Key Takeaways
- Asbestos was used across a wide range of industries because it was affordable, lightweight, heat-resistant, and an effective insulator — but inhaling its fibers can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other serious diseases.
- Shipyards used asbestos extensively in pipe insulation, boiler rooms, and felt wrapping — often in poorly ventilated spaces where fiber concentrations were dangerously high.
- Chemical plants and oil refineries relied on asbestos to protect equipment from high heat and fire. Even workers’ protective clothing contained asbestos.
- Power plants used asbestos for its resistance to both heat and electricity — in insulation, machinery, and worker clothing.
- Steel mills used asbestos in molds, ovens, boilers, and protective gear because of its heat resistance and lightweight properties.
- Auto shops remain a risk even today — asbestos was used in brakes, clutches, gaskets, paint, and fiberglass. Mechanics working on older vehicles and consumers buying used cars may still encounter asbestos-containing parts.
There are many job sites associated with asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a naturally occurring silicate material and it is very harmful to inhale. Breathing in asbestos can lead to cancer, such as mesothelioma. Some of these industries include power plants, shipyards, oil refineries, heavy industries, construction, vehicle repair, chemical plants and more. Asbestos was used in many job sites because it was very affordable and was used as an insulator.
Shipyards
Until the 1970s, asbestos was used a lot in ship construction. A lot of ships used asbestos in the pipe insulation and boiler rooms as well as felt wrapping in pipes. In shipyards, repair and maintenance work was done in rooms with poor ventilation.
Chemical Plants
Chemical companies utilized asbestos in many situations, including for equipment, machinery and buildings. Since asbestos is a good insulator to heat, it was used to help stop fires from occurring at these plants. The protective clothing that workers wore also contained asbestos.
Oil Refineries
Many oil refineries used asbestos because oil refining uses high heat and chemicals, and the material was used in order to protect the machinery. Another product in oil refineries that very well may have contained asbestos was gaskets.
Power Plants
Power plants also contained a lot of asbestos materials. Since asbestos is resistant to heat and electricity, it was used to protect the machines from environments with high heat. The material was also used as insulation and the clothing that the workers wore often had asbestos on it.
Steel Mills
Steel mills also used asbestos containing materials. Steel molds, ovens and boilers normally had asbestos on them, because it aided in making things lightweight as well as being resistant to high temperatures. The protective clothing that the workers wore also contained asbestos.
Auto Shops
Asbestos was also used in the automobile industry. Many car parts contained asbestos due to it being a good insulator, lightweight and resistant to heat. Asbestos was used in the paint and fiberglass of the cars as well as gaskets, clutches and brakes. People who continue to work as auto mechanics as well as those who buy cars are still at risk of being exposed even to this day.
If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and have developed an asbestos-related disease, such as mesothelioma, please call us at (800) 505-6000 or fill out our contact form to find out how we can help you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which job sites had the highest risk of asbestos exposure?
The industries with the highest documented asbestos exposure risk include shipyards, chemical plants, oil refineries, power plants, steel mills, and auto repair shops. Workers in these industries were regularly exposed to asbestos-containing materials in insulation, machinery, protective equipment, and building infrastructure — often without adequate ventilation or safety gear.
Why was asbestos used so widely in industrial workplaces?
Asbestos was popular across many industries because it was affordable, lightweight, heat-resistant, and an effective electrical and thermal insulator. These properties made it ideal for protecting machinery, insulating pipes and boilers, fireproofing buildings, and even manufacturing protective clothing for workers. Its dangers were not widely acknowledged or regulated until the 1970s and 1980s.
How were shipyard workers exposed to asbestos?
Until the 1970s, asbestos was heavily used in ship construction — in pipe insulation, boiler rooms, and felt wrapping around pipes. Shipyard workers who built, repaired, and maintained vessels were exposed regularly, often in enclosed spaces with poor ventilation where asbestos fiber concentrations were extremely high.
Are auto mechanics still at risk of asbestos exposure today?
Yes. While newer vehicles have largely phased out asbestos, many older cars still contain asbestos in brakes, clutches, gaskets, paint, and fiberglass. Mechanics who service, repair, or restore older vehicles can be exposed when these components are sanded, drilled, or replaced. Even consumers purchasing older used cars may encounter asbestos-containing parts.
Did workers’ protective clothing contain asbestos?
Yes — in several industries, the very gear meant to protect workers actually contained asbestos. Workers in chemical plants, power plants, and steel mills wore protective clothing made with asbestos materials because of their heat-resistant properties. This created a direct and prolonged source of exposure, as workers wore these garments throughout their shifts.
How long after working at one of these job sites can mesothelioma develop?
Mesothelioma has an extremely long latency period — it can take 20 to 50 years or more after asbestos exposure for the disease to develop. Many people being diagnosed today were exposed at job sites decades ago, often before safety regulations were put in place.
What should I do if I worked at one of these job sites and have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease?
If you or a loved one worked in a shipyard, steel mill, power plant, chemical plant, oil refinery, or auto shop and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, your work history is a critical part of understanding your legal options. Call (800) 505-6000 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation.
