Textile Mill Workers and Asbestos

How Are Textile Mill Workers Exposed to Asbestos?

Textile mill workers who made asbestos textiles faced the highest level of exposure to asbestos because they directly handled asbestos fibers. They also worked around asbestos products used to construct mills and insulate machinery.

Those who worked in mills producing asbestos-free textiles did not directly handle asbestos fibers, but they were exposed to asbestos products installed throughout textile mills. Some of these products included asbestos gaskets, valves, packing material and insulation.  

 Before strict regulations on asbestos were implemented, the process of converting asbestos into usable fabric involved many different workers and locations throughout the mill. Workers moved asbestos from storage areas in the mill and mixed it with cotton. It was then piled, which meant cotton and asbestos were placed in alternating layers on the floor and then fed to a picker machine.

This step was followed by carding, the arranging of cotton and asbestos fibers in parallel rows. The asbestos cards were then spun into yarn and wound around spools. This process created an environment in which heavy asbestos exposure was possible. The material was weaved, crocheted or knitted into completely or partially finished products.

It was common for fibers to become disturbed throughout this manufacturing process. The distribution was greatest during the weaving process. Threads would rub together and produce dust and lint, which dispersed asbestos fibers into the air.

Textile mill workers were also exposed to asbestos used for insulation purposes, such as asbestos cement that insulated panels of drying machines. Weaving machinery and boilers also contained asbestos insulation. Because most machinery used to create textile products was insulated with asbestos, all textile workers who had a hand in the manufacturing of textile products were at risk of exposure.

Asbestos Products Associated with Textile Mills

Workers at mills that manufactured asbestos textiles were exposed to asbestos fibers as they combined, carded and spun asbestos fiber into yarn. Workers were exposed again when they pressed, wove, crocheted or knitted asbestos yarn into textile products.

Exposure was highest at mills where fire-resistant products were made because higher amounts of asbestos were used in these products, which included fire curtains, roofing felts, welding blankets, fireproof safety clothing, oven mitts and potholders.

Workers at mills that manufactured non-asbestos textiles were exposed to asbestos building materials, equipment parts and insulation. For example, mills were constructed with asbestos cement panels, asbestos pipes and asbestos flooring tiles. Over time these materials can degrade or sustain damage, which releases asbestos fibers into the workspace.

Fabric-weaving machinery, drying machines and boilers were insulated with different types of asbestos insulation. This equipment often contained asbestos gaskets, valves and packing material. Workers who maintained and repaired mill machinery and equipment faced the most dangerous levels of exposure.

Manufacturers of Products Textile Mill Workers Used

Manufacturers using asbestos in products for textile mills included big companies such as Johns Manville and smaller companies such as Thermoid Corp.

Textile Mill Workers and Mesothelioma

Scientific research on textile mill workers shows they develop asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, ovarian cancer and asbestosis, at higher rates than the general population. According to a 2022 report by the European Commission, over 70,000 workers died in 2019 from past exposure to asbestos.

After asbestos fibers are inhaled, many are expelled, but some can become lodged in organ tissues and remain there for a lifetime. The accumulation of fibers can cause inflammation and scarring that may lead to the development of mesothelioma cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses.

If you worked at a textile mill, make sure to monitor your health and tell your doctor about your asbestos exposure history. If you develop respiratory or digestive problems, ask your doctor about asbestos cancer screenings. Diagnosing these conditions early opens up treatment possibilities that may be more effective at improving survival. Find a doctor specializing in your disease to ensure you receive the best treatment.

Several studies have documented the link between exposure to asbestos in textile mills and asbestos-related diseases.

Legal Options for Textile Mill Workers Exposed to Asbestos

Textile mill workers have successfully sued manufacturers of asbestos products and owners of textile mills, including Avondale Mills, Coats & Clark textile mill, DuPont, Hogansville Stark Mill, J.P. Stevens textile mill, Regal Textile, Southern Asbestos Company Mills, Southern Textile Corp. and Raymark Industries, the manufacturer of Raybestos brand asbestos cloth.

Workers who developed mesothelioma may be eligible to file personal injury lawsuits and trust fund claims. Those who lost a loved one to mesothelioma may qualify to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

Textile mill asbestos lawsuits are complex and should be handled by an experienced mesothelioma lawyer. Depending upon where you worked and the products you were exposed to, you may be eligible to file claims against asbestos manufacturers or the textile mills where you worked.

Recommended Reading