How Oil Refineries Exposed Workers To Asbestos
Oil refineries run on heat and pressure. The processes that convert crude petroleum into fuel, including distilling, cracking and reforming, generate extreme temperatures at every stage of production. Asbestos was able to handle those conditions. From the 1930s through the 1980s, material containing this toxic mineral was used to wrap pipes, packed into gaskets and valve seals, sprayed onto structural steel as fireproofing and woven into the protective gear workers handled daily.
The use of asbestos in refineries was part of its infrastructure. Refinery workers who operated, maintained and repaired that equipment were routinely exposed to asbestos, often for their entire careers. Exposure was heaviest during turnaround, the scheduled plant shutdowns when crews dismantled and rebuilt equipment that had been insulated with asbestos materials.
Where Asbestos Was Used In A Refinery
Asbestos was used throughout oil refineries. It was found in the systems that managed heat and pressure, the equipment that processed crude oil and the materials that held it all together. Workers were exposed to asbestos in nearly all parts of the refinery.
| Refinery Equipment | Where Asbestos Was Present |
|---|---|
| Distillation columns and towers | Insulation wrapped around exterior surfaces and connecting pipework |
| Catalytic crackers | Refractory lining inside reactor vessels and insulation on transfer lines |
| Process heaters and furnaces | Refractory brick, block insulation and gaskets on doors and flanges |
| Boilers | Insulation on shells and fittings, gaskets on access panels and steam lines |
| Reactors | Insulation and refractory materials on vessel exteriors and piping |
| Pumps and valves | Asbestos gaskets and rope packing used to seal joints and prevent leaks |
| Pipe lagging and insulation | Asbestos wrap applied directly to pipe surfaces throughout the plant |
| Storage tanks | Insulation on tank exteriors and connecting pipework |
| Refractory and fireproofing materials | Spray-applied and board fireproofing on structural steel and equipment supports |
Refinery Jobs at Higher Risk of Asbestos Exposure
All workers are at risk of asbestos exposure when asbestos is disturbed and fibers enter the air, even if they’re not directly working with these materials. For those who worked directly with asbestos products routinely over long periods of time, that intensity and duration increases risk. Some refinery tasks and how often those tasks were performed created higher risks.
| Trade | Primary Source of Asbestos Exposure |
|---|---|
| Pipefitters and steamfitters | Installed and maintained miles of insulated piping throughout the refinery and cut, fitted and removed asbestos pipe lagging daily. |
| Boilermakers | Worked directly on boilers, process heaters and fired equipment, as well as handled asbestos refractory cement, block insulation and gaskets throughout their careers. |
| Insulators and laggers | Applied and removed asbestos insulation on pipes, vessels and equipment throughout the refinery, making it among the trades with the most direct and sustained contact with raw asbestos materials. |
| Welders | Cut and worked around asbestos-insulated pipe and equipment and disturbed surrounding insulation during hot work. |
| Machinists and millwrights | Overhauled pumps, compressors and turbines packed with asbestos rope and sealed with asbestos gaskets. |
| Process operators | Monitored equipment throughout the refinery, experienced environmental exposure from deteriorating insulation and nearby maintenance work. |
| Instrument technicians | Accessed control equipment housed near insulated vessels and piping, disturbing asbestos materials during calibration and repair. |
| Electricians | Ran conduit and wiring through areas heavily insulated with asbestos. |
| Painters | Applied coatings over and around asbestos-containing surfaces, disturbing friable materials during surface preparation. |
| Laborers | Worked across all areas of the refinery in support roles, accumulating exposure from multiple trades and materials simultaneously. |
| Turnaround and maintenance crews | Scheduled shutdowns concentrated asbestos disturbance as crews dismantled, repaired and rebuilt heavily insulated equipment in compressed timeframes. |
Refineries and Employers Linked to Asbestos Exposure
Many of the largest petroleum companies in the U.S. operated refineries in which asbestos was widely used from the 1930s through the 1980s. A number of facilities and employers are historically associated with asbestos-containing materials and asbestos litigation involving refinery workers.
