Plumbers at Elevated Risk of Asbestos Exposure

Many professions are endangered by the nature of their job. Some of these dangers are more obvious than others. Firefighters know the hazards they encounter each day and are trained to deal with them appropriately. Some hazards however, are less obvious than others. Among these is asbestos exposure. Plumbers, in particular, find themselves in a greater risk pool than many other trades as far as asbestos exposure is concerned.

Nearly 80% of homes and other structures built prior to 1978 contain at least some asbestos-containing materials (classified by the Consumer Product Safety Commission as those which contain at least 1% asbestos). Many of these products are found within a given buildings plumbing fixtures.

Asbestos was very adept at preventing heat transfer and insulation, two qualities which nearly all plumbing fixtures require. Asbestos was often included in the pipe sleeves and spray coverings that many used in insulate their piping with prior to the general ban on asbestos products in the late 1970’s. When these materials are disturbed or damaged, as they may be by plumbers or other contractors, these fibers are easily released into the air and available for inhalation.

When inhaled, asbestos is extremely hazardous. The microscopic fibers will often become lodged in the lining of the body’s internal organs, causing a sustained inflammation over time and leading to the growth of harmful scar tissue. These conditions lay the groundwork for mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer attributed to asbestos exposure. In addition to mesothelioma, asbestos exposure has been directly related to other respiratory complications, such as asbestosis and diminished lung function.

For more information concerning asbestos exposure, mesothelioma, or mesothelioma treatment, please visit the Mesothelioma and Asbestos Awareness Center at maacenter.org.