Iron and Steel Industry Lung Cancer Risks
Before the early 1980s, the iron and steel industry heavily relied on materials containing asbestos. This put steel workers at a very high risk of asbestos-related diseases like lung cancer and mesothelioma later in life. Learn how we can help former iron and steel industry workers after a lung cancer diagnosis.
Why Do Iron and Steel Industry Workers Develop Lung Cancer?
Anyone who worked in the iron and steel industry decades ago could go on to develop lung cancer, as well as other serious illnesses, as a result of asbestos exposure.
Asbestos-containing materials were often used in steel mills, foundries, metal plants, and more to help machinery withstand high temperatures. However, as these materials were used or wore down, they released asbestos fibers into the air.
Steel workers who breathed in the fibers could go on to get sick with lung cancer or other dangerous illnesses 10-50 years later.
Quick Facts About Iron Steel Industry Exposures and Lung Cancer
- Asbestos products like high-heat insulation and gaskets were widely used in mills, foundries, coke ovens, and power systems.
- Exposure to asbestos occurred during installation, maintenance, teardown, and cleanup of materials, often without adequate respiratory protection.
- Common asbestos-related diseases that affect iron and steel workers include lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma.
Many of those in the iron and steel industry didn’t know that asbestos was harmful. This is because manufacturers of asbestos-containing products hid the health risks for decades.
If you’re facing lung cancer or another illness that could be related to your asbestos exposure, we’re here to help. Get a free case review to find out how we can assist you or a loved one.
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Asbestos Exposure Risks in the Iron and Steel Industry
Workers in the iron and steel industry often risked exposure to asbestos on a daily basis. This is because a variety of asbestos-containing materials were used in foundries, factories, and other worksites where iron was processed.
Asbestos materials used in the iron and steel industry included:
- Brakes and brake pads
- Gaskets
- Heat shields
- Insulation materials
- Metal casings like hot tops
- Pipes
- Protective cloth
- Refractory materials
As iron and steel industry workers like you handled these materials, they could release dust and fibers into the air. Many steel factories were poorly ventilated, meaning fibers had nowhere to go and could remain in the air for hours, increasing the risks of exposure.
Asbestos was just one of many carcinogens (cancer-causing substances) that put you at risk of getting sick later in life. Many of those in the iron and steel industry were exposed to materials like welding fumes containing chromium, silica dust, and solvents such as benzene.
Iron and Steel Industry Jobs That Exposed Workers to Asbestos
Anyone who worked in the iron and steel industry prior to the early 1980s is in danger of asbestos-related illnesses today. There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos, but those who were exposed regularly during steel production are more likely to get sick.
High-risk asbestos iron jobs included:
- Coke oven operators and maintenance teams working on batteries and collecting mains
- Blast furnace crews, stove tenders, and cast house workers near refractory and hot-gas systems
- Steel founding workers handling equipment like sand molds
- Welders and burner crews, especially those working inside tight, poorly ventilated spaces
- Maintenance and millwrights who disturbed old asbestos insulation on pipes, boilers, turbines, and heat shields
- Insulators, brick masons, and refractory specialists who installed or demolished high-heat linings
While the iron industry largely shifted away from using asbestos in the early 1980s, there’s no way to lower your risk of mesothelioma or lung cancer after exposure. These asbestos-related diseases take decades to develop, so you still could be at risk today.
Call (877) 446-5767 now to get help if you or someone you love worked in the iron and steel industry decades ago and is now suffering from lung cancer or another asbestos-related illness.
Modern-Day Risks of Asbestos in the Iron and Steel Industry
It’s important to stay vigilant about the risks of asbestos if you are currently working in the iron and steel industry. Many older foundries, steel mills, and other worksites may still contain asbestos-containing materials.
For example, U.S. Steel came under fire after workers were exposed to asbestos packing and pipe at one of the company’s factories in 2016. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fined the company $170,000.
“Once again, we have found U.S. Steel Corp. failed to protect its employees from the serious risks of asbestos exposure. Breathing airborne asbestos fibers can cause lung damage that often progresses to disability and possible death.”
— Christopher Robinson, director of OSHA Pittsburgh Area Office Director
Secondary Asbestos Exposure in Families of Steel Workers
Loved ones of steel and iron workers also could be at risk of asbestos-related lung cancer and other illnesses today through what’s known as secondary exposure.
This type of exposure occurred when steel workers left their job sites covered in dust. This dust could contain asbestos fibers, meaning family members could have been exposed when doing laundry or hugging loved ones as they came home for the day.
Spouses and children of steel industry workers have gone on to develop lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other serious illnesses, even though they never directly worked or handled asbestos products themselves.
Types of Iron and Steel Occupational Cancers
Former iron and steel workers are at risk of a wide range of asbestos-caused illnesses, including different types of cancers.
Some of the most notable asbestos-related diseases include:
- Asbestosis: This non-cancerous lung disease weakens lung function over time and can lead to death.
- Lung cancer: Asbestos is a very significant risk factor for lung cancer, as the fibers damage the lungs. The rates of lung cancer cases are higher in those exposed to both asbestos and
tobacco smoke. - Mesothelioma: This is a rare but aggressive cancer that’s only caused by asbestos. It can form in the lining of your lungs, abdomen, or heart.
