Pipefitters and Asbestos Exposure

Pipefitters play an essential role in the construction or development of any large infrastructure or industrial, commercial, or institutional complex. Whereas a plumber or two is ordinarily sufficient to install a pipe system in a small home or business, large projects involving complicated pipe systems require the know-how and expertise afforded by a large team of pipefitters. These pipefitters often specialize in installing, repairing, and maintaining pipe systems that convey water or chemicals, create electricity, or moderate building temperature. Some corporations employ full- or part-time pipefitters whose sole duty is to maintain a system of pipes vital to the work at hand.

To get this job done quickly and efficiently, pipefitters work with a great number of tools and materials. Although most of these materials no longer contain asbestos, there was a time not long ago when most pipefitters were exposed to asbestos on a daily basis. As a result of frequent exposures in this line of work, numerous pipefitters have developed diseases like mesothelioma and asbestosis - diseases that cause a considerable amount of pain and are fatal or life-threatening. Research conducted over the past two decades has shown that the incidence of lung cancer, mesothelioma, asbestosis, and heart disease is significantly higher in a sampling of pipefitters than in the generally public.

When maintaining pipes, pipefitters sometimes employed materials such as asbestos tapes, canvas, and paints that were designed to seal and insulate pipes, protecting their environment from the transfer of heat. During the use of these asbestos materials, many pipefitters probably inhaled asbestos fibers. The extent of exposure for pipefitters was such that one pipefitter, involved in litigation with a manufacturer of asbestos products, has been cited as saying, "Did we work with asbestos? We pipefitters ate asbestos!"

Pipefitters can also be exposed to asbestos otherwise present in the work environment. Very often, pipefitters must drill or cut holes in walls and ceilings in order to install or remove pipes, and in a building constructed before the 1970s, there is a great likelihood that asbestos insulation could be present in these walls, ceilings, and floors. If this asbestos material is disturbed, the pipefitter may inhale friable asbestos fibers, after which time he may be at risk of developing mesothelioma and other life-threatening asbestos-related illnesses.

Because asbestos was such a popular material for so many years, and because information about the dangers of the mineral was often withheld from workers, pipefitters were usually unknowingly exposed to the dangers of asbestos, some nearly every day of their working lives.

Today, pipefitters who work at restoring or replacing old pipe systems might still be exposed to asbestos insulation that was installed decades ago. For pipefitters, the risk of developing mesothelioma is still very real if precautions are not observed.

Unfortunately, many pipefitters exposed to asbestos years ago will only begin to present symptoms of their disease in the near future. This delay or latency period means that pipefitters who are exposed today while renovating or working in old buildings may not be aware of their exposure for many years or decades. It is important that all pipefitters work with protective gear, including a filter mask, whenever they believe they might be working in an environment that harbors asbestos.

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