MesoRC: Mesothelioma Resource Center

Asbestos Occupational Hazards: Workers

Since asbestos is naturally present in air, water, and soil, most people are exposed to low levels of it at some point in their life.  Typically, this limited exposure is not enough to cause injury or illness.  However, when workers are exposed to asbestos on the job—either through prolonged direct contact or environmental contact—the risk for asbestos-related illness increases dramatically.

Millions of American employees have been exposed to asbestos since its use became widespread during World War II. Government regulations and improved workplace safety standards have lowered the risks for today’s workers. Unfortunately, the damaging effects of asbestos exposure often go undetected for many years, and new cases of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases are still being discovered in people who were exposed decades ago.  

Jobs with a High Risk of Asbestos Exposure

Following are some of the occupations at highest risk for asbestos exposure and asbestos-related illness.

Automotive workers – Studies performed in the 1970s found automotive workers to be at increased risk for asbestos exposure. The major source of exposure for automotive workers occurs when compressed air is used to blow dust from the brake lining assembly and during replacement of clutch assemblies. Auto workers may also be exposed during spray applications and when handling asbestos-contaminated cloths and supplies.

Electricians - Asbestos added to insulating materials in electrical wire and cabling provides strength, flexibility, and heat- and fire-resistance. Electricians employed in shipbuilding and repair as well as in construction and building maintenance are at high risk for asbestos exposure. This is because their work often takes them into confined spaces where poorly maintained asbestos can often be found. Electricians may work in areas where asbestos was applied, and they may also be exposed while pulling wire through the infrastructure of a ship or building. This activity can increase the airborne asbestos concentration by 500 times.

Janitors – Many of our older schools and other public buildings have fallen into disrepair. Janitors or custodians who work in those buildings may come in contact with exposed asbestos in the course of their daily duties. Studies have found an increased risk of pleural plaques and reduced lung function in groups of janitors who work under such conditions.

Maintenance Workers – As buildings age, asbestos-containing components like tile, flooring, wiring and insulation may begin to crumble or fray, while some buildings undergo extensive, proactive asbestos removal programs. Maintenance workers may be exposed to asbestos dust in several ways, from performing routine maintenance and repairs to removing insulation.

Mill and Factory Workers – Asbestos is commonly found in steel and iron mills, where high temperatures require the use of insulation for personal protective gear and heat efficiency. Until the late 1970s, the paper industry also used asbestos in the felt belts on which paper products were processed. Exposure to asbestos typically occurred when fabrics and other materials were torn or otherwise damaged, releasing asbestos fibers into the air. Numerous studies have found an increased incidence of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illness in mill and factory workers.

Navy Veterans – The increased use of asbestos during World War II was mainly due to a wide range of asbestos-based products used on U.S. Navy ships. Thousands of sailors and civilian workers were inadvertently exposed to deadly asbestos dust while cutting, shaping and manipulating insulation products, and many of them developed mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases as a result. Although risks were higher for those who worked in fire and engine rooms, veterans who worked anywhere on board a ship or on the docks were subject to possible asbestos exposure. 

Pipefitters and Plumbers – Pipefitters and plumbers frequently come into contact with asbestos in pipe insulation, gaskets, and other materials used in their work. Many of these materials have to be cut to size, and because pipefitters and plumbers commonly work in enclosed spaces, they may be exposed to high concentrations of asbestos. The danger increases if workers do not wear a face mask or other personal protection equipment.

Plasterers – Asbestos was a common component of plaster used for decorative or acoustic purposes in buildings constructed from the 1940s through the 1980s. Mixing and installing the plaster created a hazardous situation for the plasterers of that time. Plasterers today may risk inhaling the dust created by the removal of old plaster.

Ship Builders – Asbestos products were used extensively on American ships from the early 1940s through the late 1970s. Common applications included insulation of steam and hot water pipes, boilers, and tanks in machinery space, as well as ceiling tile and fire-resistant sheets in bulkheads. Workers employed in shipbuilding and those involved in converting, repairing, or overhauling ship operations where asbestos-containing components were used often came in contact with asbestos.

On a ship, as in other industrial settings, the biggest danger for asbestos exposure comes when asbestos is damaged or removed. Thoroughly wetting asbestos prior to removal can help to limit exposure to asbestos-contaminated dust. However, wet removal is not permitted in nuclear reactor compartments because of the possibility of radiation contamination.

Were You Exposed to Asbestos on the Job?

If you believe you were exposed to asbestos while working at your place of employment, you may wish to speak to your physician. He or she will be able to identify early signs of asbestos-related disease and advise you on an appropriate path of medical treatment.