Mesothelioma in Ambler, Pennsylvania
Ambler, Pennsylvania, was once known as the “town asbestos built.” Companies in the town made many asbestos products. These companies also dumped asbestos waste in piles around Ambler. This act harmed the environment. It also led Ambler residents to develop asbestos diseases like mesothelioma.
Learn More About Asbestos and Mesothelioma in Ambler
History of Asbestos Use in Ambler, Pennsylvania
Asbestos manufacturing started in Ambler, Pennsylvania, in 1896. That year, the Keasbey & Mattison Company opened the first asbestos textile plant and began manufacturing insulation. The company’s insulation used magnesium carbonate and asbestos.
Ambler offered easy access to natural resources and a nearby railroad. This combination helped Keasbey & Mattison grow quickly and attracted other companies to the town. As the asbestos industry grew, more workers and residents were put at risk of dangerous asbestos exposure.
Keasbey & Mattison Manufactured Asbestos Products for Decades
The Keasbey & Mattison asbestos factory operated under different owners for nearly 100 years. By 1962, CertainTeed Corporation and Nicolet Industries owned the facility. This facility manufactured many asbestos products, including:
So, the workers at these facilities may have been exposed to asbestos on the job.
From the 1930s to roughly 1974, companies also piled asbestos waste near the town. Residents called the area the White Mountains of Ambler. This area covered 25 acres of land. Estimates put the total amount of debris at more than 1.5 million cubic yards of asbestos waste.
The White Mountains, also known as the Ambler Asbestos Piles, may have exposed thousands of people to asbestos. Any exposure can lead to asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Anyone who develops an illness after exposure to Ambler’s asbestos may have legal options. An asbestos attorney can help.
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Health Impacts of Asbestos in Ambler, Pennsylvania
Ambler’s asbestos contamination put thousands at risk of exposure. Workers and their family members developed mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
Asbestos dust covered homes and vehicles close to the White Mountains in Ambler. The town had playgrounds near the asbestos piles. And children used to play on the asbestos piles.
Keasbey & Mattison’s actions exposed workers to asbestos fibers. In some cases, their family members also experienced secondhand asbestos exposure. And people who used the company’s products risked exposure. As a result, many people later developed mesothelioma because of the widespread asbestos use and dumping in Ambler.
People in Ambler continue to face elevated cases of asbestos-related diseases. Mesothelioma has a long latency period, meaning it takes a long time for symptoms to start. It can take 10 – 50 years before people have mesothelioma symptoms.
Mesothelioma Incidence in Ambler, Pennsylvania
Studies show mesothelioma incidence is higher in Ambler than the statewide average. In a Pennsylvania Department of Health study, researchers analyzed mesothelioma cases in Ambler from 1992 to 2008. They found the rates of mesothelioma in Ambler were:
- 2.7 times higher than average for men
- 4.5 times higher than average for women
Overall, the researchers found the incidence of mesothelioma was 3.1 times higher than expected in Ambler. The researchers also stated mesothelioma rates for neighboring towns were not elevated.
More recent data have also shown an elevated impact of mesothelioma and asbestos diseases in Ambler. For instance, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data show Montgomery County ranked 12th in the nation for mesothelioma deaths between 1999 and 2020.
| Gender | Number of Deaths |
|---|---|
| Male | 227 |
| Female | 70 |
Ambler, Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Treatment
Mesothelioma patients in Ambler can seek treatment at several nearby cancer centers. For example, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has several mesothelioma cancer centers. Specialists at these centers work in multidisciplinary teams. These teams focus on personalized patient care and comfort. They may also provide patients access to mesothelioma clinical trials.
Ambler, Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Doctors
Doctors who specialize in mesothelioma treatment are located close to Ambler. They work one-on-one with patients and their families to develop personalized care plans. Mesothelioma doctors near Ambler may suggest a variety of treatments based on individuals’ unique cases. These treatments include chemotherapy, immunotherapy and surgery.
Pennsylvania mesothelioma doctors and specialists in nearby states have experience treating different types of mesothelioma. These cancer care teams can also help connect patients and their loved ones with resources, like support groups.
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Asbestos exposure in Ambler led to thousands of asbestos-related lawsuits. People who developed asbestos diseases filed lawsuits against the companies responsible. By 1987, more than 50,000 asbestos-related lawsuits had been filed. Keasbey & Mattison’s parent company, Nicolet Industries, Inc., filed for bankruptcy.
Anyone exposed to asbestos through products made at the Ambler facilities or the waste dumped in town may have legal options. People diagnosed with mesothelioma and their family members may qualify for compensation.
Finding a Lawyer or Law Firm in Ambler, Pennsylvania
A mesothelioma law firm can help Ambler residents diagnosed with asbestos-related cancers. Lawyers at these firms file lawsuits and negotiate settlements on behalf of victims and their families. A lawyer experienced with Pennsylvania asbestos law can help with the entire legal process.
Asbestos victims may also be eligible to seek mesothelioma compensation from other sources. For example, many asbestos companies have set up bankruptcy trust funds to pay out asbestos claims. A mesothelioma lawyer will review a person’s case to determine what the best option may be.
