Tile and Linoluem Installer
Tile and linoleum installers are the construction workers responsible for the installation and repair of tile patterns on ceilings, floors, and walls. Unfortunately, because some of the materials used by tile and linoleum installers in the past contained asbestos, many have suffered occupational asbestos exposure and the resulting health problems. Workplace asbestos exposure is one of the most common exposure types because building materials can release fibers and dust into the air when aged or disturbed. When inhaled, asbestos fibers can lead to a number of health problems including asbestosis and the following cancers: mesothelioma, lung, esophageal, gastrointestinal, laryngeal, and pharyngeal.
Tile and Linoleum Installers at High Risk for Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma
Tile and linoleum installers 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 floor tiles, ceiling tiles, adhesives, and mastics among other products. Asbestos, inexpensive at the time, was used to improve durability, thermal stability, acoustic insulation, and resistance to fire. Asbestos fibers, though, could be disturbed into the air when the tiles were cut or shaved to fit into certain spaces. Even workers who did not directly handle the asbestos materials were at risk because the tiny fibers could float in the air for long periods of time. The fibers could be inhaled by the workers or land on work clothing, potentially harming family and friends in what is commonly referred to as second hand exposure.
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Top Asbestos-Containing Products Encountered by Tile and Linoleum Installers
• Floor Tile
• Ceiling Tile
• Adhesives
• Mastics
• Joint compound, patching, spackle, caulking, putties, and textured paints
A more exhaustive list can be found on our asbestos containing products page.
Modern Tile and Linoleum Installers are Still at Risk for Asbestos Exposure
Today’s tile and linoleum installers 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. Tile and linoleum installers need to remain aware of any renovations involving ceiling or floor tiling in buildings built prior to 1980. Many of the tiles and adhesive products are prone to break down due to age, heat, water, and weather. In addition, although the United States began regulating asbestos products in the 1970’s, it has not been banned entirely. Two-thirds of the modern asbestos-containing materials are for the construction industry, although they are typically labeled as such.
Often modern tile and linoleum installers are not taught the proper safety procedures or given the required equipment to protect themselves from the dangers of asbestos. Basic precautions include wearing a ventilator or safety mask to avoid asbestos dust and treating all products as if they may be asbestos containing. Tile and linoleum installers should also be taught to indentify asbestos-containing products and the proper methods of handling disposal within their particular jurisdiction.
Were You Exposed to Asbestos While Working as a Tile or Linoleum Installer? An Asbestos Attorney May be Able to Help
It is recommended that people who have spent a significant period of time working with tile or linoleum 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 tile or linoleum installer, you may be entitled to a mesothelioma settlement from a company or former employer responsible for the exposure. To learn more about your legal options, please contact us for a free mesothelioma case evaluation to see if an asbestos attorney could help with any legal situations.