Occupational Asbestos Exposure

* Appliance Installers    

    Since its creation, asbestos has been used in a variety of different ways by a number of occupations. Many of the people who worked in these various occupations have contracted a range of different health problems from their asbestos exposure.

    Workers from practically all trades were involved with asbestos, even those that worked in the unlikeliest of professions. Asbestos was used in a variety of different products and was largely found in shipyards, power plants, chemical plants, factories, steel mills, building construction, and the telephone industry. Some of the occupations that commonly came in contact with asbestos include:

• Asbestos textile mill, protective clothing and glove makers came in contact with asbestos while they wove it into cloth.
• Automobile manufacturing production, brake and clutch manufacturing, and assembly workers including automobile mechanics and brake repairers, used asbestos on brake linings and clutch pads.
• Building engineers, building material products manufacturers, cement plant production workers, and construction workers all worked with asbestos-related products.
• Electrical workers, including electricians, electrical linemen, and telephone linemen came in contact with asbestos insulation around electrical products.
• Shipyard workers, Coast Guard personnel, longshoremen, merchant mariners, and U.S. Navy personnel worked and lived in areas that employed the use of asbestos.
• Demolition and wrecking crews were at risk when they destroyed buildings that used asbestos as insulation.
• Custodians, insulation manufacturing plant workers, pipefitters, machinists, insulators, packing and gasket manufacturing plant workers, and powerhouse workers all came in contact with asbestos.
• Railroad workers, sheet metal workers, steamfitters, refinery workers, rubber workers, refractory products plant workers, and warehouse workers also worked with asbestos on a daily basis.

* Asbestos Plant Workers

Asbestos Plant Workers – Mesothelioma Risks

    Individuals who worked in occupations that manufactured asbestos products were at an increased risk of being exposed to asbestos in comparison to employees in other occupations. In addition to the incidence of exposure being much greater than that of other occupations, the amount of asbestos fibers asbestos plant workers were exposed to was considerably higher.

    Studies have shown a direct correlation between the higher fiber burden to which asbestos plant workers were exposed and the incidence of asbestos-related diseases. The longer a person worked in an asbestos plant more and more fibers accumulated in their lungs. This accumulation, or "lifetime fiber burden," is directly related to the occurrence of asbestos-related diseases.

    Evidence of this correlation may be derived from the way asbestos plant workers are categorized in other businesses. In the insurance industry, asbestos plant workers are considered a sub-standard risk. From the perspective of insurance companies, such workers are engaging in an activity that will lower their life expectancy. Other activities that are grouped with working in an asbestos plant as sub-standard insurance risks include skydiving, bull fighting and defusing bombs. The way in which insurance companies view the occupation is a rather stark illustration of the risks associated with working in an asbestos plant, perhaps even clearer than the pictures painted by statistics and studies.

 - Asbestos Exposure Levels

    A study conducted jointly by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Asbestos Work Group, found that after evaluation of "all available human data," there is no safe level for asbestos exposure. While the health risks related to high incidents of asbestos exposure are universally acknowledged, there is no lower level of exposure that is considered "safe."

    When there is no safe threshold level that can be demonstrated for a carcinogen, OSHA tends to set the permissible exposure limit (PEL) level as low as technologically and economically feasible. In 1994, OSHA stated that "the practical lower limit of feasibility for measuring asbestos levels reliably" is 0.1 fiber per cubic centimeter of air on average over an eight-hour period. In essence, any amount of exposure to asbestos, particularly in an environment such as an asbestos plant, could potentially lead to disease.

    Apart from the high levels of airborne particulates in asbestos plants, workers were often compromised by a lack of safety procedures and equipment. Through either ignorance or indifference, few asbestos companies provided employees with protective gear to shield them from the hazards of inhaling asbestos fibers. Ventilation was often inadequate and hygiene policies to prevent the transfer of hazardous substances from the plants to workers' homes were rarely implemented. Such lax precautions have affected asbestos plant workers and their families.

 - Health Risks and Precautions

    The findings of another NIOSH study in a 1998 bulletin led the agency to warn asbestos textile, friction and packing plant workers about the health risks associated with their occupations. Workers in asbestos plants found that the risk of lung cancer death in the sample population was nearly double that of the general population. The study group consisted of 3,276 individuals, of whom 63 died from lung cancer.

    Meanwhile, another 17 members died from mesothelioma, a form of cancer primarily caused by asbestos. Asbestosis, which is a scarring of the lung tissues, and other lung diseases led to 90 deaths in the study group, where only 17 would normally be predicted based on rates in the general population. The study also showed increased incidence of death from heart disease among asbestos plant workers, which is likely due to the fact that lung problems frequently lead to heart issues.

 - Resources for Asbestos Plant Workers

    Those who worked in an asbestos plant were likely exposed to high levels of asbestos. This includes office workers as well as those who worked directly with asbestos. Family members may have also been exposed through the transfer of fibers from the workplace to the home. Asbestos plant workers and family members should advise their physicians of their work history and schedule regular medical examinations to monitor for asbestos-related illnesses. Some health conditions, such as mesothelioma, may not manifest for 20 or 50 years after exposure, so ongoing monitoring is important.

* Auto Mechanics (Auto Plant Workers, Garage Workers) - Mesothelioma  Risks

    Auto mechanics commonly perform vehicle services such as:

• Maintenance
• Repair
• Installation
• Replacement of parts

    Auto mechanics worked with a number of different systems and auto parts that were once manufactured with asbestos. Unfortunately, many auto mechanics developed mesotheliomaand other asbestos-related diseases as the result of occupational exposure. In one study of 1,048 pleural mesothelioma patients, 4 percent had a history of working in the auto industry.

    If you worked as an auto mechanic and are worried that you were exposed to asbestos, a qualified doctor can help discuss your risk for asbestos-related diseases and may test for signs of these illnesses. For assistance in making an appointment with a doctor in your area, please contact the Mesothelioma Center’s Doctor Match Program.

 - Auto Repair and Asbestos Exposure

    Asbestos was previously considered to be an excellent insulator for high-temperature auto parts. Because the mineral was extremely cheap and readily available, auto makers frequently used asbestos in gaskets, brakes and a number of other auto components. Until the 1980s, brakes contained up to 65 percent asbestos.

    The techniques used to remove old auto parts can release millions of asbestos particles into the air. Auto mechanics may have been exposed to asbestos while performing the following:

• Replace brakes and clutches
• Sand or grind auto parts
• Drill brakes
• Remove disks and drums

    Asbestos fibers that become airborne can settle onto the ground. As auto repair workers cleaned the shop, the sweeping and wiping of the area often re-emitted fibers back into the air. One mesothelioma patient, Fred Mirante, attributed his asbestos-related disease to the inhalation of asbestos that occurred during his life-long hobby of repairing cars and performing brake work.

    Poor ventilation would often worsen the conditions of dusty garage bays and other spaces where workers were usually stationed. Microscopic asbestos particles contaminated the air in body shops where workers serviced brakes and clutches, and many mechanics inhaled the particles.

    An investigation conducted by The Seattle Post-Intelligencer found that the high exposure levels at gas stations and brake repair shops could place approximately one in 10 unprotected mechanics at risk for developing an asbestos-related cancer. The study examined shops located in cities such as Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Richmond, Seattle and Washington D.C.

    The dust found in shops and garages contained between 2.26 percent and 63.8 percent asbestos. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the use of protective suits and respirators is required if 1 percent or more of asbestos is present. Thereport from TheSeattle Post-Intelligencer also found significant amounts of asbestos in six out of nine brake jobs that were examined.

* Blacksmiths – Mesothelioma Risks

    A respected and historic occupation, blacksmiths heat iron and other metals to shape the materials into practical and ornamental items. Today, most metal fabrication is performed by machines and blacksmiths tend to work in a more artisanal setting, producing ornamental pieces and artwork.

    Given the extreme heat generated by the hot metals, asbestos was an ideal choice for protecting and fireproofing materials in a blacksmith's line of work. Blacksmiths and ironworkers who were in the workforce prior to the 1980s faced asbestos exposure risks by working with asbestos-made products in their shops, including protective blankets and other tools.

 - Hidden Asbestos Risks for Blacksmiths Today

    In 1991, more than a decade after the government began regulating the use of asbestos and asbestos-containing products, researchers from the Division of Environmental and Occupational Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital found that workers in blacksmith and ironwork trades who performed installations at construction sites or power facilities were at risk for asbestos exposure.

    In the study, published in the British Journal of Industrial Medicine, medical researchers examined almost 900 structural and ornamental iron workers in the New York metropolitan area. Results showed that "three hundred and twenty-nine (38 percent) of the examined workers had pleural [lung] abnormalities on their chest radiographs consistent with asbestos induced effects."

    The study does acknowledge that although ex-smokers appeared to have the highest prevalence of abnormalities, further analyses showed that length of employment in the blacksmith trade remained the causal factor of associated risks. Asbestos-related illnesses tend to have long latency periods between the time of initial exposure and manifestation in the worker. Symptoms of mesothelioma can take as long as 20 to 50 years to arise.

 - Asbestos Exposure

    Within the blacksmith trade, asbestos may have been used in the following products:

• Insulation to protect the wall behind the forge and the forge itself from heat and fires.
• The tiles in the floor of the workshop, especially around the forge and work area.
• Asbestos gloves
• Asbestos aprons
• Asbestos face masks to protect from sparks
• Asbestos cloth in place of traditional leather

    While such products are no longer manufactured with asbestos, most of the equipment and insulation containing asbestos remained after the government began regulating the toxic substance. Firebrick was manufactured with asbestos, and floors and walls under and around forges may still be insulated with asbestos-containing materials. If these materials crumble or begin to peel, asbestos fibers can become airborne and potentially inhaled.

    Safe levels of asbestos exposure do not exist and the smallest amount of exposure can cause the development of an asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma. Blacksmith shops and metal foundries are particularly hazardous because the working conditions are harsh and asbestos-containing materials come into direct contact with employees.

 - Resources for Blacksmiths

    In order to lower the chances of developing a serious asbestos-related condition, former blacksmiths who believe they may have been exposed to asbestos should refrain from smoking altogether. Smoking cigarettes after being exposed to asbestos has been shown to exacerbate the effects of each. If you have experienced asbestos exposure and smoke, you’re at an increased risk for developing lung cancer.

