Uploaded February 2021 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago
This clip, about the fight by labor unions to protect workers from the hazards of working around coke ovens, is from Abby Ginzberg’s 1989 award-winning documentary. Exposure to coke oven emissions may occur for workers in the aluminum, steel, graphite, electrical, and construction industries. Chronic (long-term) exposure to coke oven emissions in humans results in conjunctivitis, severe dermatitis, and lesions of the respiratory system and digestive system. Cancer is the major concern from exposure to coke oven emissions. Epidemiologic studies of coke oven workers have reported an increase in cancer of the lung, trachea, bronchus, kidney, prostate, and other sites. Animal studies have reported tumors of the lung and skin from inhalation exposure to coal tar. Coke-oven workers are exposed to coke oven emissions, complex mixtures of dust, vapors, and gases that typically include carcinogens including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), amines, arsenic, cadmium, and nickel. Coke oven emissions come from large ovens that are used to heat coal to produce coke, which is used to manufacture iron and steel. Coke-oven emissions are known to be human carcinogens. The primary routes of exposure to coke-oven emissions are by inhalation and skin contact. Occupational exposure may occur during the production of coke from coal or the use of coke to extract metals from ores, to synthesize calcium carbide, or to manufacture graphite and electrodes. Workers at coking plants and coal tar production plants, as well as people who live near these plants, have a high risk of possible exposure to coke-oven emissions. Unions fought to protect workers on these jobs in the 1950s and 60s. After the passage of OSHA in 1970, the United Steel Workers petitioned OSHA for an enforceable coke oven standard in 1971. The USWA petitioned the Department of Labor for a more stringent standard to limit worker exposure to the toxic emissions generated during the steel-making process from coke ovens. The USWA’s petition was denied, but in 1974 a standards advisory committee was established to work on the rule. Dr. Eula Bingham, future head of OSHA, served on the advisory committee The advisory committee largely failed in its work, and the steelworkers had to fight every step of the way to make their case for a strong standard. The standard, issued in 1976, set a Permissible Exposure Limit for coke oven emissions and requires that employers regularly monitor workers for exposure. It also mandates corrective measures by the employer if workers are exposed to an unacceptably high level of toxic emissions. The steel companies challenged the standard and the steelworkers, along with the AFL-CIO, successfully defended it in court. To learn more, go to Thanks to filmmaker Abby Ginzberg for permission to post her wonderful film. To see more of her amazing work, visit the website socialactionmedia.com/.
This clip, about the fight by labor unions to protect workers from the hazards of working around coke ovens, is from Abby Ginzberg’s 1989 award-winning documentary. Exposure to coke oven emissions may occur for workers in the aluminum, steel, graphite, electrical, and construction industries. Chronic (long-term) exposure to coke oven emissions in humans results in conjunctivitis, severe dermatitis, and lesions of the respiratory system and digestive system. Cancer is the major concern from exposure to coke oven emissions. Epidemiologic studies of coke oven workers have reported an increase in cancer of the lung, trachea, bronchus, kidney, prostate, and other sites. Animal studies have reported tumors of the lung and skin from inhalation exposure to coal tar. Coke-oven workers are exposed to coke oven emissions, complex mixtures of dust, vapors, and gases that typically include carcinogens including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), amines, arsenic, cadmium, and nickel. Coke oven emissions come from large ovens that are used to heat coal to produce coke, which is used to manufacture iron and steel. Coke-oven emissions are known to be human carcinogens. The primary routes of exposure to coke-oven emissions are by inhalation and skin contact. Occupational exposure may occur during the production of coke from coal or the use of coke to extract metals from ores, to synthesize calcium carbide, or to manufacture graphite and electrodes. Workers at coking plants and coal tar production plants, as well as people who live near these plants, have a high risk of possible exposure to coke-oven emissions. Unions fought to protect workers on these jobs in the 1950s and 60s. After the passage of OSHA in 1970, the United Steel Workers petitioned OSHA for an enforceable coke oven standard in 1971. The USWA petitioned the Department of Labor for a more stringent standard to limit worker exposure to the toxic emissions generated during the steel-making process from coke ovens. The USWA’s petition was denied, but in 1974 a standards advisory committee was established to work on the rule. Dr. Eula Bingham, future head of OSHA, served on the advisory committee The advisory committee largely failed in its work, and the steelworkers had to fight every step of the way to make their case for a strong standard. The standard, issued in 1976, set a Permissible Exposure Limit for coke oven emissions and requires that employers regularly monitor workers for exposure. It also mandates corrective measures by the employer if workers are exposed to an unacceptably high level of toxic emissions. The steel companies challenged the standard and the steelworkers, along with the AFL-CIO, successfully defended it in court. To learn more, go to Thanks to filmmaker Abby Ginzberg for permission to post her wonderful film. To see more of her amazing work, visit the website socialactionmedia.com/.