Deadlines for Filing Mesothelioma Lawsuits in Ambler, Pennsylvania
Each state has its own deadlines for filing different types of lawsuits. These deadlines are outlined by the state’s statutes of limitations. A mesothelioma lawyer can help asbestos victims meet any filing deadlines.
Claims must be filed within 2 years after an asbestos-related diagnosis.
Claims must be filed within 2 years after an asbestos-related death.
Successful mesothelioma lawsuits have been filed in Ambler. Lawsuit compensation can help pay for things like treatment costs, lost wages and loss of future income. Examples of clients in Ambler who received compensation include:
Age: 66
Occupation: Office worker
Jobsites Worked at: Boiler Erection & Repair (1952 – 1982)
Settlement: ~$785,223
Age: 90
Occupations: Laborer, Navy
Jobsites Worked at: Edward Berry Farm (1950); Keasbey & Mattison Company (1947 – 1951)
Settlement: ~$537,132
Asbestos Cleanup Efforts in Ambler, Pennsylvania
Cleanup and remediation efforts in Ambler began soon after the dangers became more publicly known in the 1970s. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began cleaning up the asbestos waste sites in 1973.
Ambler had two separate sites added to the EPA’s Superfund program. Both sites were close to businesses, homes and schools. Anyone who lived or worked close to these sites may have risked asbestos exposure. The EPA currently monitors both sites.
Ambler Asbestos Piles Superfund Site
The Ambler Asbestos Piles Superfund site consisted of three asbestos-containing waste piles. Asbestos dumping at the site contaminated the air, soil, sediments and surface water.
In 1974, the EPA documented that the piles contained 1.5 million cubic yards of asbestos waste. The materials were spread out over more than 25 acres. The agency began cleanup in 1973, and it placed the site on the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1986.
The EPA cleanup included capping the asbestos piles. The organization also added a layer of dirt to allow plants to grow. Finally, the EPA fenced the area off and put up signs warning of the buried asbestos.
The EPA’s cleanup efforts finished in 1993. The Ambler piles were taken off the NPL in 1996. The EPA still monitors the site to protect the health of Ambler residents.
BoRit Asbestos Piles Superfund Site
The second Ambler Superfund site is the BoRit Asbestos Piles. Companies used this area for asbestos waste disposal from the early 1900s to the late 1960s.
In 2008, the EPA conducted an emergency cleanup at the BoRit site, and the agency added the site to the NPL. At 2.5 acres, the BoRit site was smaller than the Ambler Asbestos Piles.
The BoRit site sat adjacent to a reservoir and three separate waterways. The EPA was concerned asbestos could contaminate the water and spread the fibers downstream.
The EPA capped all the asbestos-containing materials. The agency also shored up the banks of the three waterways. The EPA completed the BoRit cleanup in 2017 and continues to monitor the area.
Are Ambler, Pennsylvania Residents Safe From Asbestos Exposure Today?
Studies of Ambler suggest current residents are safe. However, officials recommend residents stay out of restricted sites and follow safety regulations. These precautions may help residents reduce the risk of exposure.
Anyone who lived or worked in Ambler before the asbestos cleanup may be at risk. Asbestos exposure can cause someone to develop an asbestos-related disease. Symptoms for these diseases may not present until 10 or more years after exposure. Anyone with a known history of asbestos exposure may want to talk with their doctor. A physician can help monitor for symptoms of mesothelioma.
Ambler, Pennsylvania Jobsites Where Asbestos Exposure Occurred
- Amchem Products Inc.
- Asbestos, Shingle, Slate and Sheathing Company
- CertainTeed Corporation
- Keasbey & Mattison Company
- Nicolet Industries Inc.
- Palmerweld Fabricating Company
Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC WONDER: About Underlying Cause of Death, 1999-2020.
Distillations Magazine. Living in the Town Asbestos Built.
E&E News. A Philadelphia suburb’s asbestos nightmare.
Hidden City Philadelphia. Op-Ed: Saving the Town that Asbestos Built.
MIT Libraries. Asbestos, USA : a little town once thrived as the asbestos capital of the world – now it grapples with the waste that was left behind.
Pennsylvania Department of Health. Cancer Evaluation: Ambler Area, Montgomery County.
Pennsylvania Department of Health. MESOTHELIOMA UPDATE: AMBLER, PA.
Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania. Asbestos in Ambler.
United States Environmental Protection Agency. Superfund Site: AMBLER ASBESTOS PILES AMBLER, PA.
United States Environmental Protection Agency. Superfund Site: BORIT ASBESTOS AMBLER, PA.
United States Environmental Protection Agency. What is Superfund?
Wissahickon Valley Historical Society. The White Mountains of Ambler.
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Reviewed by
Jennifer Lucarelli
Mesothelioma Lawyer and Legal Advisor
For more than two decades, Jennifer Lucarelli has served as Legal Advisor at Mesothelioma.com. She has advocated for more than 1,000 asbestos victims, securing millions in settlements and helping them access quality medical care.
