Youngstown Area Exposure Map
Documented Exposure Sites
| # | Facility | Industry | Active Period | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Youngstown Sheet & Tube (Campbell Works) | Integrated Steel | 1900–1977 | Critical |
| 2 | Republic Steel Youngstown | Integrated Steel | 1935–1985 | Critical |
| 3 | U.S. Steel McDonald Works | Integrated Steel | 1918–1979 | High |
| 4 | Mahoning Valley Power Plants (Ohio Edison) | Electric Power Generation | 1920–1985 | High |
| 5 | General Motors Lordstown Assembly | Auto Assembly | 1966–present | High |
Youngstown Sheet & Tube: Black Monday and the Asbestos Legacy
Youngstown Sheet & Tube operated two major steel complexes in the Mahoning Valley — the Campbell Works on the south side of Youngstown and the Brier Hill Works within the city. At peak employment in the mid-20th century, Youngstown Sheet & Tube employed over 18,000 workers at the two facilities. Like all integrated steel mills of the era, the plants used asbestos insulation throughout — on blast furnaces, open-hearth furnaces, boilers, and the vast network of steam lines that powered the mills' operations. The "Black Monday" closure of the Campbell Works in 1977 was the beginning of the end for Mahoning Valley steel.
But the asbestos exposure legacy of the steelworking era continues — with a 20–50 year latency period between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma diagnosis, workers employed at Youngstown Sheet & Tube and other valley mills in the 1950s–1970s are still being diagnosed today. Claims by Youngstown-area steelworkers have been filed in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court and against asbestos product manufacturers through bankruptcy trusts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Youngstown Sheet & Tube's Campbell Works and Brier Hill Works used asbestos insulation throughout their integrated steel operations. Blast furnace, open-hearth, and boiler maintenance workers had the highest direct exposure, and production workers throughout the mill environment breathed asbestos-laden air. The closure of the Campbell Works in 1977 ended active exposure at that site, but the long latency period for mesothelioma means workers employed there in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s are still being diagnosed today. Mesothelioma claims from former Youngstown Sheet & Tube workers continue to be filed against asbestos product manufacturers through bankruptcy trusts.
Mahoning County Common Pleas Court in Youngstown handles Ohio asbestos cases filed locally. Some Youngstown-area claimants also qualify to file in Cuyahoga County (Cleveland), which handles the largest volume of Ohio asbestos cases. Ohio's 2-year statute of limitations (ORC §2305.10) starts at mesothelioma diagnosis. Contact an Ohio mesothelioma attorney immediately after receiving a diagnosis to understand your options for filing in Mahoning County or Cuyahoga County.