Iron Workers

Iron workers are often referred to as the men who built the "Skeleton of America". From the frameworks of skyscrapers to bridges and railroad tracks, iron workers put together the bones on which this country's resources were formed. They built ships and hulls, airplanes and the skins of trains. Throughout the 20th century, iron workers hung frameworks hundreds of feet above the ground or deep in the belly of the earth. They braved the dangers of working high above the ground, and the churning waters of rivers and waterfalls to build our country's infrastructure.

Asbestos Exposure

Construction workers, including those who worked with iron, have one of the highest rates of mesothelioma of all population groups as asbestos was used abundantly in the construction industry because of its unique properties.

Iron workers were most likely exposed to asbestos in a number of ways. The dangers of asbestos exposure, of course, are greatest when fibers are released into the air, where they can be inhaled or swallowed. For ironworkers, this might have happened when iron beams banged against each other, or when they were drilled or pierced with rivets. Sanding and other handling may also have released metal fragments containing asbestos into the air, causing it to be inhaled and eventually lodged in the lungs.

The most direct exposure probably came from the asbestos paint that was sprayed on the iron beams that were used in building a variety of structures. The asbestos spray was employed as a fireproofing material in order to increase the temperatures at which the iron would melt or burn in a fire. Its use was a common safety measure through the 1970s, before the dangers of asbestos were publicly known.

Iron workers may have also been exposed to asbestos via their own protective clothing. Often, these laborers used insulated gloves, aprons, pants and vests made from asbestos and designed to protect them from heat and fire. According to a number of studies performed in the 1990s, insulating clothing made with asbestos was generally safe when new. However, within a few weeks of wear, the amount of asbestos fibers released by the clothing during normal wear reach dangerous levels and airborne fibers are easily inhaled.

Among the iron workers most affected by asbestos are those who worked in shipyards. These shipyard employees were surrounded by asbestos found in dozens of asbestos products, including:

• boiler insulation paint
• spray applied insulation
• asbestos gaskets
• asbestos paint
• spray on fireproofing
• pipe insulation
• block insulation
• pre-formed insulation
• insulating asbestos paper
• spray foam asbestos insulation

Recently, shipyard workers, railroad employees, and other iron workers have been awarded large settlements in compensation for the damage they suffered because of asbestos exposure.

The risk of exposure to asbestos for iron workers still exists, particularly for those involved in the demolition and deconstruction of Navy and other ships that were built between World War I and 1980, so iron workers should always be sure to take proper precautions when working on vessels or other structures that may contain asbestos.

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