Industrial workers across the United States spent decades operating machinery and maintaining equipment in facilities where asbestos materials were widely used. Oil refineries, chemical plants, power plants, steel mills, paper mills, and other industrial facilities relied on asbestos insulation, gaskets, and heat resistant materials throughout much of the twentieth century.
Many workers were exposed to asbestos without realizing it. Decades later, some of these workers have been diagnosed with serious illnesses such as mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer. Because these diseases can take many years to develop, workers may not immediately connect their diagnosis to a job they held decades earlier.
If you or a loved one worked in an industrial facility and were later diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer, you have legal rights.
You can begin the claims process by calling the asbestos attorneys at Hissey Mulderig & Friend toll-free at 1-855-500-3734, or contact us online by completing the free and confidential asbestos claim submission form located on the left side of this page.
What Jobs Had the Highest Risk of Asbestos Exposure?
Many occupations in industrial facilities involved direct or indirect contact with asbestos materials. Workers who handled equipment maintenance, insulation, or mechanical repairs often faced some of the highest exposure risks.
Jobs with elevated asbestos exposure risk included:
- Industrial maintenance workers
- Pipefitters and pipe coverers
- Boilermakers and boiler workers
- Oil refinery workers
- Chemical plant workers
- Power plant workers
- Steel mill workers
- Paper mill workers
- Industrial machine operators
- Plant supervisors and foremen
These workers frequently operated near high temperature equipment that required asbestos insulation. Boilers, turbines, pumps, compressors, and industrial piping systems were often wrapped with asbestos materials to prevent heat loss and protect equipment.
Even workers who did not directly handle asbestos products could be exposed. When maintenance crews removed or replaced insulation, asbestos fibers could be released into the air and inhaled by nearby workers.
Why Was Asbestos Used in Industrial Facilities?
For decades, asbestos was considered an ideal industrial material because it could withstand extreme heat and resist fire. Industrial facilities often contained equipment that operated at very high temperatures, making heat resistant insulation essential.
Manufacturers used asbestos in a wide range of industrial products, including:
- Pipe insulation
- Boiler insulation
- Turbine insulation
- Industrial gaskets
- Packing materials for pumps and valves
- Fireproofing materials
- Electrical insulation
These products were commonly installed throughout industrial facilities before the late 1970s. As a result, many workers spent years working near asbestos materials without being warned about potential health risks.
Over time, research revealed that inhaling asbestos fibers could cause serious diseases. Asbestos use eventually declined as these dangers became more widely known.
How Did Industrial Workers Breathe in Asbestos Fibers?
Asbestos fibers are extremely small and can become airborne when asbestos materials are disturbed. In industrial settings, routine maintenance and repair work often released these fibers into the air.
Common activities that could release asbestos fibers included:
- Removing old pipe insulation
- Cutting or replacing asbestos gaskets
- Repairing boilers or turbines
- Replacing packing materials in pumps and valves
- Removing worn insulation from industrial equipment
When these materials were cut, scraped, or broken apart, microscopic asbestos fibers could spread through the work area. Workers operating nearby machinery could inhale the fibers without realizing it.
Once inhaled, asbestos fibers can remain in the lungs for many years. Over time, these fibers may cause inflammation and cellular damage that can eventually lead to diseases such as mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer.
Can Asbestos Cause Lung Cancer Decades Later?
Yes. One of the most unusual aspects of asbestos related diseases is the long period of time that can pass between exposure and diagnosis.
Mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer often develop 20 to 50 years after asbestos exposure occurs. This delay is known as the latency period.
Because of this long latency period, many people diagnosed with asbestos diseases today were exposed to asbestos while working in industrial facilities many decades ago. Workers may have retired or changed careers long before symptoms appear.
Symptoms of asbestos related lung disease may include:
- Persistent coughing
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Unexplained weight loss
- Difficulty breathing
Anyone experiencing these symptoms after past asbestos exposure should discuss their work history with a medical professional.
Why Are Former Industrial Workers Still Diagnosed With Mesothelioma?
Although asbestos use declined in many industries beginning in the late twentieth century, the effects of past exposure are still being seen today.
Industrial facilities built before the 1980s often contained large quantities of asbestos insulation and equipment components. Workers who spent years operating machinery in these environments may have experienced repeated exposure during their careers.
Because mesothelioma develops slowly, many workers are diagnosed long after their exposure occurred. A person diagnosed today may have been exposed to asbestos while working in an industrial facility in the 1960s, 1970s, or early 1980s.
If you or a loved one worked in an industrial facility before 1982 and were later diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer, you may qualify to file a lawsuit and receive compensation. Free asbestos health exams are also available for workers with symptoms of an asbestos-related disease.
Contact the asbestos attorneys at Hissey Mulderig & Friend by calling toll-free at 1-855-500-3734, or contact us online by completing our free and confidential asbestos claim submission form at the top of this page to learn whether you may qualify.
