Key Takeaways
- Pittsburgh was the “Steel Capital of the World” by the late 19th century — its location on three major rivers, proximity to natural resources, and position between the East Coast and Midwest made it the ideal hub for steel production.
- Steel mills used asbestos extensively in protective equipment (gloves, aprons), furnaces, building insulation, ovens, and boiler room components because of its fireproofing and insulating properties.
- In 1953, 62% of all steel and iron workers in the country were located in Allegheny County — which includes Pittsburgh and surrounding areas — concentrating asbestos exposure risk in a single region.
- U.S. Steel Corp. was cited by OSHA in both 2011 and 2016 for knowingly exposing workers to asbestos — including directing employees to handle asbestos-containing packaging and piping without proper training or protective equipment. The company was fined $170,000.
- The steel industry created both occupational and secondhand exposure risks — meaning not only workers but also their families and nearby residents faced increased risk of developing mesothelioma.
Pittsburgh’s Steel Industry and Asbestos: The Numbers
Pittsburgh was aptly dubbed the “Steel Capital of the World.” Because of its ideal position
between the East Coast and Midwest, location on three major rivers, and ample natural
resources, Pittsburgh became the world’s leading producer of steel by the late 19th century. The
most notable of these pioneers was Andrew Carnegie–one of the wealthiest Americans of his
time–because of his investment in the steel industry.
The steel industry has notoriously utilized asbestos in their mills because of its fireproofing and
highly insulating qualities. It was commonly used in protective equipment (like gloves and
aprons), furnaces, building insulation, ovens, and in the different components of the boiler
rooms. In 1953 alone, 62% of all steel and iron workers in the country were located in Allegheny
County (which includes Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas).
Because of the prevalence and duration of the steel industry in Pittsburgh, local residents and
previous workers at these mills are at an increased risk of asbestos exposure. The steel industry
has posed both occupational and second-hand asbestos exposure risks, meaning that its workers
are much more likely to develop malignant pleural mesothelioma than people who weren’t as
consistently exposed to asbestos.
US Steel Corporation
In one example, U.S. Steel Corp. was observed by the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) in 2011 and 2016. In both observations, a handful of workers were
exposed to asbestos. For instance, in observation, workers were instructed to remove and dispose
of packaging that was known to contain asbestos. There are certain precautions to take when
doing this, as the asbestos exposure can be mitigated through proper handling techniques (like
not cutting it open, or cutting it open in an area with ventilation, or even using personal
protective equipment [PPE]). In another case, the company directed two workers to remove and
replace a section of the building’s expansion piping; the piping was later found to have contained
significant amounts of asbestos.
Steel Corp. was fined $170,000 for knowingly exposing their employees to asbestos and not
providing the proper training for employees to mitigate asbestos exposure. Although this is just
one recent example, there are likely more local examples of this kind of negligent action in steel
mills (especially as asbestos is still used to an extent in the United States, and especially in the
industrial sector). These companies need to be held accountable; at the very least, their
employees need to be aware of the risks and educated on responsibly handling products that may
contain asbestos.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, please call
(800)-505-6000 for legal help. For more information, fill out the form on our Homepage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Pittsburgh such a major center for steel production?
Pittsburgh became the world’s leading steel producer by the late 19th century because of a combination of geographic and economic advantages. The city sits at the confluence of three major rivers (the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio), providing ideal transportation routes. It was strategically located between the East Coast and Midwest, had access to abundant natural resources including coal and iron ore, and attracted major industrialists — most notably Andrew Carnegie, whose Carnegie Steel Company became one of the largest in the world.
Where was asbestos used in Pittsburgh steel mills?
Asbestos was used throughout steel mills because of its fireproofing and heat-insulating properties. Common applications included:
- Protective equipment — gloves, aprons, and other worker gear
- Furnaces and ovens — insulation and lining materials
- Building insulation — walls, ceilings, and floors of mill structures
- Boiler room components — pipes, gaskets, and lagging
Workers who operated, maintained, or repaired any of this equipment were at direct risk of inhaling asbestos fibers.
How many steel workers were in the Pittsburgh area?
In 1953, 62% of all steel and iron workers in the entire United States were located in Allegheny County — the county that includes Pittsburgh and its surrounding communities. This extraordinary concentration of workers in a single region meant that tens of thousands of people were exposed to asbestos on the job, and many more were exposed secondhand through contaminated work clothes brought home to families.
What happened with U.S. Steel Corp. and OSHA?
OSHA inspected U.S. Steel Corp. operations in both 2011 and 2016 and found that workers were being knowingly exposed to asbestos. In one instance, workers were directed to remove and dispose of packaging known to contain asbestos without proper precautions. In another, two workers were ordered to remove and replace a section of building expansion piping that was later found to contain significant amounts of asbestos. The company was fined $170,000 for these violations — specifically for failing to protect workers from asbestos exposure and not providing adequate training on safe handling procedures.
Were families of Pittsburgh steel workers also at risk?
Yes. The steel industry created both occupational and secondhand exposure risks. Workers who came into contact with asbestos on the job could unknowingly carry microscopic fibers home on their clothing, skin, hair, and shoes. Family members — particularly spouses who laundered contaminated work clothes and children who had close physical contact with workers — were exposed without ever setting foot in a mill. This secondhand exposure has been directly linked to mesothelioma diagnoses in family members decades later.
Is asbestos still used in steel mills today?
While federal regulations have significantly reduced asbestos use in the United States, asbestos has not been fully banned and is still used to some extent in industrial settings. The 2011 and 2016 OSHA citations against U.S. Steel Corp. demonstrate that asbestos exposure in steel-related operations remains a real and ongoing risk — not just a historical problem. Workers in these environments should be aware of the potential hazards and ensure that their employers are following proper safety protocols.
What should I do if I worked in a Pittsburgh-area steel mill and have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease?
If you or a loved one worked in a Pittsburgh-area steel mill — or any steel or iron facility in Allegheny County — and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, your work history is a critical piece of your legal case. Documenting where you worked, your job duties, and the materials you were exposed to can help build a strong claim. Call (800) 505-6000 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation.
