Asbestos in Boilers and Boiler Rooms: Mesothelioma Cancer Risk for Boiler Room Workers

There’s a long list of professions and jobs that featured asbestos for decades.

Boilermakers are near the top of the list due to asbestos in boilers.

The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Shipbuilders and Blacksmiths has a page dedicated to asbestos dangers. Moffitt Cancer Center lists boiler workers as one of the jobs facing the highest risk of asbestos exposure during the 20th century. A scientific journal states pipe and boiler insulation contains more asbestos than any other building material.

Mesothelioma Guide even published an article about a Navy veteran with mesothelioma who worked in the ship’s boiler room.

The facts all point to boiler workers being a troubled group for asbestos diseases like mesothelioma.

 

Use of Asbestos in Boilers and Boiler Rooms

Asbestos is a fire-resistant mineral, which means it was highly valued anywhere a fire was possible. Asbestos became an industrial protectant for wires, pipes, boilers, insulation, ovens and much more.

Boiler rooms were featured on military ships. Also called fire rooms, these locations are where water is brought to a boil before being transferred to the engine room for powering the ship. Boilers require high temperatures, which is why asbestos was in boilers.

The use wasn’t limited just to asbestos in boilers. There were many ways to implement asbestos to prevent against fires in a flammable room like a boiler room. Asbestos may have been in the insulation within the walls of the boiler room, the floor, the ceiling and more.

Jerry Samuels, a military veteran who passed away due to mesothelioma, worked in these boiler rooms for around four years during his Navy service. He regularly was exposed to asbestos in boilers and other boiler room equipment.

In one study published in the International Journal of Radiation Biology, boiler technicians were mentioned as facing a high risk of exposure. In fact, this job and others like fireman, pipefitter, water tender and machinists accounted for 55% of mesothelioma deaths among naval vessel personnel.

 

How to Respond to a Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Boiler room workers can take action if they have mesothelioma. They have two options, wand both many be available depending on the case

• Veterans Affairs (VA) claims, if they’re a U.S. military veteran
• Legal claims (lawsuits or asbestos trust funds)

VA claims provide a monthly benefit to veterans with mesothelioma. This amount has helped many boiler workers who developed this cancer from their military service.

Legal claims may include an asbestos trust fund payment or a lawsuit. A lawsuit can end in a settlement or a verdict. Asbestos manufacturers sold the mineral to companies for use in their boilers and boiler rooms. These manufacturing companies continued profiting off asbestos despite knowing there were risks. They should be held accountable.

If you’d like to discuss your options as a former or current boiler worker with mesothelioma, contact our patient advocate team. Navy veteran Carl Jewett is available at cjewett@mesotheliomaguide.com.