Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring silicate minerals that can be separated into thin fibers. It was widely used in industrial and construction applications from the early 1900s through the late 1970s because it is fire-resistant, durable, and an excellent thermal insulator. The six regulated types include chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite.

Which jobs have the highest asbestos exposure risk?

The highest-risk occupations include pipefitters and insulators, shipyard workers, boilermakers, electricians, plumbers, construction workers, auto mechanics (brake work), railroad workers, and power plant operators. Workers in oil refineries, chemical plants, and steel mills also face elevated risk.

Asbestos Exposure Sites by Neighborhood | Industries, Occupations & Products

Q: Can family members get mesothelioma from secondhand asbestos exposure?

Yes. Secondhand or take-home asbestos exposure occurs when industrial workers carry asbestos fibers home on their clothing, skin, and hair. Family members who launder work clothes or live with asbestos workers can inhale or ingest fibers and develop mesothelioma decades later. This is a legally recognized form of asbestos exposure.

What Is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring silicate minerals composed of microscopic fibers. Its extraordinary heat resistance, tensile strength, and insulating properties made it one of the most widely used industrial materials of the 20th century — and one of the most deadly.

When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, microscopic fibers are released into the air. Once inhaled or ingested, they cannot be broken down or expelled by the body. Over 20–50 years, embedded fibers cause chronic inflammation, scarring, and DNA mutations that lead to mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.

Type	Color	Risk Level	Common Use
Chrysotile	White	High	Insulation, roofing, brake pads
Amosite	Brown	Very High	Pipe insulation, ceiling tiles
Crocidolite	Blue	Most Dangerous	Steam pipe insulation, spray coatings
Tremolite	Gray/White	High	Contaminant in talc and vermiculite
Actinolite	Dark green	High	Paint, sealants, insulation
Anthophyllite	Gray/Brown	Moderate	Talc products, composite flooring

How Exposure Happens

Asbestos exposure occurs through four primary pathways, all of which are legally recognized as grounds for mesothelioma claims:

Occupational Exposure — The most common form. Workers in shipyards, refineries, construction, power plants, and manufacturing were directly exposed during installation, maintenance, and demolition of asbestos-containing materials.
Secondary / Take-Home Exposure — Workers carried fibers home on clothing, hair, and tools. Spouses who laundered work clothes and children who had contact with workers are legally recognized secondary exposure victims.
Environmental / Neighborhood Exposure — Residents living near asbestos processing facilities, vermiculite mines, or demolition sites can be exposed through airborne contamination. Pre-1980 buildings with deteriorating asbestos materials also pose ongoing risk.
Military Service Exposure — US Navy veterans are at exceptionally high risk due to asbestos used extensively in ship construction through the 1970s. Army, Air Force, and Marine veterans working in construction or on bases also face elevated risk.

Industries with Highest Asbestos Exposure

These industries accounted for the vast majority of asbestos-related disease in the United States.

Industry	Key Locations	Peak Era	How Exposure Occurred	Risk
Oil Refining & Petrochemical	Texas Gulf Coast, LA, CA, NJ	1940–1978	Pipe lagging, boiler insulation, heat exchangers, valve packing	Highest
Shipbuilding & Repair	Gulf Coast, Pacific NW, Puget Sound, Philadelphia	1930–1975	Engine room insulation, pipe lagging, deck tiles, bulkheads	Highest
Construction & Insulation	Nationwide	1920–1978	Fireproofing spray, joint compound, floor tiles, ceiling tiles, roofing	Very High
Power Generation	Nationwide	1945–1980	Boiler insulation, turbine wrap, electrical insulation, switchgear	Very High
Chemical Manufacturing	Texas, Louisiana, NJ, WV	1950–1980	Pipe and reactor insulation, gaskets, pump packing	High
Steel & Iron Production	Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana	1920–1980	Blast furnace insulation, fireproofing, welding blankets	High
Railroad	Nationwide	1920–1970	Locomotive insulation, brake shoes, boiler wrap, caboose insulation	High
Automotive	Nationwide	1930–1980	Brake pads, clutch facings, gaskets (mechanics at highest risk)	Moderate
Mining	Montana (Libby), WV, PA	1920–1990	Vermiculite contamination (Libby, MT), natural asbestos in mines	High
Military (Navy)	All naval installations	1930–1975	Ship construction and repair, same products as civilian shipyards	Highest

Common Asbestos-Containing Products

Thousands of commercial products contained asbestos. Many are still present in older buildings and equipment.

