Asbestos and Refineries
All of the 150 operable oil refineries in the U.S. were built previous to the implementation of federal asbestos regulations. During the construction of these refineries, asbestos was used extensively to safeguard against the flammable and explosive properties of oil. If you’ve worked at one of these oil refineries, there is a good chance you’ve been subjected to asbestos exposure.
Extensive Use of Asbestos in Oil Refineries
An oil refinery’s function is to turn crude oil into various petroleum products, like gasoline. Crude oil and the products it’s used to create are inherently dangerous because of their flammability. Asbestos was almost always used as insulation for equipment used to refine oil. Examples of refinery equipment commonly insulated with asbestos include:
- Pipes
- Tanks
- Reactors Heat
- Exchangers
- Boilers
- Roasters
- Ovens
- Driers
- Furnaces
- Pumps
Additionally, many concrete structures, mechanical parts, protective gear and a wide variety of tools and equipment found in an oil refinery would often contain asbestos.
Oil Refinery Workers Susceptible to Asbestos Exposure
Studies have shown that a much greater percentage of the oil refinery working population dies of illnesses such as asbestosis and mesothelioma cancer than the general population. This is because refinery workers were basically surrounded by asbestos containing materials at all times.
Any time these materials would be damaged, undergo repairs, ware down or renovated, they would release microscopic asbestos fibers into the air. If asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can remain inside a person for decades and cause asbestos diseases to develop.
Study of UK Oil Refinery Workers
A UK study of over 45,000 oil refinery and petroleum distribution workers showed just how vulnerable refinery workers are to the effects of asbestos exposure.
All of the workers included in the study had been employed for a minimum of twelve months between 1946 and 1971. The study noted that the refinery workers were in regular contact with asbestos containing materials while the petroleum distribution workers were not. It found that:
- The oil refinery workers had “significantly elevated” rates of mesothelioma
- The petroleum distribution workers showed no abnormal rates of cancers or other illnesses
If you or a loved one worked in an oil refinery and have suffered the harmful effects of
asbestos exposure, contact Mesothelioma Center today.
