Occupational Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos Exposure at Work

Asbestos is still present in buildings, roads, homes, schools, factories, ships, trains and cars across the country. In March 2024, the Biden administration banned chrysotile asbestos in the U.S. However, companies can still use it for another 12 years during the phase-out. This ban doesn’t apply to all types of asbestos. Many asbestos products are still found today at job sites. These include car brakes, clutches, roofing materials and gaskets. People used it throughout America for its fibrous form, which resists heat, water, chemicals and electricity. In the 20th century, asbestos was widely used in many products. These ranged from fireproof coatings and concrete to bricks and pipes. It was also in gaskets, insulation, drywall, flooring and other industrial goods. Asbestos was found in electrical appliances, plastics, rubber and mattresses.

Occupational Exposure Facts

• Asbestos exposure is the No. 1 cause of work-related deaths worldwide.
• More than 39,000 American lives are lost to asbestos-related disease every year.
• About 1.3 million U.S. workers are potentially at risk of exposure at their workplaces.
• Asbestos exposure at work even for a few days can lead to mesothelioma in workers.

Working with asbestos products puts your health at risk. According to a 2022 report by the European Commission, more than 70,000 workers died in 2019 from past exposure to asbestos. Asbestos exposure causes serious diseases like mesothelioma and asbestosis. This includes other cancers, including lung cancer and ovarian cancer. If you have such a disease, see a specialist. 

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry reports that from 1940 to 1979, about 27 million workers were exposed to asbestos. Now, they are at risk for mesothelioma and other serious diseases. Although regulations have reduced exposure, some jobs still pose risks. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health found that, from 1987 to 1994, 6.3% of workers were exposed to asbestos above the recommended limit. This fell to 4.3% between 2000 and 2003.

Workers still face asbestos exposure today. Demolition and renovation crews may disturb asbestos in buildings constructed before the 1980s. Mechanics and industrial maintenance workers continue to handle replacement brakes, clutches and gaskets made with asbestos. Firefighters and other first responders can inhale fibers when older structures burn or collapse. Chrysotile, the only type of asbestos that companies still import into the U.S., remains in use during the phase-out.

Top At-Risk Occupations for Asbestos Exposure

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Additional Occupations at Risk of Asbestos Exposure

Many job tasks and industries involve daily contact with asbestos products from brakes, gaskets and insulation around equipment like boilers to adhesives and construction materials in the facilities themselves. A job’s risk level depends on 4 factors that shape how much asbestos a worker likely inhaled over time. 

Occupational Exposure Risk Levels 

• Direct contact: Whether the worker cut, mixed, sprayed or installed asbestos materials by hand or worked near someone who did. Bystanders were exposed too, but usually at lower levels. 
• Duration and frequency: Whether exposure happened every shift, only during occasional tasks or just once. Risk levels increase with each year of repeated exposure.
• Fiber concentration: How much asbestos typically hung in the air where the person worked on an ordinary day. Enclosed, poorly ventilated spaces tended to hold more fiber than open job sites. 
• Published research: What cohort studies, which follow groups of workers over many years, show about rates of mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis in that trade. Trades with higher disease rates sit in a higher tier. 

A lower-risk job isn’t a safe job, because health experts consider no amount of asbestos exposure safe. While the risk of mesothelioma increases the heavier and more prolonged exposure is, moderate to lower levels of exposure can also cause this aggressive cancer.

Higher-Risk Occupations

Higher-risk occupations faced direct contact with raw asbestos or long periods of time working in environments with heavy asbestos fiber levels in the air. Jobs that involve significant wear and tear on asbestos products, which releases fibers into the air, like regularly scraping asbestos paint on Navy ships or routine demolition of buildings that contain many asbestos construction materials pose higher risks than jobs with limited or single exposure events. But no amount of asbestos exposure is considered safe.

