Cleveland Area Exposure Map
Documented Exposure Sites
| # | Facility | Industry | Active Period | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Republic Steel Cleveland | Integrated Steel | 1899–1984 | Critical |
| 2 | Jones & Laughlin Steel (LTV Steel) Cleveland | Integrated Steel | 1942–1993 | Critical |
| 3 | Ford Cleveland Engine Plant (Brook Park) | Auto Engine Manufacturing | 1951–present | Critical |
| 4 | Eaton Corporation Cleveland (multiple plants) | Industrial Components Manufacturing | 1911–present | High |
| 5 | Cleveland Electric Illuminating (CEI) Avon Lake Plant | Electric Power Generation | 1926–present | High |
| 6 | Standard Oil (BP) Cleveland Refinery | Petroleum Refining | 1882–present | High |
| 7 | White Motor Company Cleveland | Truck/Auto Manufacturing | 1900–1980 | Moderate |
Republic Steel Cleveland: The Heart of the Flats
Republic Steel Corporation's Cleveland works operated on the Cuyahoga River from the late 19th century through 1984, when Cleveland-Cliffs acquired and ultimately shut down the facility. At its mid-century peak, Republic Steel Cleveland employed over 18,000 workers across blast furnaces, open-hearth furnaces, rod mills, and bar mills. Asbestos insulation was applied to virtually every high-temperature system in the plant — blast furnace hot-blast stoves, boilers, steam lines, and the ladles used to transport molten steel. Pipefitters, boilermakers, and millwrights who maintained these systems had the heaviest direct asbestos exposure, while production workers throughout the facility breathed asbestos-laden air during work in enclosed mill buildings.
Litigation involving Republic Steel workers has proceeded in Cuyahoga County courts, with claims against Republic's corporate successors and against the asbestos product manufacturers who supplied the Cleveland works. If you or a family member worked at Republic Steel's Cleveland facility between 1930 and 1984, you may have a viable mesothelioma claim regardless of your specific job title or trade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, significantly. Cleveland's Cuyahoga River steel mills — Republic Steel, Jones & Laughlin (LTV), and related facilities — used asbestos throughout their operations from the early 20th century through the 1980s. Primary exposure routes included asbestos insulation on blast furnaces and boilers, asbestos-containing gaskets and packing in industrial valves and pumps, and asbestos used in plant construction and renovation. Maintenance trades (pipefitters, boilermakers, millwrights) had the highest exposure. Mesothelioma claims from former Cleveland steelworkers continue to be filed and resolved through Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court and asbestos bankruptcy trusts.
Ohio provides 2 years from the date of mesothelioma diagnosis to file a personal injury lawsuit under ORC §2305.10. Wrongful death claims also have a 2-year deadline under ORC §2125.02. The discovery rule applies — the clock starts when you receive your diagnosis, not when you were exposed to asbestos. Contact a Cuyahoga County mesothelioma attorney immediately after diagnosis to protect your legal rights.