Insulation containing asbestos protecting water pipes in homes and commercial buildings may pose a serious health threat to plumbers and pipe fitters. Plumbers who generally work with residential pipes and their commercial counterpart pipe fitters are often exposed to asbestos containing materials in the course of their daily work. Plumbers and pipe fitters, for example, are often called to repair or replace pipes insulated with asbestos and as a result may be exposed to asbestos.
Asbestos containing insulation surrounding water pipes was popular because of its temperature and corrosion resistant properties. Although asbestos containing materials have not been used in new construction since the early 80’s, asbestos containing materials, nevertheless, still can be found in pipe insulation, pipe fittings and pipe coatings. Other asbestos-containing materials plumbers and pipe fitters may come in contact include:
- Cement siding
- Cement wallboard
- Plaster
- Ceiling tiles
- Thermal paper products
- High temperature gaskets
- Spackling compounds
Mesothelioma cancer is linked to asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that attacks the lining of tissue that surrounds vital organs such as the lungs, heart and abdomen. A study published in the Journal of American Medical Association called the number of mesothelioma deaths among plumbers and pipe fitters “proportionally significant”. The same report predicted mesothelioma deaths among plumbers and pipe fitters will not return to “normal” until approximately 2055. The report went on to estimate that 1.3 million construction and industry workers are still potentially at risk for being exposed to asbestos in asbestos containing materials.