* Boiler Workers

    Boilermakers, engine room workers, pipe fitters and steam fitters are all considered to be boiler workers. These laborers work with steel boilers, bridges and other structures or equipment. In addition, much boiler work involved some degree of welding. For a long period of time, welding rods and compounds were made with asbestos, which was released as the materials eroded. These workers faced an extremely high risk of asbestos exposure and asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.

    Boiler rooms were a common feature of ships and commercial buildings. Boilers on ships created the steam that spun the turbines and prop shafts. Boilers were also used to heat commercial and residential buildings. Many such buildings and vessels had their own, close-quartered rooms for the boilers. These rooms were typically small, enclosed spaces in which airborne asbestos continually circulated due to the poor ventilation. Unfortunately, these working conditions put boiler room workers at a high risk of inhaling asbestos that was released into the air.

 - Boilermakers and Engine Room Workers

    Boilermakers were faced with the task of manufacturing a product that was resistant to pressure, heat and fire. Asbestos met all of these requirements, and boilermakers used the material in a number of boiler room products until the late 20th century. Many boilermakers also had to repair the boilers used in ships and buildings, and these operations also disturbed the asbestos-containing materials and released the fibers into the air.

    Asbestos was used in individual components that were used in the assembly of boilers, turbines and some engines. Boiler maintenance often disturbed the asbestos in these parts when workers removed the jackets and lagging that surrounded the boiler.

    When installing boilers, boiler room workers often had to cut gaskets and pipes to fit the boiler into a given space. This easily disturbed the latent asbestos and sent fibers into the air. Boilermakers who were required to repair broken machinery often had to fix broken lagging with asbestos tape, lagging mats, cement, gaskets, insulation, joint compound or other asbestos-containing substances.

    A federal law passed in the 1930s required components used in the construction of ocean-going vessels to be fireproof. Parts were often coated with asbestos fireproofing spray or cement. Valves contained asbestos compounds, while the walls, ceilings and floors of engine rooms were insulated with asbestos-containing panels and other materials. Boilermakers and engine room workers on ships faced high asbestos risks as they manipulated these materials.

    A study of the members of the Michigan Boilermakers Union found that 30 percent of the boilermakers who had spent 10 or more years in the industry had developed bilateral pleural abnormalities. These issues included pleural plaques and interstitial fibrosis. Additional studies have indicated that boilermakers have increased mortality from lung cancer, asbestosis and other changes noted in x-ray imaging.

 - Steam and Pipe Fitters

    Asbestos insulation covered the pipes and tubing that lead in and out of boilers. Because they carried high-pressure, high-temperature steam and water away from the boilers, it was crucial that the pipes were sufficiently insulated to withstand the heat. Steam and pipe fitters had to connect, repair and maintain these pipes and tubes, placing them at high risk for inhaling the asbestos that was once regarded as the ideal insulator in this situation. Because of this, steam and pipe fitters commonly worked with cement, joint compounds, insulation gaskets and valves containing asbestos.

    Steam and pipe fitters were often required to remove old insulation from pipes and re-wrap the pipes with asbestos-containing materials. They also had to install and insulate the conduits in the boiler rooms. These procedures often disturbed asbestos products and released the fibers into the air.

 - Resources for Boiler Workers

    As one steam fitter noted, individuals working with boilers did not merely handle the substance, but rather "ate asbestos." Thousands of asbestos-related claims and lawsuits have been filed by people exposed to the substance from working in or around boilers, steam and pipe fittings.

* Carpenters

    Carpenters and cabinet makers are skilled tradesmen who work with a variety of material to build a variety of objects including furniture, ships, homes, buildings and cabinetry. These workers often came into direct contact with or near asbestos-containing materials. When asbestos is disturbed, it can become airborne and may expose those nearby. This material is associated with illnesses such as lung cancer and mesothelioma, emphysema and asbestosis.

 - Carpenters and Cabinet Makers

    Carpenters and cabinet makers work with a variety of materials to build items such as:

• Furniture
• Ships
• Homes
• Buildings
• Cabinetry

    Carpenters may construct these items using the following materials:

• Cement
• Shingles
• Floor tiles
• Wallboard
• Paint
• Wallboard
• Paper

    Working directly with or near these materials may have exposed carpenters to asbestos. Some items that were manufactured before the 1980s contained asbestos fibers. When asbestos is disturbed, it can become airborne and may expose individuals nearby who may inhale the released fibers.

 - Exposure to Asbestos

    Carpenters and cabinet makers may have been exposed to asbestos in a number of ways. Many construction materials including treated woods, construction compounds and other building materials contained asbestos such as:

• Acoustical plaster
• Acoustical finishes
• Asbestos cord
• Felt
• Packing
• Agricultural filler
• Finishing cement
• Flatboard
• Micarta
• Millboard
• Rollboard
• Patching plaster
• Patching fiber
• Shingles
• Adhesives

    Construction workers may have also been exposed to asbestos through remodeling homes or buildings that were constructed during the early to mid-1900s. Activities such as hanging cabinets or drilling into existing drywall, insulation and flooring have the potential of creating an exposure hazard.

    The environments where carpenters worked were often filled with other tradespeople, many of whom may have used asbestos-containing construction materials. Plumbers, electricians, insulators and drywall finishers used a variety of asbestos-containing products such as:

• Insulation
• Joint compounds
• Asbestos tape
• Gaskets
• Valves
• Asbestos-insulated wiring

    In one legal case, a carpenter constructed scaffolding for other workmen to use during the construction of pipes inside a ship. Coworkers testified that asbestos pipe covering was present in engine rooms and that they saw the carpenter working in that area. The carpenter was seen with white dust that covered his clothing and hair, which he said was generated from the asbestos pipe covering.

 - Asbestos Lawsuits and Carpenters

    Carpenter and cabinet makers often use a variety of materials in their trade and may have been exposed to asbestos without identifying a particular asbestos product. It can be difficult to determine how asbestos exposure may have occurred, as carpenters work in many locations with different subcontractors and a wide range of materials.

    When filing legal claims, some carpenters have experienced difficulty in connecting their asbestos-related illness with a specific product. In some cases, courts have dismissed personal injury lawsuits because the use of a specific product could not be directly connected to the individual making the claim.

    In one case, a construction carpenter filed a claim against a number of manufacturers, retailers, sellers and distributors of asbestos-containing products. He alleged that during his 30 years of work as construction carpenter, he was exposed to asbestos-containing construction and insulating materials that resulted in an asbestosis diagnosis.

    The case was dismissed because the carpenter was unable to produce evidence that linked his injuries to asbestos exposure from a particular product manufactured, distributed or sold by the manufacturer being charged. The carpenter indicated that he worked with Kaylo pipe covering during the years that the manufacturer made the product with asbestos fibers. However, he could not offer evidence that indicated the defendant was the actual manufacturer of the particular Kaylo pipe covering in question.

    While it may be difficult determine the exact cause of asbestos exposure, it is important to be aware of the potential health risks that exposure to even the smallest levels of asbestos can present. Carpenters or cabinet makers who fear they have been exposed to asbestos may require medical monitoring for symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses. These individuals should speak with their physicians to determine if surveillance is appropriate for their particular circumstances.

* Cement Plant Workers

    Workers at cement plants were responsible for mixing, forming and distributing a number of cement products. These workers were commonly required to stir asbestos and asbestos compounds into cement mixtures, cast the cement into blocks, mold items and service the machinery used in the manufacturing process. During each of these activities, cement plant workers may have been exposed to asbestos.

 - Cement Plant Workers and Asbestos Exposure

    As early as 1905, cement factories in the United States were manufactured using asbestos cement. To create commercial cement blocks, portland cement was typically reinforced with asbestos fibers. Cement plant workers mixed approximately 15 to 25 percent asbestos with 75 to 85 percent cement to create a virtually indestructible product that could be used as a covering for boilers, pipes, furnaces and stills.

    John-Manville was one of the first companies to produce asbestos cement compounds. Their asbestos-containing cement coating was marketed as a roof-repairing material, and soon other manufacturers were creating similar cement sealants for use in chimneys, skylights and shingles. Other companies that manufactured asbestos cement products include:

• Keasbey & Mattison
• Philip Carey Manufacturing Company
• Flintkote Company
• Baltimore Roofing & Asbestos Manufacturing Co.

    A 1991 study of 839 workers from two New Orleans asbestos cement factories found that long-term workers at the facility were at a significantly higher risk for lung cancer and confirmed a correlation between asbestos exposure and asbestosis. Of the workers who had been employed until 1969, 153 workers had died by 1983.

    One study found that cement factory workers experienced higher levels of oxidative stress, which is thought to play a role in the development of mesothelioma. Workers who were directly exposed to dust and particulate matter such as asbestos during their operations were found to have higher levels of oxidative stress biomarkers than cement factory workers with indirect exposure.

    Despite the documented health risks posed by asbestos, a number of countries are still home to active asbestos cement factories. In India, at least 49 asbestos cement companies are currently in operation, generating upwards of $200 million in revenue. At the Hindustan Composites Mill in Mumbai, over 23 percent of workers displayed signs of asbestosis, yet few protective measures were instituted.

 - Resources for Cement Plant Workers

    Due to the work environment and the products that were commonly handled, cement plant workers are at a high risk for developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and would like to learn more about your treatment and legal options, please fill out the form on this page to request a free informational packet delivered to your door overnight.

* Chemical Plant Workers - Mesothelioma Risks

    Chemical plant workers faced a number of hazards during their career. While exposure to the strong and potentially toxic chemicals their companies produced was an evident threat, many chemical plant workers were also affected by asbestos, a natural mineral that was frequently used in chemical production.

    Asbestos was commonly used in chemicals and chemical products for a number of years. Asbestos fibers are nonflammable and insoluble in water. The amosite, crocidolite and anthophyllite varieties are resistant to acids. These properties made asbestos a desirable material for a number of industrial purposes, including use at chemical plants.

