Beaverton Mesothelioma Lawyer

Several occupations put Washington County residents at risk of asbestos exposure, such as:

• Mechanics – Mechanics were exposed to asbestos in products such as clutches, brakes, and gaskets. They were exposed to asbestos during installation and maintenance, particularly if their job involved grinding down parts.
• Pulp & Paper Mill Workers – The paper industry relied heavily on products containing asbestos, including insulation, protective equipment, machinery, and gaskets. Substances used in paper production, including felt and talc, also contained asbestos. Asbestos use was also prevalent in the mills’ walls, ceilings, floor tiles, and more. Thus, pulp and paper mill workers were exposed on the job daily.
• Construction Workers – Demolition and construction workers who did installation and demolition work were exposed to asbestos when cutting materials, installing them, or simply moving them around. Asbestos products were prevalent in almost all building parts, including roofs, siding, tiles, joint compound, insulation, and cement products.
• Shipyard Workers – Shipyard workers were exposed to dangerous asbestos fibers in insulation, pipe coverings, adhesives, and gaskets. Their exposure was often in areas of ships with little circulating air. Private companies and the military also stored large quantities of asbestos-containing materials at shipyards, and buildings contained dangerous asbestos products such as ceiling and floor tiles.
• Electricians – Asbestos was commonly used to insulate and protect wiring. Insulation, cords, wiring, junction boxes, and other materials often contained asbestos. Thus, electricians were exposed to asbestos in homes, schools, industrial settings, shipyards, and other settings. Many older buildings that still contain asbestos, posing an ongoing risk to electricians
• Plumbers and pipefitters – Plumbers and pipefitters often encounter asbestos in insulation, gaskets, valves, pipe cement, and other products. They are most at risk during installation, welding, and pipe repair.
• Firefighters – Fires and building collapses release dangerous fibers from building materials and products, such as insulation around boilers and pipes. Thus, firefighters are often exposed on the job when structures containing asbestos products burn or sustain damage. In addition, manufacturers of safety gear such as suits, gloves, and blankets also used asbestos because of its fire-resistant properties. As that equipment wore down, asbestos fibers were released, exposing firefighters.
• Insulation Workers – Insulators worked with asbestos in walls, ceilings, mechanical systems, and pipes. The exposure occurred at commercial and residential sites, paper mills, and other places where manufacturers touted the strength of asbestos without warning people of its dangers.
• HVAC Workers – HVAC workers were commonly exposed to asbestos fibers in the insulation around HVAC components, gaskets, and other parts. Dangerous asbestos fibers are released during installation and repairs, often in small spaces with little ventilation.