The Long History of Asbestos Exposure at Alcoa in Newburgh, IN
Alcoa’s Warrick Operations in Newburgh, Indiana, opened in 1960, during the heyday of asbestos’ use in industrial facilities. Construction and plant workers were exposed to asbestos due to the company’s heavy use of asbestos products, and many of them were diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases. Satterley & Kelley, PLLC, attorneys represent those seeking compensation for harm caused by asbestos.
Satterley & Kelley, PLLC lawyers in Louisville have more than 25 years of experience representing clients with asbestos and mesothelioma claims and lawsuits. Thanks to hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation we helped them obtain, we’re known as a leading Kentucky law firm for those with asbestos-related diseases.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a group of six mineral fibers. They’re resistant to fire, heat, corrosion, and electricity. It’s very versatile, strong, and, at one time, inexpensive to mine and use in thousands of products. Asbestos was commonly used in buildings and industrial facilities of all kinds for decades.
Why is Asbestos Dangerous?
Asbestos fibers are tiny, light, strong, and durable. These qualities make them attractive for many industrial purposes, but toxic to the human body. It may take decades for the damage caused by asbestos to become apparent, making these fibers all the more dangerous.
Fibers become stuck in internal tissues. The immune system tries to destroy them, but the fibers destroy immune cells instead. This causes scar tissue, inflammation, and, over time, cell mutations that cause several types of cancer, including lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos. It’s an aggressive and deadly cancer that affects several parts of the body, including the linings covering organs (including the heart and lungs) and the chest and abdominal cavities.
Where Was Asbestos Used at the Alcoa Warrick Operations?
Construction started in 1957, when asbestos use was very common, especially in an aluminum smelter, given the extreme heat and the massive amount of electricity required. Thermal insulation was used throughout the plant. Steam was generated and distributed to power equipment and machinery.
Many of the machines, the rolling mills, and the smelters had asbestos-insulated piping connecting them. The smelter used potlines to smelt steel and aluminum. There were many large pots insulated with refractory material containing asbestos.
Asbestos-covered equipment called hot tops was placed over these pots to capture impurities produced during smelting. Steam pipes in the plant were often connected with asbestos-containing gaskets.
The plant used pumps and valves. Valves controlled the flow of steam, water, and chemicals from pipes to pieces of equipment. These valves frequently contained asbestos-containing packing material. Pumps with the same packing material operated many of the machines.
Special ovens used asbestos-containing firebrick and refractory material. Electrical equipment contained asbestos. There were also asbestos-containing floor and ceiling tiles in offices throughout the plant.
When Were Employees and Contractors Exposed to Asbestos?
Almost anyone working at this facility could be exposed to asbestos, though the amount of exposure varied depending on whether they worked directly with asbestos-containing material or were in an area where it was being installed, disturbed, or removed, when more fibers would be released into the air.
Construction workers were heavily exposed during the plant’s construction in the late 1950s, up to its opening in 1960. Later renovations and additions meant that old asbestos products were removed and replaced with new ones.
Asbestos products deteriorate and shed fibers over time. The air at the plant could contain asbestos fibers during normal operation, not just when these products were installed or removed.
Who Was Exposed to Asbestos?
Those exposed include the following:
- Construction workers building the plant
- Insulators insulated the pipes and the equipment during construction and afterward
- Electricians connected and maintained asbestos-containing wires and equipment
- Millwrights installed the pots into the potlines
- Pipe fitters connected and installed the piping
- Employees and contractors maintaining the facility
- Engineers who worked in the plant and who helped design certain features
- Anyone in supervisory positions present when work involving asbestos products happened
If you worked in the plant from the 1960s to 1980s, even for a brief time, you were likely exposed to asbestos.
Why You Should Hire Satterley & Kelley, PLLC for Your Asbestos Case
If you’re diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related cancer, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. This includes physical and mental pain and suffering, financial costs, medical bills, and how the disease impacts your relationships.
You need a law firm with experience representing victims taking legal action against the asbestos industry. Satterley & Kelley, PLLC attorneys have helped asbestos victims for more than 25 years.
We have relationships with the best experts in the world to help us prove that asbestos caused your injury and the physical, emotional, psychological, and financial harm you suffered.
Schedule a Free Consultation Today
Satterley and Kelley, PLLC representation starts with a free consultation. During that meeting, we listen to your story and help you decide whether legal action is the right course of action. If so, we may file a legal claim against all possible liable parties.
If you or a loved one who worked at the Alcoa Warrick Operations and is diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, you may receive financial compensation for the harm you suffer. Call us toll-f