Paper-Mill Dryer Felts & Dryer Bars — Asbestos Exposure Crosswalk

What This Equipment Is

In a paper machine, after the wet sheet leaves the press section, it passes over a long series of steam-heated dryer cylinders to evaporate residual water and produce the finished paper. The dryer section is the longest, hottest, and steamiest part of any paper machine — often a hundred feet long, with 30 to 60 cast-iron dryer cans rotating at speed, each internally pressurized with steam.

The asbestos exposure pathways are distinct from other industries:

  • Dryer felts — historically woven asbestos-containing fabric that ran in continuous loops, pressing the wet sheet against the heated dryer cans. Modern synthetic felts replaced asbestos felts by the late 1970s, but for decades asbestos cloth was the standard.
  • Hood insulation — the enclosure above the dryer section is heavily insulated against heat loss; asbestos-bearing materials were used throughout.
  • Pipe insulation — steam supply, condensate return, and blow-through systems are insulated with asbestos pipe covering (see Pipe Insulation).
  • Steam-joint seals (rotary joints) — the joints that allow steam to enter and condensate to leave a rotating dryer can use asbestos-rope packing and asbestos-cloth seals.
  • Dryer bars and gasketing — joint-sealing material between cylinder heads and shells.
  • Doctor blade backers — asbestos-millboard backers behind some doctor-blade installations.

Why Paper-Mill Dryer-Section Work Was a High-Exposure Activity

Paper machines run 24/7 except during scheduled outages. The dryer section is the area where workers spend long hours servicing rotating equipment in hot, humid, often steam-filled conditions. Felt changes required threading new felt through the dryer section, cutting it to length, and seaming the ends — every step disturbed fiber.

Steam-joint rebuilds are recurring maintenance and involve repacking the rotary seal with fresh asbestos rope. Hood-insulation work during outages is dense fiber exposure from both legacy removal and fresh installation. Demolition and major-rebuild work pulls down legacy insulation in bulk.

Paper-mill workers are recognized in the asbestos-litigation record as a distinct, heavily-exposed category — particularly long-tenure operators, mechanics, and millwrights who spent decades in or adjacent to the dryer section.

Manufacturers Named in Paper-Mill Asbestos Litigation

  • Asten-Johnson — paper-machine felts including asbestos formulations
  • Albany International — paper-machine clothing
  • Beloit Corporation — paper-machine OEM named in installation/maintenance claims
  • Black Clawson — paper-machine OEM
  • Johns-Manville — pipe covering, hood insulation, gaskets
  • Owens-Corning / Fibreboard — insulation products
  • Eagle-Picher — insulation products
  • Garlock Sealing Technologies — gaskets and packing
  • A.W. Chesterton — packing

Documented Product References

Images sourced from publicly available product-identification reference materials. Inclusion does not constitute a finding of liability against any company.

Trust Funds That May Apply

  • Manville Personal Injury Settlement Trust
  • Owens-Corning / Fibreboard Asbestos PI Trust
  • Eagle-Picher Industries PI Settlement Trust
  • Garlock Sealing Technologies LLC Asbestos PI Trust

Trades Most Exposed at Paper-Mill Dryer Work

Paper-machine operators (long-tenure exposure to ambient fiber and direct contact with felts), paper-mill millwrights, pipefitters, insulators (Heat & Frost), mechanics performing felt changes and steam-joint rebuilds, demolition and rebuild contractors.

Jobsites in the Network Documenting Paper-Mill Dryer Sections

Compiled from publicly filed asbestos litigation, EPA / state-DNR records, and industry-publication histories. Product and company references reflect what has been alleged or documented in publicly filed litigation. This page does not constitute a finding of liability against any company. Not legal advice; consult a licensed attorney about your specific situation.