Coal Tar Pitch
The Locks Law Firm represents individuals, including union roofers and other union tradesmen, who develop certain types of cancer or lung diseases after exposure to coal tar pitch (CTP) materials.What is Coal Tar Pitch?
Coal tar pitch is a dark brown or black residue with a smoky odor. It is the byproduct of heating or distilling coal tar, as it done in the roofing profession. Heating the materials causes vapors, dust and fumes to be released that are harmful to human health. CTP is a mixture of many chemicals that are produced through high temperature treatment of various woods, coal, or creosote bush resin.
Is Coal Tar Pitch Harmful?
Yes. When heated, the tar pitch and asphalt used by roofers emit toxic fumes. The International Agency for Research on Cancer and the EPA have determined that coal tar is probably carcinogenic to humans.
What Diseases Can Coal Tar Pitch Cause?
The fumes can cause lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or fibrosis. Contact with the skin is associated with skin cancer, bladder cancer, testicular cancer, and scrotal cancer.
Is Exposure to Coal Tar Pitch Volatiles Regulated?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates coal tar pitch exposure under its Air Contaminants Standard. Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, often referred to as the General Duty Clause, requires employers to "furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees."
Recently Filed Case for a Union Roofer
In a recently filed case on behalf of a union roofer, the treating doctors believed that the roofer's fibrosis and COPD were caused by inhalation of coal tar pitch fumes, since he was a life-long non-smoker and had no other contact with any other chemicals or products which could have caused lung disease.
Who is at fault?
The firm has filed claims against both manufacturers and distributors of the asphalt and pitch materials used by the worker, since the products were not properly labeled to warn of these known hazards or suggest safe work practices that could have been followed in order to avoid or eliminate the risk of disease
Please contact the Locks Law Firm if you are a union tradesman who has developed lung disease or cancer. It may be related to coal tar pitch exposure.
Philadelphia, PA
601 Walnut Street, Ste. 720 East
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Phone: 1-866-298-9934
Cherry Hill, NJ
Liberty View Building 457 Haddonfield Road, Ste. 500
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
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New York, NY
110 East 55th Street
New York, NY 10022
Phone: 1-866-298-9934