Inland Steel East Chicago Plant Inland Steel's East Chicago plant was one of the major integrated steel mills in the Calumet industrial region of northwest Indiana. The facility employed thousands of workers who were exposed to asbestos-containing insulation used in blast furnaces, coke ovens, and rolling mill equipment.
Last verified: 2026-03-09Inland Steel Company established its East Chicago works in 1901 and expanded the facility throughout the 20th century. The plant was a cornerstone employer in the East Chicago-Gary industrial corridor, producing flat-rolled steel products. Asbestos insulation was standard in all high-temperature operations until regulatory restrictions took effect in the late 1970s. Inland Steel was acquired by Ispat International (later ArcelorMittal) in 1998.
Asbestos was used throughout the East Chicago plant in furnace insulation, steam pipe lagging, gaskets, and heat-resistant cement. Workers in the coke plant, blast furnace, and basic oxygen furnace departments faced particularly high exposure levels. Maintenance crews regularly cut, stripped, and replaced asbestos insulation without respiratory protection during the peak exposure era.
The following job categories at Inland Steel East Chicago Plant had the highest risk of asbestos exposure:
Former Inland Steel employees have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis linked to occupational asbestos exposure. Workers in the hottest areas of the plant faced the most intense exposure over extended careers. The combination of asbestos exposure and other industrial pollutants may have increased overall cancer risk for plant workers.
Health information is based on established medical research on asbestos exposure. Asbestos is classified as a known human carcinogen by the National Cancer Institute, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Consult a physician for medical advice specific to your situation.
Workers exposed to asbestos at Inland Steel East Chicago Plant may be entitled to compensation through asbestos trust funds, personal injury lawsuits, or veterans benefits. Mesothelioma patients and their families have recovered billions in compensation from companies that manufactured or used asbestos products.
Find Out If You QualifyWorkers who were employed at Inland Steel East Chicago Plant between 1940s–1970s may have been exposed to asbestos-containing materials. If you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may have legal options including trust fund claims and lawsuits.
The facility is now operated by Cleveland-Cliffs (formerly ArcelorMittal) as Indiana Harbor Works. While modern operations have removed asbestos hazards, former workers from the Inland Steel era may still develop asbestos-related diseases.
The blast furnace area, coke plant, basic oxygen furnace building, and powerhouse contained the highest concentrations of asbestos insulation. Maintenance shops where insulation was fabricated were also heavily contaminated.
If you worked at the East Chicago plant before the late 1970s in any capacity, you were likely exposed to asbestos. Workers in maintenance, insulation, and furnace operations faced the highest exposure levels.
If you or a loved one worked at Inland Steel East Chicago Plant and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, our attorneys can help you explore your legal options. There is no cost, no pressure, and no obligation.
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