Once a common industrial material, asbestos now has a legacy of health problems and lawsuits. When inhaled or ingested it can cause serious diseases including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.
In 1973, asbestos had been used in over 3000 product types by manufacturers, making workers in all sorts of high-risk industries exposed to extremely dangerous levels of asbestos fibers. This guide will look into the highest-risk industries for workers of asbestos exposure and how this notorious mineral has affected the world.
The Dangers of Asbestos
Inhaling or swallowing asbestos fibers can lead to serious health issues. The tiny little fibers of the asbestos however can lodge themselves in the body for years causing inflammation and scarring in the lungs.
asbestos-related diseases have long latency periods that usually become clinically apparent years to decades after first exposure, and often follow an aggressive clinical course.
Industries with a High Risk of Asbestos Exposure
Here are the industries with the highest risk of being exposed to asbestos.
Abrasives Manufacturers
Asbestos products were used by abrasive manufacturers as reinforcement for friction and heat insulation. Their products fell into a wide range of industries, from construction and sandblasting to auto parts manufacturing, and elsewhere. Those working in these industries were at high risk of being exposed to asbestos fibers.
Asbestos Mining
Many families and people living near mines were also likely exposed to fibers in their daily lives, allowing for many health problems.
Asbestos Product Manufacturing
Asbestos manufacturing companies subjected workers to such heinous conditions as confining them to windowless, poorly ventilated rooms. This made asbestos a major exposure risk since it meant the fibers were always around workers in those conditions.
Automotive Repair Shops
mechanics and workers in automotive repair shops are often exposed to asbestos fibers that can be released during repair work for brake shoe linings and other automotive parts once again containing asbestos. Asbestos fibers could easily fly off and into the air with these parts.
Chemical Plants
Chemical manufacturers and processors often use asbestos materials as insulators for equipment and pipes. Some also made use of common materials like sidewalls that contained high amounts of asbestos, putting workers at risk of exposure during maintenance and repair tasks. Asbestos fibers could easily fly off and into the air with these parts.
Construction Companies
Products like asbestos cement, insulation, and joint compounds all create a high risk of exposure for construction workers. When these materials were cut, drilled, or sanded, asbestos fibers could easily become airborne and be inhaled by workers.
Maritime Companies
Shipbuilders frequently used asbestos as an insulator and fireproofing material. Ship occupants often lived in confined areas contaminated with asbestos, putting them at risk of exposure even when not directly working with the material.
Offshore Rust Removal Businesses
A large number of ships and offshore rigs were built using asbestos as an insulating product and fireproofing product. Work crews, called upon to remove rust from such structures, subjected themselves to high asbestos exposure in tight quarters which put them at probable risk of the deadly inhalation of asbestos fibers.
Oil Refineries
Oil refinery equipment like boilers and pipes often used asbestos as an insulator and fireproofing material. Workers in these facilities were at risk of exposure during maintenance, repair, and installation tasks.
Paper Mills
Equipment manufacturers used asbestos as an insulating material in much of the machinery used to make and process paper. Workers in paper mills were at risk of exposure when working with or near this equipment.
Power Plants
Asbestos has amazing electrical insulation properties, making it extremely popular for use in power plants. Workers in these facilities were at risk of exposure during construction, maintenance, and repair tasks involving asbestos-containing materials.
Printing Facilities
Printing companies are often equipped with machinery that contains asbestos, like paper mills. During their operation and maintenance processes, workers were at risk of being exposed to asbestos from it functioning as an insulator, friction dissipator, and fireproofing material in these machines.
Railroads
It was not uncommon for railroads to transport vast quantities of asbestos products. Plus, asbestos was incorporated into train components as an insulator and fireproofing material for boilers, brake linings, etc. Construction and maintenance workers on the railroad bore a significant degree of exposure to asbestos.
Sand Manufacturers
Crushing machines and other equipment used in sand manufacturing often contain asbestos components. Additionally, asbestos could sometimes be found in the abrasive media that helped create sand products. Workers in this industry faced exposure risks during the manufacturing process.
Shipyards
Ships used asbestos as a fireproofing and insulating material, as did heavy equipment used to build ships. Many workers were exposed during the construction of ships as a result, putting them at risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses.
Shipping Lines
Asbestos insulation and fireproofing are common on industrial cargo ships and equipment. Workers involved in loading, unloading, and maintaining these ships were at risk of asbestos exposure.
Steel Mills
Steel manufacturing used equipment that often contained asbestos. The material served as an insulator and fireproofing mechanism, putting workers at risk of exposure during manufacturing, maintenance, and repair tasks.
Tile Installation
Many joint compounds and grouts use asbestos as a filler material. As the compounds dried, asbestos fibers frequently ejected into the air, exposing workers to the dangerous fibers.
The Importance of Seeking Help
If you or a loved one worked in any of the above industries and have been diagnosed with asbestos-related lung cancer or mesothelioma, it is crucial to seek help from experienced professionals.
Mesowatch offers immediate assistance and free, confidential case evaluations with leading attorneys nationwide. They understand your need for experienced mesothelioma lawyers who will quickly identify all liable parties and trust funds to pursue maximum compensation for your losses.
The impact of asbestos exposure in high-risk industries cannot be overstated. Thousands of workers have suffered from debilitating illnesses and lost their lives due to the negligence of employers and manufacturers.
By understanding the industries most affected by asbestos and the dangers posed by this toxic mineral, we can work towards preventing future exposures and supporting those who have already been impacted.
If you suspect that you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos in the workplace, don’t hesitate to seek help and support. Together, we can fight against the legacy of asbestos and seek justice for those who have suffered from its devastating consequences.
