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Asbestos cement plant workers mixed, formed and distributed cement products that often included asbestos. Part of their job was to stir asbestos into the cement mixture, cast it into blocks and service the machinery used in manufacturing. This work caused many cement workers to develop mesothelioma.
Written by Michelle Whitmer | Scientifically Reviewed By Arti Shukla, Ph.D. | Edited By Walter Pacheco | Last Update: March 25, 2024
Asbestos cement workers were employed in cement plants and asbestos cement product manufacturing plants. This work involved direct exposure to raw asbestos and required workers to handle and transport the finished asbestos cement products.
Occupational asbestos exposure was a continuous problem in an asbestos cement product factory, but one of the most serious risks was the arrival of the raw mineral, which came in sealed bags that were opened by hand. Another dangerous source of exposure was the stacking of asbestos cement sheet products, which emitted toxic dust into the air. A dust-reducing coating was sometimes applied to the surface of these products.
Another part of the manufacturing process that released significant amounts of dust was transferring the products to the shipping department. Products were placed in bucket elevators and conveyors at certain plants, which meant that fibers could easily circulate throughout the facility.
Family members who lived with asbestos cement workers and those in similar occupations, such as construction workers, have also developed asbestos-related illnesses from secondhand asbestos exposure. Workers unknowingly carried asbestos fibers home on their clothing, shoes, skin and hair, leading to the exposure of anyone who lived in the home.
Today, American manufacturers no longer make asbestos cement products. Internationally, more than 90% of the world’s asbestos is used to make asbestos cement sheets for roofing and asbestos cement pipes for plumbing and industrial uses. No government agency is currently testing these imported materials to ensure they do not contain asbestos.
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Get Help NowAsbestos was added to a many cement products. Although the products often were 90% cement and 10% asbestos, it was enough to make the mix dangerous. The fibers were wet-mixed into the cement before it was formed and cured to create the final product.
The final, hardened mixture could be made into blocks and flat or corrugated sheets from which cement roofing slates were formed. It could also be molded into tiles, vents, gutters or pressure pipes. The products were used as coverings for boilers, furnaces, stills and pipes. Other cement products included compounds that were marketed as a roof repair material and cement sealants for use in chimneys, skylights and shingles.
Cement plant workers may have manufactured or handled the following asbestos cement products:
Cement blocks and cinderblocks were both made with asbestos to make them stronger and fireproof.
Asbestos cement was used as a patching compound and sealant in and around heat sources. It was also used as a roofing adhesive to install asbestos-containing roofing shingles and corrugated sheets.
Asbestos concrete pipes were used in municipal water, wastewater and stormwater systems throughout the U.S. until the mid-20th century.
Asbestos cement countertops were used in laboratories because asbestos is resistant to heat and chemical corrosion.
This asbestos product was used to seal and repair furnaces.
Asbestos cement was formed into gutters used along roadsides and as splash gutters for home exteriors.
Concrete masonry served as a bonding agent that held concrete blocks and cinderblocks together, and it contained asbestos to prevent cracking in the finished product.
Asbestos cement panels and boards were used as walls of insulation next to heat sources such as electrical boxes.
Asbestos cement pipes were widely used in residential homes, commercial buildings and industrial facilities. They were also used in plumbing and for various municipal and utility uses.
Asbestos cement pipe coverings protected pipes from extreme heat and served as a form of insulation.
Asbestos cement sheets were used as insulation and roofing materials. Flat sheets were used around heat sources, and corrugated sheets are still used internationally as a roofing material.
Asbestos cement roofing shingles and siding reduced the risk of fire in homes and other buildings.
Asbestos was added to stove cement, which served as a liner for wood-burning stoves.
Asbestos cement tiles could handle harsh conditions and were often used outdoors on patios and to create exterior walkways.
Some of the asbestos industry’s biggest companies employed cement workers to manufacture asbestos cement products, including Johns Manville, Gold Bond and W.R. Grace. Many of these companies filed for bankruptcy under the weight of asbestos litigation and created asbestos trust funds to compensate future victims.
These companies included:
Scientific studies have reported increased rates of asbestos-related diseases among asbestos cement workers in the U.S. and globally. According to a 2022 report by the European Commission, over 70,000 workers died in 2019 from past exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos exposure causes other cancers, including lung cancer, ovarian cancer and laryngeal cancer. It also causes another incurable and deadly disease known as asbestosis, which involves progressive scarring of lung tissue.
It you were exposed to products containing asbestos and have been diagnosed with any asbestos-related disease, it is important to find a doctor specializing in your diagnosis. Seeking treatment from a specialist at a top cancer center will get you access to innovative treatments that may help you live longer.
We have more than 50 years of combined experience helping mesothelioma patients.
Chat NowAsbestos cement workers have successfully filed lawsuits against manufacturers of the products that caused them to develop diseases such as mesothelioma, other asbestos-related illnesses and cancers.
A cement workers’ lawyer who also specializes in mesothelioma and asbestos litigation has the expertise to guide you on the types of legal claims you may qualify to file. For example, you may be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit in addition to asbestos trust fund claims. If you’ve lost a loved one, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim to help cover medical costs, lost wages and funeral expenses.
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Whitmer, M. (2024, March 25). Cement Plant Workers and Asbestos. Asbestos.com. Retrieved October 28, 2024, from https://www.asbestos.com/occupations/cement-plant-workers/
Whitmer, Michelle. "Cement Plant Workers and Asbestos." Asbestos.com, 25 Mar 2024, https://www.asbestos.com/occupations/cement-plant-workers/.
Whitmer, Michelle. "Cement Plant Workers and Asbestos." Asbestos.com. Last modified March 25, 2024. https://www.asbestos.com/occupations/cement-plant-workers/.
An occupational scientist or another expert who specializes in occupational hazards reviewed the content on this page to ensure it meets current scientific standards and accuracy.
Please read our editorial guidelines to learn more about our content creation and review process.
Arti Shukla, Ph.D., is an internationally renowned asbestos researcher known for her achievements in identifying biomarkers that cause mesothelioma. She is the director of the Shukla Research Lab, as well as a professor of pathology at The University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine.
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