Asbestos Exposure at American Rolling Mill Company (Armco) in Ashland, Kentucky

Asbestos was a common sight in American steel mills for decades because it insulated equipment from the intense heat needed to create steel. This insulation and other products were installed, repaired, removed, and replaced many times over the years, exposing everyone in the area to cancer-causing asbestos fibers.

Ashland, Kentucky Steel Mill Sets Industry Standards in the 1800s, Shuts Down About 150 Years Later

Ashland Furnace started operating in 1869 and was the largest furnace in the world at the time, with a capacity of 45 tons daily. According to the Ashland Community and Technical College, by 1879, 79 furnaces produced iron and steel. By 1916, the company started a new plant with an open hearth furnace on a new site. The American Rolling Mill Company (ARMCO) opened with 350 employees thanks to thirty investors who contributed $350,000.

One of them worked as an engineer at a paper mill before joining the company. He thought that steel could be rolled into sheets like paper. That vision came to life in 1923 when the first rolled steel was created, beginning the modern steel industry.

Rolled steel made mass production of steel items possible, lowering prices and boosting steel demand. The 1950s through the 1970s were prosperous years for Armco. They employed more than 5,000 people by the mid-1960s.

The 1980s were different. There was more competition from foreign steel makers and companies that used more automation. Armco modernized and saw success selling steel for oil drilling pipes. Petroleum is a boom-and-bust industry, and Armco suffered when it did.

Armco partnered with Kawasaki Steel, a large Japanese producer, in 1989. By 1992, the company had shrunk by closing plants and renamed itself AK Steel (Armco-Kawasaki). Only one plant was functioning by 1997, and its operations were reduced by 2015. The plant stopped operations in 2019 and was demolished in 2022.

Mesothelioma Cases at ARMCO / AK Steel (Podcast)

Listen to our interview with Attorney Paul Kelley about mesothelioma cases at ARMCO / AK Steel.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber composed of fine, durable, heat, fire, electricity, and chemical-resistant fibers. Asbestos was widely used in various industries for centuries, often because it’s an effective insulator and was considered a way to fire-proof structures.

Workers in Armco Steel Mills Were Exposed to Asbestos

Steel mill workers faced potential asbestos exposure in two main ways:

• Asbestos-containing materials on equipment: Asbestos was commonly used for insulation due to its heat resistance. Pipes, boilers, furnaces, and other hot equipment could be insulated with asbestos, and disturbing this insulation during maintenance or repairs could release asbestos fibers into the air. Asbestos was also used in building materials like ceiling and floor tiles, which could release fibers if damaged. Electrical equipment in steel mills also used asbestos to shield it from the heat of steel making as well as heat generated by electric use
• Asbestos-containing protective gear: Steelworkers often wore protective clothing like gloves, aprons, and even full suits to shield themselves from heat and molten metal splashes. Some of that gear contained asbestos, and the fibers could be released through wear and tear or from snags or tears.

It wasn’t just steel workers who were exposed to asbestos. Anyone walking through or working in the area, whether Armco employees or outside contractors, could have breathed in or ingested asbestos fibers.

Asbestos Exposure Causes Severe Illnesses and Death

Asbestos fibers are hazardous if ingested or inhaled. These tiny fibers can lodge themselves in your lungs and other organs, causing severe and lethal health problems, some of which may not show symptoms for decades after exposure.

Here are some of asbestos’ health dangers:

• Lung cancer: Asbestos exposure increases your chances of developing lung cancer, especially for those who smoked while they were exposed
• Mesothelioma: This is a rare and fatal cancer developing in the linings of the lungs, chest, or abdomen
• Asbestosis: This is a severe lung disease that causes scarring and shortness of breath. Asbestosis can significantly impair lung function and worsen over time
• Pleural thickening and pleural effusion: Asbestos fibers can thicken the pleura, the lining around the lungs. Fluid may also build up between the pleura and the lungs (pleural effusion), causing chest pain and difficulty breathing

There is no safe level of asbestos exposure. Even minimal exposure can increase your risk of developing lung cancer and mesothelioma.

How Can Satterley & Kelley Help Me If I Have an Asbestos-Related Disease?

Talking to a Satterley & Kelley, PLLC lawyer is important if you have an asbestos-related condition:

• Compensation for what you’ve endured: Asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma can be costly to treat. A lawyer can help you seek compensation to help pay medical bills, lost wages due to illness, and other financial burdens caused by your condition. You may also be compensated for what you’ve been through: physical and mental pain and suffering, financial costs, medical bills, and how the disease impacts your relationships
• Understanding your legal options: The legal landscape surrounding asbestos can be complex. We can advise you of your legal rights and options, including whether to file a lawsuit, a wrongful death claim (if you have lost a family member to asbestos-related disease), a claim with a company’s trust fund, or seek compensation through workers’ compensation
• Gathering evidence: Building a solid case requires proof of your exposure history, diagnosis, and the link between the two. An experienced Satterley & Kelley lawyer will know how to investigate your case and obtain the necessary evidence to support your claim. It may have been years or decades since you were exposed to asbestos at Armco. You may not recall the details of your exposure, but that’s to be expected. Thanks to the asbestos cases we’ve handled over the years, we have gathered extensive information about the Armco site and the asbestos products used there.
• Navigating the legal process: The legal system can be daunting. We can guide you through the legal process, handle paperwork, and represent you in court if necessary

While Satterley & Kelley can’t change your medical diagnosis, we can help during this challenging time by pursuing compensation to help you and your family now and in the future.

Call Us Today for A Free Consultation

If you have an asbestos-related medical condition and believe it’s due to working at Armco in Ashland, Kentucky, Satterley & Kelley lawyers can answer your questions and advise you of your right to compensation due to your exposure to asbestos while working there.

Call us toll-free at 855-385-9532 or complete our contact form to schedule a free mesothelioma lawsuit consultation.