The purpose of this site is to provide helpful information to victims of mesothelioma, including information on hospitals, doctors, treatments and legal help.

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.

ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT Thank you for your visit. This website was created to provide persons affected by mesothelioma with current, up-to-date information. The content published on this website was not written by medical professionals and should not, at any point, be mistaken for medical advice. Furthermore, the information on this site is intended for educational purposes only and should never interfere with a patient/site visitor and his or her healthcare provider. In addition, viewing the content on this website, requesting additional information, or transmitting information through a contact form should never be considered the formation of an attorney-client relationship. The material published on this site is general and may not apply to your specific circumstances. Every case comes with its own set of unique circumstances; past success discussed on this site does not guarantee future performance. Information found on this website should not be used as incentive to act without seeking counsel from a professional. For more information, please read our disclaimer. The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

This website is sponsored by the law firm of Kyros Law Offices. While this firm maintains joint responsibility, most cases of this type are referred to other attorneys for principle responsibility.

Members of this firm are licensed in MA.

Contingent attorneys' fees refers only to those fees charged by attorneys for their legal services. Such fees are not permitted in all types of cases. Court costs and other additional expenses of legal action usually must be paid by the client. The percentage fee will be computed before or after expenses are deducted from the recovery in accordance with state laws.