Unfortunately, not all asbestos companies followed ethical principals when they decided not to inform their employees about the health hazards that are inadvertent when handling asbestos on the job. Asbestos was a profitable product and therefore widely used in the building and construction industries between the early 1900s up to the 80s. It is obvious that some manufacturers were concerned about their record profits to vanish if the public would become aware of the dangerous potential of the material. Therefore, it was a common interest of some corporations to keep the truth under the hat for as long as possible. Which of course meant to knowingly and willingly accept that their workers are exposed to the toxic asbestos fibers on a daily basis, putting their health and lives at risk. Clearly, the vast majority of asbestos illnesses developed by individuals with occupational asbestos exposure could have been prevented, if those companies had chosen to follow their moral and ethical obligation.



In the following we look into some employer groups who were actually or allegedly involved in the aforementioned misconduct.

Construction Companies: Asbestos was an ideal candidate for businesses in the construction are, because it has excellent thermal characteristics. Typical building products that contained asbestos were siding, paints, concrete and landscaping materials. Workers who were employed in this field prior to the mid seventies are assumed to had the highest risk of contracting asbestos related disease, such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.

Oil Field and Refinery Companies: Workers on oil-drilling sites, such as pipe fitters for example, experience a greater threat of asbestos exposure because of the asbestos containing material that is frequently used to protect tools. But as the insulation ages, asbestos fibers get released and disseminated as dust in the air. Protective clothing worn by oil workers as protection against possible well fires, is also made of a material which contains asbestos fibers. Asbestos is present in turbines, boilers and generators. Aside from that, many of the gaskets used in pumps, sealing valves and pipe fittings contain asbestos.

Shipyard Companies: Asbestos insulation was utilized a lot on old turbine steam ships, not only for pipes but also as fireproof doors and for the purpose of muffling noise. Examples of these companies that allegedly used asbestos containing materials at their work sites are: San Diego Naval Shipyard, Todd Pacific Shipyards, Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Mare Island Naval Shipyard and Brooklyn Navy.

Shipyard Steel Mill Companies: Asbestos is malleable, impervious to flames and is a poor conductor of heat and electricity. That's why it was frequently used in linings and gaskets. It is also used for the production of ladles, ovens, steam pipes and boilers. Some alleged companies that were associated with asbestos cases include Chicago Heights Steel, National Steel, LTV Steel Company and Keystone Steel and Wire.