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Carpenters are exposed to asbestos fibers today when working with older materials during renovation projects. Research has found that carpenters who worked extensively with common asbestos construction products in the past are 34 times more likely to develop mesothelioma than the general population.
Written by Michelle Whitmer | Legally Reviewed By Yvonne Waterman | Edited By Walter Pacheco | Last Update: May 31, 2024
Part of a carpenter’s job description is remodeling commercial buildings and houses. Many of these renovations are made to structures that were built when asbestos was widely used. That means carpenters must cut away old asbestos-containing insulation and drywall and remove floor and ceiling tiles that may have had asbestos added to them to make them fireproof and soundproof.
When old asbestos-containing products are cut or disturbed in any way, asbestos dust is released into the air and onto the workers themselves. Carpenters who worked on construction projects before 1980 often handled asbestos sheets and were required to cut them into sizes that were appropriate for different applications. This also resulted in carpenters being covered in asbestos dust.
Veterans who worked as carpenters for the U.S. armed forces were exposed to asbestos while constructing and repairing military bases, which used many different types of asbestos construction materials through the 1980s. Active-duty carpenters serving overseas may be exposed to asbestos-containing products sourced from countries lacking asbestos regulations.
Carpenters working today in the U.S. are primarily at risk of asbestos exposure through old construction materials rather than new materials. Carpenters who install “reclaimed” older construction materials to help homeowners achieve a rustic look are at risk of exposure if the reclaimed material contains asbestos.
Any carpenter who works with roofing contractors may be exposed to asbestos in new roofing tiles manufactured internationally. The risk is reduced for carpenters compared to roofers because carpenters generally don’t directly handle roofing materials. Construction workers today face fewer asbestos exposure risks than in the past.
Carpenters regularly handled asbestos-containing materials, including:
Many different manufacturers made asbestos construction materials used by carpenters, including:
This company manufactured many different types of asbestos-containing construction materials used by carpenters, including lumber, millboard, roll board, siding, sheets, insulation and cement. It was acquired by Nicolet and then Armstrong World Industries, which had to file for bankruptcy and establish a trust fund with more than $2 billion to handle future asbestos claims.
Congoleum manufactured asbestos flooring products. Its bankruptcy reorganization plan included an asbestos trust fund.
This was one of the first companies to manufacture asbestos products. It made many different construction materials that carpenters used, including asbestos sheets, panels, lumber, caulking putty, insulating boards, felts, flooring and cement. Johns Manville was the first asbestos company to undergo bankruptcy reorganization to create a trust fund, which set precedence for all future asbestos manufacturers.
Georgia-Pacific manufactured asbestos joint compound and drywall adhesive under its name and a subsidiary named Bestwall. Georgia-Pacific and Bestwall were named in thousands of asbestos personal injury lawsuits before the Bestwall subsidiary was forced to file for bankruptcy and establish a trust fund.
This company manufactured asbestos-containing roofing, plaster, cement and adhesives. Its bankruptcy reorganization plan included an asbestos trust.
Studies of carpenters and asbestos exposure show they were exposed to significant amounts of asbestos and are at risk of developing asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma. According to a 2022 report by the European Commission, over 70,000 workers died in 2019 from past exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos can also cause lung cancer, ovarian cancer, laryngeal cancer and several benign pleural diseases. People who work jobs that encounter asbestos frequently are at a higher risk for asbestos-related diseases than the general public.
If you are diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease it is important to seek care from a doctor specializing in your diagnosis. These specialists work at some of the top cancer centers in the country. Seeking a second opinion from a specialist could help you live longer with the disease.
We have more than 50 years of combined experience helping mesothelioma patients.
Chat NowCarpenters who develop asbestos-related diseases have the right to file legal claims, including personal injury lawsuits and asbestos trust fund claims. Many companies that manufactured asbestos construction materials have gone bankrupt and established trust funds to compensate victims.
Loved ones also have the right to file wrongful death lawsuits when they lose a family member to mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. Carpenters who are veterans may additionally file VA claims to access medical care and compensation.
Recent lawsuits involving carpenters and asbestos exposure include:
An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can review your case and guide you to the types of claims you qualify to file. You may be eligible to file a mesothelioma lawsuit and multiple claims with asbestos trust funds.
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Whitmer, M. (2024, May 31). Carpenters and Asbestos. Asbestos.com. Retrieved October 14, 2024, from https://www.asbestos.com/occupations/carpenters/
Whitmer, Michelle. "Carpenters and Asbestos." Asbestos.com, 31 May 2024, https://www.asbestos.com/occupations/carpenters/.
Whitmer, Michelle. "Carpenters and Asbestos." Asbestos.com. Last modified May 31, 2024. https://www.asbestos.com/occupations/carpenters/.
A mesothelioma lawyer who specializes in asbestos litigation reviewed the content on this page to ensure it is legally accurate.
Please read our editorial guidelines to learn more about our content creation and review process.
Yvonne Waterman, Ph.D., is the founder of the European Asbestos Forum and a specialist in asbestos litigation. Waterman has worked to build a global network of professionals fighting for a future without asbestos exposure and disease.
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