Workplaces Where Plastic Molding Workers Were Exposed

Asbestos-phenolic compounds were used in five broad categories of workplace during the 1930s–1970s exposure era. Each category had its own typical worker profile and exposure pattern.

Compound manufacturer plants

The plants where raw asbestos was blended with phenolic resin and pelletized into molding compound. Highest exposure intensity — workers (especially compounders, bagging operators, and equipment maintenance) handled raw asbestos in bulk quantities daily.

Major compound manufacturer plants:

  • Union Carbide Bakelite — Bound Brook NJ, Pittsfield MA
  • Monsanto Resinox — St. Louis MO
  • Durez Plastics — North Tonawanda NY, Niagara Falls NY, Kenton OH
  • Plenco — Chicago IL (1934-1950s), Sheboygan WI (1950s-1983)
  • Rogers Corporation — Rogers CT, Manchester CT
  • General Electric Phenolic — Pittsfield MA
  • Westinghouse Micarta — multiple plants
  • Fiberite — Winona MN

See the Companies & Defendants page for the per-manufacturer breakdown.

Captive molding operations (vertically integrated manufacturers)

Large manufacturers (GE, Westinghouse, others) had their own captive molding shops that purchased asbestos-phenolic compound from the compound makers and produced finished electrical components, transformers, switchgear, motors, and other equipment. These plants were located throughout the country at GE, Westinghouse, and similar electrical-manufacturer facilities.

Independent molding shops

Hundreds of independent molding shops across the U.S. purchased asbestos-phenolic compound and produced parts on contract for downstream customers. Documented in the Industrial Exposure Archive network state sites:

  • Missouri: Koller Craft LLC (Fenton), Reichhold Chemicals (Valley Park), Carter Carburetor (St. Louis), Hussmann Corporation (Bridgeton)
  • Illinois: Resinoid Engineering Corporation, Reichhold Chemicals (Morris)
  • Indiana: Rostone Corporation (Lafayette), Belden Manufacturing (Richmond)
  • Michigan: Motor Wheel Corporation (Lansing)
  • Wisconsin: Allen-Bradley (Milwaukee)

Many additional independent molding shops in these and other states are not yet individually documented but were part of the same exposure ecosystem.

Defense / aerospace contractors

Military Spec MIL-M-14 mandated asbestos-filled phenolic compounds for many defense and aerospace components. Workers at:

  • Boeing, McDonnell Douglas, Lockheed, Northrop, Grumman, Raytheon, Hughes Aircraft, General Dynamics
  • Naval shipyards and Navy maintenance depots — see navyshipexposure.com for the Navy-side documentation
  • NASA contractors — Apollo program components, rocket nozzle assemblies, missile casings
  • Army and Air Force depot maintenance facilities

handled asbestos-filled phenolic parts as part of normal manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance operations.

Automotive component plants

The automotive industry used phenolic compounds extensively for:

  • Brake linings and pads (20-40% asbestos by weight when phenolic-based)
  • Clutch facings (35-60% asbestos)
  • Distributor caps and ignition components
  • Transmission housings and components

Automotive parts plants at the Big Three (Ford, GM, Chrysler) and at independent suppliers (Bendix, Borg-Warner, Eaton, others) employed thousands of workers in phenolic compound handling operations.

For workers’ rights based on workplace history, see Free Consultation or call (314) 936-2956.