Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that emerge naturally in masses of strong and flexible fibers. Asbestos has been mined and used commercially not only in the United States, but across the world for hundreds of years. Although the first asbestos-related death was documented in 1906, the asbestos industry was so profitable many companies continued to use asbestos in their products until it was banned in the late twentieth century. Because of this, millions of workers worldwide are still suffering today from the residual effects of asbestos exposure.

Although employers were aware of the residual effects of asbestos on workers’ health, many workplaces did not take precautions to help employees from inhaling asbestos fibers. Industries that typically have the highest risks for asbestos exposure are the following:

Railroads – because of the non-combustible nature of asbestos fibers, steam locomotives and diesel trains used asbestos in boilers, steam pipes, fireboxes, ropes, cement mixes, and even the lining of railroad brakes and clutches.

Automobiles – like the railroad industry, automobile factories also used asbestos in the lining of brakes and clutches. Today, many older models of automobiles still have parts containing asbestos.

Asbestos Product Manufacturers – these industries include factories that produced insulation, floor and ceiling tiles, roofing, fiber cloth, building materials, rope and even tape.

Construction Workers and Contractors - typically, many old buildings contained asbestos not only in the floor and ceiling tiles, but also in the walling, insulation. As buildings were erected, construction workers and contractors were exposed to asbestos fibers.

Oil Refineries and Power Plants - asbestos products were used in pieces of equipment, including boilers and generators in both of these industries. Additionally, the rate of pleural mesothelioma among refinery workers is typically much higher than rates of pleural mesothelioma in other industries.

Shipyards - during World War II the rates of asbestos use were at an all time high. It is estimated that during this time more than 4 million Americans were working in America’s shipyards. Asbestos was used in not only ship building, but also in the components of running the ship. For example, boilers, incinerators, steam pipes, water pipes and other parts of the ship all contained asbestos.

Mines – typically talc and vermiculite mines have the highest rates of asbestos exposure.

Steel Mills – insulation materials used in mills commonly contained asbestos. Steel mills also manufactured steel casing for telecommunication and electrical services.

References:

  • O’Reilly, K.M., McLaughlin, A.M., Beckett, W.S., and Sime, P.J. Asbestos-related Lung Disease. American Family Physician. 2007 March. Vol. 75 (5), pp. 683-8
  • National Cancer Institute. Asbestos Exposure: Questions and Answers. National Cancer Institute FactSheet. 2007 February.
  • Sullivan, P. Vermiculite, Respiratory Disease, and Asbestos Exposure in Libby, Montana: Update of a Cohort Mortality Study. Environmental Health Perspectives. 2007 April. Vol.115 (4), pp. 579-585.

Last modified: April 14, 2009