Industries Historically Linked to Asbestos Exposure
A high-level look at the industries where asbestos was widely used and where exposure risk was historically elevated.
Shipbuilding, construction, petroleum refining, power generation, and industrial manufacturing are the industries most closely linked to historical asbestos exposure. These sectors relied heavily on asbestos for heat resistance and insulation, and federal mortality data show elevated mesothelioma rates among workers in these fields.
Shipbuilding and ship repair
Ships used asbestos in insulation, pipe covering, gaskets, boilers, turbines, and fireproofing materials. CDC mortality reporting has identified ship and boat building and repair among the sectors with elevated mesothelioma burden. CDC MMWR
Construction and building trades
Construction and renovation work exposed workers to insulation, cement products, pipe materials, floor tiles, roofing materials, and joint compounds containing asbestos. Disturbing older materials could release fibers into the air. OSHA
Industrial plants and refineries
Petroleum refining and industrial chemical settings used asbestos in heat-resistant equipment, gaskets, insulation, and process systems. CDC has identified elevated burden in these sectors as well. CDC MMWR