Asbestos Exposure in Maryland

Major Maryland Asbestos Exposure Sites

Bethlehem Steel Sparrows Point — The World’s Largest Steel Plant

Bethlehem Steel’s Sparrows Point facility on the Patapsco River was, at various points during its history, the largest integrated steel plant in the world. At its World War II peak, Sparrows Point employed approximately 35,000 workers. The complex included blast furnaces, basic oxygen furnaces, rolling mills, a tin mill, rod and wire mills, and — critically for asbestos exposure purposes — one of the largest private shipyards on the East Coast.

Asbestos was pervasive throughout Sparrows Point’s operations:

• Blast furnaces and coke ovens: Extensive asbestos block insulation, blankets, and refractory materials on furnace bodies and hot blast stoves
• Rolling mills: Asbestos-insulated steam systems, rolls, and equipment throughout the production line
• Shipyard division: Every vessel launched at Sparrows Point was insulated with asbestos pipe lagging and boiler insulation in its engine and boiler spaces
• Power and steam plant: The Sparrows Point power plant that supplied the complex used boilers insulated with hundreds of tons of asbestos block insulation

Bethlehem Steel declared bankruptcy in 2001. Asbestos claims against the company are handled by the Bethlehem Steel Corporation Asbestos Personal Injury Trust, which remains active and accepts eligible claims from former workers and their families.

W.R. Grace Connection: Davison Chemical, Baltimore

W.R. Grace & Company operated the Davison Chemical division in Curtis Bay, Baltimore — and Grace is among the most significant asbestos defendants in U.S. legal history due to its operation of a vermiculite mine in Libby, Montana that contaminated the community with tremolite asbestos. Workers who were employed at Grace’s Baltimore chemical plants, as well as those who handled Grace vermiculite products (sold under brand names like Zonolite attic insulation), may have asbestos-related claims against the W.R. Grace asbestos trust, which was funded at $4 billion as part of Grace’s 2016 bankruptcy resolution.

Maryland Asbestos Regulations

The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) regulates asbestos under COMAR 26.11.20 (Control of Asbestos). Maryland has a comprehensive state asbestos program that covers residential as well as commercial properties:

• Contractor accreditation: Maryland requires MDE asbestos contractor accreditation — separate from federal AHERA requirements.
• Inspector accreditation: Inspectors must hold both AHERA inspector accreditation and Maryland MDE inspector accreditation.
• Residential coverage: Unlike the federal NESHAP (which largely exempts single-family homes), Maryland’s program covers residential dwellings.
• Notification: MDE must be notified at least 10 working days before demolition or renovation projects disturbing regulated ACM.
• Baltimore City: The Baltimore City Health Department has additional oversight for asbestos projects within the city limits.

Maryland Statute of Limitations: 3 Years

Maryland provides 3 years from diagnosis to file an asbestos personal injury claim under Md. Code Cts. & Jud. Proc. §5-108. Maryland applies the discovery rule — the SOL begins when the plaintiff knew or should have known that the disease is related to asbestos exposure. Wrongful death claims must be filed within 3 years of the death.

Maryland asbestos litigation is primarily venued in Baltimore City Circuit Court, which has a substantial asbestos docket particularly related to Sparrows Point and Baltimore shipyard exposure. Maryland courts have significant experience with complex asbestos mass tort cases.