    Prior to and during the late 1970s, asbestos was used in chemicals and plastics as a filler or reinforcing agent. Asbestos fibers were commonly added to molding compounds and fireproofing sprays. Asbestos compounds were also used in chemicals used for insulation and sealants. Phenolic compounds that were produced and distributed to plastic manufacturers such as Rostone Inc. also commonly contained asbestos. For more information on asbestos-containing items that may have been manufactured in a chemical plant, please see the asbestos products page.

    Chemical plants also harbored the mineral in their structures and machinery. Because it was a strong insulator and did not react with the chemicals being produced and handled at the facilities, asbestos was a strongly preferred material for use at chemical plants.

    Several chemical plants have been designated as EPA Superfund Sites, or uncontrolled or abandoned sites where hazardous waste is known to be located. One such site, the chemical plant area at Weldon Spring site, was deemed a threat to human health due to asbestos and other contaminants. These toxic substances were found in highest concentrations in the physical buildings, waste pits and ponds and in the soil near waste disposal and storage areas.

 - Asbestos in the Chemical Industry

    Many large companies in the chemical industry used asbestos in their products. Some of these companies include Union Carbide Chemical Corporation, General Electric Company, Westinghouse Corporation, Rostone Inc., Durez Corporation and Rogers Corporation.

    Many electrical parts manufacturers obtained chemicals and compounds from Union Carbide. This company, which marketed the insulating compound Bakelite and Calidria Fibre, often utilized chrysotile asbestos in their products.

    Union Carbide played a leading role in the National Safety Council in the 1930s and the Industrial Hygiene Foundation in the 1940s. In 1952, Union Carbide sent three representatives, including its Medical Director, Dr. Thomas Nale, to the Seventh Saranac Symposium. At a 1955 Saranac Conference, a report was prepared by an Aetna-affiliated company showing that Union Carbide had knowledge of potential hazards of asbestos and continued to engage in the formation of its own asbestos mining, milling and manufacturing businesses.

    The report highlighted extremely high asbestos exposure rates and evidence of the mishandling of asbestos. Although the report made recommendations to Union Carbide to help protect their workers from further asbestos exposure, the company chose not to disclose the findings to its employees.

* Construction Workers - Mesothelioma Risks

    The construction industry includes a large range of laborers such as:

• Brick layers
• Bulldozer operators
• Crane and hoist operators
• Demolition and wrecking crews
• Drywall tapers
• Masonry workers
• Mixing operatives
• Plasterers
• Roofers
• Slaters
• Stone masons
• Tile setters

    Workers in these occupations commonly handled asbestos products, which may include insulation, drywall, shingles, floor tiles and tape.

 - Drywall and Demolition Workers

    One of the most common asbestos-containing materials that was used by construction workers was drywall, as well as drywall tape and taping compounds.

    Before drywall (also known as gypsum board or sheetrock) was invented in the early 20th century, interior walls were built using a time-consuming process that required each layer of materials to dry before another layer could be added. The 1916 introduction of U.S. Gypsum’s drywall drastically reduced the time needed to build walls by compressing a layer of gypsum, asbestos and other materials between sheets of heavy paper.

    Drywall could be easily nailed directly onto wall studs, allowing construction workers to finish an entire room in less than the time it would have taken one layer of plaster to dry. Unfortunately, because nails penetrated the drywall after installation, drywall tapers had to follow behind the sheetrock hangers and place drywall tape over the nail heads. Drywall tapers then sanded these areas to a smooth finish.

    Both drywall and drywall taping compounds that contain asbestos can crumble easily when disturbed through sanding or grinding. Small asbestos particles were released into the air and easily inhaled when drywall tapers mixed powdered taping compound, cut asbestos treated tape or sanded the drywall. Not only were drywall workers exposed, but the tapers, painters and other construction workers in the area were at high risk of inhaling the fibers as well.

    According to at least one study, drywall tapers experience asbestosis at least as frequently as those who work with asbestos insulation. The high levels of asbestos in the air at construction sites led to high levels of asbestos-related illnesses in construction workers. If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease and would like additional information about your diagnosis, please fill out the form on this page.

 - Masonry Workers

    Masonry workers such as brick layers, stone masons and mixing operatives may have also been exposed to high levels of asbestos. Prior to the 1980s, asbestos was often mixed with materials used to mold bricks due to its fire resistant properties. Asbestos was also mixed into cement and mortar compounds for the same reason.

    Masonry workers often cut and shaped stone and bricks, or otherwise handled powdered mortar or cement. These activities frequently disturbed the asbestos in these materials and released it into the air where masonry workers could easily inhale it.

 - Roofers and Tile Setters

    Asbestos was widely used in roofing tiles, flooring and shingles. It was also sometimes mixed into adhesive and sealing compounds that were used beneath such materials on floors and roofs. Roofers and tile setters were frequently at risk of inhaling asbestos when they handled these materials. If you were exposed to asbestos and would like to discuss any potential health risks with a physician, please contact the Mesothelioma Center’s Doctor Match Program for assistance with finding a doctor in your area.

 - Current Asbestos Risk for Construction Workers

    While regulations were enacted to restrict the use of asbestos in modern products, construction workers may still face the risk of asbestos exposure on the job. Construction workers must renovate and work with materials that may have been originally made with asbestos. Buildings constructed prior to the 1980s were typically made with asbestos-contaminated products. If these products are disturbed during renovations, the construction workers at the site may be exposed to asbestos.

* Custodians - Mesothelioma Risks

    Custodians may sometimes spend their entire workdays in asbestos-contaminated environments. Responsible for the maintenance of buildings, custodians are often not trained to recognize or avoid asbestos dangers.

    When buried in the ground or embedded in cement or other binding materials, asbestos is not a threat. When released into the air, however, asbestos is a toxic contaminant with far-reaching health effects that typically emerge decades after exposure (see Mesothelioma Latency Period). Asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis have been diagnosed in a number of custodians with a history of workplace exposure (for how exposure may occur, see Asbestos Exposure). If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and would like to learn more about the cancer, please fill out the form on this page to receive a customized information packet.

 - Custodians and Asbestos Exposure

    Because custodians encountered a number of asbestos-containing structures and materials in the buildings they maintained, these workers were at a high risk of developing asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma. If you have been exposed to asbestos and would like to discuss your experience with a specialist in your area, please contact the Mesothelioma Center’s Doctor Match Program.

    Custodians encountered a number of asbestos-containing products during their work. From the early 1960s to the late 1970s, asbestos was often applied to beams and decking above ceilings and behind walls. Asbestos was also used in roofing materials, vinyl floor tiles, "transite" board and "galbestos."

    As asbestos insulation ages and deteriorates, asbestos fibers may become airborne and accumulate in the dust of cellar floors, heating pipes and hung ceilings. When custodians maintained the structures in these buildings, they were at high risk of disturbing the asbestos and releasing the fibers into their workspace.

    In the case of Upsher v. Grosse Pointe Public School System, the custodians in a school district were instructed to rip up carpeting from asbestos floor tiles after an outside contractor refused to do so because of potential asbestos exposure. The custodians "chiseled, chipped, pounded, pulverized, hammered and jack hammered" the asbestos tiles. As a result, the workers were "massively exposed" to airborne asbestos fibers.

    In another case, the principal of an elementary school ordered uncertified custodians to remove asbestos-containing insulation. After the work was performed outside of the Clean Air Act's work practice standards, the principal then denied to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the school ever contained asbestos.

    According to a study conducted by the EPA in 1979, approximately one-third of the public schools in the New York City school system contained friable asbestos materials. Until that time, in New York City schools alone, as many as 21,600 custodians and maintenance workers were exposed to the substance.

    Additional studies conducted in the schools of Boston and Los Angeles and public buildings in Baltimore found that the mere presence of asbestos in buildings puts the occupants of such buildings at a high risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses. The study of Boston schools noted that custodians were exposed to sufficient amounts of airborne asbestos to cause pathological changes such as pleural plaques, which occurred more frequently in the custodians of asbestos-containing buildings than in the general population.

    Asbestos hazards for custodial workers are not limited to health conditions such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Some custodians who sought to bring attention to the presence of asbestos in buildings where they worked were fired by their employers.

    Custodians who suspect that they have been exposed to asbestos should discuss their concerns with a physician. If warranted, the doctor will establish a health monitoring plan to watch for symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses. Even if prior checkups have not indicated an asbestos-related disease, a second opinion may be a good idea.

* Electricians - Mesothelioma Risks

    While working in both residential and commercial buildings, electricians install, repair and maintain wiring and electrical systems. During renovations and new projects, electricians are often involved in the early stages of construction. This factor sometimes places them in a situation where asbestos exposure is a risk.

    For many electricians, the risk for electrocution is their primary concern while on the job. Whether laying new cable on private property or through an empty lot, preexisting lines, utility pipe and heavy machinery all make work dangerous. After a big storm, repairing snapped wiring and fallen telephone poles can be very dangerous.

    In addition to the hazards already associated with using large construction equipment and power tools, electrical cable installers perform tasks involving older wiring. Though modern wires are insulated with Teflon, polyethylene, PVC and other safe substances, previous uses were often covered in felted asbestos insulation or asbestos tape.

 - Concerns for Asbestos Exposure

    Although old wiring and breaker boxes are major sources of concern for electricians, there are other places where electricians can be exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is still present in many modern power lines, as is evidenced by recent patient occurrences. According to Alberta’s Workers’ Compensation Board (2003), a 62-year old telephone lineman with four decades of job-related exposure developed mesothelioma cancer in 2003. Telephone repairmen faced asbestos exposure risks because the material was utilized around wiring for insulation purposes and was a poor conductor of electricity.

    In a survey of materials sprayed on the ceilings of 127 buildings throughout the United States, asbestos was found in 50 percent of the buildings. During renovation activities, the average asbestos fiber concentration in breathing zones exceeded acceptable exposure levels and electricians were among those studied in the survey.

    Older residences can also contain thermal asbestos insulation. Such insulation was often used between the walls and in the attics of homes. Although this insulation is less dangerous if in good condition, any disturbance can result in airborne asbestos fibers. Even minor operations such as drilling, sanding and removing drywall can expose electricians to asbestos if the toxic mineral is present.

