Overview
Pipefitters — skilled tradespeople who install, repair, and maintain piping systems — faced extensive asbestos exposure throughout the 20th century. Working alongside insulators and handling asbestos-containing gaskets, valves, and packing materials put pipefitters at very high risk for mesothelioma.
Pipefitters faced asbestos exposure from two sources: the asbestos products they directly handled (gaskets, packing, valve components) and proximity to insulators applying asbestos insulation to the pipes they installed.
Primary Exposure Sources
| Product | Application | Exposure Level |
|---|---|---|
| Pipe gaskets | Sealed pipe connections | Very High |
| Valve packing | Sealed valve stems | Very High |
| Flange gaskets | Sealed flange joints | High |
| Pump packing | Sealed pump shafts | High |
| Pipe insulation | Bystander exposure | High |
| Pipe joint compound | Thread sealing | Moderate |
How Pipefitters Were Exposed
Gasket Work
Pipefitters commonly cut gaskets from sheet gasket material containing 60–90% asbestos. This required:
- Measuring and marking gasket material
- Cutting with utility knives or punches
- Scraping old gaskets off flange faces
- Wire brushing mating surfaces
Each step released asbestos fibers into the breathing zone.
Valve Maintenance
Valve packing — braided asbestos rope used to seal valve stems — required regular replacement. Pipefitters removed old packing and installed new material, handling asbestos directly.
Industries Where Pipefitters Worked
Pipefitters were essential in industries with extensive piping systems:
- Power plants: Steam and water systems
- Oil refineries: Process piping
- Chemical plants: Corrosive fluid systems
- Shipyards: Ship piping systems
- Commercial HVAC: Heating and cooling piping
Related Occupations
These trades faced similar asbestos exposure:
- Steamfitters — High-pressure steam systems
- Plumbers — Water and drainage systems
- Boilermakers — Boiler piping connections
- Insulators — Pipe insulation installation
- Millwrights — Industrial machinery piping
Health Risks
Pipefitters with asbestos exposure are at increased risk for:
- Mesothelioma: Cancer of the lung or abdominal lining
- Asbestosis: Progressive lung scarring
- Lung cancer: Especially combined with smoking
- Pleural plaques: Calcified scarring on lung lining
Mesothelioma typically develops 20–50 years after asbestos exposure. Pipefitters who worked in the 1960s–1980s are now in the peak diagnosis period.
Legal Options
Pipefitters diagnosed with mesothelioma may pursue compensation through:
Asbestos Trust Funds
Manufacturers of gaskets and packing materials have established trusts:
- Garlock Sealing Technologies Trust
- John Crane Trust
- Various insulation manufacturer trusts
Other Claims
- Product liability lawsuits: Against gasket and packing makers
- Premises liability: Against facility owners
- VA benefits: For military-related exposure
- Workers’ compensation: Through employer coverage
An experienced attorney can help identify all potential sources of compensation based on your specific work history and product exposure.