There is a long latency period, or time between asbestos exposure and when these occupational diseases develop. You might not get sick until 10-50 years after you were first exposed.
Also, many symptoms of these illnesses are mild at first and develop slowly. As a result, potential symptoms of lung cancer or mesothelioma could be mistaken for less serious illnesses. If you’re concerned about your health, reach out to a doctor and ask for a lung cancer screening or other precautionary tests.
“If you worked around asbestos, be extremely careful. Don’t skip any medical checkups.”
— Gloria, wife of steel worker who died from mesothelioma
Compensation for Iron and Steel Workers With Lung Cancer
While asbestos-related illnesses like lung cancer can be taxing on your health and finances, it’s important to know that compensation may be available. These financial payouts come from manufacturers of asbestos-containing products that hid the health risks for decades.
Compensation for iron workers with asbestos-related diseases include:
- Personal injury lawsuits: A mesothelioma or lung cancer lawsuit can allow you to pursue financial compensation from manufacturers of asbestos materials. Mesothelioma lawsuits typically pay out $1 million or more.
- Asbestos trust fund claims: There are dozens of trusts set up that can award compensation without filing a lawsuit. More than $30 billion is available across all trusts in total today.
- VA benefits: Navy steel workers had “probable” exposure to asbestos, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). If you are now facing lung cancer or mesothelioma, VA benefits like monthly compensation or free or inexpensive health care could be available to you.
- Wrongful death lawsuits: This type of legal claim can help you seek justice and compensation if someone you love passed away from an asbestos-related illness. Wrongful death mesothelioma lawsuits award over $1 million on average.
Lung Cancer Group has experienced law firms in our network that can help build and file different types of claims on your behalf. This means you’ll be able to pursue the payouts you deserve with less stress.
Settlements and Verdicts for Iron Workers With Asbestos Diseases
Our partner asbestos attorneys have recovered millions of dollars through out-of-court settlements and, in some cases, trial verdicts. This compensation has been used to significantly improve the lives of iron and steel workers with asbestos-related illnesses.
The lawyers in our network notably secured $250 million for a retired steel worker with mesothelioma. This stands as the largest mesothelioma verdict on record.
Other notable asbestos cancer settlements and verdicts include:
- $7 million for a Pennsylvania welder with mesothelioma
- $757,000 for an Ohio steel worker with lung cancer
- $1.28 million for an Arizona Navy welder with mesothelioma
- $825,000 for an Arizona steel mill worker with lung cancer
- $4.14 million for an Indiana Air Force veteran and welder with mesothelioma
While the factors surrounding each case are unique, it’s possible that you could qualify for significant payouts as well when you work with top attorneys to handle your case.
Get a free case review now to learn if you can pursue settlements or verdicts following a diagnosis of lung cancer, mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related diseases.
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- Learn About Your Options
- Contact Us for Free
Help for Iron and Steel Industry Workers With Lung Cancer
Across the country, people are developing work-related lung cancer decades after working in blast furnaces, coke ovens, foundries, or other steel industry sites that relied on asbestos.
A lung cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but Lung Cancer Group is here to assist you and your family.
Work with our team to:
- Understand how asbestos worksites put you at risk of lung cancer
- Explore different treatment options after diagnosis
- Pursue financial compensation to cover costs
- Receive the support your family needs
Call (877) 446-5767 or get a free case review now. We will listen to what happened and recommend next steps to best help your family.
Iron and Steel Occupational Cancer FAQs
Are steel workers at risk for cancer?
Yes, steel workers could develop cancers later in life, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. This is because they risked exposure to carcinogens (cancer-causing substances) while they worked.
One of the most notable carcinogens was asbestos. Asbestos-containing materials like gaskets, insulation, heat shields, and metal casings were used by the iron and steel industry for decades. Iron workers risked daily exposure to asbestos through these products, which can cause cancer 10-50 years later.
What is the lung cancer risk in iron and steel workers?
Those working in the iron and steel industry have a higher lung cancer incidence. For example, iron foundry workers were 1.5-2.5 times more likely to develop lung cancer than the general population, according to PLOS One.
Factors like exposure to toxins such as asbestos and higher rates of smoking among steel workers play key roles in this increased risk.
Contact us now for help exploring treatments and compensation options if you or someone you love worked in the steel industry and is now suffering from lung cancer.
What is the link between iron and cancer?
There are strong links between working in the iron and steel industry and developing cancer. This is because iron workers likely suffered occupational exposure to many different hazardous materials, including heavy metal particles like cadmium, asbestos, toxic emissions, and more.
Many former iron workers have gone on to develop lung cancer and other serious diseases as a result.
Can iron steel workers sue for lung cancer linked to asbestos exposure?
Yes, it may be possible to file a lung cancer lawsuit if you developed this cancer and worked around asbestos at a steel plant or iron mill.
At Lung Cancer Group, we have partnered with experienced attorneys who can make filing a lung cancer lawsuit much easier. These attorneys handle the bulk of the work on your behalf, and your former employers are typically not sued.
In one recent example, our legal partners recovered $825,000 for an Arizona steel mill worker suffering from lung cancer.
Get a free case review now to find out if you’re eligible to file a lung cancer lawsuit.
