The Mergenthaler Linotype was a printing machine that used hot metal typesetting within a molten metal crucible. Because of the extreme heat, workers and technicians lined the Linotype with asbestos cement. Linotype technicians also wore heat-protective gear, such as asbestos gloves and aprons.
Written by Michelle Whitmer | Scientifically Reviewed by Arti Shukla, Ph.D. | Edited by Walter Pacheco | Last Update: February 12, 2026
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In the late 19th century, the Linotype was a significant leap above existing printing technology that produced an entire line of text at one time. At the time, printers could print only single letters or words. The printing industry adopted linotypes as the gold standard for efficient printing throughout the first half of the 20th century.
Printing companies employed technicians and mechanical crews to keep Linotype machines running smoothly. Technicians were responsible for routine maintenance, such as adjusting temperature settings and advanced repairs on malfunctioning parts. Linotype workers also wore protective clothing and gear made with heat-resistant asbestos.
Linotypes contained asbestos insulation to prevent the internal parts from overheating. During repairs, technicians could easily disturb and potentially inhale the carcinogenic fibers, leading to an elevated asbestos exposure risk and the development of mesothelioma. The danger was made worse in workspaces with asbestos-containing building materials and poor ventilation.
The most common hazard occurred when technicians repaired Linotype crucibles. They would chip off the existing asbestos cement, place wet asbestos into a basin, knead it into a dough and pack the mixture into the jacket and liner before replacing the crucible.
These tasks often left asbestos residue on the equipment. Even when the technician was not working directly with asbestos, they still faced occupational exposure risks. When asbestos dust covered a machine, simply wiping soot from the gas burners or tightening the bearings became hazardous.
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Find an AttorneyLinotype manufacturers used different heat-resistant asbestos materials to protect the searing metal parts inside the machine. Technicians may also have used asbestos products to protect company property, or themselves, from burns.
Asbestos cement insulated the linotype crucible, the pot of molten lead located directly near the pump well, which required heat to function. In some cases, workers packed raw asbestos fibers around the crucibles.
Insulation products help stabilize temperatures within sensitive machinery. Asbestos-contaminated insulation was also present in the walls and attics of many linotype workspaces.
Vinyl flooring often contained asbestos for its heat-resistant properties. Over time, degraded tiles can release toxic asbestos fibers into the air.
Asbestos-containing spray-on products were convenient for applying layers of insulation and heat protection quickly.
Linotype operators and technicians often wore protective gear, such as gloves and aprons, made with heat-resistant asbestos-treated fabrics.
Manufacturers who produced linotypes with asbestos products include:
Other linotype manufacturers sourced their products from multiple corporations, including:
According to a 2022 report by the European Commission, over 70,000 workers died in 2019 from past exposure to asbestos.
A 2020 research study examined the effects of occupational asbestos exposure and the risk of lung cancer. The report estimated that occupational lung cancer is responsible for 17% to 29% of all lung cancer deaths in men.
Additionally, asbestos is the most significant occupational carcinogen accounting for around 55% to 85% of all occupational lung cancer cases. Linotype operators and other industrial workers exposed to asbestos daily rank among the highest-risk professions for asbestos-related diseases.
One 1972 study found a significant excess of lung cancer fatalities among newspaper room workers in Manchester. The increase was especially notable in machine room workers, whose responsibilities may have included linotype repairs. Linotype workers affected by asbestos exposure and experiencing symptoms can seek a mesothelioma specialist for treatment.
Our Patient Advocates have more than 50 years of combined experience helping mesothelioma patients.
Chat NowOne asbestos case involved David Peterson, who worked as a printing manager at eight different printing and publishing companies throughout his career.
His job routinely required him to service linotype machines and printing presses. After his diagnosis with an asbestos-related disease, the courts awarded Peterson damages from nine manufacturers using asbestos in products.
In another case, a former linotype worker developed a rapidly advancing mesothelioma diagnosis. He named Mergenthaler Linotype Company and several individual asbestos product manufacturers in a lawsuit as contributors to his exposure.
Linotype workers who develop asbestos-related diseases have legal options available to them. Speaking with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help workers discover the legal rights they have for financial compensation.
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Whitmer, M. (2026, February 12). Linotype Technicians and Asbestos Exposure. Asbestos.com. Retrieved February 21, 2026, from https://www.asbestos.com/occupations/linotype-technicians/
Whitmer, Michelle. "Linotype Technicians and Asbestos Exposure." Asbestos.com, 12 Feb 2026, https://www.asbestos.com/occupations/linotype-technicians/.
Whitmer, Michelle. "Linotype Technicians and Asbestos Exposure." Asbestos.com. Last modified February 12, 2026. https://www.asbestos.com/occupations/linotype-technicians/.
An occupational scientist or another expert who specializes in occupational hazards reviewed the content on this page to ensure it meets current scientific standards and accuracy.
Arti Shukla, Ph.D., is an internationally renowned asbestos researcher known for her achievements in identifying biomarkers that cause mesothelioma. She is the director of the Shukla Research Lab, as well as a professor of pathology at The University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine.
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