Downriver Steel Asbestos Exposure continues to affect workers and their families in cities like Ecorse, River Rouge, Trenton, and surrounding industrial areas. For decades, steel mills across Downriver used asbestos-containing materials in nearly every department—from furnaces and powerhouses to casting lines and boiler rooms.
Where Was Asbestos Used?
Workers at McLouth Steel, Great Lakes Works, and other Downriver plants were frequently exposed to airborne asbestos fibers from:
- Pipe and valve insulation
- Coke oven linings
- Refractory brick used in furnaces
- Steam and water lines
- Asbestos gloves and clothing used by hot-metal workers
- Gaskets and mill equipment
These exposures weren’t limited to skilled trades. General laborers, supervisors, and even clerical staff could breathe in asbestos dust carried through ventilation systems or attached to co-workers’ uniforms. Many trades were at risk, including:
- Millwrights
- Insulators
- Pipefitters
- Boilermakers
- Electricians
- Mechanics
- Maintenance personnel
- Bricklayers
- Crane operators
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The Risk of Take-Home Exposure
Michigan families are now coming forward with take-home asbestos exposure claims. These cases involve spouses or children of steelworkers who developed mesothelioma after inhaling fibers brought home on clothing, lunch pails, or personal items. Even low-level, repeated exposure can cause mesothelioma decades later.
Legal Options After Downriver Steel Asbestos Exposure
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with mesothelioma and have a connection to a Downriver steel facility—even indirectly—you may be eligible for compensation. Attorney Lee W. Davis has represented victims of steel mill asbestos exposure since the 1990s, including more than 3,000 GM foundry and mill workers in Saginaw.
Whether you’re dealing with a new diagnosis or lost someone you love, there are options. Many former employees—or their families—qualify for substantial compensation through asbestos bankruptcy trusts or lawsuits against remaining solvent entities.
Call for a Free Legal Consultation
You don’t need to face this alone. Help is available. Call (412) 781-0525 or submit a confidential contact form to discuss your rights. Time limits apply—don’t wait.
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