Written By: Devin Golden
Asbestos Exposure for Roofers and Siders
Roofers and siders are part of the construction industry. For many decades during the 20th century, these two occupations involved regular exposure to asbestos. The deadly mineral was used on roofing shingles, sealants, adhesives, paint and more. Unfortunately, occupational asbestos exposure for roofers and siders can lead to an aggressive cancer called mesothelioma.
Reviewed By
Retired LCDR Carl Jewett
VA-Accredited Claims Agent
Reviewed By
Retired LCDR Carl Jewett
VA-Accredited Claims Agent
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Important Facts About Asbestos Exposure for Roofers and Siders
- Roofers and siders were exposed to asbestos through using asbestos-containing materials, such as roof shingles, mastics, adhesives, siding and more. Roofers and siders could also be exposed to asbestos from working near other construction occupations involving asbestos.
- Asbestos is fire-resistant and durable, which is why it was manufactured in roofing and siding materials. Asbestos was capable of helping maintain the strength of roof shingles and controlling fire damage for buildings.
- Exposure to asbestos can lead to a rare and aggressive cancer called mesothelioma. Asbestos can also cause lung cancer and other types of cancer.
Overview of Roofing and Siding Occupations
Roofers install shingles, asphalt, metal, or other materials on roofs of homes, offices and other buildings to make the roof weatherproof. Roofers are hired to replace, repair, and install the roofs of buildings, using a variety of materials, including shingles and metal. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were approximately 159,000 roofers in the U.S. as of 2021.
Siders apply siding and install doors and windows to exterior wall panels of homes, offices and other buildings. They lay out the siding on sheathing and use a saw to cut siding to fit predetermined spaces. They then position, align and fasten windows and doors into openings in the wall exterior.
The different types of roofers include:
- Residential roofers
- Commercial roofers
- Roofers working with metal roofing materials
- Roofers working with asphalt shingle roofing materials
- Roofers working with clay and concrete tile materials
How Asbestos Was Part of Roofing and Siding
Asbestos is a durable mineral and is a fireproofing agent, which made it an appealing substance for many aspects of construction work. Many types of roofing shingles, for instance, were manufactured with asbestos during the 20th century before the workers and general public knew the mineral was dangerous.
Asbestos was also used in adhesives to keep roof shingles connected and in mastics and plastic cements for roofing and siding to prevent water from infiltrating the building. When roofers or siders cut or shaped these materials, they could disturb asbestos and release dangerous fibers into the air.
Roofers and siders used saws or other equipment that could disturb any present asbestos, releasing loose particles into the workspace. Friable asbestos, specifically, is more likely to separate from the source and easily infiltrate the body, leading to cancer.
Roofers and siders also worked near carpenters, insulators, electricians and drywallers, all of whom were construction occupations featuring materials made with asbestos. Any disturbance of asbestos from those jobs can lead to exposure for roofers and siders just by being in the vicinity.
Examples of the actions in roofing that can cause asbestos exposure are:
- Cutting or shaping tiles or shingles
- Fitting tiles or shingles
- Hammering tiles or shingles
Most exposure risks for roofers and siders occurred in the 20th century, when asbestos was a prized element of construction work. Roofers and siders who installed roof shingles and doors or wall panels may have handled materials made with asbestos.
Starting in the 1980s, many companies began finding alternatives to asbestos due to legal liabilities and the general public learning the mineral was linked to cancer. The Environmental Protection Agency took the long-awaited step in March 2024 of banning ongoing uses of chrysotile asbestos. The ban prevents the import, manufacturing, and sale of the most common type of the mineral and the one used for roofing and siding. Therefore, any new construction projects (installing new roof shingles, for instance) won’t involve asbestos.
Asbestos in Roofing and Siding Materials
Roofers and siders often worked with asbestos-contaminated asphalt materials or replaced old asbestos roof materials with new ones.
According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, asbestos-containing materials are any material with more than 1% of asbestos. However, any level of exposure to asbestos can be dangerous and lead to a disease, such as cancer. Roofers and siders should take any amount of asbestos seriously.
According to the Minnesota Department of Health, the following roofing products can contain asbestos:
- Asphalt roofing felt
- Asphalt roofing shingles
- Cement roofing shingles
- Asphalt-containing base flashings
- Roof coatings or underlayment
- Tar paper
- Sealants
- Flashing
Asbestos can be found in the following siding materials:
- Wood shake vapor barriers
- Cement-asbestos board (transite) siding
- “Slate” siding
- Mastics
- Adhesives
- Paint
Health Risks for Roofers and Siders Exposed to Asbestos
Asbestos is not dangerous when it’s intact as a sturdy and stable mineral. However, asbestos is made of tiny fibers – similar to woven fabric – and these fibers can easily splinter and break from the source.
