Why Oil Refinery Workers Are at High Risk
Oil refineries operated at extremely high temperatures, requiring massive amounts of heat-resistant materials:
- Distillation units: Asbestos insulation on towers and piping
- Catalytic crackers: High-temperature vessels lined with asbestos
- Furnaces and heaters: Firebrick and insulation containing asbestos
- Heat exchangers: Asbestos gaskets and packing materials
- Storage tanks: Asbestos insulation on heated tanks
- Pumps and valves: Asbestos gaskets and seals
- Fireproofing: Sprayed-on asbestos on structural steel
- Protective equipment: Fire suits, gloves, and blankets
Texas and Louisiana refinery workers faced particularly high exposure due to the concentration of facilities along the Gulf Coast.
Gulf Coast Epidemic
Refinery workers in Texas and Louisiana have among the highest mesothelioma rates of any industrial occupation. The combination of massive facilities, year-round operation, and decades of heavy asbestos use created a public health crisis affecting thousands of workers and their families.
Major Oil Refineries with Asbestos Exposure
Texas Refineries
The Texas Gulf Coast has the highest concentration of refineries in the United States:
Baytown Refinery
ExxonMobil
One of the largest refineries in the world. Extensive asbestos in crude units, catalytic crackers, and coking units.
Texas City Refinery
Marathon Petroleum (formerly BP)
Major refinery with long history of asbestos use in processing units.
Port Arthur Refinery
Valero, Motiva
Multiple facilities in the Port Arthur area with significant asbestos exposure history.
Corpus Christi Refineries
Flint Hills Resources, Valero
Several facilities serving Gulf Coast petroleum production.
Louisiana Refineries
- Baton Rouge Refinery (ExxonMobil) - One of the largest in North America
- Lake Charles Refinery (Citgo, Phillips 66)
- Chalmette Refinery (ExxonMobil, PBF)
- Convent Refinery (Shell, Motiva)
- Norco Refinery (Shell)
California Refineries
- Richmond Refinery (Chevron)
- El Segundo Refinery (Chevron)
- Torrance Refinery (Marathon, formerly ExxonMobil)
- Carson Refinery (BP)
- Wilmington Refinery (Phillips 66)
Other Major Refineries
- Bayway Refinery (Linden, New Jersey)
- Philadelphia Refinery (Philadelphia Energy Solutions)
- Whiting Refinery (BP, Indiana)
- Detroit Refinery (Marathon, Michigan)
High-Risk Refinery Jobs
| Job Title | Exposure Risk | Primary Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Pipefitters | Extreme | Removing insulation to repair pipes, gaskets |
| Boilermakers | Extreme | Furnace repair, vessel maintenance |
| Insulators | Extreme | Direct installation/removal of insulation |
| Maintenance Mechanics | High | Equipment repair, pump maintenance |
| Welders | High | Welding near insulation, fire blankets |
| Process Operators | Moderate-High | Daily operations, occasional maintenance |
| Lab Technicians | Moderate | Asbestos-containing lab equipment |
Turnaround and Maintenance Exposure
Scheduled maintenance shutdowns ("turnarounds") created peak exposure periods:
- Intensive work: Hundreds of workers performing maintenance simultaneously
- Insulation removal: Stripping old insulation to access equipment
- Time pressure: Rush to complete work during limited shutdown window
- Poor ventilation: Confined spaces with limited fresh air
- No respiratory protection: Many workers lacked proper masks until the 1980s
Petrochemical Plants
Adjacent to refineries, petrochemical facilities posed similar risks:
- Ethylene crackers: Extreme temperatures requiring asbestos insulation
- Polymer plants: Asbestos in processing equipment
- Fertilizer plants: High-temperature processes with asbestos use
- Chemical processing units: Reactors and vessels insulated with asbestos
Major petrochemical employers include Dow Chemical, DuPont, LyondellBasell, and Formosa Plastics.
Compensation for Refinery Workers
Asbestos Trust Funds
Refinery workers may be eligible for trust fund claims from:
- Insulation manufacturer trusts (Johns-Manville, Owens-Corning, Pittsburgh Corning)
- Gasket and packing manufacturer trusts
- Oil company trusts (where applicable)
- Equipment manufacturer trusts
Personal Injury Lawsuits
Living refinery workers can file lawsuits against:
- Product manufacturers that supplied asbestos materials
- Contractors who performed turnaround work
- Equipment manufacturers
Wrongful Death Claims
Surviving family members can pursue claims when a refinery worker dies from mesothelioma.
Proving Refinery Exposure
To pursue compensation, refinery workers need to document their exposure:
Key Evidence Includes:
- Employment records from refineries and contractors
- Union membership records (Pipefitters, Boilermakers, etc.)
- Turnaround schedules and work assignments
- Witness statements from coworkers
- Product identification (brands of insulation, gaskets)
- Safety records and incident reports
Gulf Coast Legal Resources
Refinery workers on the Gulf Coast have specific legal considerations:
Texas
2-year statute of limitations. Major refinery exposure in Houston Ship Channel, Port Arthur, Corpus Christi areas.
Louisiana
California
1-year statute of limitations. Richmond, Torrance, and Los Angeles area refineries.
Frequently Asked Questions
I worked at multiple refineries. Can I file claims for all of them?
Yes. Many refinery workers moved between facilities or worked for contractors that serviced multiple plants. You can pursue compensation based on exposure at any or all of them.
What if the refinery is now under different ownership?
Ownership changes don't affect your rights. You can file claims against the companies that owned the facility during your employment, as well as product manufacturers.
I was a contractor, not a direct employee. Do I have rights?
Absolutely. Contractors who performed turnaround and maintenance work often had the highest exposure. You have the same rights to compensation as direct employees.
How do I find records from decades ago?
Mesothelioma attorneys specializing in refinery cases have extensive databases of refinery information, contractor records, and product identification. They can help reconstruct your exposure history.
Medically Reviewed
Dr. Sarah Chen, MD, MPH
Board-Certified Oncologist — Thoracic Oncology Specialist
Last reviewed: March 2026 | Our Editorial Process