Despite regulations and growing awareness about its dangers, asbestos exposure remains a lingering hazard in many industries. For decades, asbestos was a go-to material across construction, shipbuilding, and manufacturing because of its strength and resistance to heat and corrosion.
Unfortunately, the same fibers that made it so useful have also made it deadly. Inhaled asbestos can become lodged in the lungs, leading to diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer years—or even decades—after initial exposure.
While the use of asbestos has declined, certain occupations still carry a high risk of encountering it on the job.
Why Asbestos Is Still a Threat Today
Though many asbestos products have been banned or restricted, existing materials in older buildings, vehicles, ships, and equipment remain in use. This means workers in particular fields continue to face a risk of exposure, especially when disturbing or repairing structures that contain asbestos insulation, flooring, piping, or roofing.
The danger doesn’t come from casual contact but from inhaling airborne asbestos fibers, which can become a health threat during demolition, renovation, or repair work. The risk level varies depending on the job’s nature, the equipment’s or building’s age, and the safety protocols in place.
Employers are required to follow federal safety standards, including those set by OSHA, but lapses in training, equipment, or oversight can still put workers at risk.
Construction Workers and Demolition Crews
Perhaps no group faces more consistent exposure risk than those in the construction industry.
Workers tasked with remodeling or demolishing older buildings often encounter asbestos in insulation, floor tiles, roofing materials, joint compounds, and cement products. Tearing down or drilling into these materials can release fibers into the air. While newer construction is less likely to contain asbestos, any structure built before the 1980s may have it in multiple areas.
Without proper containment and respirators, workers can unknowingly breathe in dangerous particles. Even short-term exposure during a poorly managed demolition project can lead to long-term consequences.
Shipyard and Maritime Workers
Asbestos played a major role in shipbuilding throughout much of the 20th century. It was used to insulate boilers, pipes, engines, and bulkheads. Shipyard workers, particularly those involved in maintenance and repair, often worked in confined spaces filled with asbestos-laced components.
Sailors, mechanics, and engineers who served on older vessels may have been exposed without even knowing it.
Even today, maritime maintenance crews who refurbish older commercial or military ships remain vulnerable if they aren’t following strict safety measures.
Industrial and Factory Workers
Workers in older industrial plants also face elevated asbestos risks. Manufacturing facilities once relied on asbestos to insulate high-heat machinery such as furnaces, ovens, and boilers.
It also appeared in conveyor belts, gaskets, brake pads, and electrical panels. Maintenance crews in these environments often handle old equipment, potentially disturbing asbestos in the process. In some cases, poor ventilation and long hours inside enclosed factory buildings only increase the likelihood of exposure.
Electricians and Plumbers
Tradespeople such as electricians and plumbers frequently encounter asbestos while cutting into walls, ceilings, or crawl spaces.
Older homes and commercial buildings often contain asbestos-insulated wiring, pipe wraps, and heating systems. Plumbers may disturb asbestos insulation wrapped around hot water pipes, while electricians might come across asbestos in fuse boxes or electrical panels.
Because their work requires physical manipulation of older infrastructure, these trades are at particular risk if proper precautions aren’t taken.
Auto Mechanics
Though less obvious, automotive work can also involve asbestos exposure, especially for those who service older vehicles.
For years, brake pads, clutches, and gaskets were made with asbestos due to its ability to resist high heat. Grinding or replacing these parts can release fibers into the air. Many long-term mechanics may have experienced exposure throughout their careers, especially before the health risks became widely known.
Even today, some imported auto parts may still contain asbestos, creating a potential hazard for unaware technicians.
Firefighters and Emergency Responders
Firefighters face unexpected asbestos risks when entering burning or collapsed buildings. During fires, asbestos-containing materials can break apart or burn, releasing fibers into the air.
Responders entering these areas to rescue victims or contain damage may breathe in asbestos unknowingly. Protective gear can help reduce exposure, but the chaotic nature of emergency response means that dangers often emerge without warning. The health risks to firefighters can be cumulative over years of responding to emergencies in aging infrastructure.
Military Veterans
Many veterans, especially those who served in the Navy or worked in military construction, were exposed to asbestos during their service.
Ships, submarines, barracks, and aircraft all contained asbestos insulation and parts. Veterans who worked in maintenance or engineering roles often had prolonged exposure, and many have developed asbestos-related diseases later in life. Despite knowing the risks, the military continued to use asbestos well into the 1980s.
Today, many veterans face challenges receiving benefits for asbestos-related conditions unless they can prove the connection to their service.
Protecting Workers from Exposure
The good news is that awareness about asbestos has led to better regulations, training, and protective equipment. Employers must follow OSHA guidelines, which require hazard communication, personal protective equipment, and containment strategies for any work involving asbestos.
Licensed abatement teams are now used to remove asbestos safely, and workers are trained to recognize warning signs before starting a job.
Still, incidents happen when corners are cut, or older buildings aren’t properly surveyed before work begins. The safest course of action is always preparing materials before demolition, wearing appropriate respirators, and containing the workspace to prevent fibers from spreading.
While asbestos exposure has declined thanks to better laws and practices, it remains a very real risk in several industries. Construction workers, shipyard employees, factory laborers, tradespeople, mechanics, firefighters, and veterans all share a common thread: they’ve faced higher odds of encountering asbestos in the course of doing their jobs.
For many, that exposure didn’t seem dangerous at the time, but the consequences can surface years later in the form of serious illness.
At Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan, we believe that understanding these risks and taking preventive steps is the best way to protect today’s workforce and support those already affected.
If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos on the job, we can help.