Ferndale, Washington

Ferndale is a city on the Nooksack River in Whatcom County, Washington. First settled around 1860 during the Gold Rush, Ferndale has a population of about 11,400 in a 6.3 square-mile area. Logging and fishing attracted settlers initially, and, as the land was cleared of timber, Ferndale became an agricultural community. Today, oil refining and aluminum smelting are the primary industries. Top employers include Alcoa's Intalco Works, ConocoPhillips Ferndale Refinery and Tenaska Ferndale Cogeneration Station.

For much of Ferndale's early years, log jams on the Nooksack River prevented travel to the north, leaving the town relatively isolated. The jams were cleared by 1877, and roads began to open up. The Great Northern Railroad ran a line through Ferndale in 1893, making transport of passengers and goods easier. Ferndale officially incorporated in 1907. The San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1906 kept demand for timber high for a time, but Ferndale's main industry in the 20th century would prove to be oil refining. In 1953, General Petroleum (which would become Mobil Oil Company a few years later) began construction of a refinery. The refinery changed hands several times after 1988, when Mobil sold it to BP Oil Company, and today it is operated by ConocoPhillips. Not far away is the Cherry Point Refinery, the largest in Washington State, which was built by the Atlantic Richfield Oil Company in 1971 and is currently operated by BP. In recent years, new industries have made their homes in Ferndale, including metal products manufacturer K&K Industries, and Samson Rope Technologies, which has its roots in a company founded in Massachusetts in 1878.

Ferndale's history of heavy industry makes asbestos exposure an ongoing concern for workers. During the first half of the 20th century, asbestos-containing materials were widely used in manufacturing and construction, putting workers at risk for asbestos cancer. Asbestos attorneys may also be able to assist you if you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos in Ferndale.

Large Jobsites in Ferndale 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 Ferndale where asbestos exposure was known to have occurred. These sites are listed below. Click on them to get more detailed information.

Other Jobsites in Ferndale where Asbestos Exposure Occurred

These additional jobsites in Ferndale, WA 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.

Mesothelioma Cancer Centers Near Ferndale, WA

For your convenience we have compiled a list of mesothelioma cancer centers that are located within a 100 mile radius of Ferndale, WA. Please click on a cancer center link to obtain more information about the clinical programs offered, professional designations, areas of expertise and how to contact the center.

Mesothelioma Doctors Near Ferndale, WA

For your convenience we have compiled a list of mesothelioma doctors who are located within a 100 mile radius of Ferndale, WA. Please click on a doctor link to obtain more information about his/her background, areas of expertise, professional affiliations and office locations.