Bohler Steel

Bohler Steel, also known as Bohler-Uddeholm, is an international company with subsidiaries in 47 different countries. They maintain a steel mill in Elgin, Illinois that was founded in 1925.

No matter where in the world a steel mill is located, they have many of the same needs. One such necessity is for a large amount of insulation to keep the machinery running at an even temperature. For many years, asbestos was used as a base for these insulating products because it helped regulate heat and could even prevent the spread of a small fire. Although it had many beneficial qualities, asbestos contained a serious health threat. Unbeknownst to people at the time, the mineral is poisonous.

During the time of the Industrial Revolution in the United States, manufacturers sought out inexpensive materials that they could use to create their products. Asbestos was discovered in large quantities and was soon recognized to be ideal for hundreds of different goods. Like most steel manufacturers, Bohler purchased many of these items and utilized them all throughout their Elgin facility.

Over the course of several years, people who work with asbestos often develop serious illnesses. This happens because they inhale microscopic asbestos fibers that break free and become airborne. Following the inhalation, these fibers stick to the lining of the respiratory system and cannot be expelled. People who breathe in asbestos often suffer from respiratory disorders that make it very difficult for them to breathe normally. Many are also unfortunate enough to develop often deadly asbestos cancer, also called mesothelioma, for which there is no cure.

It took until nearly 1980, but eventually the American public was informed about the dangers of asbestos. Government agencies began to regulate use of the mineral, and hazardous materials were removed from work sites, churches, schools and homes all over the country. Companies likes Bohler Steel were forced to clean up any items that could present a danger to their employees or to the environment. Asbestos is still used today, but only in a manner that is safe and designed to protect anyone who must spend time around products that contain the toxic mineral.