Jobs With Higher Risk of Asbestos Exposure

• Asbestos plant workers: Making and handling asbestos had the highest risk of mesothelioma. With U.S. asbestos manufacturing peaking before the 1980s, workers were exposed to raw fibers for full shifts.
• Boiler workers: Boiler insulation blocks and blankets, furnace cement and gaskets exposed workers to heavy fiber levels in tight spaces.
• Construction workers: Manufacturers commonly used asbestos in construction products and materials before the 1980s. Renovation crews still find it in roofing, floor tile, joint compound and pipe insulation.
• Crane and bulldozer operations: Brake and clutch linings, gaskets and heat shields on heavy equipment contained asbestos.
• Demolition crews: Any structure built before the 1980s may contain asbestos. Demolition of older buildings can release fibers.
• Factory workers: Plants in many industries during the 10th century used asbestos in production lines making brakes, clutches, glass, rubber and packing.
• Firefighters: Experienced frequent exposure during emergencies that no one can control due to damaged asbestos building materials and asbestos in older protective gear.
• Industrial workers: Machinists, mixing operatives and maintenance workers had the heaviest contact with paper, textiles, gaskets, insulation and fireproofing.
• Insulators: Cutting and fitting pipe and boiler insulation sent fibers straight into the air workers breathed. 
• Mining: Contact with ore and asbestos insulation on mining equipment. U.S. asbestos mining ended in 2002.
• Operating engineers: Exposure occurred through friction and sealing components and demolition work involving brake and clutch linings, gaskets and packing in valves and pumps.
• Powerplant workers: Constant proximity to insulated high-heat systems, asbestos cement and fireproofing spray exposed powerplant workers.
• Shipyard workers: Workers were confined in shipboard spaces, resulting in exposure to concentrated airborne fibers from heat-control and refractory materials.
• Steel mill workers: During the mid-20th century, steel mill workers were exposed to continuous high-heat work surrounded by asbestos insulation.
• Textile mill workers: Weaving and handling asbestos yarn, cloth and protective garments. 
• U.S. Navy veterans: The Navy has enclosed compartments with asbestos in every system. Shipbuilders and sea service providers used asbestos in insulation, gaskets and fireproofing through most of the last century.

Moderate-Risk Occupations

Moderate-risk jobs involve direct or indirect work with asbestos materials. The concentration of asbestos fibers can range from low to high and may vary by day and job site.

These workers dealt with asbestos products such as car parts, building materials, insulation, friction materials, machine parts, pipes and repair compounds. Companies like Johns Manville, Celotex, National Gypsum Co., Owens Corning, and W.R. Grace & Co. manufactured them.

Occupations With Moderate Risk of Asbestos Exposure

• Agricultural workers: Asbestos in equipment components and some fertilizers creates mostly indirect contact. Exposure is higher where soil contains asbestos. 
• Auto mechanics: Brake work produces asbestos dust from brake linings, clutch facings and gaskets. Exposure risk often varies by specialty.
• Blacksmiths: Protective gear made from asbestos cloth shed fibers with handling and heat. Exposure was daily, but at moderate concentrations rather than the raw-fiber levels found in manufacturing work. 
• Carpenters: Cutting and sanding asbestos boards released fibers intermittently.
• Cement plant workers: Mixing and forming asbestos cement produced moderate-to-high fiber levels at cement product plants in the mid-20th century.
• Chemical plant work: Workers had low-to-moderate exposure through proximity to insulated asbestos ovens, lab countertops and process insulation.
• Chemical technician: Workers had routine contact with insulated and gasketed equipment during sampling and maintenance.
• Electricians: During electrical work in buildings and plants constructed before the 1980s, workers drilled and pulled wire through asbestos materials, releasing fibers. 
• Engineers: Mechanical engineers who specified, inspected and stripped down equipment handled asbestos parts directly. Exposure ranged from low for design roles to moderately high for maintenance roles.
• HVAC mechanics: Cutting and stripping duct insulation and furnace cement released fibers in enclosed spaces. Service calls on older systems still disturb these materials today.
• Linotype technicians: Linotype machines ran hot and were insulated with asbestos that degraded and shed fibers. Risk levels rose where the print building itself had asbestos insulation.
• Metal workers: Protective equipment and furnace materials, such as asbestos gloves, blankets, welding curtains and furnace lining, were routine sources of asbestos.
• Oil refinery workers: Refineries used asbestos through the 20th century in pipe wrap, packing, gaskets and pumps. 
• Paper mill workers: Machinists and maintenance crews routinely broke down and repacked asbestos-sealed equipment. Mill dryers and steam lines were insulated throughout, so exposure was continuous rather than occasional.
• Plumbers: Cutting cement pipe and stripping insulation released fiber directly. 
• Railroad workers: Maintenance crews and engineers worked daily with asbestos friction parts and boiler insulation. Rail cars and station buildings added asbestos insulation to the same work environment.

Lower-Risk Occupations

Some jobs frequently expose workers to low levels of asbestos, leading to potential harm over time. Other jobs might rarely expose workers to high levels.

In lower-risk jobs, the concentration of toxic fibers in the workplace may be low to moderate. The concentration may spike if a more dangerous project, job site or product is encountered. Even low-level asbestos concentrations can cause mesothelioma if exposure occurs regularly for years.

Occupations With Low Risk of Asbestos Exposure

• Aerospace Workers: Asbestos insulation on spacecraft and launch systems exposed workers. Aerospace manufacturing and repair in the mid-20th century posed the highest exposure risk.