    Throughout much of the 20th century, electricians who worked in shipbuilding may have faced to most hazardous environments for asbestos exposure. At the time, the use of asbestos-containing insulation was mandatory for a variety of purposes. In addition to walls, pipes, boilers and engines being insulated with asbestos, wiring and electrical systems on board ships also contained asbestos to reduce the risk of fires.

 - Resources for Electricians

    Former electricians may still be at risk for developing mesothelioma and other serious health conditions as a result of being exposed to asbestos. While there are no immediate side effects of asbestos exposure, health complications can arise up to 50 years later. In addition to mesothelioma, other illnesses caused by asbestos include asbestosis and lung cancer. Symptoms of all three of these conditions typically affect lung function and include coughing or shortness of breath.

    If you feel asbestos exposure may have occurred during your career as an electrician, annual health screenings should be conducted to check for an asbestos-related disease

* Engineers - Mesothelioma Risks

    Engineers design and maintain a variety of machines, products, systems and structures while considering both cost and safety measures. By applying their mathematical and technical knowledge to problems, engineers create solutions that meet the needs of the public.

    The engineering field is a broad occupation that entails many working environments. Some common engineering fields include:

• Civil
• HVAC
• Nuclear
• Petroleum
• Electrical
• Mechanical
• Industrial
• Locomotive
• Environmental
• Aeronautical

    In power plants, electrical and mechanical engineers ensure that standard operating procedures are performed correctly. Many of the seemingly simple processes conducted in plants involve a large amount of meticulous work, and engineers must ensure that all applicable valves, breakers and switches are prepped for power generation.

    Engineers face a number of occupational hazards. Before asbestos regulations were implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency in the 1970s, engineers were considered to have a higher than average risk of being exposed to asbestos. Asbestos was used in many materials due to its ability to insulate and fireproof products.

 - Asbestos Risks for Engineers

    Due to the use of computers, some of today’s engineers spend a lot of their time behind a desk rather than at the site of a project. Former engineers took a more hands-on approach to their work. In light of the extensive use of asbestos-containing materials during this era, engineers prior to the 1980s were considered to be more likely to experience exposure.

    Electrical and HVAC engineers may have an increased asbestos exposure risk, as the insulation that the engineers worked with has been responsible for many asbestos-related diseases. Less direct exposure occurrences may happen when an engineer works on a site where asbestos-containing materials have been disturbed.

    Exposure to asbestos can cause a variety of illnesses. Mesothelioma, a cancer almost exclusively caused by the mineral, can arise anywhere between 20 and 50 years after a person inhales asbestos fibers (see Mesothelioma Latency Period). Other health conditions that can develop from asbestos exposure include lung cancer and asbestosis.

    A 1987 survey on the development of pleural mesothelioma in high risk groups such as nuclear engineers found workspaces contained airborne asbestos fibers. In nuclear plants, sodium-cooled reactors were insulated with asbestos products. The maintenance and repair work performed by engineers on these reactors may have exposed them to asbestos. A 2008 study showed that workers with high levels of both radiation and asbestos exposure had mesothelioma mortality rates nearly twice as high as those not exposed to radiation.

 - Resources for Engineers

    Because mesothelioma can develop as many as 50 years after exposure occurs, it is important for former engineers who may have been exposed to receive annual medical checkups. 

* Factory Workers - Mesothelioma Risks

    The job of a factory worker largely depends on the type of factory or manufacturing plant in which they work. Broadly, a factory is an industrial building that manufactures products. In many cases, employees at these facilities operate machinery and make sure products are being made correctly. Two occupations that typically exist under the factory worker category include drill press operator and grinding machine operator.

 - Drill Press Operators

    Drill press operators work with previously installed drilling machines that are used to drill, ream and create holes in materials. Some of their work involves lifting or maneuvering product materials and making sure the drill is in the right place. Drill press operators also observe machine operation, replace old equipment and make adjustments when needed.

    Before asbestos regulations were implemented in the 1970s, drilling or cutting into asbestos-containing materials often placed drill press operators at risk of asbestos exposure. Asbestos was an ideal material for the bearings of high friction machinery parts, and the daily use of these machines may have released airborne asbestos fibers.

 - Grinding Machine Operators

    Grinding machine operators perform a number of tasks throughout their daily work. A primary task involves monitoring machine operations, which requires making adjustments and stopping the machinery when problems arise. Grinding machine operators also take care of the equipment when parts need replacing or basic maintenance is needed.

    Exposure to asbestos was a risk factor for grinding machine operators because the machines typically used asbestos-containing parts. Grinding discs were often made with asbestos because of the mineral’s resistance to heat and fire. As these discs wore down or broke apart, asbestos fibers became airborne and anyone nearby could have inhaled the toxic fibers.

 - Risks for Factory Workers

    In addition to drill press operators and grinding machine operators, other factory workers were at risk for asbestos exposure. Asbestos fibers can easily travel and often remain airborne for quite some time. As reported by the Environmental Protection Agency, there is no safe level of asbestos exposure and even small accounts can cause mesothelioma cancer. Even factory workers exposed in the 1960s and ’70s are still at risk because symptoms of mesothelioma can take as long as 50 years to develop.

 - Resources for Factory Workers

    Factory workers, maintenance personnel, drill press operators and grinding machine operators should seriously evaluate if they were exposed to asbestos while on the job. If exposure was a possibility, annual examinations from a qualified physician should be conducted on an annual basis.

* Firefighters - Mesothelioma Risks

    Homes, buildings and other structures built during the mid-1900s may contain asbestos materials. As firefighters work to extinguish fires in these locations, they may be exposed to asbestos. One of the most notable examples is the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center Towers, which were estimated to contain approximately 5,000 tons of asbestos.

    The case report of one New York City firefighter who responded to the September 11 attacks stated that because of this prevalent asbestos use, firefighters and rescue workers from the region and around the country were exposed to World Trade Center dust and may be at risk for asbestos exposure.

 - Firefighters and Asbestos Exposure

    Even though asbestos was primarily used because of its heat-resistant properties, extreme temperatures could cause the material to degrade. Any firefighter who inhaled smoke from a burning building may have inhaled asbestos.

    When entering a fire-damaged building, firefighters may have been exposed to the following asbestos products:

• Shingles
• Roofing
• Vinyl floor tile
• Furnace door gaskets
• Pipe or duct insulation

    For a full list of construction items that were commonly made with asbestos, please see theasbestos products page.

    Asbestos fibers were also woven into the protective gear worn by firefighters. The small fibers were easily woven into cloth, and undamaged suits were not considered to be a health hazard. Damaged protective gear is considered to be dangerous, as the torn or frayed material can release asbestos fibers into the air.

    Asbestos suits are still manufactured and used by firefighters in some parts of the world. In the U.S., modern firefighter suits are made of aluminized materials, but firefighters who wore the earlier versions were at risk for inhaling the asbestos fibers. If you think you have been exposed to asbestos and would like to speak with a doctor about potential health complications, please contact the Mesothelioma Center’s Doctor Match Program for assistance with finding a local physician who has experience diagnosing asbestos-related diseases.

 - Resources for Firefighters

    Firefighters were commonly exposed to airborne asbestos when they entered a building that had been damaged by fire. This exposure may have led to the development of mesothelioma, asbestosis and other life-threatening diseases.

* Metal Workers - Mesothelioma Risks

    Metal workers represent a large occupational category that includes occupations in which individuals shape, form or otherwise fabricate metal and metal products. Such occupations often require the employee to work with intense heat or may involve working directly withasbestos for insulating or fireproofing purposes. Regardless of its use, asbestos and asbestos-containing products are quite prevalent in the following metal works occupations:

• Welders
• Tinsmiths
• Blacksmiths
• Iron Workers
• Forge Men
• Metal Lathers
• Sheet Metal Workers
• Structural Metal Craftsmen

    Working in a variety of settings from industrial plants to construction sites and shipyards, metal workers are a group that faced a considerable risk of asbestos exposure. The government has even recognized that mesothelioma cancer is an occupational hazard for metal workers. Since the symptoms of mesothelioma can take up to 50 years to arise, retired metal workers should assess current and past risks of asbestos exposure to protect themselves and their families.

 - Locations for Asbestos Exposure

    Metal lathers and sheet metal workers often faced asbestos hazards while working on construction sites. Metal lathers typically engaged in duties such as hanging suspended ceilings, installing metal studs and corner strips. In some cases, this work was performed around insulated walls that contained asbestos. Metal lathing was typically covered in a type of cement, which was often thickened with asbestos. Asbestos cement presented one of the biggest risks of exposure for metal lathers. Sheet metal workers who installed duct work faced exposure from crumbling insulation within crawlspaces, walls and ceilings.

    Sheet metal materials and the products used by structural metal craftsmen were sometimes sprayed or coated with asbestos to make them more resistant to heat. Cutting or sawing into these asbestos-treated metals released asbestos fibers into the air where they could be inhaled or become attached to the clothes of workers.

    Other metal working occupations such as forge men, tinsmiths, iron workers and weldersoften use extreme heat to shape, mold, refine or join metal. The intense heat these workers must use require heat-resistant safety gear, much of which was made with asbestos prior to 1970s regulations. In addition, the walls and floors behind and around foundries, forges and welding areas were typically reinforced with asbestos-containing products. Examples of such protective materials include:

• Insulation
• Refractory materials such as bricks
• Floor tiles
• Asbestos gloves
• Asbestos aprons
• Asbestos face masks
• Asbestos cloth

    Because older materials were manufactured with high levels of asbestos, many asbestos-containing products that were not removed after asbestos regulations were issued may still present a hazard for metal workers.

 - Resources for Metal Workers

    Family members of metal workers faced a risk of secondary exposure to asbestos. During jobs where asbestos dust was collected on the workers' clothing, any family member coming into contact with the clothes could have been exposed. There have been many documented cases where hugs after work or laundry duties has led to exposure that later caused mesothelioma or asbestosis.

    Any amount of asbestos exposure can cause an asbestos-related condition, but higher levels of repeated exposure are most associated with contracting a related disease. A highly friable substance once damaged, asbestos fibers become airborne when disturbed. Products containing asbestos that are subject to friction can send asbestos fibers into the air in the vicinity of the workspace. Crumbling or peeling asbestos products around older foundries, forges and equipment also present an occupational risk to metal workers.