Jobsites Known for Asbestos Exposure
- Sun Oil Company (known as Sunoco): Workers at Sun Oil facilities were exposed to asbestos insulation, gaskets and protective materials throughout refinery operations.
- Mobil Oil Corporation (now ExxonMobil): Mobil used asbestos products in gaskets, insulation and sealants across its refineries and has been named in numerous asbestos lawsuits.
- Standard Oil/ExxonMobil predecessors: Standard Oil and its successor companies operated Gulf Coast and national refineries where asbestos was present throughout the infrastructure.
- Conoco: Conoco refineries in Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas have been documented as asbestos exposure sites and named in asbestos litigation.
- Cities Service Oil Company: The Cities Service refinery in Lake Charles, Louisiana, is among the Gulf Coast facilities associated with occupational asbestos exposure.
- Kerr-McGee Oil Industries: Kerr-McGee’s operations in Oklahoma appear in documented asbestos-exposure site records.
- Shell Oil Company: Shell refineries along the Gulf Coast have been associated with asbestos and related litigation.
- Texaco: Texaco used asbestos to insulate pipes, reinforce refinery infrastructure and seal gaskets across multiple facilities; the company has been named in asbestos lawsuits alongside product manufacturers.
- Nassau Smelting and Refinery Company: Formerly operated on Staten Island, New York, Nassau Smelting has been documented as an asbestos exposure site, with former workers filing claims related to mesothelioma and lung cancer.
The Houston Ship Channel, a 52-mile industrial corridor, is one of the most well-documented asbestos-exposure zones in the country. Dozens of refineries and chemical plants along the Channel used asbestos in every phase of construction and maintenance. Workers exposed there, including pipefitters, boilermakers and insulation workers, account for a significant share of Gulf Coast mesothelioma cases. Our attorneys have represented workers exposed along the Houston Ship Channel, including a journeyman pipefitter whose case resulted in a $5.4 million recovery.
Are Oil Refinery Workers at Risk of Mesothelioma?
Oil refinery workers are at elevated risk of mesothelioma because of the scale and duration of their asbestos exposure. Medical research has confirmed the connection. A study of blue-collar workers at two oil refineries found a statistically significant increase in pleural mesothelioma deaths, with a mortality rate more than twice the expected rate for the general population. The researchers concluded that asbestos exposure in oil refineries causes pleural mesothelioma.
Workers exposed during the 1960s through the 1980s are receiving diagnoses today. If you or a family member worked in a refinery and has since been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer, legal options may be available.
Diseases Linked to Refinery Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos exposure in oil refineries has been linked to several serious diseases. Most take decades to develop, which is why a diagnosis today may trace back to work performed 20, 30 or 40 years ago.
Asbestos-Related Diseases
- Asbestos-related lung cancer: A distinct diagnosis from mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer is documented among workers with sustained occupational exposure.
- Asbestosis: A chronic, progressive scarring of lung tissue caused by inhaled asbestos fibers. Not cancer, but a serious and potentially disabling condition.
- Peritoneal mesothelioma: Cancer of the lining of the abdomen. Less common than pleural mesothelioma, but is also linked to asbestos inhalation or ingestion.
- Pleural mesothelioma: Cancer of the lining surrounding the lungs. The most common form of mesothelioma and the disease most directly associated with occupational asbestos exposure.
- Pleural plaques and thickening: Scarring or calcification of the pleural lining. Often a sign of prior asbestos exposure and, in some cases, a precursor to more serious disease.
Refinery workers who develop any of these conditions should seek evaluation from a doctor experienced in asbestos-related disease. Early diagnosis affects treatment options, especially for mesothelioma and lung cancer. A confirmed and documented diagnosis is also needed to pursue compensation for medical costs and lost income.
Take-Home Asbestos Exposure and Family Members
Workers accidentally and unknowingly brought home microscopic asbestos fibers on their clothes, skin and their hair from jobsites. Daily moments like hugging to greet them when they come home, handling the laundry or sitting together on an upholstered couch could transfer these fibers.
