Key Takeaways
- Workers in certain occupations were routinely exposed to asbestos and face an elevated risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
- Insulators handled asbestos directly — it was used extensively in insulation because it was lightweight, inexpensive, heat-resistant, and flexible. The longer the exposure, the greater the risk.
- Construction workers encountered asbestos in drywall, joint compound, paint, textured products (popcorn ceilings), shingles, and masonry. Manufacturers including Johns Manville, Owens Corning, and Brunswick Fabrications produced asbestos-containing products.
- Pipefitters and plumbers worked with asbestos insulation, pipe cement, and joint compounds — asbestos was ideal for protecting surrounding areas from pipes because it was flexible, heat-resistant, and water-resistant.
- Electricians are still at risk today when repairing existing wiring in older buildings where asbestos was used. Products include turbines, generators, cable wraps, and hot water tanks from companies like General Electric, Westinghouse Electric, and Union Carbide.
- Auto mechanics and even hobbyists who work on cars face exposure from asbestos in brake pads, clutches, and other friction components.
- Welders were exposed when extreme heat broke down asbestos-containing protective materials, releasing fibers into the air.
Asbestos, a group of naturally occurring silicate materials, is notoriously known to be dangerous to inhale, even having the ability to cause cancer, such as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a cancer that is caused from breathing in asbestos fibers. Although it is a rare form of cancer, it has a poor prognosis and is very terrible to endure. There are specific occupations associated with asbestos and if you worked doing one or any of these jobs you were most likely exposed to the hazardous material.
Occupations Associated with Asbestos – Insulators
Insulators were commonly exposed to asbestos as the material was widely used in the insulation industry because it was light, inexpensive, heat resistant, and flexible, making it almost the perfect insulation material. The problem is insulators had to handle the asbestos and therefore were breathing it in throughout the day every day. It is thought that the longer the exposure, the more likely someone is to develop an asbestos-related disease. Additionally, a lot of homes built before 1980 were filled with asbestos insulation. If a homeowner decides to renovate their home and is unaware of this, they could disturb the asbestos, exposing themselves to it.
Construction Workers
Another occupation associated with asbestos is construction. Asbestos can be found in many materials and products used in construction, such as drywall, paint, and shingles. Before the dangers of asbestos were made clear to the public, masonry workers would mix raw asbestos into compounds for bricks. When the bricks were later demolished, the asbestos fibers were disturbed then released into the air, exposing construction workers to the material. Drywall workers tended to add asbestos to joint compound drywall products. Also, drywall tape commonly had asbestos in it. A lot of paints and textured products such as popcorn ceilings contain asbestos. Some of the manufacturers that produced asbestos containing products include Johns Manville, Owens Corning, and Brunswick Fabrications.
Pipefitters
Anyone who worked as a pipefitter or plumber was probably exposed to asbestos and could be at risk of developing mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease. These are occupations associated with asbestos since it was almost the perfect material to protect the surrounding areas from pipes and plumbing as it is flexible, heat resistant, water resistant, and inexpensive. Some products that asbestos was used in that would affect pipefitters and plumbers were insulation, pipe cement, and joint compounds.
Electricians
To this day, electricians are exposed to asbestos when they repair wiring that is already in place in buildings where asbestos was heavily used. Some products that electricians encounter that may contain asbestos include turbines, generators, cable wraps, and hot water tanks. Some companies associated with these asbestos products include General Electric, Westinghouse Electric, and Union Carbide.
Occupations Associated with Asbestos – Auto Mechanics
Another occupation associated with asbestos is auto mechanic. Auto mechanics were commonly exposed to the material as it was used in the brake pads, clutches, and other things. Not only could those who worked in the industry be affected, but also hobbyists who like to work on their cars.
Welders
Based on the properties of asbestos that I previously described, it is intuitive that asbestos was used in welding. It protected workers from extreme heat. However, when the welding was taking place, the heat could break down the material and cause asbestos to be released into the air, exposing welders to the carcinogen.
If you or a loved one has had any of the occupations listed above, and has developed an asbestos-related disease, such as mesothelioma, please call 1 (800) 505-6000. For more information or for legal help, fill out our form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which occupations have the highest risk of asbestos exposure?
Workers in the following occupations faced the highest risk of asbestos exposure:
- Insulators — handled raw asbestos daily as insulation material
- Construction workers — exposed through drywall, paint, shingles, joint compound, and masonry
- Pipefitters and plumbers — worked with asbestos pipe cement, insulation, and joint compounds
- Electricians — encountered asbestos in turbines, generators, cable wraps, and building wiring
- Auto mechanics — exposed through brake pads, clutches, and other friction parts
- Welders — extreme heat broke down asbestos-containing protective materials, releasing fibers
The longer and more frequent the exposure, the greater the risk of developing mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease.
How were insulators exposed to asbestos?
Insulators had some of the most direct and prolonged asbestos exposure of any occupation. They handled asbestos-containing materials throughout every workday — cutting, fitting, and installing insulation that contained asbestos fibers. The material was used because it was lightweight, inexpensive, heat-resistant, and flexible. Every time insulation was cut, shaped, or disturbed, fibers became airborne and were inhaled by the workers. Many homes and buildings constructed before 1980 still contain asbestos insulation today.
What construction materials contained asbestos?
Asbestos was found in a wide range of construction products:
- Drywall and joint compound — asbestos was mixed into compounds and added to drywall tape
- Paint and textured coatings — including popcorn ceilings
- Shingles and siding
- Masonry compounds — raw asbestos was mixed directly into brick compounds
Manufacturers including Johns Manville, Owens Corning, and Brunswick Fabrications produced asbestos-containing construction products. When these materials were later demolished or renovated, the asbestos fibers were released into the air.
Are electricians still at risk of asbestos exposure today?
Yes. Electricians who repair or replace wiring in older buildings where asbestos was heavily used can still be exposed today. Disturbing walls, ceilings, or infrastructure that contains asbestos-containing materials releases fibers into the air. Products electricians may encounter include turbines, generators, cable wraps, and hot water tanks — some manufactured by companies like General Electric, Westinghouse Electric, and Union Carbide.
How were auto mechanics exposed to asbestos?
Asbestos was used in automotive parts that involved friction and high temperatures — particularly brake pads and clutches. When mechanics serviced these components, asbestos dust was released into the air. Using compressed air to blow out brake dust was especially dangerous, sending fibers up to 75 feet from the work area. Not only professional mechanics but also hobbyists who work on their own cars are at risk, especially when servicing older vehicles that may still contain asbestos-based parts.
How does welding release asbestos fibers?
Asbestos was used in welding environments for its heat-resistant properties — in protective blankets, pads, and surrounding materials. During the welding process, the extreme heat can break down asbestos-containing materials, causing fibers to be released into the air. Welders who worked in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces faced especially high exposure risk, as the fibers had nowhere to dissipate.
Can homeowners be exposed to asbestos during renovations?
Yes. Many homes built before 1980 contain asbestos in insulation, flooring, ceiling tiles, paint, and other materials. If a homeowner begins a renovation project without knowing about these materials, they can disturb the asbestos and release dangerous fibers into the living space. Before starting any renovation on a pre-1980 home, it’s important to have a professional asbestos inspection conducted to identify and safely manage any contaminated materials.
What should I do if I worked in one of these occupations and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma?
If you or a loved one worked as an insulator, construction worker, pipefitter, plumber, electrician, auto mechanic, welder, or in any other occupation involving asbestos and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, your work history is a critical piece of your legal case. Call (800) 505-6000 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation.