    Former metal workers should be aware of the symptoms associated with asbestos-related diseases so they can detect any early signs of development. 

* Freight & Material Handlers - Mesothelioma Risks

Freight and material handlers work in warehouses, supply hubs, stores and transit vehicles. These workers occasionally handled shipments of asbestos-containing materials. While federal and local regulations dictate what may and may not be shipped, many materials that were deemed acceptable for shipping had been manufactured with asbestos.

 - Asbestos Exposure

    Some means of transportation also contained asbestos, which posed a threat to the workers who loaded materials onto them. Large ships with long runs of boiler and utility piping often insulated these heated systems with asbestos fibers to prevent injuries and fires.

    Vermiculite was one of the major asbestos-containing substances that freight and material handlers were required to handle. Asbestos-contaminated vermiculite from the Libby mineaccounted for 70 percent of all vermiculite sold in the U.S. from 1919 to 1990. The material was shipped to processing plants and then construction sites, where it was used as an insulator. Many workers came into contact with asbestos in the vermiculite when it was mined, manufactured and shipped.

    The Louisa, Virginia Vermiculite Mine was also contaminated with asbestos. Tests by the Mine Safety and Health Administration found tremolite as well as actinolite asbestiform mineral fibers. This mine is still in operation, yet they have currently implemented handling regulations to increase the safety of their workers.

    Unfortunately, previous freight and material handlers were exposed to the mineral and now face health complications. If you have developed mesothelioma and would like additional information about treatment, clinical trials and financial assistance for your health care, please fill out the form on this page.

    Cross contamination was also common in the freight and material handling industries. Asbestos dust that may have been released by a product may settle into other places where future disturbance may send it back into the air.

    For instance, floor tiles, cement sheet and insulation were often shipped on open pallets that shifted and were jostled in transit. Asbestos from these products may have fallen onto the porous wooden pallet, where it could have contaminated the surrounding area. This process may have prolonged the risk of exposure for freight handlers.

    One 65-year-old asbestosis patient contracted the disease approximately 50 years after working in a vermiculite  expansion plant for two consecutive studies. His reported duties included unloading, transporting and packaging the ore. The worker noticed heavy amounts of dust in his nostrils after work, even though he wore cotton breathing masks.

    Many other laborers who handled materials and products as they were transported to and from manufacturing sites have also developed asbestos-related diseases.

* Hairdressers - Mesothelioma Risks

    Hairdressers are one of the many occupational groups who may be at a higher risk for cancer than the general population. Some of this risk may be attributed to occupational exposure to asbestos, which can lead to the development of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related cancers.

    The machinery hairdressers used often relied on heat to achieve the desired effect. Because high amounts of heat were generated by these machines, insulation was necessary to ensure that they were safe for use.

    Prior to the 1980s, asbestos was commonly used as an insulating material because it was inexpensive and extremely heat-resistant. For many years, asbestos was considered the perfect material for use in high-temperature machinery that needed to be safe for close-proximity use.

    Hood-style hairdryers contain a very high temperature from an electric heat source. These machines use forced air to help transfer moisture out of the hair follicles they dry. Some of these hoods were built with asbestos insulation. Many handheld hairdryers made by major retailers were also known to contain asbestos. Crocidolite asbestos fibers were used to prevent the main heating element from burning other components in the hairdryer.

    In 1979, the Consumer Products Safety Commission issued a corrective action proposal to discontinue the use of asbestos in their products. Ten years later, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) phased out all new uses of asbestos (this ruling was later overturned). Many heated tools that were made prior to the regulations were still available for sale or used in salons where updated machinery had not yet been purchased.

    While asbestos is not considered to be hazardous when it is encased, any damage to the asbestos-containing product can allow the fibers to be released into the air and inhaled by those nearby. Many portable hairdryer units are regularly bumped and jostled when they are moved or repositioned, causing brittle asbestos materials inside to be released.

 - Resources for Hairdressers

    If you have been exposed to asbestos, discussing your history with a doctor who is familiar with asbestos-related diseases is recommended. If you would like assistance locating a qualified physician in your area, please contact the Mesothelioma Center’s Doctor Match Program.

* HVAC Mechanics - Mesothelioma Risks

    HVAC mechanics are responsible for testing, repairing and overhauling the ventilation systems in homes and public buildings. These professionals specialize in working with heating, vents and air conditioning units. HVAC mechanics often work in close proximity to asbestos-containing machinery or building materials and perform tasks during renovation efforts and construction projects.

    These working conditions often place HVAC mechanics at high risk for inhaling asbestos and developing related health complications. If you were a HVAC mechanic and would like to discuss occupational asbestos exposure with a doctor in your area, the Mesothelioma Center’s Doctor Match Program can help you find a local physician with experience in diagnosing asbestos-related diseases.

 - HVAC Mechanics and Asbestos Exposure

    Comfortable airflow within a building requires efficient duct work. Fans and filters trap debris and move the air into cooling and heating machines. While careful installation of these systems may minimize the chance of future asbestos exposure, demolition of existing structures can place HVAC workers at risk for inhaling the fibers. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) notes that construction and building industry workers tend to have high asbestos exposure rates because of this demolition work.

    HVAC layouts contribute to the asbestos hazard. When fluids and gasses flow through piping or ducts, heavier debris particles tend to fall out and accumulate in corners. Many filters and openings are designed to trap dirt, and the California Department of Industrial Relations has established regulations that require them to be completely isolated when asbestos work is underway.

    HVAC mechanics also are exposed to asbestos during normal system maintenance. They must frequently change filters and check furnaces. When mechanics open compartments and panels to perform these tasks, they can disturb any asbestos that has settled in the space. Often, this debris also contains asbestos fibers.

    Asbestos can be found in a number of products such as:

• Steam piping
• Boiler surfaces
• Furnace ducts
• Other hot conduits

    The fibers are easily manipulated into sheets that can be wrapped around piping or used to fill wall spaces. Loose asbestos fibers were often mixed into cement and other substances such as firewall bricks or adhesive. Additionally, most of the pipe tape used in construction before the 1990s incorporated asbestos for its heat-resistant qualities.

* Industrial Workers - Mesothelioma Risks

    Industrial plants manufacture products in mass quantities. Much of the work that takes place in an industrial plant is performed by machines, which are often operated, monitored, cleaned and maintained by employees. The skill level and jobs needed to operate an industrial plant vary and may include any of the following occupations:

• Laborer
• Welder
• Moulder
• Furnace men
• Smelter men
• Millwright
• Assembler
• Machine operator
• Custodial worker
• Maintenance worker

    Before asbestos regulations came into effect in the 1970s, industrial workers may have been exposed to high levels of asbestos. In the past, asbestos was commonly incorporated into products due to its ability to insulate and fireproof materials. The machinery used to manufacture these products also contained asbestos components, as the mineral is able to withstand high temperatures and friction.

 - Asbestos Risks for Industrial Workers

    An industrial setting such as a plant, factory or manufacturing facility may expose workers toasbestos. These facilities provide large open spaces where airborne asbestos fibers can be dispersed. Fibers released in one area can easily travel to another, exposing employees who do not directly work with the substance.

    While many industrial workers may have been exposed to airborne asbestos fibers generated from elsewhere in the facility, others may have been exposed more directly due to their individual tasks. The repair of insulated pipes, boilers and other machinery components may have disturbed asbestos particles, which may have been inhaled by workers in the factory.

    Neighboring residents of an industrial plant may also have been exposed to asbestos. In the study "Modeling Mesothelioma Risk Associated with Environmental Asbestos Exposure," Italian researchers evaluated exposure impacts from an asbestos cement plant. The study analyzed 103 cases of mesothelioma between 1987 and 1993. The study found that residents who lived close to asbestos pollution from an industrial source had an increased risk for developing mesothelioma.

 - Resources for Industrial Workers

    Industrial workers who have reason to suspect they were exposed to asbestos should inform their medical doctor. With notification, the physician can regularly monitor symptoms for diseases caused by asbestos.

* Insulators - Mesothelioma Risks

    Insulators and laggers specialized in covering high-temperature machinery and structures with insulating material to help minimize fire hazards. These professionals use insulating sheets and special heat resistant adhesives to thickly wrap pipes, ducts, walls and other items before use.

    Many insulators were employed on ships. Steam boilers found on oceangoing vessels and discharge pressurized gas at high temperatures. Because the piping must be able to withstand extremely high pressures and fluctuations without deforming, it is typically made from metal. Exterior surfaces often became hot enough to present an extreme physical injury hazard and a fire risk. As a result, ship pipes were insulated.

    For most of the 20th century, shipyard lagging, or insulation, that was applied to pipes was made of heat-resistant asbestos. Easily manufactured in sheets and mats, the low-cost microscopic fibers were ideal for creating insulation that could be wrapped around pipes. Additionally, asbestos was commonly used in tape and adhesives that were used to secure the insulation.

    According to a study conducted by the Environmental Health Perspectives journal, laggers at one U.S. Navy shipyard in Japan found that workers who directly handed of asbestos-containing materials experienced a lung cancer mortality rate. The study also noted that asbestos products remained present in the shipyard until at least 1979. Insulators who worked at this facility until that time have an increased risk of developing asbestosis,mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases.

    Insulators are also responsible for installing various types of building insulation. They often handled materials such as:

• Pipe insulation
• Window insulation
• Wall insulation
• Home insulation

    Home insulation is often a loose-fill material that is manufactured in large chunks and can be easily blown or sprayed into crawl spaces or between boards. This creates a densely insulated space, but the machines used to blow insulation often send a large amount of particulate into the air where laggers could easily inhale it.

    The well-known vermiculite mine in Libby, Montana, produced a large portion of the world’s vermiculite between 1919 and 1990. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), some of this vermiculite was used to produce attic insulation that was distributed to homes across the country. The EPA considers asbestos-containing insulation a highly hazardous material.

 - Resources for Insulators and Laggers

    A long-term sampling of 162 career insulators in Belfast showed that deaths related to mesothelioma far exceeded expected figures. If you have been exposed to asbestos during work as an insulator or lagger, seeking a medical consultation with an experienced doctor is recommended. For assistance with making an appointment to speak to a physician in your area, please contact the Mesothelioma Center’s Doctor Match Program.

