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Asbestos and Plumbing

A plumber’s day to day duties often require working in environments where they face the potential of being exposed to asbestos. 

Previous to 1980, pipes that were installed in homes were likely to contain asbestos.  Plumbers who installed, maintained, repaired or replaced any of these pipes were likely exposed to the harmful material.  If the asbestos insulation was disturbed during the course of plumbing work, it could release microscopic fibers into the air, where plumbers and anyone else nearby would inhale them.

Plumbers Frequently Exposed to Asbestos

Plumbers are often required to handle and repair items that were insulated with or contain asbestos. Items that used asbestos as insulation or to prevent condensation include:

  • Boilers
  • Tanks
  • Ducts
  • Pipes
  • Other plumbing systems

Other asbestos containing items commonly used by plumbers included:

  • Pipe block
  • Pipe coating
  • Cement insulation
  • Gaskets
  • Aircell or corrugated asbestos paper

Additionally, plumbers often had to operate in cramped and confined areas where they would have to sand or cut through asbestos containing materials.  This would result in the release of small asbestos fibers that would be inhaled by the plumber. 

Lethal Effects of Plumbing Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos is only dangerous to people when these airborne fibers are inhaled.  If inhaled, the fibers can remain in the body for years, sometimes even decades, possibly leading to lethal asbestos related diseases such as:

  • Asbestosis – Scarring develops in the lung tissue and causes diminished breathing capacity
  • Mesothelioma – A form of cancer that occurs when malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body’s internal organs

Plumbers Still at Risk Today

Just because regulations and laws have been implemented by the U.S. government that prevents the use of many asbestos products, it doesn’t mean that today’s plumber shouldn’t be concerned about the dangers of asbestos exposure.  Plumbers are often required to perform repairs in older homes that were constructed when asbestos was commonly used.  Any plumber performing his duties in a house that was built before the late 1970’s should be sure to take the necessary precautions to avoid asbestos exposure.

For more information and resources, please contact the Mesothelioma Treatment Centers for help today.

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