Paper Mill Components

Pulp and paper mills operated some of the most asbestos-intensive industrial environments in the mid-twentieth century. Steam pipes, pressure vessels, and dryer cans were heavily insulated with asbestos block and calcium silicate insulation. Dryer section felts contained asbestos fiber. Steam traps, valves, and pipe fittings throughout the mill incorporated asbestos packing and gaskets. Paper mill workers across multiple crafts — pipefitters, steamfitters, millwrights, and machine operators — received sustained occupational asbestos exposure throughout plant operations and during scheduled outages.