Key Takeaways
- The steel industry is one of the most common occupations associated with asbestos-related disease. Asbestos was used to protect workers from extreme heat in furnaces, ovens, pipes, gaskets, and boilers.
- In the 1950s, the United States produced approximately half of the world’s steel — and Pennsylvania was at the center of that production.
- U.S. Steel Corporation, originally located in Pittsburgh, used asbestos-containing materials at its facilities and was fined by OSHA in 2016 for exposing employees to asbestos.
- Bethlehem Steel Corporation used asbestos for heat resistance prior to the mid-1970s. Former workers have reported that asbestos dust was constantly present in the air.
- Other notable Pennsylvania steel companies that exposed workers include Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corporation, AK Steel, and J&L Specialty Steel.
- In many cases, steel mill workers were not warned about asbestos dangers and were not provided protective equipment — not even a mask.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring silicate material that was widely used in the past because of its heat-resistant properties. Although asbestos use has faded since the public became aware of its dangers, its effects are still seen today. Asbestos is a carcinogen, meaning that it can cause cancer. When someone breathes in asbestos fibers, they can get stuck in certain areas of the body, most commonly the lungs. Because there is a latency period between breathing and asbestos and the potential of symptoms of an asbestos-related disease, people who inhaled asbestos even 50 years ago may just be seeing its effects today.
The steel making industry is one of the most notorious jobs for asbestos exposure. High levels of heat were used in the steelmaking process; therefore asbestos was used to “protect” workers from that heat. In many instances, steel mill workers were not warned of the dangers of asbestos and were not given any protective equipment, usually not even a mask. Asbestos exposure from the steel industry was all too common. That is why it is one of the most common jobs that is associated with asbestos-related disease.
The American steel industry was a powerhouse. For instance, in the 1950s the United States produced about half of the world’s steel. Asbestos insulation was used on many products and machines in steel mills. Other products that commonly contained asbestos were furnaces, ovens, pipes, gaskets, and boilers. If work was done on any of these products/equipment, asbestos dust may have been released into the air, causing surrounding workers to be exposed.
Asbestos Exposure from the Steel Industry – Steel Mills
Asbestos Exposure from the steel industry was common in Pennsylvania as there were many steel mills. Many people know of Pittsburgh, PA and its long history of steel production. United State Steel Corporation was originally located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. US Steel used asbestos-containing materials at its premises, putting workers at risk of developing an asbestos-related disease later in life. US Steel has faced a lot of lawsuits from former employees who have exposed to asbestos who later developed an asbestos-related disease. Although the company does not currently use asbestos, in 2016 they were fined by OSHA for exposing their employees to the carcinogen.
A very notable steel mill was in Bethlehem Pennsylvania, called Bethlehem Steel Corporation. The company also took part in shipbuilding and supplied steel to the US military. Prior to the mid-1970s, asbestos was used at Bethlehem Steel as a form of heat resistance. Many Bethlehem steel workers have said that the dust was in the air where they worked.
Some other notable steel companies in Pennsylvania that exposed workers to asbestos are:
- Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corporation
- AK Steel
- J&L Specialty Steel
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, please call the Halpern Law Firm at (800) 505-6000 or fill out or contact form for more information. We help mesothelioma victims in Pennsylvania navigate the legal process of a mesothelioma case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was asbestos used in the steel industry?
Steelmaking involves extremely high temperatures, and asbestos was used because of its heat-resistant properties. It was incorporated into insulation, furnaces, ovens, pipes, gaskets, boilers, and protective equipment. When any of this equipment was serviced, repaired, or disturbed, asbestos dust could be released into the air — exposing workers to carcinogenic fibers.
Which Pennsylvania steel companies exposed workers to asbestos?
Several major Pennsylvania steel companies are known to have exposed workers to asbestos:
- United States Steel Corporation — originally in Pittsburgh, fined by OSHA in 2016
- Bethlehem Steel Corporation — used asbestos for heat resistance until the mid-1970s
- Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corporation
- AK Steel
- J&L Specialty Steel
This is not an exhaustive list — many smaller mills and contractors throughout the state also used asbestos.
Were steel workers warned about asbestos dangers?
In most cases, no. Steel mill workers were typically not warned about the dangers of asbestos and were not provided with protective equipment — in many instances, not even a basic mask. Workers breathed in asbestos dust daily, often for years or decades, without any understanding of the health risks they faced.
What should I do if I worked in a Pennsylvania steel mill and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma?
If you or a loved one worked in a Pennsylvania steel mill and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, your work history is a critical part of your legal case. Call (800) 505-6000 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation.
