EDGAR THOMPSON STEEL WORKS
Asbestos Exposure
Steel Plant Asbestos Cancer Claims
With a rich history in the American steel industry, the Edgar Thompson Steel Works in still in operation, now owned by U.S. Steel and known as Mon Valley Works – Edgar Thomson Plant. For over a hundred years, this plant, and the steel production industry as a whole, was a boon for local employment, but later became a public health disaster when cancer clusters were reported in many Pennsylvania steel-producing counties.
Asbestos was used in several applications and products around steel plants to reduce the risks of fires and heat-related injury. Asbestos insulation was thought to be the perfect industrial material for many heavy industries until health experts discovered it was extremely toxic and could lead to lung cancer, mesothelioma and several other related cancers.
Toxic Exposure Lawyers investigating occupational cancers linked to past employment at the Edgar Thompson Steel Works
At one point, before a swift decline in steel production in the 1970s, Edgar Thomson Works, in Braddock, Pennsylvania created a large percentage of steel in the U.S. The U.S. Steel Edgar Thompson – Mon Valley Works still operates today, making steel slabs for the appliance, automotive, metal building, and home construction industries. A smaller operation now, the plant has two blast furnaces, two top-blown basic oxygen process vessels, a vacuum degasser, ladle metallurgy facility, and a dual strand continuous slab caster.
In the past, asbestos was found in stoves, stacks, blast furnaces, cast houses, boilers, engine houses, pump tanks, workshops, warehouses, adhesives, flooring, roofing, siding, machine insulation and many other high-temp areas of production.
Steel Mill Jobs Linked to Asbestos Exposure
There are numerous positions at Edgar Thompson, Mon Valley and U.S. Steel plants that may have increased the risk of occupational illness and asbestos cancer, including the following:
- Plumbers & Pipefitters
- Electricians
- Maintenance Crews
- Welders
- Machine operators
- Boilermaker
- Blacksmith
- Millwright
- Bricklayer
- Stove tender
- Blast furnace keeper
- Crane operator
- Topman
- Batch pickler
- Shot blaster
- Cinderman
- Scarfer
The occupations at highet risk of working around asbestos were machinists, pipefitters, welders, motor inspectors and boiler workers. However, almost anyone who worked closely with machinery, equipment, and materials in a steel mill faced a serious health risk because asbestos was present up until the 1980s in ovens, hot blast stoves, furnaces, rolling mills, tanks, boilers, cranes, molding boards, and steam pipes. Workers also often wore protective mitts, coats, leggings, aprons, coveralls, and face masks that actually had asbestos in the lining.
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Joseph Lyon has 17 years of experience representing individuals in complex litigation matters. He has represented individuals in every state against many of the largest companies in the world.
The Firm focuses on single-event civil cases and class actions involving corporate neglect & fraud, toxic exposure, product defects & recalls, medical malpractice, and invasion of privacy.
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The Firm offers contingency fees, advancing all costs of the litigation, and accepting the full financial risk, allowing our clients full access to the legal system while reducing the financial stress while they focus on their healthcare and financial needs.

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Joe Lyon has the experience, the resources and the willingness to build your case and negotiate on your behalf for a fair settlement. Our firm has settled numerous asbestos cancer lawsuits for plaintiffs nationwide. We assume all legal tasks and all financial risks, while you focus on your health and spend time with your loved ones.
Our toxic exposure attorneys can help you identify any steel mill exposure sources and initiate the proper work injury claims to help provide the financial security you and your family deserve.
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Edgar Thompson Steel Asbestos FAQ
Asbestos was cheap, durable, fire-resistant and light, and was thought to be the perfect insulating material before research showed it was extremely hazardous to the health. Steel mills in particular need significant heat-resistant materials on site in the furnace areas, and asbestos was used widely.
- Mesothelioma
- Lung Cancer
- Esophageal Cancer
- Colorectal Cancer
- Stomach Cancer
- Adenocarcinoma
- Asbestosis
- Pulmonary Fibrosis
Steel Workers at Risk of Toxic Exposure
According to a series of medical studies, workers in the metals and steel industry are at an increased risk for developing asbestos-related diseases. Workers that regularly inhale asbestos fibers may eventually develop severe scarring of the lungs, and fatal diseases like asbestosis or mesothelioma.
Steel mills were constructed with toxic materials in refractory bricks, floor tiles, ceiling tiles, and liner boards. Asbestos blankets, used for covering ladles, were often strewn about carelessly on the plant floors.
Asbestos was used to insulate equipment, which included the following:
- Ovens
- Hot blast stoves
- Furnaces
- Rolling mills
- Tanks
- Boilers
- Cranes
- Molding boards
- Steam Pipes
- Generators
Many steel plants commonly used asbestos in the following:
- Hot blast stoves
- Furnaces
- Rolling mills
- Steam pipes
- Ovens
- Molding boards
- Cranes
- Broilers
- Protective Gear
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Toxic Exposure Lawsuits
- Mesothelioma
- Asbestosis
- Pulmonary Fibrosis
- colorectal cancer
- esophageal cancer
- Adenocarcinoma
- Welders
- Electricians
- Machinists
- Steel Plants
- ARMCO
- Empire Detroit Steel
- Midland Steel
- Republic Steel
- Wheeling Pittsburgh
- Asbestos Insulation
- Hamilton Steel Plants
- Maintenance Workers
- Brier Hill Works
- US Steel