Asbestos at National Southwire Aluminum
For over 38
years, National Southwire Aluminum in Hawesville utilized asbestos extensively in various products.
Records from asbestos trust funds associated with National Southwire Aluminum show the use of products such as
pipe insulation and pipe coverings,
millboard, panelboard and misc. building materials,
asbestos blankets, cloth, ropes and textiles,
protective clothing and accessories,
raw asbestos fibers and misc.,
boiler and high-temp equipment insulation,
gaskets, packing and seals,
joint compounds, insulating cements, adhesives and mastics,
roofing and siding shingles, coatings and sealants,
asbestos cement sheets, siding and boards,
automotive and heavy equipment friction products.
The following list contains asbestos products identified in claims against the
A. P. Green, Kaiser Aluminum, Owens Corning/Fibreboard, Raymark asbestos
trust fund(s) linked to exposure at National Southwire Aluminum in Hawesville, Kentucky:
A. P. Green
- Asbestos Cement
- Asbestos Fire
- Castable Mix 204
- Greencast
- Greencast 22 L GR
- Greencast 94 GR
- Greencast 97 GR
- Greencast 97 L GR
- Insblok 19
- Insulation Adhesive
- Kast O-Lite Refractory Cement
- Lo Abrade GR
- MC-30
- Mizzou Firebrick
- No. 36 Refractory
- Refractory Ce
- SK-7 Asbestos Cement
- Steelkon GR
- Steelplant Castable B
- Therm-O-Flake Coating (18% asbestos)
- Therm-O-Flake L.B. Block
Kaiser Aluminum
- Birdsboard – a Mirawal building product with asbestos cement core
- Coelex 60 Unitab Brick
- Hard Top Finishing Cement – Mud
- Wool Cement
- KR 1202/1204 M/C Brick
- M-Block Insulation
- Plastic Insulation Cement
- Plastic K-N Plastic Chrome Ore
- Plastic KK-N
- Plastic Ram
- Super D Block Insulation (6% Amosite)
- Vee Block Insulation
- Vee Block Mix/Castable Insulating Cement
Owens Corning/Fibreboard
- 85% Magnesia Block, Pipe-covering and Thermal Insulation
- Aircell or Asbestos Paper Insulation
- Alumishield Roof Paint
- Asbestofelt (manufactured by a predecessor)
- Asphalt-Saturated Felts or Roll Roofing
- Caltemp (or Caltherm) Pipe Covering
- Caulking Compounds, Plastic Cements, Roof Coatings
- Colorok, Stormlap, Pabflex and Stonite Asbestos Cement Products
- FI Thermal Insulating Cement
- Flamecurb Gypsum Board
- Gaskets, Packings (manufactured by a predecessor)
- Gripdeck Floor Coating
- Gypsum Board and Lath
- Insulating Tape
- No. 127 Thermal Insulating Cement
- Pabco Pipe Covering
- Pebco Floron Floor Covering
- Plant Pipe Covering
- Prasco Pipe Covering
- Super Caltemp Pipe Covering
Raymark
- Aircraft parts
- Aprons
- Blankets
- Brake lining sets
- Brake linings
- Brake pads
- Brass rivets
- Clutch linings
- Clutches
- Conveyor belts
- Drum brakes
- Felt
- Fire curtains
- Fire hose
- Industrial belt drives
- Laminated plastics
- Packing material
- Rope
- Tape
- Textiles
- Valves
- Yarn
Important Note: This list may not be complete and may not include all asbestos-containing
products used at the National Southwire Aluminum in Hawesville, KY. The specific products
used likely varied over time.
