Secondhand Asbestos Exposure Prevalent Among Steelworkers’ Families Secondhand asbestos exposure can occur when an individual encounters asbestos fibers through the clothing or equipment of someone who has been working with asbestos-containing materials. This is also known as Bystander Exposure. Asbestos could be found throughout steel mills which included blast furnaces, coke ovens, basic oxygen furnaces, […]
US Steel Pollution in the Mon Valley
US Steel Pollution in the Mon Valley The city of Pittsburgh and the surrounding region have long been known for its industry, but in recent years, residents and environmental groups have grown increasingly concerned about the elevated levels of benzene pollution coming from, three U.S. Steel plants in the Mon Valley: Irvin Works, Clairton Coke […]
Pittsburgh Asbestos History
Pittsburgh Asbestos History Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has a long history of industrialization and manufacturing, which has put many individuals in the area at risk of asbestos exposure. Asbestos was widely used in building materials and other products until the 1980s because of its durability, insulation properties, and fire resistance. However, asbestos fibers can be inhaled or […]
Asbestos in the State of Pennsylvania
Asbestos in the State of Pennsylvania Throughout much of the 20th century, asbestos was a popular building material due to its heat resistance, high-tensile strength, and affordability. As the dangers of asbestos became known, its use declined. The carcinogen was even banned for a short period of time in the late 1980s. However, its widespread […]
Weirton Steel Mill
Weirton Steel Mill Weirton Steel was founded by Ernest Weir in 1909. He originally started at U.S. Steel and ended up as a general manager of the Monessen tin plate mill, but in 1905, he left to buy a tin plate mill in Clarksburg, West Virginia. He expanded his operation to Holiday’s Cove, which was […]
Asbestos Duct Wrap
Asbestos Duct Wrap Asbestos was a popular building material in which its unique fibrous structure made it ideal for insulation and fireproofing. Most buildings and homes built before the 1980s contain asbestos insulation in the walls and attic. HVAC system ductwork, registers, and pipe systems may have been wrapped with asbestos duct wrap. It was not […]
Michigan Asbestos Risk & Exposure
Michigan Asbestos Risk & Exposure Workers in many Michigan industries where asbestos was widely used are at risk for asbestos exposure and related health conditions. Asbestos exposure limits had existed by federal mandate since the 1970s and 1980s when it was classified as a deadly carcinogen. However, asbestos has been used in products and industrial […]
Asbestos in Pennsylvania
Asbestos in Pennsylvania Pennsylvania has the third-highest asbestos exposure rating in the U.S. Asbestos is a naturally occurring, fibrous, silicate mineral in rock and soil. Asbestos is odorless, insoluble, and noncombustible. Various materials manufactured in Pennsylvania used asbestos for building construction, auto parts, and other products because of its fiber strength and heat resistance. Asbestos […]
Steel Workers Exposed to Asbestos
Steel Workers Exposed to Asbestos Steel mill workers handled a vast range of asbestos products to prevent fires and injuries from very high temperatures typical in the workplace. Asbestos was used before the public knew of its dangers. Companies used it in manufacturing because of its lightweight, economical, durable, fireproof, and insulating characteristics. Asbestos cement […]
Sources of Natural Asbestos Exposure
Sources of Natural Asbestos Exposure People exposed to asbestos are primarily exposed through work, but there are other ways people can encounter this carcinogen. Since asbestos is naturally occurring, there is a chance when going outside people can become exposed. Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring minerals that are found in rock and […]