* Metal Workers - Mesothelioma Risks

    Metal workers represent a large occupational category that includes occupations in which individuals shape, form or otherwise fabricate metal and metal products. Such occupations often require the employee to work with intense heat or may involve working directly withasbestos for insulating or fireproofing purposes. Regardless of its use, asbestos and asbestos-containing products are quite prevalent in the following metal works occupations:

• Welders
• Tinsmiths
• Blacksmiths
• Iron Workers
• Forge Men
• Metal Lathers
• Sheet Metal Workers
• Structural Metal Craftsmen

    Working in a variety of settings from industrial plants to construction sites and shipyards, metal workers are a group that faced a considerable risk of asbestos exposure. The government has even recognized that mesothelioma cancer is an occupational hazard for metal workers. Since the symptoms of mesothelioma can take up to 50 years to arise, retired metal workers should assess current and past risks of asbestos exposure to protect themselves and their families.

 - Locations for Asbestos Exposure

    Metal lathers and sheet metal workers often faced asbestos hazards while working on construction sites. Metal lathers typically engaged in duties such as hanging suspended ceilings, installing metal studs and corner strips. In some cases, this work was performed around insulated walls that contained asbestos. Metal lathing was typically covered in a type of cement, which was often thickened with asbestos. Asbestos cement presented one of the biggest risks of exposure for metal lathers. Sheet metal workers who installed duct work faced exposure from crumbling insulation within crawlspaces, walls and ceilings.

    Sheet metal materials and the products used by structural metal craftsmen were sometimes sprayed or coated with asbestos to make them more resistant to heat. Cutting or sawing into these asbestos-treated metals released asbestos fibers into the air where they could be inhaled or become attached to the clothes of workers.

    Other metal working occupations such as forge men, tinsmiths, iron workers and weldersoften use extreme heat to shape, mold, refine or join metal. The intense heat these workers must use require heat-resistant safety gear, much of which was made with asbestos prior to 1970s regulations. In addition, the walls and floors behind and around foundries, forges and welding areas were typically reinforced with asbestos-containing products. Examples of such protective materials include:

• Insulation
• Refractory materials such as bricks
• Floor tiles
• Asbestos gloves
• Asbestos aprons
• Asbestos face masks
• Asbestos cloth

    Because older materials were manufactured with high levels of asbestos, many asbestos-containing products that were not removed after asbestos regulations were issued may still present a hazard for metal workers.

 - Resources for Metal Workers

    Family members of metal workers faced a risk of secondary exposure to asbestos. During jobs where asbestos dust was collected on the workers' clothing, any family member coming into contact with the clothes could have been exposed. There have been many documented cases where hugs after work or laundry duties has led to exposure that later caused mesothelioma or asbestosis.

    Any amount of asbestos exposure can cause an asbestos-related condition, but higher levels of repeated exposure are most associated with contracting a related disease. A highly friable substance once damaged, asbestos fibers become airborne when disturbed. Products containing asbestos that are subject to friction can send asbestos fibers into the air in the vicinity of the workspace. Crumbling or peeling asbestos products around older foundries, forges and equipment also present an occupational risk to metal workers.

    Former metal workers should be aware of the symptoms associated with asbestos-related diseases so they can detect any early signs of development.

* Merchant Marines - Mesothelioma Risks

    During peacetime, merchant marine fleets are used for imports and exports, and during war, the fleets delivered troops and war materials. During World War II, the fleet was controlled by the U.S. government, and Navy personnel worked on these ships.

    Merchant marines are responsible for a number of shipping procedures such as the dockside handling of containers and packages. During wartime, the U.S. Merchant Marines become an auxiliary of the Navy, and the branch routinely moved supplies and materials through safe shipping lanes. When merchant mariners shipped certain products such as asbestos fire blankets, asbestos-contaminated vermiculite building insulation or wartime gas masks with asbestos filters, asbestos fibers were easily expelled into the air during bumpy transit.

 - Merchant Mariners and Asbestos Exposure

    In addition to the products they shipped, merchant mariners were exposed to asbestos in building materials on the ship. The harsh conditions that boats endured may have caused asbestos-containing materials to break down and release the fibers into the air.

    When ships were constructed, many waterproof and fireproof products were used to ensure the safety of the passengers and cargo. The following products were common sources of asbestos exposure for merchant mariners:

• Paint
• Insulation sheets
• Firewalls
• Boiler insulation

    Most ships have semi-closed atmospheres that help maintain climate control. If asbestos is released into the air in these areas, the fibers may be able to circulate in breathing spaces and increase the likelihood that people who serve on the ship could inhale the fibers. One study of merchant marine seamen found that 17 percent of the men who were studied displayed bodily abnormalities consistent with asbestos exposure and related diseases.

    If you served on a merchant marine vessel and are concerned about potential asbestos exposure, an experienced doctor can screen you for signs of an asbestos-related disease. For assistance in finding a physician in your area, please contact the Mesothelioma Center’sDoctor Match Program.

* Painters - Mesothelioma Risks

    The painting process involves a number of procedures, such as stripping current paint, sanding the area to be painted and applying a fresh coat of paint. Existing wall treatments and new paint may also contain asbestos materials.

 - Painters and Asbestos Exposure

    Asbestos was previously used in insulation, adhesives, paints and other building materials that painters handled on the job. For a full list of the items that were once manufactured with asbestos, please see the products page.

    During the painting process, asbestos-containing materials were frequently disturbed and the carcinogenic fibers were released into the air. Deconstructive tasks, often performed with the assistance of power tools, were part of a painter’s ordinary routine.

    Any technique that releases small flakes, dust or debris can also dislodge smaller asbestos particles. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), if the asbestos-containing material has been destroyed or cold crumble easily if handled, it is a likely health hazard. Many painters worked without the adequate protective gear to prevent the inhalation of asbestos fibers, which placed them at higher risk for developing mesothelioma, asbestosis and other asbestos-related diseases.

    Spray paint machine operators were found to be at higher risk for such occupational carcinogens than painters who worked in construction. Even though some painters were given respiratory masks, asbestos particles were also able to settle onto painters’ work clothing, skin and hair, where they could be easily inhaled later.

 - Resources for Painters

    Because mesothelioma symptoms can develop as many as 50 years after someone was exposed to asbestos, medical screenings are recommended for painters who may have come into contact with asbestos. A physician with experience in diagnosing asbestos-related diseases may be able to help identify early symptoms of asbestosis, mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness. To be connected with a qualified doctor in your area, please contact the Mesothelioma Center’s Doctor Match Program.

* Paper Mill Workers - Mesothelioma Risks

    Paper mill workers perform tasks during the papermaking procedure such as monitoring and servicing machinery. Many mills produce paper at a series of stations and may include the following actions:

• Process wood chips and recycled materials
• Chemically bleach materials
• Create paper pulp from broken down fibers

    After the pulp passes through the initial chemical and mechanical processing stages, paper mill workers place it on large drying machines that remove the leftover moisture. Workers will then shape this into sheets and lay it out on a screen to dry under a heat source. Once it stiffens, the resulting product is commercially sold paper.

 - Paper Mill Workers and Asbestos Exposure

    A study conducted in British Columbia found that asbestos exposure in pulp mills has been linked to increased cancer risk in workers. A separate Italian study tested dust samples and machinery in a small Italian factory that manufactured paper mill dryers and found asbestos fibers present in the equipment. Three cases of malignant pleural mesothelioma were also reported in the factory's workforce.

    A pleural cancer study also found that among paper industry employees, the majority of fatal asbestos exposure occurred in maintenance workers. Maintenance workers at paper mills were responsible for the upkeep of the intricate paper-making machinery. To ensure that the product was correctly produced, maintenance workers opened up the machinery to check that the passageways were clear and the heating elements were working properly.

    Both of these tasks could lead to the inhalation of loose fibers from the insulation and heating element holders, many of which are made of crocidolite asbestos. Asbestos exposure can lead to the development of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and would like additional information about your health care and legal options, please fill out the form on this page.

 - Resources for Paper Mill Workers

    The daily operations at a paper mill placed many mill workers at high risk for inhaling asbestos and developing an asbestos-related disease. If you were exposed to asbestos at a paper mill, the Mesothelioma Center can help you make an appointment to discuss the potential health complications with a qualified physician in your area. If you are experiencing symptoms of an asbestos-related disease, please contact the Doctor Match Program.

* Pipefitters - Mesothelioma Risks

    Pipefitters keep mechanical systems ready for high volume operation. Pipefitters and steamfitters must understand and utilize the relationships between force, pressure, flow rate and tensile stress that determine maximum efficiency. The workers lay pipe systems to meet the needs of the building where the pipes are being installed.

    These networks of piping are often unique due to their customized uses. Pipefitters make the welds, bends and modifications that allow the safe transportation of utility liquid, coolants, lubricants and other fluids. These workers also ensure that the systems can withstand any factors that may damage the machinery.

 - Pipefitters and Asbestos Exposure

    Pipes are often insulated with asbestos sheeting due to the heat generated from the contents flowing in the pipes. Thick layers of insulation are also placed on joints and parts that bear the effects of long term vibrations. Asbestos insulation is usually attached with asbestos-containing tapes or adhesives. When this insulation is removed, the destructive methods can release fibers from the asbestos insulation into the air.

    When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they may become lodged in the pleural tissue, which can lead to the development of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related complications. One study of 153 plumbers and pipefitters found that 18.3 percent of patients experienced bilateral pleural thickening, while 7.8 percent developed irregular profusions.

    If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and would like to learn more about your treatment options and financial aid for your medical care, please fill out the form on this page to receive a complimentary mesothelioma packet.

 - Resources for Pipefitters

    The work pipefitters performed placed them at higher risk for developing mesothelioma, asbestosis and additional asbestos-related diseases. For assistance with finding a doctor in your area, please contact the Mesothelioma Center’s Doctor Match Program.

