Did You Know?

Asbestos has been known to cause respiratory illnesses for over 2,000 years, and has been scientifically documented since 1897.

Aluminum Plants & Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos has been used heavily in Aluminum Plants, metal refining operations, steel mills, and foundries. Studies of Aluminum workers have shown that wherever high heat or fire is a hazard, asbestos is present in one form or another. Asbestos was dangerous to the health of Aluminum workers, sheet metal workers, iron workers and many other trades.

According to the Asbestos Resource Center, Steel and Aluminum workers are among the highest riskof asbestos exposure. Aluminum and Steel workers have been heavily exposed to asbestos. Steam pipes, boilers, high temperature refractory furnace linings, insulation steam pipes, boilers, smelters, and steel ovens were protected by asbestos. Asbestos blankets and cloths were used to regulate the rate of cooling of metal castings.

Aluminum & Steel workers were also exposed by use of personal protective clothing such as aprons, leggings, and gloves. Aluminum workers not only have been exposed to asbestos, but also have experienced high levels of exposure.

How Aluminum workers are at Risk
Aluminum is found in bauxiteore and strip mined and is a post-transition metal. In order to reduce the iron ore to a pure metal, it is necessary to heat the reduction cells to around 960 degrees. These reduction cells are one place in which asbestos is used for lagging, or heat shielding. Asbestos was wrapped around many these reduction cells and any conduits through which heated solution is carried.

Other Aluminum workers at Risk

Other Aluminum workers who were employed in Aluminum Plants prior to 1980 may also be at risk. These Aluminum Plant workers include sheet metal workers, office personnel, workers who installed aluminum ductwork in the crawlspaces of buildings, insulation workers, and workers worked in the auto parts industry and construction trades that involved handling aluminum paneling more than thirty years ago may also be at risk.

List of Aluminum & Steel Plants

• Alcan Aluminum Plant - Riverside
• Kaiser Steel Mill - Fontana
• U.S. Steel Mill - Fontana
• U.S. Steel Mill - Pittsburg
• U.S. Steel Mill (formerly Kaiser Steel)

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