• Aircraft Mechanics: Brake and heat-shield work produced asbestos dust, but in smaller quantities than industrial insulation work. Both private-sector and government mechanics were affected. 
• Appliance Installers: Servicing older appliances meant opening insulated housings and disturbing the asbestos inside. Exposure was brief per job but repeated across many service calls.
• Bakers: Commercial bakeries before the 1980s were at risk for asbestos insulation lining commercial ovens.
• Chimney Sweeps: Sweeping and repointing disturbs asbestos in older firebrick and flue materials. Chimney sweeps and fireplace builders have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. 
• Hairdressers: Handheld and hood dryers used asbestos to insulate heating elements, releasing fiber into the salon air. Asbestos-contaminated talc added a second route of exposure.
• Teachers: The building, rather than the work itself, caused exposure. Builders constructed public and private schools before the 1980s with asbestos insulation, floor tile and ceiling material in older school buildings.
• Tool collectors: Workers faced continuous low-level exposure to roadside brake dust from passing vehicles. 
• Warehouse workers: Exposure came from the building fabric, with spikes during repairs or construction. Before the 1980s, warehouses used spray-applied asbestos insulation, pipes, floor tile, cement and panels.

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Is Asbestos Regulated in the Workplace?

Asbestos regulation began in the 1970s and has tightened since. In 2021, a federal court in California ordered the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to improve its tracking of asbestos imports, a decision reported at the time as a step toward closer oversight of asbestos reaching workplaces.

The EPA completed Part 1 of its chrysotile asbestos risk evaluation in December 2020 and reported high risks for workers, singling out aftermarket brakes, brake linings and gaskets. That evaluation is reported as the basis for the chrysotile rule.

Workplace Asbestos Safety Requirements

• Closer asbestos exposure monitoring, giving every employee the right to know what their exposure level is.
• A compliance program designed to more aggressively limit employee exposure to asbestos.
• Respiratory protection to better protect employees exposed to potential airborne contaminants.
• Protective work clothing and equipment, along with maintenance and disposal procedures to prevent anyone from coming in dangerous contact with them.
• Better communication of hazards to employees, including warning signs and labels at place of work.
• A medical surveillance program to monitor employees who are exposed to airborne contaminants.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration reduced allowable asbestos levels in the workplace. The effects of past regulation gaps still pose a risk since asbestos diseases have a long latency period and can take decades to develop. OSHA sets the workplace exposure limit at 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter of air and averages this limit over an 8-hour shift. Employers must keep exposure at or below that level, monitor it and supply protective gear.

You can file a report if you suspect an employer isn’t providing safe conditions to protect workers from asbestos exposure. File a complaint with OSHA by calling or visiting a local OSHA office.

What to Do if You Were Exposed to Asbestos at Work

If you have been exposed to asbestos at work, you have the right to stop further exposure, file a complaint and see your doctor. Even after you’ve been exposed to asbestos, you can take steps to protect yourself.

Steps After Occupational Asbestos Exposure

1. Stop further exposure: Leave the area if asbestos material is being disturbed. Change out of your work clothes before you go home and wash them separately.
2. Write down your work history: List every employer, job site, job title and date you can recall. Include the equipment and materials you handled. Details are easiest to remember soon after the exposure.
3. Report it: Tell your employer, and file a complaint with OSHA if you believe the worksite is unsafe. OSHA accepts anonymous complaints.
4. Talk to a doctor: Tell them where and when you encountered asbestos. Asbestos diseases take decades to appear, so early screening matters, even when you feel well.

Asbestos exposure at work has caused mesothelioma, lung cancer and other diseases among workers in dozens of trades. The risk hasn’t gone away. Jobs that disturb aging insulation, brake and clutch parts or old building materials still release fibers today.

How to Minimize the Hazards of Asbestos

Laws at all levels require employers to protect workers from asbestos at work. Agencies such as OSHA, EPA, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the Mine Safety and Health Administration require employers to ensure safe workplaces. They require training and safety gear to prevent asbestos exposure.

For example, the EPA created the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act to regulate asbestos in schools. This act protects students, teachers and staff. AHERA is part of the Toxic Substances Control Act, which classifies asbestos as a toxic substance.

OSHA set laws and rules for asbestos in the workplace. They include unique requirements for the construction industry.

How to Find Out if Your Workplace Had Asbestos

There are a few ways to help determine whether your workplace contained asbestos. Most workers never see a label identifying asbestos in the materials around them, but there are signs.

Signs of Asbestos in the Workplace

• Age of the building or equipment: Structures and machinery built or installed before the 1980s are more likely to contain asbestos.
• Employer documentation: Ask whether air-monitoring results, asbestos surveys or abatement records exist for the worksite.
• Manufacturer history: Check whether the brands used at the job are among the companies with a documented history of producing asbestos products.
• Materials handled: Insulation, gaskets, packing material, brake linings, floor tile, roofing and joint compound are among the products that most often cause exposure.

