Asbestos Exposure in Oil Refineries

Asbestos was extensively utilized in petroleum refineries to provide crucial fire and chemical resistance due to the highly flammable nature of petroleum. It was present in various forms, including insulation, gaskets, and protective clothing. Gaskets, valves, and insulation contained asbestos, and even until the 1980s, some oil refineries may have had equipment with asbestos parts. Disturbing these materials during maintenance released hazardous airborne asbestos fibers, putting workers at risk.

Major oil companies like Chevron and ExxonMobil, while not manufacturers, used asbestos products, leading to ongoing asbestos-related lawsuits. Workers and their families faced exposure risks, emphasizing the pervasive dangers of asbestos in the oil industry. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, At the beginning of 2023, there were a total of 129 functioning petroleum refineries located within the United States.