Insulators and Asbestos Exposure

Insulators are highly sought-after professionals in many industries, tasked with installing and replacing insulation material designed to regulate and maintain an optimal temperature in various types of structures. Unfortunately, prior to regulations concerning hazardous materials being established, workers in older residential and industrial buildings could be exposed to asbestos, a particularly dangerous substance that can cause terminal illnesses like mesothelioma. 

If you developed mesothelioma after working with asbestos-contaminated insulation, call (855) 744-1922 or contact us online to discuss your legal options with our experienced attorneys.

How Are Insulators Exposed to Asbestos?

Insulation confers numerous benefits to homes and commercial buildings, but during the mid-20th century, its materials posed a serious health risk for those responsible for installing them. During this period, nearly all insulation was made with asbestos, a mineral fiber that was valued for its heat-retaining properties. Unfortunately, it has since been revealed that asbestos exposure can lead to mesothelioma and other lung diseases. Asbestos fibers become airborne when disturbed, leading to the inhalation of these potentially dangerous particles by those handling the material. Because of this, insulators were at an increased risk of developing life-threatening illnesses due to their close and frequent contact with asbestos fibers.

Asbestos insulation was widely used in the 20th century in a variety of settings, including homes, buildings, ships, cars, and manufacturing facilities. Insulators who worked with these materials in any of these venues could have been exposed to asbestos fibers.

It was not until the 1980s that safety regulations began to be enacted to ban or limit the use of asbestos. By then, however, many people had already been exposed to high levels of asbestos-containing products. Today, workers such as insulators are still at risk for exposure if they work with or near structures and machinery manufactured prior to the 1980s.

Asbestos Products Associated with Insulators

When workers installed asbestos-containing wall insulation behind drywall, they had to carefully measure and cut the pieces to the right length. The insulation was typically fragile, making it susceptible to ripping and tearing when stretched open, which could lead to potentially hazardous fibers floating in the air. Asbestos pipe insulation is another common risk factor for exposure to this toxic mineral due to its age and fragility. The material tends to decay with time, causing it to easily break down into small airborne fibers. Even a small amount of asbestos contains an alarmingly high number of microscopic fibers that can be dangerous if inhaled. 

Some of the asbestos-containing materials that insulators are likely to encounter include: