Are Steel Plant Employees at Risk?

In addition to working in the buildings themselves, steel mill workers at Armco were also likely exposed to asbestos through protective garments, including coats, leggings, gloves aprons, coveralls and face masks that were meant to protect workers from extreme temperatures and from burns while working with molten materials.

After daily wear, fibers within the protective clothing were released and possibly inhaled by workers. Even if they were not participating in the manufacturing of steel, workers at Armco could have been exposed to asbestos and risk developing mesothelioma because of toxic building materials such as refractory bricks, floor and ceiling tiles, and liner boards.

Asbestos fibers can also become attached to clothes at a contaminated work site and contaminate worker’s home environments. The possibility of home contamination places family members at an increased risk for mesothelioma and other effects of asbestos exposure.

Causes of Mesothelioma

Breathing asbestos fibers into the lungs damages tissue surrounding the lungs. This could serve as the primary source for victims who develop lung cancer and, possibly mesothelioma.

Those who develop mesothelioma may not show no signs of illness for a long time after their first exposure. Cases of mesothelioma are often diagnosed 20 years or more after a person was first exposed to asbestos.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

By the time symptoms appear, mesothelioma has most likely already reached an advanced stage. Symptoms of mesothelioma can be varied, and they depend on several factors but typically include:

•    Pain in the chest and rib area
•    Persistent cough
•    Trouble breathing
•    Mysterious lumps of tissue on the chest and abdomen
•    Stomach pains
•    Swelling of the abdomen
•    Weight loss

It is recommended that former workers of Armco or AK Steel and other steel mills contact medical professionals about possible exposure to asbestos.

Who is most at Risk to develop Mesothelioma?

Experts say former workers at Ashland, Kentucky ARMCO and Middletown, Ohio AK Steel may be at risk. 

For the last 70 years, countless Americans in factories around the country have been exposed to asbestos. Data from the World Health Organization show about 30 percent of deaths from occupational cancer each year could be caused by asbestos.

One study estimates that 8,200 cancer-related deaths could be the result of asbestos exposure. The types of steel plant positions most commonly exposed to asbestos include:

•    Welder
•    Pipefitter
•    Machinist
•    Boilermaker
•    Blacksmith
•    Millwright
•    Bricklayer
•    Motor inspector
•    Conductor

Legal Action for Victims of Exposure

The legal system holds steel plants responsible for maintaining a safe work environment for workers. When this responsibility is not met, these corporations should compensate the victims of unsafe practice.

Lawsuits contend that asbestos manufacturers knew about potential health dangers of their products as early as the 1930s and failed to warn anyone.
Many US steel plants, including Armco-AK Steel, USX Corporation, LTV Steel, Weirton Steel and Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp. have been involved in asbestos litigation for exposing steel mill workers to toxic materials.

Recently, an Illinois jury awarded a former U.S. Steel employee with a $250 million verdict after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, which was attributed to his exposure to asbestos from 1950 to 1981. The verdict included $50 million in compensatory and $200 million in punitive damages.