Overview
Sheet metal workers, skilled tradespeople who fabricate and install HVAC systems, ductwork, and metal structures, faced significant asbestos exposure throughout the 20th century. Working with insulated ductwork, near asbestos fireproofing, and in mechanical spaces filled with asbestos materials put sheet metal workers at elevated risk for mesothelioma.
Asbestos in Sheet Metal Work
| Product | Asbestos Content | Exposure Level |
|---|---|---|
| Duct insulation | 15-30% | High |
| Duct liner/lining | 10-25% | High |
| Vibration dampeners | Variable | Moderate |
| Fire stops/barriers | 15-40% | Moderate |
| Flexible connectors | Variable | Moderate |
How Sheet Metal Workers Were Exposed
HVAC Work
Sheet metal workers installed and maintained HVAC systems:
- Cutting and fitting ductwork insulated with asbestos
- Removing old ductwork with deteriorated insulation
- Working in air handler rooms filled with asbestos
- Installing diffusers and registers near asbestos ceiling tiles
Bystander Exposure
Sheet metal workers often worked in areas where other trades disturbed asbestos:
- Insulators applying spray insulation
- Pipefitters working on insulated pipes
- Demolition creating airborne asbestos dust
HVAC work frequently took place in confined mechanical spaces where asbestos fibers accumulated to high concentrations.
Industries Employing Sheet Metal Workers
Sheet metal workers built and serviced HVAC systems across commercial construction (office buildings and retail), industrial facilities with factory HVAC, shipyards fabricating ship ventilation, power plants with dense ductwork, and institutional schools, hospitals, and government buildings. Between 1940 and 1980, commercial and institutional specs routinely called for asbestos duct wrap and Kaylo board from Owens Corning and Johns Manville.
Related Occupations
Sheet metal workers worked alongside:
- Insulators, Duct insulation
- Electricians, Building systems
- Pipefitters, Mechanical rooms
- Carpenters, Building construction
- Roofers, Rooftop HVAC
Health Consequences
Sheet metal workers with asbestos exposure face elevated risk of mesothelioma, a cancer of the chest or abdominal lining; asbestosis, a progressive scarring of the lungs; lung cancer, with risk multiplied among smokers; and pleural disease that thickens the lining around the lungs.
Sheet metal workers today face asbestos exposure when working on older HVAC systems. Any building constructed before 1980 may have asbestos duct insulation.
Legal Options
Sheet metal workers diagnosed with mesothelioma typically pursue several tracks in parallel. Manufacturers of HVAC products containing asbestos, including Johns Manville and Owens Corning, established asbestos trust funds through bankruptcy reorganization. Trust claims often run alongside product-liability suits against solvent duct-insulation manufacturers, premises-liability claims against building owners, VA benefits for military service exposure, and workers’ compensation through a former employer. A trial lawyer can help identify compensation sources based on specific work history and product exposure.