Reynolds Aluminum
Reynolds Aluminum, originally Reynolds Metals Company, was acquired by Alcoa in June 2000. Prior to the acquisition, the company was the second-largest aluminum and packaging producer in the U.S. and the third-largest in the world. Best known as the maker of Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil, the company got its start in 1919 as the U.S. Foil Company, founded in Louisville, Kentucky. It began as a supplier of foil wrapping for cigarettes and candy and quickly branched out into other endeavors, acquiring a number of other companies along the way and adding them to the Reynolds family. Headquarters were moved to Richmond in 1938 and remained there for the life of the company.
In 1940, Reynolds Metals began to mine bauxite and soon opened its first aluminum plant. A few years later in 1945, the company developed aluminum siding and, in 1947, pioneered Reynolds Wrap. This was a very prolific time for the company as expansion continued and Reynolds Metals soon became international, opening a number of operations overseas.
In the years thereafter, Reynolds developed a number of other interesting products as well, including both an aluminum bus and an aluminum submarine. By the 1990s, the company boasted 100 operations in 20 countries, employing about 31,000 workers. The company merged with Alcoa in 2000 and was sold again in 2008 to industrialist Graeme Hart and now operates under the name Reynolds Packaging Group. Since that time, several Reynolds plants have ceased operations.
Reynolds Aluminum and Asbestos
The process of making aluminum and aluminum products involves the use of equipment that operates at very high temperatures. This equipment may include:
- Ovens
- Furnaces
- Boilers
- Mixers
- Motors
- Various kinds of mills
- Cranes
Any machinery that must withstand high temperatures must be insulated. Up until about 1980, the insulation of choice for most metal works operations was asbestos. The mineral asbestos was chosen because it was highly heat resistant and extremely durable. It was also fairly inexpensive. Therefore, there was usually an abundance of asbestos materials inside plants such as those operated by Reynolds Aluminum, and many employees were exposed to it on a regular basis.
Reynolds Aluminum and Asbestos Litigation
At the 64 plants Reynolds operated throughout the U.S., asbestos exposure was a regular occurrence and people were getting sick. Doctors had made a connection between the mineral and lung diseases since as early as the 1930s, yet it was rare that anyone warned metal works employees about these risks. However, when the word finally got out, workers began to realize that their breathing problems might be caused by their exposure to asbestos.
As a result, those who were affected began to file suit against Reynolds. The lawsuits stated that employees were made to work with asbestos-containing products and that no one discussed the dangers with them or offered any precautionary measures that would have prevented inhalation of fibers. While not all cases were viable, many verdicts found in favor of the plaintiffs.
Reynolds' use of asbestos also had a negative effect on the environment. A public health assessment of a Reynolds plant in Troutdale, Oregon showed that the concentrations of contaminants in soil and water near the plant were cause for alarm. A soil sampling in an on-site landfill near the Columbia River showed contamination with aluminum, mercury, PCBs, and asbestos. Contamination continued off-site and some substances miyh6 have been absorbed by the fish in the nearby river as well as other animals that are consumed as food, presenting a public health issue that is indeed frightening.
Resources for Metal Workers
Obviously, those who worked at any Reynolds plant are faced with the possibility of getting sick due to exposure to toxins, including asbestos. Hence, it's necessary for former employees to track their health and immediately report any problems that may be associated with inhalation of asbestos fibers. This includes coughing, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, and chest pain. Periodic chest x-rays or other imaging tests may be of benefit.
If you or a loved one has already been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma, you may be seeking information about treatment options. Mesothelioma patients considering chemotherapy as a treatment option, for example, should discuss any concerns with a qualified doctor. For help in learning more about chemotherapy or for additional information about asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, please fill out the form on this page.
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Last Modified Thursday, February 23rd, 2012 | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy |
The information provided by The Mesothelioma Center is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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