High-Risk Asbestos Exposure Jobs at National Southwire Aluminum
Due to the extensive use of asbestos at National Southwire Aluminum, employees working in the following
positions were exposed to a significant risk of developing asbestos-related diseases:
- Abatement Worker
- Asbestos Worker
- Auto Mechanic
- Bagger
- Bag Opener
- Bale Press Operator
- Bale Roller
- Boiler Inspector
- Boilermaker
- Boiler Mechanic Helper
- Boiler Operator
- Boiler Repair
- Boiler Tender
- Boiler Worker
- Brake Line & Shoe Installer
- Brake Line & Shoe Repairman
- Brakeman (railroad)
- Brake Mechanic
- Brake Worker
- Bricklayer
- Burner
- Carder of Asbestos Yarn
- Carpenter
- Cement Mason
- Checker
- Clutch Installer
- Commercial Building Trades
- Construction Crew
- Construction Laborer
- Demolition Worker
- Diesel Mechanic
- Drywall Applicator
- Drywall Installer
- Drywall Taper
- Engine Room Mechanic
- Factory
- Fireman
- Firewatcher
- Flame Cutter
- Forklift Operator
- Foundry Worker
- Furnace Installer
- Furnace Insulator
- Furnace Operator
- Furnace Repairman
- Gaskets
- Heat & Frost
- Heavy Duty Mechanic
- Heavy Equipment Mechanic
- Industrial Engineer
- Insulation Worker
- Insulator
- Lagger
- Lather
- Machinist
- Machinist Helper
- Maintenance Man
- Maintenance Mechanic
- Mason
- Mill Worker
- Mixer
- Operating Engineer
- Pipe Coverer
- Pipefitter
- Pipe Insulator
- Plasterer
- Plumber
- Powerhouse Mechanic
- Powerhouse Operator
- Protective Clothing & Accessories Manufacturer
- Puncher of Asbestos Cement Pipes
- Puncher of Millboard
- Puncher of Roofing Materials
- Remodeler
- Repairman
- Roofer
- Roofing Materials
- Sheet Metal Worker
- Siding Installer
- Smelter
- Stationary Engineer
- Steamfitter
- Steel Worker
- Truck Driver
- Warehouseman
- Weaver of Asbestos Fibers
- Weaver of Asbestos Textiles
- Welder
Important Note:
This list is derived from trust fund data associated with asbestos exposure claims, focusing on products
manufactured or supplied by companies related to relevant trust funds. It identifies occupations known to
have used these types of products at National Southwire Aluminum in Hawesville, Kentucky. This list
may not be exhaustive regarding all high-risk jobs at this location.
Asbestos Exposure Consequences
National Southwire Aluminum in Hawesville, Kentucky employees were directly exposed to asbestos
throughout their
employment, particularly between 1945 and 1982, when asbestos was heavily used.
Asbestos fibers,
microscopic and easily inhaled, are incredibly durable. Once inhaled, they can lodge in the lungs and
other organs. The body struggles to remove these fibers, leading to chronic inflammation and scarring.
For those who worked at National Southwire Aluminum, this process significantly increased the risk of severe and
often fatal asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and various
pleural conditions.
Secondary Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos exposure extended beyond the National Southwire Aluminum in Hawesville. Workers often unknowingly
carried
asbestos dust home on their clothing, skin, hair, and tools. This resulted in secondary, or “take-home,”
exposure for family members residing in Hawesville and surrounding communities. Even low levels of asbestos
exposure can be harmful, and these diseases often have a long latency period, sometimes appearing
decades after the initial exposure, leaving families devastated years after a loved one worked
at National Southwire Aluminum.
Filing Asbestos Claims After Exposure at National Southwire Aluminum
The eligibility requirements for filing asbestos claims vary depending on the specific trust fund
related to National Southwire Aluminum in Hawesville, KY. Generally, claimants must
provide:
- Proof of exposure:
Evidence of exposure to asbestos-containing products manufactured or used by National Southwire Aluminum at
its Hawesville facility between 1945 and 1982.
- Diagnosis: Medical documentation confirming a diagnosis of a qualifying asbestos-related
disease, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis.
- Causation: Evidence demonstrating a connection between the diagnosed disease and the asbestos
exposure at National Southwire Aluminum in Hawesville.
Important Note: Each asbestos trust fund has specific criteria, claim forms, and procedures.
Average Settlement Ranges by Type of Asbestos-Related Disease
Average settlements for asbestos-related diseases linked to exposure at the National Southwire Aluminum site in Hawesville, KY, can vary significantly. For claims against companies responsible for the exposure (civil defendants),
settlements might range from approximately $21,362 and
$1,654,769. The specific amount awarded depends on
factors such as the severity of the disease, the claimant’s medical history, and details of their employment
at National Southwire Aluminum, including job duties and duration of exposure.