Plant workers and factory workers once had some of the highest risks of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos illnesses compared to other industries. In the past, many types of factories relied on asbestos in parts, equipment, and machinery. Workers in asbestos plants had the highest rates of exposure.
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Did Plants and Factories Use Asbestos?
Many types of industrial plants and factories used asbestos in the past. Some used asbestos in their products, such as asbestos textiles or insulation.
Plants also used asbestos in equipment and machinery, specifically in friction components. Many plants contained asbestos in insulation and other construction materials used to build the facility.
Asbestos Products in Plants and Factories
Some factories used asbestos in their processes and the products they made. These are highly specific to the industry. Plants of all types commonly used asbestos in equipment and building materials:
- Boilers and other heat-related equipment. Many factories used boilers and furnaces and had steam and hot water pipes. These pieces of equipment needed to be well insulated to prevent heat loss and harm to workers from heat or fire. For many years, asbestos was the choice for insulation and pipe lagging.
- Machinery parts. Industrial factories rely on various types of machinery. Many of the parts in machinery once contained asbestos to reduce overheating from friction, prevent heat loss, and seal components. These parts included gaskets, valves, packing, pumps, conveyor belts, bearings, and more.
- Construction materials. Most industrial plants were constructed with hundreds of asbestos materials. Asbestos was once used in insulation, wallboard, adhesives, ceiling and floor tiles, roofing materials, and many other materials. While workers might not have directly handled these materials, they could release fibers if they were damaged or deteriorated or during maintenance and repair work.
Raw Asbestos Fibers in Plants
Some plants made products that contained asbestos. Workers in these factories handled or worked near raw asbestos fibers. Workers mixed asbestos fibers into other materials, like cement or paper pulp, to make products for other industries.
Raw asbestos fibers pose some of the biggest exposure risks. The fibers easily become airborne, contaminating the air and surfaces. Any workers in the facility could have been exposed, even if they never handled asbestos.
Plant Workers Exposed to Asbestos
Factory and plant workers are responsible for many job duties that contribute to production work in factories. Tasks may include molding, smelting, cutting, and reshaping materials.
Heavy equipment and machinery are almost always used for these job tasks, and they once contained asbestos in components. Workers are often responsible for the installation, repair, and upkeep of these machines.
Other duties of plant workers include:
- Working on production lines
- Measuring and pouring ingredients
- Scraping waste materials from machinery and equipment
- Loading and unloading processing equipment
- Pouring materials into machinery
- Recording data
- Reading gauges and more
- Inspecting products for quality assurance
- Sweeping up debris, which included asbestos debris and other toxins
Asbestos Exposure in Plant Workers
Regardless of factory workers’ job duties, most were at risk of asbestos exposure.
Asbestos was once used in all plant products, materials, and machinery. Factories were also constructed with asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) and found in the insulation, flooring, wiring, and walls.
Plant workers were at a significantly higher risk of developing an asbestos-related illness due to all the sanding, drilling, shaping, smelting, and cutting that took place daily.
Asbestos fibers were quickly released into the air. Workers ingested the tiny, odorless fibers without even realizing it.
Even worse, the health hazard went on for many decades, unreported by manufacturers that knew of the dangers of asbestos but kept the information disclosed to make a profit.
Studies on Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma in Plant Workers
Scientific studies conducted on plant workers and asbestos indicate a high rate of people in the industry develop asbestos illnesses, including malignant mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, and asbestosis.
In one particular study carried out in 1968 by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), results revealed that workers in plants, especially asbestos plants, developed lung cancer about twice as much as the general population.
A total of 3,276 former plant workers participated in the study, of which 63 passed away from asbestos-related lung cancer.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that a study carried out in 1975 on plant workers revealed that out of the 2,722 men and 554 women studied:
- 49 men died from lung cancer
- 13 people died from mesothelioma, 4 of whom were women.
- 76 died from asbestosis
All workers in the study worked at factories where asbestos exposure was common.
A study conducted in Belgium and reported in 2015 found that metal factory workers were 87% more likely to have and die from mesothelioma than the general public.
A 2010 study conducted at a Raybestos Manhattan facility in Connecticut looked at workers who manufactured friction asbestos products. Seven of the workers had mesothelioma, and all could be traced to workplace asbestos exposure.
These are just some of many asbestos studies that found higher rates of exposure and illness in plant and factory workers of all types.
Asbestos Plant Worker Lawsuits
Factory workers from all types of industries have sued employers and asbestos product suppliers. Many have recovered significant damages for their illnesses and related expenses.
- Jayne Menssen worked as a secretary at a rubber factory in Bloomington, Illinois, in the 1960s. She never handled asbestos but was exposed to fibers in the facility. Menssen developed mesothelioma and sued suppliers Honeywell International and Pneumo Abex. After a trial in 2010, she won a $17.8 million jury award.
- James Crawford worked in factories throughout his career, eventually developing mesothelioma. He filed a lawsuit against more than 30 companies that supplied factories with asbestos and asbestos products. An Illinois jury awarded him $16 million.
- Mark Buttitta worked at a General Motors factory and distribution warehouse for many years. He developed mesothelioma and died a year after his diagnosis. His family sued and was awarded $30.3 million, New Jersey’s largest asbestos verdict at the time in 2010.
What to Do if You Worked in a Plant with Asbestos
If you worked in a plant decades ago, when asbestos was everywhere, you are at risk of getting sick. Talk to your doctor about your risks and screenings. Asbestos exposure often causes illnesses decades later.
If you are diagnosed with an asbestos illness, you could be eligible for compensation. Talk to an asbestos attorney to determine the legal actions you can take. A mesothelioma lawyer can review your work history, find all the companies liable for your illness, and help you take steps to recover damages.
Additional Help and Resources for Plant Workers
If you’ve been injured by mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related cancer, keep in mind that there is a good chance that you’ll qualify for considerable compensation. Remember to fill out our form for your free Financial Compensation Packet, with information on asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers in your area.
