Occupational Exposure to Asbestos
Occupational Exposure to Asbestos: Who Was at Risk?
Asbestos was extensively utilized throughout the 20th century across a wide range of industries, including construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, automotive, and various other industrial sectors. Its unique properties—such as exceptional heat resistance, tensile strength, chemical inertness, and insulating capabilities—made it a highly sought-after material for numerous applications. From fireproofing and insulation to brake linings and cement products, asbestos became a cornerstone of industrial and commercial development during this period.
This widespread use meant that millions of workers, including factory employees, construction laborers, electricians, shipbuilders, mechanics, and even those in less obvious roles like plumbers and welders, were regularly exposed to asbestos fibers. These workers often handled asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) directly, cutting, sanding, or installing products that released microscopic asbestos fibers into the air.
However, the risks of asbestos exposure extended far beyond those who worked directly with the material. Asbestos fibers are incredibly fine, often invisible to the naked eye, and can remain suspended in the air for long periods. This airborne nature meant that anyone working in proximity to asbestos-containing materials—whether in factories, shipyards, or construction sites—was also at risk of inhaling or ingesting these fibers. Even family members of workers could face secondary exposure, as asbestos fibers could cling to clothing, hair, and tools, inadvertently bringing the hazard into homes.
Understanding the scope of asbestos exposure and identifying the occupations and environments with the highest risks is essential. This knowledge not only helps workers and their families pursue legal compensation and medical assistance but also underscores the importance of ongoing efforts to manage and mitigate asbestos risks in workplaces and communities.
Diseases Linked to Asbestos Exposure
Decades of medical research have confirmed that asbestos exposure causes life-threatening diseases, especially among workers who frequently handled asbestos or worked in high-heat, confined spaces.
Mesothelioma – A rare, aggressive cancer almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. It primarily affects the lining of the lungs (pleura), but can also develop in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) or, more rarely, the heart (pericardium). Mesothelioma has a long latency period, often taking decades to manifest after initial exposure.
Lung Cancer – Prolonged asbestos exposure significantly increases the risk of lung cancer, especially among workers who cut, sanded, or drilled ACMs, releasing fibers into the air. The risk is compounded for individuals who smoke, as the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure creates a synergistic effect, drastically elevating the likelihood of developing lung cancer.
Throat Cancer – Asbestos fibers inhaled or swallowed can lead to laryngeal and pharyngeal cancers, particularly among welders, industrial workers, and those exposed to high concentrations of airborne fibers. The abrasive nature of asbestos fibers can cause chronic irritation and damage to the tissues of the throat, increasing the risk of malignancy.
Stomach Cancer – Workers who ingested asbestos dust in contaminated environments may develop gastric cancer. This can occur when asbestos fibers are swallowed after being inhaled or when they contaminate food or water in occupational settings.
Colon Cancer – Asbestos exposure is linked to colorectal cancer, affecting workers exposed to airborne asbestos dust in enclosed spaces such as shipyards, factories, or poorly ventilated construction sites. The fibers may be ingested or inhaled and later migrate to the digestive tract, where they can cause cellular damage over time.
Ovarian Cancer – Asbestos exposure has been linked to an increased risk of ovarian cancer, particularly among women who worked in industries involving asbestos or lived with asbestos workers. Asbestos fibers may reach the ovaries through inhalation, ingestion, or migration from the reproductive tract, where they can cause inflammation and cellular damage, potentially leading to malignancy over time.
Asbestosis – A progressive lung disease caused by scarring from inhaled asbestos fibers, leading to breathing difficulties and chronic lung damage. Asbestosis often develops after prolonged exposure and can result in severe respiratory impairment, reduced lung capacity, and an increased risk of other asbestos-related diseases.
Learn more about the diseases that asbestos can cause. Asbestos-Related Diseases
Occupations with the Highest Asbestos Exposure Risks
While anyone working near asbestos could be exposed, some occupations faced especially high risks due to their direct contact with asbestos materials or daily exposure to airborne fibers.
Each occupational group below links to detailed information about how workers were exposed, asbestos-containing products they used, and their legal rights.
Asbestos Professionals: Abatement workers and asbestos miners faced direct exposure while removing or processing raw asbestos. These workers often dealt with high concentrations of airborne fibers, making them among the most at-risk for asbestos-related diseases.
Boiler, Furnace, and Fire Workers: Routinely handled asbestos insulation, gaskets, and refractory materials in high-temperature environments. The extreme heat caused asbestos materials to deteriorate, releasing fibers into the air and increasing the risk of inhalation.
Construction and Remodeling Workers: Disturbed asbestos-containing drywall, ceiling tiles, roofing, and flooring during demolition and renovations. Without proper precautions, cutting, drilling, or sanding these materials could release hazardous asbestos dust into the work environment.
Electrical and Electronics Workers: Exposed while repairing wiring insulation, switchboards, and fireproof electrical panels. Many electrical components used asbestos for its non-conductive and heat-resistant properties, making routine maintenance a potential source of fiber release.