* Plumbers

    Plumbers found employment at a number of facilities including residences, commercial buildings, factories and ships. These workers were responsible for designing, installing and maintaining the pipes and fixtures that made up the plumbing systems for each jobsite. Some plumbers also installed fixtures such as sinks, showers, water heaters and toilets. Plumbers often work with pipefitters on larger scale jobs and industrial projects.

    Before the 1980s, a number of materials that plumbers used for their work were made with asbestos such as:

• Valves
• Gaskets
• Joint compounds
• Welding rods
• Pipe cement
• Insulation

    Other common household products that were made with asbestos products before the 1980s may also pose health risks to plumbers and other industrial workers.

 - Plumbers and Asbestos Exposure

    Plumbers, pipe fitters and machinists also faced asbestos risks by handling pumps, valves and gaskets. Pumps and valves were installed to pressurize and circulate water and other fluids, while gaskets were used inside of these pumps and valves to prevent leaks. Over time, these components can wear out and may need to be replaced. When plumbers removed or replaced these asbestos-containing items, the fibers were frequently released into the air where they could be easily inhaled by the workers.

    Although most plumbing materials are no longer manufactured with asbestos, plumbers may still come into contact with asbestos if they worked in older building. If you have worked or currently work as a plumber, you may benefit from medical screenings for asbestos-related illnesses. The Mesothelioma Center’s Doctor Match Program can help you find a mesothelioma specialist in your area.

 - Resources for Plumbers

    One plumber filed an asbestos lawsuit against Union Carbide for asbestos-related illnesses that he developed after handling the company’s joint compound during his plumbing career. The plumber said that drywall tradesman contaminated his workspace by sanding and sweeping up dust from joint compounds in the area that they shared.

* Power Plant Workers

    Power plant workers were responsible for the generation and distribution of power. A number of different specialty jobs were performed by these employees including electric maintenance, metalworking and machinery operation. The workers were often exposed to asbestos fibers when performing day-to-day responsibilities such as:

• Spraying asbestos pulp during turbine revisions
• Installing equipment
• Repairing broken machines
• Replacing asbestos-containing parts

    Asbestos that was found in the walls, floors, ceilings and other construction products at the plant were also easily loosened, which increased the risk of inhaling the mineral.

   Asbestos fibers can easily be inhaled into the lungs, and many power plants were poorly ventilated and allowed the fibers to circulate in the workers’ airspace. One study of 55 full-time power generating workers found that those who were exposed to asbestos displayed a number of symptoms that were significantly related to their exposure, including pleural thickening, pleural calcification and chest pain.

    If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and would like to receive a complimentary packet discussing treatments options, new clinical trials, legal options and ways to obtain financial assistance for your medical care, please fill out the form on this page.

 - Asbestos Exposure

    One German study of 8,632 power industry workers found that workers who were exposed to asbestos while working in the power industry should be considered a high-risk group for asbestos-related disease. The results of the study revealed that metalworkers employed at power plants and plant operators comprised the two largest exposure groups of all power generation workers.

    Machinery at power plants typically produces vast amounts of heat and friction because of the kinetic energy used to generate electricity. As a result, many power plant structures and equipment components were made with heat-resistant materials. Power plant workers who were responsible for maintaining this equipment may have inhaled the friable fibers if their work disturbed an asbestos-containing material.

    Nuclear, coal and steam-powered plant facilities commonly contained the following asbestos products:

• Pipe insulation
• Valves
• Jacket boilers
• Fireproofing sprays
• Heat-resistant flooring
• Specialized concrete

    Due to the high temperatures and fires that can occur at power facilities, workers wear safety clothing to protect them from the heat. For much of the 20th century, these insulated safety suits were made with asbestos and may pose an additional danger to workers.

    One power plant mechanic filed an asbestos lawsuit after developing an asbestos-related pleural disease. The plant worker explained that his job duties included mixing asbestos cement, applying insulation around boilers and cutting asbestos blocks for use around pipes. Another power plant operator filed a lawsuit that claimed he was exposed to asbestos after contacting asbestos-containing pipe coverings, gaskets, valve packing and fireproofing materials. This operator developed emphysema, pulmonary asbestosis and pleural thickening from the occupational exposure.

 - Resources for Power Plant Workers

    Power plant workers may be at an elevated risk for inhaling the asbestos fibers, and many of these workers have developed an asbestos-related disease due to this exposure. If you worked in a power plant, it is highly advised that you seek a medical consultation with a qualified doctor. If you would like help locating and making an appointment with a physician in your area, please contact the Mesothelioma Center’s Doctor Match Program.

* Railroad Workers - Mesothelioma Risks

    Tremendous heat and pressure is generated when a locomotive and its cars are propelled forward or stopped. In order to counteract these forces, heat resistant asbestos was used in the manufacture and production of locomotive parts and train surfaces for many years. While the use of asbestos may have protected the trains, it posed a health hazard for thousands of rail workers over the course of the 20th century.

    Legal courts have recognized that some rail companies did not adequately warn or protect their workers from the hazards of asbestos exposure or provide a reasonably safe work environment.

 - Asbestos Exposure Risk for Railroad Workers

    Asbestos was used in the manufacture of train and locomotive components as recently as the 1980s, and some locomotives may still contain asbestos insulating materials. These materials may erode, crumble or peel over time, and asbestos fibers can be released into the small, enclosed compartments of the locomotive. This process could then expose anyone in the locomotive to airborne asbestos fibers.

    One of the most common forms of asbestos exposure among rail workers is associated with locomotive brakes. The brakes themselves were often manufactured with asbestos materials, and as friction was created, the asbestos would degrade and create a fine dust.

    Workers may have been exposed to asbestos through the disruption of the material or the inhalation of the fibers, which may have gotten caught on their clothing. Workers who were located on other areas of the train were also at risk of asbestos exposure, as the brake dust was blown across the train as it moved along the rails.

    Families of railroad workers may have been exposed to asbestos dust that was brought home on the clothing or hair of the workers. In this way, secondhand asbestos exposure may have affected wives and children living in the households of railroad workers.

 - Asbestos Claims

    Due to the large number of workers in the railway industry and the poor safety practices of some rail companies, thousands of asbestos claims have been filed among rail workers.

    In the 2003 case General Motors Corp. v. Kilgore, the Alabama Supreme Court found that asbestos claims against the manufacturers of asbestos-containing train parts were preempted by the Federal Locomotive Inspection Act (FLIA), which regulates all lawsuits that are related to locomotive component parts. Prior to the Alabama decision, a panel of the California Supreme Court reached a similar decision, as have other state and federal courts.

    Unlike most American employees, rail workers are not subject to a workers' compensation program. Instead, injured railway workers may sue their employers for damages under the FLIA. A FLIA lawsuit is a civil action for negligence, which may be brought in federal or state court. Rail workers who wish to pursue a claim against the manufacturer of asbestos-containing products cannot do so, as FLIA regulations do not allow employees to seek damages that exceed what workers' compensation could pay.

    Rail companies have attempted to bar FLIA claims that have been filed by workers after a company has filed for bankruptcy. The Third Circuit Court of Appeals held that, as a matter of federal law, FLIA actions do not exist before manifestation of asbestos-related injury occurs. In 2003, the United States Supreme Court held that a group of workers could bring a FLIA claim against their employer based on emotional distress caused by the fear of cancer afterasbestos exposure.

    Rail workers concerned about asbestos exposure should talk to their doctors about monitoring for signs of asbestos-related illnesses.

* Road Machine Operators - Mesothelioma Risks

    Road machine operators are at risk for asbestos exposure in multiple ways. Dust from surfacing material and worn parts that contain asbestos are prominent hazards for exposure. Road machine operators handle various kinds of power construction equipment including:

• Motor graders
• Bulldozers
• Scrapers
• Compressors
• Shovels
• Tractors
• Front-end loaders

    Operators used this type of equipment during the maintenance and construction of roads and highways. Road machine operators may be asked to repair and maintain them. The risk forasbestos exposure poses a potential health hazard for road machine operators as airborne asbestos fibers can be inhaled while on the job. Many of the parts used to build road machines contained asbestos to reduce the risk of fires from hot temperatures and high frictions parts.

 - Road Machine Operators and Asbestos Exposure

    Machine parts that contained asbestos were used in the manufacture of older equipment, particularly in places subjected to great amounts of heat or friction. Heat shields, gaskets, valves and brake pads and linings at one time may all have contained asbestos. As these parts wore down, asbestos fibers were released into the air, placing machine operators at risk for exposure.

    A more recent hazard for road machine operators has come in the form of gravel and other surfacing materials that have been contaminated by asbestos. As these materials are placed onto the road — or even driven over — dust that contains asbestos fibers can fill the cab of a road machine and expose others nearby. Occurrences such as this have been documented in both California and North Dakota.

    After asbestos detectors in California found high levels of microscopic airborne asbestos approximately 200 feet away from the road, officials ordered that county roads should be repaved or coated with tar to prevent the emission of asbestos fibers.

The asbestos detector findings indicated a significant asbestos hazard on roads paved with asbestos gravel. According to a news release, individuals who were often within 190 feet of contaminated roads had an increased risk of developing cancer.

 - Additional Types of Exposure

    In March 2008, approximately 100 miles of road in Dunn County, North Dakota, was found to be contaminated with an asbestos-like substance called erionite. Similar to asbestos, exposure to this substance has been linked to an increased risk of mesothelioma cancer in some studies.

    Asbestos-containing rock is still sold for a number of uses such as foundations and leach fields, where it remains damp and undisturbed. Until the beginning of this century, it was also sold for surfacing unpaved roads. A number of states have adopted regulations controlling the amount of asbestos released into the air from such activities in order to reduce exposure to asbestos.

    In California, for example, regulations exist which prohibit the sale of rock containing 0.25 percent or more asbestos for various surfacing applications. With the detection limit also at 0.25 percent, this type of regulation effectively bars the sale of asbestos-containing rock for surfacing applications. The regulations also require dust control measures during quarrying and mining operations.

    While quarry owners and operators have insisted at various times that there is a lack of evidence supporting the emission of asbestos fibers during activities such as excavation, crushing, stockpiling and travel on unpaved roads, the California Air Quality Board has found that small amounts of asbestos in rock was used to surface unpaved roads and may pose a hazard to human health.

