Thousands of former and current plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters may have been exposed to toxic asbestos exposure in construction, shipbuilding, and Maintenance Crews. Regardless of where a plumber was working, the chances are they have directly or indirectly worked around asbestos products in the last 50 years.
In fact, workers are still at risk of asbestos exposure as many buildings and workplaces throughout the country still contain the toxic material. Plumbers and pipefitters regularly worked with asbestos thermal insulation and asbestos pipe repair materials.
This includes pipes, boilers, ducts and tanks containing asbestos insulation as well as joint compounds, cement, pipe block, valves, gaskets, pipe coating and welding rods.
Nearly any plumber or pipefitter that worked into the 1980s could be at risk of developing severe health issues, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
Plumbers & Pipefitters at Risk
When plumbers and pipefitters are in enclosed spaces as they cut, saw and assemble essential plumbing components that contain asbestos, toxic fibers are released into the air and easily inhaled and ingested. The accumulation of asbestos fibers in the lungs can cause inflammation and scarring that can lead to lung cancer, mesothelioma cancer and other asbestos-related diseases.
Asbestos was used in pipes, boilers, ducts and tanks because it is an effective heat and fire resistant material. Since many of the areas plumbers work are short on air circulation, the Workplace Ventilation Risks and asbestos fibers made the occupation extremely dangerous. Unfortunately, many employers failed to warn their workers of the health risks, even after it was well-known that asbestos causes cancer.
How Asbestos Exposure Occurs
Asbestos fibers can spread up to 50-75 feet from the work being performed. The toxic fibers can be airborne and cause plumbing asbestos exposure, and also carried home on clothes and on the person, exposing families to the toxins.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) warns of other plumbing and pipefitting hazards, including:
- Working in poorly ventilated areas
- Handling or dismantling pipe insulation
- Working in boiler rooms
- Ear and eye injury
- Burn injuries
- Mold inhalation
Materials Containing Asbestos
Plumbers and pipe fitters used asbestos-containing materials in both the pipe walls and the pipe wrapping. Asbestos seemed like the best material for pipes and wrapping because it is lightweight, cheap, durable, and fire resistant.
Asbestos also lowers electrical conductivity in steel pipes making them safer around current and static charges in ships and in manufacturing facilities. Potential asbestos products include the following:
- Gaskets
- Valves
- Insulating cement
- Pipe covering
- Insulation
- Packing
- Pumps
- Joint compounds
- Welding rods
Symptoms of Asbestos-Related Illness
Lung cancer and mesothelioma have a long latency period, and plumbers and pipefitters may not be diagnosed for up to 40 years after exposure. Symptoms of lung diseases like asbestosis, pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma can include:
- Chest Pain
- Persistent Cough
- Unexplained fatigue
- Trouble breathing
- Trouble swallowing
- Swelling of the abdomen
Plumbing Asbestos Exposure
Pipefitters, steamfitters and plumbers who have been exposed to an unsafe work environment may have a viable personal injury claim against a former employer and a list of manufacturers with Asbestos settlement funds. Any victim of plumbing asbestos exposure should seek professional medical attention and contact a mesothelioma cancer lawyer to investigate the root cause.
Each asbestos illness is unique and may be the result of either acute exposure or long-term exposure to toxic materials. The results are all devastating with victims falling ill, often many years after initial exposure.
Any family member who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis or asbestosis may have a valuable claim against a former employer.
