Welders and Mesothelioma

Why Welders Were Exposed to Asbestos

Welding creates intense heat and sparks. Historically, asbestos was used throughout industrial workplaces to control heat and reduce fire risk. That overlap put welders near asbestos materials in multiple ways:

• Welding near insulated pipes, boilers, furnaces, and process equipment
• Welding in confined spaces where dust concentrates
• Working during shutdowns and turnarounds when insulation and gaskets are removed
• Welding sparks disturbing brittle or damaged asbestos insulation
• Working alongside insulators, pipefitters, boilermakers, and maintenance crews who were actively disturbing asbestos materials

For a broad overview of workplace risk, see occupational asbestos exposure and legacy asbestos exposure.

Where Asbestos Exposure Happened for Welders

Welders were most often exposed in industrial settings where asbestos was built into the environment.

Insulation and Fireproofing Around Hot Equipment

Welders commonly worked near high-heat systems using asbestos insulation, including:

If insulation was old, damaged, or disturbed during repairs, fibers could be released into the air where welding was occurring.

Gaskets, Packing, and Sealing Materials

Even when welders were not removing insulation, they often worked around equipment maintenance involving asbestos gaskets and packing. Exposure could occur when nearby crews:

These tasks can create airborne dust in the same work zones where welders are stationed.

Welding Blankets, Protective Materials, and Heat Shields

Some older protective products used around hot work historically contained asbestos or were contaminated with the dangerous mineral. In addition, welders often worked near heat-resistant boards, wraps, and shields used to protect equipment and structures.

Dust in Enclosed Shops and Confined Spaces

Welders frequently work in areas where dust can build up and circulate, such as:

If asbestos was disturbed in those spaces, fibers could remain suspended longer and be inhaled more easily.

Welding Rods

Welding and the use of welding rods are common in numerous American industries. Any jobs that require adjusting the shape of metal or combining two pieces likely involves a welding rod. Railroad, automobile repair, power plant and construction work are just a few industries involving metal or steel objects and parts.

Welding was one of the top uses of asbestos during the 20th century, when asbestos was considered safe by the general public. While asbestos protected welding equipment, it was harmful for the workers who used welding rods and anyone who was in the vicinity — essentially everyone who was a welder by profession could experience occupational asbestos exposure.

Job Settings Where Welders Faced High Asbestos Exposure Risk

Welders can be exposed in many industries. Historically high-risk environments include:

Refineries and Chemical Plants

Welders in these settings often worked during turnarounds and shutdowns, where insulation and gaskets were frequently disturbed.

Power Plants

Boiler and turbine work often involved insulated steam systems, gaskets, and high-heat equipment.

Shipyards and Navy Work

Ship construction and repair used asbestos heavily for insulation and fireproofing, and welding was central to shipyard work and building Navy ships.

Steel Mills and Heavy Industry

High-temperature equipment, refractory systems, and industrial insulation created multiple exposure pathways.

Construction and Commercial Retrofit Projects

Welders working on old commercial and industrial buildings may have encountered asbestos in fireproofing, insulation, and building materials disturbed during renovation.

Welding Tasks Increasing Exposure Risk

Certain tasks and job conditions made exposure more likely, especially in old facilities built and operating during the 20th century:

• Welding near deteriorating pipe insulation
• Cutting or grinding metal near insulated joints, valves, and flanges
• Working during shutdowns when asbestos materials are removed
• Hot work that shakes loose dust from insulated surfaces
• Working in confined spaces with poor ventilation
• Cleanup activity that re suspends settled dust

Many welders report that their exposure was indirect, meaning asbestos was present in the environment and disturbed by surrounding trades.

Types of Welders Exposed to Asbestos

Any welding type used before the 1980s was likely to involve asbestos and the release of sharp, dangerous fibers to be inhaled or swallowed by welders. The types of welding used during this period were:

• Stick/Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
• MIG/Gas Metal Arc Welding
• TIG/Gas Tungsten Arc Welding

These types of welding often featured asbestos-coated electrodes on rods.

Mesothelioma Risk and Latency for Welders

Mesothelioma is a cancer that forms in the lining around the lungs (pleural) or abdomen (peritoneal). A key challenge is latency. Symptoms often appear many years after asbestos exposure, which is why diagnoses commonly occur long after a person has left welding work or retired.

Common Mesothelioma Symptoms

Symptoms for mesothelioma vary by type and can resemble other illnesses.

Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms

If you welded in industrial settings and have developed symptoms, tell your doctor about your work history, including job sites and whether you worked near insulated systems.

Summary of Medical Diagnoses From Asbestos Exposure for Welders

Asbestos is linked to several types of cancer, most notably mesothelioma and lung cancer. Asbestos exposure can also cause asbestosis, which is a lung-scarring condition.