Engineering and Technical Workers: Worked near asbestos-lined industrial equipment, turbines, and chemical processing plants. These workers often conducted maintenance or repairs on machinery containing asbestos insulation, unknowingly disturbing fibers embedded in worn-out components.
Foremen and Supervisors: Oversaw construction and industrial projects where asbestos-containing materials were installed or removed. Although they may not have directly handled asbestos, their presence in contaminated worksites exposed them to airborne fibers.
Heavy Equipment and Machinery Operators: Worked on asbestos-laden brakes, gaskets, and clutches in construction, mining, and demolition. Frequent repairs and friction from moving parts could cause asbestos components to degrade, releasing dangerous fibers into the air.
HVAC and Appliance Workers: Handled asbestos insulation around pipes, boilers, furnaces, and household appliances. Many older heating and cooling systems contained asbestos wraps, requiring workers to cut or remove them during repairs, creating exposure risks.
Insulation and Fireproofing Workers: Installed and removed asbestos-containing insulation and fireproof coatings, often in confined spaces. Because insulation work involved direct contact with raw asbestos fibers, these workers had some of the highest exposure rates.
Manufacturing and Production Workers: Worked in factories producing asbestos textiles, cement, automotive parts, and insulation. Exposure came not only from handling asbestos-containing materials but also from airborne fibers generated during the manufacturing process.
Material Handling and Transportation Workers: Loaded, unloaded, and transported asbestos products, disturbing loose asbestos fibers. Improper handling of raw asbestos or packaged materials often led to fiber release, affecting workers along shipping and supply chains.
Mechanics and Equipment Maintenance Workers: Worked on asbestos-laden brakes, clutches, gaskets, and engine components. Brake dust and friction-worn parts were a major source of airborne asbestos, putting auto and machinery mechanics at risk of long-term exposure.
Metal Workers and Welders: Exposed to asbestos fireproofing, insulation, and protective clothing in steel mills and foundries. Asbestos was commonly used in welding blankets, gloves, and insulation around molten metal equipment, leading to fiber contamination.
Oil and Gas Workers: Handled asbestos insulation and gaskets in refineries, pipelines, and drilling rigs. The high heat and pressure of oil and gas processing required asbestos-based materials, exposing workers during installation, maintenance, and repairs.
Pipe and Duct Workers: Cut and installed asbestos-containing insulation, cement pipes, and joint sealants. Sawing or drilling asbestos pipes released fibers, and old asbestos-wrapped ductwork posed a risk during renovations or repairs.
Railroad Workers: Encountered asbestos in brake pads, gaskets, insulation, and locomotive components. Train repair yards and maintenance facilities had heavy asbestos contamination, putting engineers, conductors, and mechanics at risk.
Shipyard and Maritime Workers: Worked in confined ship compartments filled with asbestos insulation and fireproofing materials. Shipbuilding and repair involved extensive use of asbestos in engine rooms, bulkheads, and piping, leading to dangerously high fiber concentrations in enclosed spaces.
Secondary Exposure: Risks to Family Members
Family members of asbestos workers faced significant risks from secondary exposure, often without any awareness of the danger. When workers returned home with asbestos fibers clinging to their clothing, shoes, hair, or skin, these microscopic particles could easily become airborne, contaminating the household environment. Routine activities such as washing contaminated work clothes, hugging a family member, or even sweeping floors could release asbestos fibers into the air, putting spouses, children, and other household members at risk of inhalation or ingestion.
Over time, this unintentional exposure led to serious health consequences, with some family members developing asbestos-related diseases decades after the initial exposure. This tragic reality highlights the far-reaching impact of asbestos use, extending beyond the workplace and into the homes and lives of workers’ loved ones.
Learn more about secondary exposure and its risks to the family members of asbestos workers.
How Asbestos Workers Can Get Compensation
Workers diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases may qualify for financial compensation. Our law firm specializes in helping clients navigate asbestos trust claims, lawsuits, and disability benefits to ensure they receive the compensation they deserve. Depending on your work history and diagnosis, multiple legal avenues may be available, including settlements, jury verdicts, and government benefits.
Asbestos Trust Claims – File a claim with one of the 50+ asbestos trust funds to receive compensation without going to court. These trusts were established by bankrupt asbestos companies to pay victims of asbestos exposure, often providing faster payouts than lawsuits.
Asbestos Lawsuits – Pursue legal action against companies responsible for your asbestos exposure to recover medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. Lawsuits can result in settlements or trial verdicts, depending on the circumstances of your case.
Disability Claims – If you’re unable to work due to an asbestos-related illness, you may qualify for Social Security Disability (SSD), VA benefits (for military veterans exposed to asbestos), or state workers’ compensation programs. These benefits provide monthly financial support to help cover lost wages and medical costs.
Learn more about your legal rights.
Don’t wait — asbestos claims have strict deadlines, and missing them could mean losing your right to compensation. Call us today at 833-4-ASBESTOS for a free consultation and let us help you navigate your legal options.