asbestos-containing materials and employees had a heightened potential for contracting the disease.
The discovery of this connection created cause for concern throughout High Point particularly for local employees, who are at greater risk of developing asbestos-related cancers as a result. Local businesses were also concerned as they were inspected for potential asbestos-containing materials. If this material was discovered they were held liable for the harm (in many cases, life-threatening harm) to which their employees and then employees family members were exposed. Workers would often unknowingly bring asbestos dust home on their clothes or tools.
Known asbestos exposure sites in the High Point, N.C., area include:
- Burlington Industries
- Carolina Container Corporation
- Globe Parlor Furniture Company
- Hayworth Roll & Panel Company
- Headquarters Fire Station
- Heritage Furniture Company
- High Point Overall
- Market Square Ltd
- Melrose Hosiery Mill
- National Furniture Mart
- New England Industries, Inc.
- Southern Furniture Exposition Building
- Sunshine Laundry Inc.
- The Sherwin Williams Company
- Tomlinson Chair Manufacturing Company
- Tomlinson of High Point
Other asbestos exposure sites have been documented across North Carolina, including workplaces and residences in cities and towns such as:
- Asheville, N.C.
- Belmont, N.C.
- Charlotte, N.C.
- Concord, N.C.
- Durham, N.C.
- Fayetteville, N.C.
- Gastonia, N.C.
- Greensboro, N.C.
- Greenville, N.C.
- Hickory, N.C.
- Lenoir, N.C.
- Lumberton, N.C.
- Raleigh, N.C.
- Roanoke Rapids, N.C.
- Rocky Mount, N.C.
- Salisbury, N.C.
- Wilmington, N.C.
- Wilson, N.C.
- Winston-Salem, N.C.
Asbestos exposure can increase an individual’s risk of developing asbestos-related diseases and medical conditions including the following:
- Mesothelioma is a rare, but deadly cancer that affects the lining of the chest cavity.
- Cancers including lung, colon, larynx, throat, esophagus or pharynx.
- Asbestosis affects the lungs causing the delicate lung tissue to scar. This can result in trouble breathing and continued scarring throughout the lungs.
- Pleural disease is scarring of the lung lining and can sometimes cause difficulty breathing.
