Asbestos Exposure of Boiler Workers
Boiler workers, such as boilermakers, operators, repairers, and tenders, faced substantial risks of asbestos exposure in their day-to-day activities. This exposure was prevalent during the construction, maintenance, and operation of boilers, as many of the components utilized asbestos. The disturbance of these asbestos-containing materials could lead to the release of asbestos fibers, putting workers at risk of inhaling or ingesting them, which could result in asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma.
Boiler workers were among the high-risk occupational groups susceptible to asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma. These workers faced ongoing and previous exposure to asbestos, increasing their risk of asbestos-related health issues. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, In the United States in 2022, there were approximately 13,700 boilermaker jobs and they are projected to decline.
Asbestos in Boiler Construction
Asbestos was extensively used in the construction of boilers due to its cost-effectiveness, strength, and resistance to heat. It became a standard component in boiler construction as early as 1880, and this practice persisted well into the 20th century. It wasn’t until the late 1970s that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began regulating asbestos use.
Asbestos Products in Boilers
Boiler workers may have encountered asbestos in various internal boiler components, including valves, steam traps, pipes, gaskets, lagging, and insulation materials. For instance, asbestos gaskets were employed to create secure seals within the internal machinery of boilers. When these gaskets needed replacement, the process of removing them released asbestos dust into the air, which workers could unknowingly inhale or ingest.
Manufacturers of Asbestos Products Used by Boiler Workers
Numerous companies manufactured, distributed, and employed asbestos-containing materials in boilers. While some of these companies might have been aware of the risks associated with asbestos, boiler workers may have legal recourse to hold them responsible for asbestos-related illnesses.
Common Locations of Asbestos Exposure in the Boiler Industry
Boilers played a crucial role in various settings, including manufacturing plants, buildings, and large vessels. Anywhere that required hot water often featured asbestos-containing boilers. Boiler workers might have encountered asbestos in locations such as basements, boiler rooms, chemical plants, commercial buildings, factories, homes, oil refineries, paper mills, power facilities, schools, ships, shipyards, and steel mills.
It’s essential to emphasize that there is no safe level of asbestos exposure, and boiler workers working in inadequately ventilated areas faced an elevated risk of inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers.
Boiler Workers and At-Risk Trades
Boiler workers, including boilermakers, boiler operators, repairers, tenders, HVAC workers, industrial workers, insulators, maintenance workers, merchant marines, oil refinery workers, pipefitters, plumbers, sailors, shipyard workers, and veterans, may have been exposed to asbestos during their daily work. Additionally, they could inadvertently transport asbestos fibers home, leading to secondary asbestos exposure for family members and loved ones.
Mesothelioma Risk for Boiler Workers
Extensive research on asbestos exposure’s effects on boiler workers consistently reveals heightened risks of asbestos-related diseases. Prolonged exposure can result in various health problems, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Studies have reported increased asbestos-related disease risks for boiler welders, boilermakers, and boiler technicians.
Boiler workers and individuals who worked near boilers remain at risk of developing asbestos-related diseases. Anyone who may have been exposed to asbestos in boiler-related activities should seek medical evaluation from a mesothelioma specialist to monitor for signs and symptoms of asbestos-related diseases.
Compensation for Victims of Occupational Asbestos Exposure
Boiler workers who develop asbestos-related diseases may be eligible for compensation from parties responsible for their exposure. Several successful compensation cases have awarded significant sums to asbestos victims, including boiler workers. These cases illustrate that legal action can hold negligent parties accountable for their actions. Mesothelioma law firms can assist boiler workers in pursuing compensation through lawsuits, settlements, trust fund claims, or VA claims for veterans.