Mortality Of Welders, Shipfitters, And Other Metal Trades Workers In Boilermakers Local No. 104, Afl-Cio - (1980)

Abstract
The study "Mortality of Welders, Shipfitters, and Other Metal Trades Workers in Boilermakers Local No. 104, AFL-CIO," authored by James J. Beaumont and Noel S. Weiss and published in the American Journal of Epidemiology in 1980, investigates the mortality rates of 8,679 union members employed in shipyards, metal fabrication shops, and related industries from 1950 to 1976. Using a historical prospective method, the study found that while the overall mortality rate was comparable to the general population, there were significant increases in deaths from respiratory diseases and cancers. Respiratory cancer rates were 31% higher than expected, and pneumonia rates were 67% higher than expected. The study identified asbestos exposure and welding fumes as potential contributors to these elevated risks, though the exact role of asbestos could not be definitively determined. The authors recommended further research in populations without asbestos exposure and with recorded smoking habits to better understand these risks.

Legal Relevance
This study provides critical evidence for asbestos-related legal claims, particularly for individuals who developed respiratory diseases or cancers after working in shipyards or metal trades. The findings highlight the occupational hazards faced by welders, shipfitters, and other metal trades workers, including exposure to asbestos and welding fumes. The study documents the presence of asbestos in shipyards and its potential role in respiratory diseases, including lung cancer and asbestosis.

For legal cases, this study can be used to:

1. Establish Occupational Exposure: The study confirms that workers in these trades were exposed to asbestos, even if they were not directly handling asbestos-containing materials.
2. Support Causation Arguments: The documented excess in respiratory cancer and asbestosis cases strengthens claims that asbestos exposure contributed to the claimant's illness.
3. Counter Defense Claims: The study addresses common defense arguments, such as attributing health risks solely to smoking, by emphasizing the combined impact of asbestos and other occupational exposures.
4. Demonstrate Negligence: The study underscores the long-term health risks of asbestos exposure, which employers and industries may have failed to mitigate or warn against.

This research can serve as a foundation for legal teams to argue for compensation for individuals suffering from asbestos-related diseases due to occupational exposure.

Occupation Groups at Risk
The study identifies several occupation groups at high risk of asbestos exposure and related diseases. These include:

1. Welders: Welders were exposed to fumes containing metal oxides and asbestos in shipyards and metal fabrication shops. The study found a significant increase in respiratory diseases among this group.
2. Shipfitters: Shipfitters often worked in environments where asbestos was present, particularly in shipyards. The study reported excess cases of respiratory cancer and asbestosis among these workers.
3. Boilermakers: Boilermakers, who were part of the study cohort, frequently worked with asbestos-containing materials in ship construction and repair.
4. Construction Workers: Workers involved in shipbuilding and field construction were exposed to asbestos in insulation and other materials.
5. Pipefitters and Insulators: Although not directly represented in the study, these trades are mentioned as having the highest asbestos exposures in shipyards.
6. Metal Fabrication Workers: Workers in metal fabrication shops were exposed to welding fumes and asbestos, contributing to elevated respiratory disease risks.
7. Shipyard Workers: The study focuses on shipyard workers, who faced significant asbestos exposure due to its widespread use in ship construction and repair.

These groups are at high risk because of their direct or indirect exposure to asbestos and other hazardous materials in their work environments.

Current Medical Understanding
The study aligns with current medical knowledge about the health risks of asbestos exposure. Modern research confirms that asbestos is a primary cause of respiratory diseases, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. The study's findings on the increased risk of respiratory diseases among metal trades workers are consistent with contemporary evidence linking asbestos exposure to long-term health effects. However, the study's inability to definitively isolate the impact of asbestos reflects the limitations of data available at the time. Advances in medical research have since provided stronger evidence of the causal relationship between asbestos exposure and respiratory diseases.

Citation
Beaumont, J. J., & Weiss, N. S. (1980). Mortality of welders, shipfitters, and other metal trades workers in Boilermakers Local No. 104, AFL-CIO. American Journal of Epidemiology, 112(6), 775-786. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7457470/

Contact Us Today
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, or another asbestos-related disease, you may be entitled to compensation. The findings of this study underscore the significant health risks faced by workers exposed to asbestos in shipyards, metal fabrication shops, and related industries. Our experienced legal team is here to help you navigate the complexities of asbestos-related claims and secure the justice you deserve.

Contact us today for a free consultation. Let us help you hold negligent parties accountable and obtain the compensation you need to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Time is limited to file a claim, so don’t wait—reach out to us now.