Detroit Area Exposure Map
Documented Exposure Sites
| # | Facility | Industry | Active Period | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ford River Rouge Complex (Dearborn) | Integrated Auto Manufacturing / Steel | 1917–present | Critical |
| 2 | Chrysler Jefferson Assembly Plant | Auto Assembly | 1936–present | Critical |
| 3 | GM Fisher Body Detroit | Auto Body Manufacturing | 1919–1993 | Critical |
| 4 | Great Lakes Steel (National Steel) | Integrated Steel | 1929–2003 | High |
| 5 | Detroit Edison River Rouge Power Plant | Electric Power Generation | 1915–1992 | High |
| 6 | Detroit Edison Trenton Channel Plant | Electric Power Generation | 1923–present | High |
| 7 | Kelsey-Hayes Romulus | Auto Parts / Wheels Manufacturing | 1927–1990 | Moderate |
Ford River Rouge Complex (Dearborn)
The Ford River Rouge Complex, designed by Henry Ford as the world’s first fully integrated manufacturing facility, opened in Dearborn in 1917 and grew to become the largest manufacturing complex in the world. At its WWII peak, over 100,000 workers produced steel, glass, rubber, and assembled automobiles on a single vast campus. Asbestos was integral to the Rouge’s operations: steam pipes, boilers, foundry equipment, coke ovens, and power generation facilities were all insulated with asbestos. In the automotive assembly lines, asbestos was used in brake shoes, clutch facings, and gaskets installed in every vehicle manufactured. Maintenance workers — the pipefitters, boilermakers, and millwrights who maintained the Rouge’s massive steam and power systems — had the heaviest direct exposure, but asbestos dust was present throughout the facility environment.
The Ford River Rouge Complex is one of the most comprehensively documented industrial asbestos exposure sites in the country, and claims by former Rouge workers continue to be filed and resolved through Wayne County Circuit Court and asbestos bankruptcy trusts. Multiple trust funds hold reserves specifically for workers who can document River Rouge exposure, including trusts established by the insulation manufacturers whose products were applied throughout the plant’s vast steam and process infrastructure. Former Rouge workers — and the spouses and family members who washed their work clothes — may qualify for compensation even decades after the exposure occurred.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, extensively. The Ford River Rouge Complex used asbestos throughout its integrated operations — in the power plant, foundry, steel mill, glass plant, and automotive assembly lines. Brake linings, gaskets, and clutch facings installed in Ford vehicles all contained asbestos through the early 1980s. Steam system maintenance workers (pipefitters, boilermakers) had the highest direct exposure. The Rouge is one of the most frequently referenced industrial asbestos sites in Michigan litigation, and multiple asbestos trusts hold reserves for workers who can document River Rouge exposure.
Michigan provides 3 years from the date of mesothelioma diagnosis to file a personal injury lawsuit under MCL 600.5805. The same 3-year deadline applies to wrongful death claims. Wayne County Circuit Court in Detroit handles most Michigan asbestos cases and has extensive experience with automotive industry asbestos litigation. While Michigan’s deadline is longer than many states, attorneys recommend contacting them immediately after diagnosis — gathering employment records, identifying co-workers as witnesses, and locating union records all takes time.