If you are still unsure of your asbestos exposure, an attorney can often help you identify the specific products you used. With your documented work history, an attorney can determine which companies caused your asbestos exposure.

Who to Contact if Workplace Asbestos Exposure Is Suspected

If you’re worried about asbestos at work, you can report it anonymously to OSHA or the Mine Safety and Health Administration. Other agencies also provide resources, education and training to protect workers from asbestos exposure.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Workers may file an anonymous complaint with OSHA if asbestos exposure is suspected. The administration monitors asbestos in the workplace, issues fines and may shut down operations if asbestos rules are violated. OSHA is also the agency that sets the workplace exposure limit, reported as 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter of air averaged over an 8-hour shift.

OSHA Complaint Line: 800-321-6742 (OSHA)

Mine Safety and Health Administration

Miners worried about asbestos can file anonymous complaints with the Mine Safety and Health Administration. This agency can inspect mines and penalize for asbestos violations.

MSHA Complaint Line: 800-746-1553

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

The EPA makes asbestos rules, fines violators, and enforces penalties. Its Ombudsman also advises the public on managing asbestos in homes, schools, and workplaces.

EPA’s Asbestos Ombudsman Line: 800-368-5888

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

The institute, or NIOSH, sets asbestos rules but can’t enforce them. It also educates workers on asbestos dangers and safe removal procedures.

NIOSH Information Line: 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)

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Compensation for Occupational Exposure to Asbestos

Workers who develop mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related disease may be eligible for compensation. People can seek compensation from liable asbestos manufacturers for disease their products cause. Lawsuits are filed against active companies and some manufacturers that declared bankruptcy have created asbestos trust funds during bankruptcy protection proceedings. Most lawsuits end in settlements.

Types of Legal Compensation for Mesothelioma

• Trust fund claims
• Lawsuits that result in settlements or verdicts
• VA claims
• Workers’ compensation

Workers who get sick from asbestos should seek a mesothelioma lawyer for legal help. These lawyers can assist patients and their families in getting settlement money. In addition to lawsuits and trust fund claims, veterans exposed to asbestos during their military service can also file VA benefits claims. The VA offers disability, health care and other benefits.

Common Questions About Occupational Asbestos Exposure

What occupations are most at risk for asbestos exposure?

The occupations most at risk for developing malignant mesothelioma disease after asbestos exposure include firefighters, construction workers, industrial and power plant workers and shipyard workers. These workers regularly handle asbestos-containing materials in high volumes.

What should I do if I think I have been exposed to asbestos at work?

If you think you’ve been exposed to asbestos at work, the first step is to talk to a top mesothelioma doctor. They can diagnose you and start treatment. Doctors specializing in pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma offer advanced treatments. These aim to slow down or limit the disease’s spread.

Is it dangerous to work in a building with asbestos?

No asbestos exposure is safe. Yet, brief or one-time exposures aren’t major risks. However, working long-term in an asbestos-laden building raises the risk. This is due to repeated exposures, which can lead to mesothelioma years later.

Can I claim compensation against a past employer for asbestos exposure?

If a past employer neglected to protect you from asbestos exposure, you are likely eligible to file a legal claim for asbestos compensation. Payment from a legal claim or settlement varies by case but is sometimes available within months of filing. A lawyer or mesothelioma law firm that specializes in asbestos litigation can help you file a claim.

What are the occupational exposure limits for asbestos?

The U.S. workplace exposure limit is reported as 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter of air, averaged over an 8-hour shift. Employers must keep worker exposure at or below that level. They must also monitor it and provide respiratory protection and protective clothing when exposure could exceed the limit.

No amount of asbestos exposure is considered safe. The limit acts as a regulatory ceiling, not a threshold below which exposure poses no risk.

How do I prove I was exposed to asbestos at work?

You usually establish exposure through your work history, employer and union records, and by identifying the asbestos products used at your worksites. Write down every employer, job title, job site and date you can recall, along with the equipment and materials you handled. An attorney who handles asbestos cases can match that history against product and manufacturer records to identify which specific products manufacturers used at your worksites.

Where to Go From Here

Asbestos exposure at work has caused mesothelioma, lung cancer and other diseases among workers in dozens of trades, and the risk hasn’t gone away. Jobs that disturb aging insulation, brake and clutch parts or old building materials still release fibers today. If you’ve worked in any of these jobs, 3 steps are worth taking now.

 See a mesothelioma specialist even if you feel fine, since these diseases can take decades to show up. Record your work history while you remember the details. Look into your compensation options, which may include a lawsuit, a trust fund claim or VA benefits.

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