Mesothelioma and asbestosis are both more common among welders than the general population.

Mesothelioma Among Welders

The presence of asbestos in welding equipment causes a heightened risk of asbestos-related diseases among welders. The primary concern is a rare cancer called mesothelioma. It can be difficult to diagnose and treat, which often leads to poor survival.

Mesothelioma forms in the lining of the lungs or abdomen. These narrow linings are difficult to enter, but sharp asbestos fibers are tiny enough to infiltrate and get stuck in the cell linings. The fibers can irritate the cells and cause them to mutate, which leads to a tumor.

This rare cancer is only diagnosed in approximately 2,500 people in the U.S. each year. However, the majority of the cases involve people who once worked jobs involving asbestos exposure. Welding is one of the top occupations for asbestos exposure.

In an American Journal of Epidemiology report, welders had an increased risk of developing mesothelioma. Safety and Health at Work published similar findings about welders and mesothelioma.

A study published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine details how welders often retain asbestos fibers near their lungs. Researchers analyzed 211 welders and found that 82 (39%) had elevated levels of asbestos particles in lung tissue or fluid samples.

Researchers and Georgetown University and Duke University quantified the mesothelioma risk among steel and metal workers. Out of 1,445 occupation-related cases of mesothelioma, they found 43 cases involving welders. This occupation ranked 9th among all types of jobs, trailing high-exposure jobs like construction, shipyard workers, electricians and more.

Other Reports of Welders With Mesothelioma Cancer

There are reported cases of mesothelioma among welders. For instance, Lincoln Electric, founded in 1906, makes arc-welding rods and other cutting equipment. The company faces multiple legal claims alleging their equipment exposed people to asbestos.

According to the company’s annual report in 2019, more than 3,000 people have filed claims against Lincoln Electric. As of December 31, 2019, Lincoln Electric was a co-defendant in cases alleging asbestos induced illness involving claims by approximately 3,233 plaintiffs. Since 1995, the company has faced approximately 56,000 asbestos-related legal claims, many of which were mesothelioma lawsuits.

The company stopped using asbestos in its welding equipment in 1981, but mesothelioma’s decades-long latency period means welders from the 1970s may just learn they have the cancer. Even more recent welders from the 1980s, 1990s or 2000s could still have used old Lincoln Electric welding equipment, unaware that asbestos is present or dangerous to their health.

Does Asbestos Exposure Still Happen for Welders Today?

The risk of asbestos exposure today is generally lower than decades ago, but exposure can still occur when welding work involves old facilities, old equipment, or renovation projects where legacy asbestos is present. Exposure risk rises during:

• Industrial shutdowns and modernization projects
• Maintenance work in older power plants, refineries, and factories
• Demolition or retrofit work in older buildings
• Work in confined spaces where dust control is limited

Legal Options for Welders Diagnosed With Mesothelioma

Welders with mesothelioma may qualify for compensation from filing legal claims against the people responsible for their asbestos exposure. Many cases focus on asbestos product manufacturers and suppliers rather than employers. The legal strategy typically starts by identifying the job sites, the types of equipment worked on, and which asbestos materials were present.

Mesothelioma Lawsuits

A lawsuit may be filed against companies that made or supplied asbestos-containing insulation, gaskets, packing, fireproofing, or other materials present at work sites. Evidence often includes:

• Work history and job sites
• Tasks performed and the environments worked in
• Coworker statements that confirm conditions
• Medical documentation confirming diagnosis

Asbestos Trust Fund Claims

Many asbestos companies established bankruptcy trust funds. These are bank accounts created to compensate victims after the responsible company has gone bankrupt. The process for payment is usually quicker from a trust fund than a lawsuit. Courts expedite payment since the money is set aside.

Verdicts and Settlements

Some mesothelioma cases go to trial and result in significant verdicts, while many are resolved through settlements depending on the facts and jurisdiction. Settlements can be less stressful for welders with mesothelioma since they are not dependent on a judge or jury ruling in their favor.

What Welders Should Document for an Exposure and Legal Review

You do not need perfect records to start the process of filing a legal claim or meeting with an asbestos exposure lawyer. Helpful details include:

• Employers and union information
• Job sites and facility names where you welded
• Years worked and typical job assignments
• Whether you welded during shutdowns or major repairs
• Work near insulated piping, boilers, turbines, furnaces, or process units
• Names of coworkers or supervisors who can confirm job conditions
• Any known brands or materials, if remembered
• Medical records confirming diagnosis, including pathology reports

If you want to connect work history to job sites, see asbestos exposure sites.