Lake Charles, Louisiana

Lake Charles is a city in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. Located on Lake Charles and the Calcasieu River, the city has a current population of just under 72,000 residents. First settled in the 1760s, Lakes Charles was incorporated in 1861. The city has evolved from a lumber city to a major petrochemical refining center. The tourism and gaming industries also contribute to the economy, and a number of visitor-friendly redevelopments have been planned in the wake of damage from Hurricane Rita in 2005. Notable employers include ConocoPhillips, Northrop Grumman, and Lakes Charles Memorial Hospital. Lake Charles is also home to McNeese State University.

Lake Charles's abundant lakes and waterways, and stands of cypress and pine, made lumbering a key industry from about 1817 to the late 19th century. Lake Charles builders employed locally-produced pine lumber and trim in the construction of fanciful Victorian-style homes. During the 20th century, petroleum and chemical refining became Lake Charles's dominant industries, with many facilities initially built to provide products for the military. In 1943, the U.S. Government built a synthetic rubber factory to assist in the war effort. Operated by Firestone Tire & Rubber and purchased by them in 1955, the plant is now home to Firestone Polymers. In 1959, Hercules Incorporated began construction of a polypropylene plant. Today the plant is a facility of LyondellBasell, and produces a wide range of polyolefin products. PPG Industries' Lake Charles complex was built in the 1940s as a defense plant to produce magnesium, and converted to chlor-alkali manufacturing after the war. Consolidated Aluminum Corporation, now Alcoa Primary Metals, began operations in Lake Charles in 1983. The Grace division of W.R. Grace operates the world’s largest fluid cracking catalyst manufacturing plant, built in 1953. These firms and many others established in the mid-20th century continue to be active in Lake Charles today.

Lake Charles's lengthy history of manufacturing and construction makes asbestos exposure an ongoing concern. Workers and their families who have been exposed to asbestos may be at risk for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. If you were exposed to asbestos in Lake Charles, you may benefit from seeking the advice of an asbestos attorney.

Large Jobsites in Lake Charles where Asbestos Exposure Occurred

The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance has compiled information obtained from a number of sources to identify the following large job sites in Lake Charles where asbestos exposure was known to have occurred. These sites are listed below. Click on them to get more detailed information.

Other Jobsites in Lake Charles where Asbestos Exposure Occurred

These additional jobsites in Lake Charles, LA have been identified as harboring asbestos containing materials. These sites, at one point in their history, were known to have exposed a variety of tradesmen to asbestos. We will be documenting in more detail how asbestos exposure occurred at these sites in the future on this web site.