When the fibers break apart, they become dangerous to anyone in the vicinity. They float in the air and can be unknowingly inhaled or swallowed. The fibers are sharp, meaning they can puncture cell linings once they enter the body. Puncturing these cell linings can lead to cancer, such as lung cancer or a rare and aggressive cancer called mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma Among Roofers
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer forming in the lining of the lungs, abdominal cavity and heart. The prognosis of this cancer is poor, and the latency period is 20-50 years (meaning it takes that long after asbestos exposure for tumors to form).
Studies found that mesothelioma rates are higher than usual in roofers and siders.
Identifying Asbestos in Roofing Materials
Legacy asbestos is still a concern for roofers and siders. Legacy asbestos refers to any old asbestos that was installed in an old home or building during the 20th century and has not been removed since then. Roofers and siders may encounter legacy asbestos during repair work, and they should remain cautious.
Roofers curious if asbestos is in roofing materials should contact professionals to conduct tests. Do not try to remove asbestos yourself.
Legal Options for Roofers and Siders With Asbestos Diseases
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and once installed, repaired, or replaced roofing or siding materials in homes, offices and other buildings, you should be compensated to help with medical bills, lost wages and more. You deserve financial help from the companies responsible for manufacturing asbestos-containing materials, such as asphalt shingles, adhesives, tar paper, underlayment and more
This compensation can come from mesothelioma lawsuits or asbestos trust funds, which are bank accounts with money set aside to compensate victims of asbestos diseases. The first step to starting the process for either option is contacting a lawyer to learn about your case and which companies are responsible for your mesothelioma.
Contact our lead patient advocate, Karen Ritter, via email at karen@mesotheliomaguide.com for quick contact with a helpful resource. She can put you in touch with a legal expert or help you find treatment from a top cancer center.
Frequently Asked Questions About Asbestos Exposure for Roofers and Siders
What Are Some Roofing and Siding Materials Made With Asbestos?
The roofing materials made with asbestos include asphalt shingles, cement shingles, asphalt felt, tar paper, roof coatings, and underlayment. Siding materials containing asbestos include mastics, adhesives, paint, and cement-asbestos siding.
How Were Roofers and Siders Exposed to Asbestos?
Asbestos is most dangerous when its disturbed, and construction jobs such as roofing and siding contained a few tasks that could disturb the mineral and release tiny fibers into the air. Roofers and siders used saws or other equipment that could disturb any present asbestos.
What Dangers Does Asbestos Exposure Present for Roofers and Siders?
Asbestos exposure can cause cancer or other deadly diseases for roofers and siders. The diseases caused by asbestos exposure include mesothelioma, lung cancer, and a noncancerous-yet-deadly lung scarring disease called asbestosis. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused solely by asbestos exposure, and roofers or siders with this cancer are entitled to compensation from the companies that caused their exposure.
Sources & Author
- Roofing and Siding: Asbestos. Minnesota Department of Health. Retrieved from: https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/asbestos/homeowner/roofside.html. Accessed: 08/24/2023.
- Roofers. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved from: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/roofers.htm. Accessed: 08/24/2023.
- Asbestos Frequently Asked Questions. Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Retrieved from: https://floridadep.gov/air/permitting-compliance/content/asbestos-faq. Accessed: 08/25/2023.
AI Summary of Asbestos Exposure for Roofers and Siders
This page provides detailed information about asbestos exposure specifically related to the professions of roofing and siding. It explains that during much of the 20th century, many roofing and siding materials contained asbestos due to its fire-resistant and durable properties. These materials included roof shingles, mastics, adhesives, paint, siding, and underlayment. Contractors in these trades faced the risk of inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers when working with or around these products, especially if the materials were old or damaged. Activities such as cutting, shaping, fitting, or hammering on asbestos-containing materials could disturb the asbestos and release dangerous fibers into the air, increasing the health risks for workers in these professions.
The page emphasizes that asbestos was widely used because it helped reinforce the strength of roofing materials and provided fire protection. It also notes that asbestos exposure is linked to serious health conditions, mainly mesothelioma, a rare cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. The risk of developing such diseases depends on the duration and level of exposure, with most cases linked to work done before asbestos use was heavily regulated or banned. Roofers and siders may have encountered legacy asbestos in older buildings, and any disturbance of these materials during repair or removal work could lead to exposure. The content underscores that although asbestos use has been banned or reduced significantly by the 1980s and 2024 respectively, many older structures still contain asbestos, and exposure risk remains when working on or near these materials.
The article also highlights the importance of recognizing the potential presence of asbestos in common roofing and siding products. It mentions that professionals should avoid attempting to handle or remove asbestos-containing materials without proper testing and protective measures. If exposure occurs, individuals diagnosed with related illnesses like mesothelioma may be entitled to legal compensation through lawsuits or asbestos trust funds. The page provides reassurance that resources are available to help affected workers seek justice and medical support. It also encourages those who suspect they may have been exposed to seek professional testing and consult with specialists to better understand their individual risks and health options. Overall, the page aims to inform roofers and siders about their potential exposure risks, the materials involved, and the importance of safety and legal assistance if affected by asbestos-related health issues."