05/28/2026
Pipefitters played a critical role in building and maintaining infrastructure. Many worked with materials that contained asbestos.
Before the mid-1980s, asbestos was commonly used in:
- Pipe insulation
- Gaskets and valves
- Boilers and tanks
- Joint compounds and sealants
Daily tasks like cutting into pipes, removing insulation, or performing maintenance disturbed these materials and released asbestos fibers into the air.
Because of this, pipefitters have face an increased risk of developing diseases like mesothelioma, often decades after exposure.