PPG Industries Asbestos Exposure

If you or a loved one worked in a PPG facility and have since been diagnosed with a serious illness, you may be trying to understand how this happened and what to do next. These situations often come with more questions than answers, especially when the exposure happened years ago.

For decades, PPG Industries and asbestos worked hand in hand as asbestos was used throughout chemical plants and industrial sites because it was effective at controlling heat and preventing fires. Because of this, many people were exposed to asbestos dust without ever realizing it.

The risks were not always clearly explained, and symptoms often don’t appear until many years later. If you’re now facing mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related illness, understanding where the exposure came from can be an important step forward. At The Lyon Firm, we help individuals and families connect the dots. Call our team today at (513) 381-2333 or fill out our online form. We’re here to listen and help you take the next step.

“Joe Lyon is an outstanding attorney. He is a forward thinker with his clients’ needs always top of mind. He is a brilliant strategist and incredibly resourceful. Highly recommend.”

– Melissa J. | Client

Tracing PPG Asbestos Exposure Back to Pittsburgh Corning

For decades, PPG Industries and Corning Glass Works operated a joint venture known as the Pittsburgh Corning Corporation. While PPG is famous for paints and chemicals, this partnership led to the creation of high-temperature insulation products that were used across the country.

The company acquired a product line known as “Unibestos,” a pipe and block insulation material that contained extremely high levels of amosite asbestos, one of the most hazardous forms of the mineral.

Even as concerns about asbestos risks began to surface, these products remained in use for years. By the time production stopped in the early 1970s, thousands of workers across multiple industries had already been exposed to it. Because PPG helped run Pittsburgh Corning, they shared the responsibility for the health of the people using those products.

The PPG Plant Asbestos Trust Fund: How It Works for You

As more workers came forward with asbestos illnesses connected to their careers, Pittsburgh Corning faced tens of thousands of lawsuits. By the late 1990s, the number of claims became so large that the company could no longer pay them through traditional court settlements. In 2000, Pittsburgh Corning filed for bankruptcy after settling over 200,000 lawsuits, setting in motion a plan to ensure future victims could still receive compensation.

As part of the bankruptcy reorganization, a special fund known as the Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Trust was created. This trust holds billions of dollars to pay people who were harmed by the company’s asbestos-containing products. PPG Industries contributed $1.4 million and relinquished its interest in Pittsburgh Corning, while Pittsburgh Corning and its insurers added another $1.7 billion. Altogether, the trust started with approximately $3.5 billion.

The trust was designed to provide compensation faster than traditional lawsuits. While individual payments are often a percentage of the full claim, the fund allows victims and their families to receive money without waiting for lengthy court proceedings.

The Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos Trust pays claims for:

• Past and future medical expenses, including hospital bills, surgeries, medications, doctor visits, and ongoing care related to asbestos-related illnesses.
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity to cover for time missed from work, inability to return to previous jobs, or a decreased ability to earn in the future.
• Pain and suffering / emotional distress, including damages for the physical pain, mental anguish, and reduced quality of life caused by exposure and illness.
• Wrongful death claims address compensation for families who lost a loved one due to mesothelioma, lung cancer, or other asbestos-related diseases.
• Rehabilitation and home care costs, including in-home nursing, medical equipment, or modifications needed to maintain quality of life.

Do I Qualify for a PPG Asbestos Settlement?

To file a PPG asbestos settlement claim, you generally need to meet three main requirements:

1. Medical Proof

• A doctor-confirmed diagnosis of mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural disease, or another asbestos-related illness.
• For non-mesothelioma conditions, you may need imaging records or a doctor’s note connecting your illness to asbestos.

2. Exposure Proof

• Evidence you were exposed to Pittsburgh Corning asbestos products (like Unibestos) during the time they contained asbestos:
  • Before Dec. 31, 1982, or for Unibestos, July 1962 – Dec. 1972.
• For some illnesses, the trust may require proof of six months of meaningful exposure or significant occupational exposure (usually five cumulative years).
• Acceptable evidence includes co-worker affidavits, family statements, employment records, invoices, or construction logs.

3. Filing Deadlines

• Claims must follow state-specific asbestos statutes of limitations, usually 1–3 years after diagnosis or death.
• The trust may also have its own deadlines.

The Time Limit in Asbestos Cases

Asbestos can be found in factories, warehouses, hospitals, schools, homes built before 1980, construction sites, and in many military installations. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), there are 75 different jobs that can expose workers to asbestos, with those jobs primarily involving construction and manufacturing. Thousands of American workers are still exposed to asbestos each year.

