Plasterer
A plasterer has the important responsibility of applying plaster to walls, creating smooth or textured patterns, and generally preparing buildings for the finished paint job. Unfortunately, because some of the past materials used by plasterers contained asbestos, many suffered occupational asbestos exposure and the resulting health problems. Workplace asbestos exposure is one of the more common exposures because building materials can release fibers and dust into the air when disturbed. When inhaled, an asbestos exposure can lead to a number of health problems including asbestosis and the following cancers: mesothelioma, lung, esophageal, gastrointestinal, laryngeal, and pharyngeal.
Plasterers at High Risk for Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma
Plasterers, who worked from about 1940 to 1980, are at the greatest risk for asbestos exposure because, as mentioned above, a variety of the construction materials they used during this time period contained asbestos. Asbestos fibers were often added to plaster and mixes, particularly in residential homes. Asbestos, inexpensive at the time, was mixed with the plaster to improve durability, thermal stability, and resistance to fire for the finished plaster. Asbestos plasters were either laid with trowels or sprayed onto wall surfaces. Cement paneling containing asbestos was sometimes layered with the plaster for increased stability and durability.
Asbestos fibers, though, can be disturbed into the air when these materials are cut, shaved or ground with power tools to fit specific dimensions. Even workers who did not directly handle asbestos materials were put at risk because the microscopic fibers could float in the air for long periods of time.
Call us at (800) 278-8675 to speak with a mesothelioma paralegal
Top Asbestos-Containing Products Encountered by Plasterers
• Sprayed on acoustical or decorative plaster
• Cement paneling
• Drywall, wallboard, millboard, and paperboard
• Joint compound, patching, spackle, caulking, putties, and textured paints
• Insulation around electrical wires, fuse boxes, and ceiling fixtures
A more exhaustive list can be found on our asbestos containing products page.
Modern Plasterers are Still at Risk for Asbestos Exposure
Today’s plasterers continue to face the risks associated with asbestos exposure. It has been estimated that 1.3 million workers in the construction industry are still exposed to asbestos annually. Plasterers need to remain aware of renovations involving plaster on buildings constructed before 1980. In addition, although the United States began regulating asbestos in the 1970’s, it has not been banned entirely. Two-thirds of the modern asbestos-containing products are construction materials, although they are typically labeled as such.
Often modern plasterers are not taught the proper safety procedures or given the required equipment to protect themselves from the dangers of asbestos. A basic precaution is wearing a ventilator or safety mask to avoid inhaling asbestos dust. Plasterers should also be schooled on the identification of asbestos-containing products and the proper methods of handling disposal within their particular jurisdiction.
Were You Exposed to Asbestos While Working as a Plasterer? A Mesothelioma Attorney May be Able to Help
It is recommended that people who have spent a significant period of time employed as a plasterer get a full physical evaluation by a medical doctor. Mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure, often takes 15-40 years to manifest and the life expectancy of a victim is around a year post-diagnosis. Thus, it is important to catch the disease in its early stages. At-risk workers should pay close attention to any mesothelioma symptoms which include fluid in the lungs, chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and fatigue.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and believe you were exposed to asbestos working as a plasterer, you may be entitled to financial compensation from a mesothelioma settlement. To learn more about your legal options and how a mesothelioma attorney may be able to assist, please contact us for a free legal consultation.