Category	Products
Insulation	Pipe lagging, boiler block insulation, thermal insulation blankets, asbestos rope / gaskets
Flooring & Ceiling	Floor tiles (9" vinyl), floor tile adhesive, ceiling tiles, acoustic plaster
Roofing & Siding	Asphalt shingles, asbestos-cement siding (transite), roofing felt, caulks & sealants
Industrial	Fireproofing spray (CAFCO/Monokote), refractory cement, brake linings, high-temp gaskets
Building Construction	Joint compound (drywall mud), spray-applied fireproofing, wallboard, plaster

Most Exposed Occupations

Occupation	Exposure Source	Risk Level
Pipefitters & Insulators	Worked directly with asbestos pipe insulation daily	Highest
Shipyard Workers	Engine rooms and hulls contained heavy asbestos use until mid-1970s	Highest
Boilermakers	Boiler insulation and refractory work created dense fiber clouds	Very High
Electricians	Electrical insulation, switchgear, and wiring in industrial settings	High
Railroad Workers	Locomotive insulation and brake components throughout the mid-20th century	High
Construction Workers	Drywall compound, flooring, fireproofing spray in pre-1980 buildings	High
Plumbers	Pipe insulation, asbestos cement pipe, valve packing	High
Auto Mechanics	Brake pads, clutch facings, gasket replacement and resurfacing	Moderate–High

Browse Asbestos Exposure Sites by State

Select your state to find documented exposure sites mapped to your specific city and neighborhood.

State	Key Industries	Sites Documented	Notes
Texas	Oil refining, shipbuilding, chemical plants, military bases	1,200+	280+ neighborhoods; Gulf Coast concentration
Louisiana	Cancer Alley refineries, shipyards, oil field	820+	1-year SOL — act immediately after diagnosis
California	Shipyards (Bay Area, San Diego), aerospace, construction	950+	Hunter’s Point, Richmond, Long Beach shipyards
Pennsylvania	Steel mills, shipbuilding (Philadelphia), coal	780+	Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Pittsburgh steel
Washington	Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Boeing, aluminum	420+	Bremerton shipyard; PSNS is top Navy exposure site
West Virginia	Chemical plants (Kanawha Valley), coal, steel	380+	Union Carbide, DuPont, Monsanto Kanawha Valley plants

Asbestos Exposure Questions

What is asbestos and why is it dangerous?

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring mineral fibers prized for heat resistance, strength, and insulating properties. It is dangerous because its microscopic fibers, once inhaled or ingested, permanently embed in body tissues. The body cannot expel them. Over 20–50 years, embedded fibers cause chronic inflammation, DNA mutations, and ultimately mesothelioma, asbestosis, or lung cancer. There is no established safe level of exposure.

Which jobs have the highest mesothelioma risk from asbestos?

Pipefitters and insulators carry the highest risk because they worked directly with asbestos pipe insulation on a daily basis. Shipyard workers, boilermakers, electricians, plumbers, construction workers, and railroad workers all face significantly elevated risk. Oil refinery and chemical plant workers are also in the highest-risk category due to the density of asbestos insulation in those facilities.

Can family members get mesothelioma from secondhand asbestos exposure?

Yes. Secondhand or “take-home” asbestos exposure occurs when industrial workers carry asbestos fibers home on their clothing, skin, and hair. Family members who launder work clothes or live with asbestos workers can inhale or ingest fibers and develop mesothelioma decades later. This is a legally recognized form of asbestos exposure, and affected family members can file their own mesothelioma claims.

How do I prove my asbestos exposure if I don’t know the exact products?

Experienced mesothelioma attorneys use employment records, union records, Social Security earnings statements, co-worker testimony, and facility historical records to reconstruct exposure histories. Many exposure sites and products are already documented in litigation databases. You do not need to remember brand names — attorneys identify responsible manufacturers based on your work history and facilities.

Asbestos Exposure Sites by Neighborhood