Mesothelioma is a serious illness that has been linked to asbestos exposure in medical literature. It is estimated that there will be thousands of new cases due to the latency period of 20-50 years after being first exposed to asbestos.

How an Experienced Asbestos Lawyer Can Guide Your Claim

When filing a Pittsburgh Corning asbestos trust claim, there are a few ways your claim can be handled:

• Expedited Claims: These are processed faster and provide a standardized payment, helping you access funds more quickly.
• Individual Review Claims: These are reviewed more closely and can result in higher compensation if your exposure and damages are thoroughly documented.
• Payment Percentages: As of 2024, the trust pays about 19% of claim values, but your total recovery can still be substantial depending on medical expenses, lost wages, emotional distress, and other damages.

Why a lawyer can make a difference:

Filing a trust claim requires detailed documentation of your asbestos exposure, medical records, and the specific products involved. That’s where an experienced attorney comes in:

• We help gather and organize your evidence, including work history, product exposure, and medical documentation.
• We file your claim properly and ensure it meets all trust requirements.
• We look for additional sources of compensation, so you don’t leave money on the table.
• We guide you step by step, even if you’re unsure whether your exposure qualifies.

Don’t guess your way through a trust claim. In one survey, more than 9 out of 10 people who hired a personal injury lawyer received a settlement or award. For those who handled their case on their own, that number dropped to about half.

That gap isn’t random. It comes down to experience, preparation, and knowing how to handle the process from start to finish. Call The Lyon Firm at (513) 381-2333 or fill out our online form to schedule a 100% case review with a team that knows the process inside and out.

Pittsburgh Corning Products Linked to Asbestos Exposure

Some of the most common asbestos-containing products included:

• Unibestos Pipe Insulation
• Unibestos Thermal Insulation
• Unibestos Pipe Blocks
• Insubestos Felt
• Amocel Pipe Insulation
• UNARCO Insutape & Insutube
• Temp-Mat Asbestos Blankets
• Asbestos Gaskets and Insulation Blocks
• Unibestos Metalclad

When these products age, are cut, or are disturbed during repairs, they release microscopic fibers into the air. These fibers are invisible to the naked eye but can be inhaled or ingested. Once inside the body, asbestos fibers can remain for decades, blindsiding people with serious illnesses down the line.

Health Complications of PPG Plant Asbestos Exposure

The health problems caused by PPG asbestos exposure often take 20 to 50 years to show up. This means someone could have worked at a PPG plant in the 1970s and only recently started feeling sick.

When the fibers get stuck in the lungs or the lining of the chest, they cause permanent scarring and can lead to:

• Mesothelioma: A rare and aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the lungs or abdomen.
• Asbestosis: A chronic lung disease where the lungs become so scarred that it is hard to breathe.
• Lung Cancer: Asbestos exposure significantly increases the risk of lung cancer, especially for those who also smoked.
• Pleural Plaques: Thickening of the lining around the lungs that can cause discomfort and reduced lung function.

Symptoms of Asbestos-Related Illness to Watch Out For

Mesothelioma and asbestosis can lie dormant for many years, and symptoms may not surface until many years after exposure. When the initial symptoms appear, they may include:

• Chest pain
• Pain in the lower back
• Trouble breathing
• Persistent cough
• Fever
• Excessive sweating
• Fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss
• Trouble swallowing

Jobs and Roles Most Likely Exposed to PPG and Pittsburgh Corning Asbestos

If you worked at a PPG plant, some jobs carried higher exposure risks. These included:

• Pipefitters and Steamfitters
• Boilermakers and Maintenance Workers
• Electricians and Insulators
• Chemical Plant Operators
• Construction Workers and Factory Laborers
• HVAC Technicians
• Boiler Mechanics
• U.S. Navy Veterans

Exposure didn’t just happen on the job. “Take-home” asbestos occurred when workers unknowingly carried fibers home on clothes, hair, or skin, putting family members at risk. Spouses and children who never worked in a plant may still have been exposed and developed serious illnesses later.

Even if your job title isn’t on this list, you may still have been exposed. If you or a loved one developed mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related illness after working in or around PPG or Pittsburgh Corning products, call us at (513) 381-2333 or fill out our online form to set up a free case evaluation. We can review your situation and help determine your options.

Why Are These Cases Important?

America’s chemical companies have a legal and ethical duty to provide their workers with safe working environments. When corporations fail to protect employees, they are bound to compensate families in the event of injury or death.

Many experience asbestos exposure through the workplace. Workplaces may have been filled with toxic materials, and employers may have failed to warn of the serious health risks of the job. Filing a suit helps to raise awareness of job safety.