 - Resources for Road Machine Operators

    Road machine operators who are concerned about asbestos exposure should discuss their concerns with a doctor. With proper notice, your physician can monitor and check for any signs of an asbestos-related disease.

* Shipyard Workers - Mesothelioma Risks

    Shipyard workers performed a variety of tasks within the shipbuilding industry. Some of the most common jobs for these workers included painting, electrical work, welding, plumbing work, insulating, repairs and general construction. Although shipyard workers are still employed today, the busiest time for this occupation was during the mid-20th century when war efforts were high.

 - Asbestos Use on Ships

    Shipbuilding reached its peak in production during the early 1940s as a result of World War II preparations. The Navy used asbestos as a construction material because of its insulating and fireproofing capabilities. In addition, asbestos-containing materials were very resistant to corrosion, which made it an ideal material to use on vessels.

    Within ships, at least up until the 1980s, asbestos was incorporated into a wide variety of products. Materials located near hot temperatures and in areas associated with corrosion were especially likely to contain asbestos. Shipyard workers may have been exposed to asbestos through any of the following materials:

• Valves
• Gaskets
• Insulation
• Adhesives
• Pipe covering
• Packing material

    It should be noted that the U.S. Navy used more than 300 asbestos-containing products for ship construction until the mid-1970s.

 - Locations for Exposure

    The most hazardous locations for asbestos exposure included boiler rooms, engine rooms, sleeping quarters and hallways. Shipyard workers who constructed these areas were likely exposed to asbestos by installing asbestos-containing materials. When ships returned from a mission, shipyard workers who made repairs and conducted overhauls also experienced asbestos exposure on a routine basis.

    Longshoremen and stevedores were exposed to asbestos during the course of their jobs because loading and unloading asbestos-containing materials was hazardous. The crates, pallets and wrapping material used to transport products usually contained asbestos fibers either from the ship itself or from the contents of the crates. Simply delivering a few new hatch covers for a ship and taking the product to where it would be installed was dangerous because those covers were made of special asbestos cloth. Anyone who handled items being off-loaded from a ship or delivering a load aboard a ship was at risk of breathing asbestos fibers into their lungs.

 - Ship Construction Workers

    Shipyard workers who worked in the construction of ships conducted maintenance, repairs, overhauls and decommissions. Any one of these activities presented a risk for asbestos exposure. Depending on the capabilities of a shipyard, workers could have been exposed to asbestos while working on a number of ships, including battleships, aircraft carriers, cruisers, submarines, destroyers, frigates and auxillary vessels. Those who worked on these vessels could have presented secondary exposure risks to their family members by bringing home asbestos fibers on their skin and clothes.

 - Resources for Shipyard Workers

    One of the biggest concerns for former shipyard workers is the development of an asbestos-related disease. Mesothelioma, a cancer almost exclusively caused by asbestos, can develop as late as 50 years after exposure occurred. Because of this, shipyard workers from the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s are still at risk of becoming diagnosed.

* Teachers - Mesothelioma Risks

    During the middle of the 20th century, schools were being constructed at a rapid pace to accommodate children born during the baby boom. Many of the construction materials used in these schools contained asbestos, a highly fire-resistant material that was once thought to increase the safety of a building. A number of teachers and students were exposed to asbestos in the schools where they worked and studied.

    The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) was passed in 1986 to require public and private schools to inspect buildings for asbestos-containing materials. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provided assistance to school officials after it was determined that children and teachers faced serious asbestos risks in schools.

    The EPA initially required school district administrators across the nation to inspect their buildings for asbestos and issue notifications to parents and teachers when asbestos-containing materials were found. The original regulations, however, did not indicate how asbestos-containing material should be handled once it was found. In 1984, Congress created a multi-million dollar Asbestos Trust Fund to provide 20-year interest-free loans that enabled school districts to conduct asbestos abatement projects.

 - Teachers and Asbestos Exposure

    As the materials in schools aged, the crumbling asbestos products released asbestos fibers into the air. Over time, floor tiles and drywall became chipped, insulation wore down and asbestos cords became frayed.

    The risk of inhaling asbestos fibers was also increased by the typically poor ventilation systems in schools. Airborne asbestos fibers circulated in the air where they could be easily inhaled or ingested by workers at schools. A number of illnesses could result from this exposure including mesothelioma, asbestos and other asbestos-related cancers.

 - Resources for Teachers

    If you taught at a school that was constructed before the 1980s, you may be at a higher risk for asbestos-related diseases and should schedule a screening with an experienced health professional. For assistance with finding a doctor in your area, please contact the Mesothelioma Center’s Doctor Match Program.

* Textile Mill Workers - Mesothelioma Risks

    The textile industry produces fabric, yarn, thread and other finished cloth goods. Textiles are manufactured by weaving, knitting, crocheting or pressing fibers together. In the past, a number of these goods were made with asbestos fibers.

    The four main sources and types of textiles include animal textiles (hair and fur), plant textiles (grass, straw, bamboo, rice and cotton), mineral textiles (asbestos, basalt fiber and glass fiber) and synthetic textiles (polyester, acrylic, nylon, spandex and more).

 - Processing Asbestos in Textile Mills

    Before strict regulations on the use of asbestos were implemented, the process of converting asbestos into usable fabric was one that involved many different workers and locations. In every stage of the preparation, dust and fibers from asbestos were likely to become airborne. The first step involved asbestos being crushed in a milling machine made of iron rollers. The next step involved asbestos being willowed (the automated willower beat and shredded the matted masses into fibers) and later delivered to storage. Laborers who transported asbestos into the willower may have been exposed to tremendous amounts of dust and asbestos fibers.

    Another step required workers to move the asbestos from storage and mix it with cotton. It was then piled, which meant cotton and asbestos were put in alternating layers on the floor and then fed to a picker machine. This was followed by carding, the arranging of cotton and asbestos fibers in parallel rows. The asbestos cards were then spun into yarn and wound around spools. This process created an environment prone to asbestos exposure.

 - Uses for Asbestos-Containing Textiles

    Asbestos textiles were woven into brake linings, tape, rope, protective clothing, electrical insulation and packing for machine bearings. During the weaving process, threads rubbed together and produced dust and lint. The resulting asbestos cloth was then shipped to factories that produced fire-resistant clothing for firefighters and other goods that needed to be fireproofed and insulated.

    Asbestos textiles could also be made into asbestos sheets. The fibers were mixed with resins and processed in a rotating, heated mixer. The material was then fed into two rollers to make it flat, where one roller heated and the other roller chilled. The sheets that were created were used to make the following products:

• Fire curtains
• Roofing felts
• Welding blankets
• Fireproof safety clothing
• Oven mitts and pot holders

 - Health Risks for Textile Workers

    In addition to textile mill workers and those in factories that handled asbestos cloth, seamstresses that manipulated asbestos textiles were exposed to the fibers well. Exposure to asbestos has been linked to several health conditions, including mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. Asbestos exposure occurs when airborne asbestos is inhaled or ingested. Former workers who handled asbestos textiles may be at risk of developing an asbestos-related disease.

    In a 1998 study conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, previous records of workers from an asbestos textile, friction and packing plant in the 1970s were analyzed to determine the causes of death. The study evaluated 2,722 men and 554 women. Results indicated that 49 men and 14 women passed away from lung cancer. Asbestosis and other lung diseases caused 76 deaths in men and 14 deaths in women. Mesothelioma deaths totaled 14 men and four women. This study emphasized the risks of asbestos exposure for textile mill workers.

    Symptoms of an asbestos-related disease can take between 10 and 50 years to arise. Because of this severe latency period, many who contract one of these conditions do not realize it until the disease has already reached a late stage of development. Those concerned about their former exposure to asbestos should monitor their health and be aware ofsymptoms.

* U.S. Navy Workers – Mesothelioma Risks

    The U.S. Navy is made up of three main components, including the Navy Department, the Marine Corps and the U.S. Coast Guard. Today, the Navy operates under the following mission statement: “The mission of the Navy is to maintain, train and equip combat-ready Naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas.”

    While serving in this branch of the military prior to the 1980s, members of the Navy may have been exposed to asbestos. Beginning in the 1930s, the Navy mandated the use of asbestosaboard its vessels due to the material's superb fire-resistant qualities.

 - Asbestos Exposure Locations for Navy Workers

    In addition to being used for fireproofing, asbestos was utilized as an insulating material. Asbestos insulation was located all throughout Navy vessels in a variety of ways, but primary locations for its use included boiler rooms, engine rooms, mess halls and sleeping quarters. Piping insulation in these areas was especially likely to contain asbestos. Statements from sailors whose bunks were located beneath asbestos-covered pipes indicate the prevalence and hazard of asbestos dust while on board. The lack of adequate ventilation was often a factor that led to ship-wide exposure.

    Because many naval bases and facilities were built before asbestos regulations became implemented in the 1970s, even land-based buildings may contain asbestos. A number of buildings on active and decommissioned bases and shipyards used asbestos-containing products for a variety of purposes. Working at a desk near crumbling sheetrock or peeling insulation could even expose an office worker to asbestos. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set up Superfund sites at a number of former and current naval facilities as a result of asbestos hazards.

    Former Navy workers who performed ship construction, demolition and renovation were especially at risk of asbestos exposure. Even those who did not directly work with asbestos-containing products faced exposure risks because airborne asbestos fibers can travel and remain in the air for long periods of time. After asbestos regulations were implemented, older ships still contained large quantities of asbestos and presented exposure risks for workers and sailors.

    Navy veterans and shipyard workers were rarely provided with adequate protective gear to prevent asbestos exposure. Additionally, these workers were not made aware of the health risks associated with working around asbestos. If you were exposed to asbestos while serving in the Navy, consider having annual health screenings to check for signs of an asbestos-related disease. Such health conditions can take up to 50 years to arise from the time of exposure.

 - Resources for Navy Workers

    Prior to the EPA regulating the use of asbestos, the Navy used the toxic mineral in hundreds of applications for shipbuilding. Many former Navy veterans who served on ships or worked in shipyards have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Mesothelioma is a condition that primarily affects the lungs and symptoms include coughing, chest pain and shortness of breath.

Source : http://www.asbestos.com