When the fibers become airborne and are inhaled, family members can develop mesothelioma and lung cancer the same way their loved one with primary exposure could. This secondhand asbestos exposure is a recognized basis for legal action. Our attorneys have represented families in secondhand asbestos exposure cases and secured significant results, including a recovery of more than $32 million in a secondhand exposure case. Prior results don’t guarantee a similar outcome.
How Long After Asbestos Exposure Does Mesothelioma Develop?
Mesothelioma typically takes 20 to 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos. A refinery worker who handled asbestos insulation in the 1960s or 1970s may only now be experiencing symptoms and receiving a diagnosis. This is why so many people are diagnosed decades after they worked in a refinery.
This long latency period is also why the legal clock generally starts at diagnosis rather than at the time of exposure. In most states, the statute of limitations for a mesothelioma claim begins when a diagnosis is made. A long career in the industry, however many years ago, doesn’t disqualify a claim.
Compensation for Refinery Workers with Mesothelioma
Refinery workers diagnosed with mesothelioma may have more than one option for pursuing compensation. The right approach depends on the specifics of your exposure history, your diagnosis and the companies involved. Our attorneys evaluate each case individually to identify every available route.
Filing a Lawsuit
A personal injury lawsuit targets the manufacturers of the asbestos-containing products you were exposed to on the job. Refinery workers often have claims against multiple manufacturers, as asbestos-containing insulation, gaskets and other materials came from many different suppliers over the course of a career.
Families who have lost a loved one to mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer may also qualify to file wrongful death lawsuits. Clients we have represented in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits have recovered significant compensation through litigation.
Asbestos Trust Fund Claims
Many of the companies that manufactured asbestos-containing products have since filed for bankruptcy. Often in the bankruptcy protection process, they establish trust funds to compensate people now and cover future claims. More than 60 active trusts currently hold more than $30 billion for people with qualifying diagnoses. Trust fund claims can often be filed at the same time as a lawsuit.
VA Benefits
Refinery workers who also served in the military may also file for VA disability benefits. These claims can be filed at the same time as lawsuits and asbestos trust fund claims and don’t affect other compensation you may receive. Family members who lost a loved one from service-related asbestos exposure may also be able to file for benefits. We can help you explore your options.
Compensation We’ve Helped Refinery Workers Secure
Our attorneys have secured significant compensation for refinery workers and their families who developed asbestos-related diseases. These results reflect decades of combined experience handling complex occupational exposure cases, including some other firms declined to pursue.
Case Results
- $5.4M for a journeyman pipefitter who worked full-time at a Houston Ship Channel refinery
- $4.4M for a sugar mill mechanic in an industrial-processing case our attorneys took on after another asbestos law firm declined it
- $32M+ in a secondhand asbestos exposure case
Every case is different, and past results don’t guarantee a similar outcome. Still, these settlements and verdicts show what is possible when experienced attorneys build a strong case on a client’s behalf. If you or a loved one worked in a refinery and developed an asbestos-related disease, a free case review can help clarify your legal options.
START A FREE CONSULTATIONStatute of Limitations: Why Timing Matters
The deadline to file a mesothelioma claim generally begins at the date of diagnosis, not the date of exposure. That is an important distinction for refinery workers, whose exposure may have occurred decades ago. Deadlines vary by state, and in some cases a claim may be filed in a state different from where you live depending on where your exposure occurred and where the responsible companies operated.
Trust fund deadlines are separate from court filing deadlines. Each asbestos trust fund sets its own deadlines and rules.
The details of your situation determine which deadlines apply. The most important step is to seek legal advice as soon as possible. Consulting an attorney at Meirowitz & Wasserberg doesn’t mean a claim has been filed, and it doesn’t commit you to any course of action. It means you’ll know where you stand before any deadline passes.
Why Choose Meirowitz and Wasserberg
Asbestos litigation is specialized work and refinery cases require a firm that has successfully tried them. Our attorneys have represented workers exposed along the Houston Ship Channel and across the Gulf Coast refinery corridor, and our results reflect that focus.
Daniel Wasserberg leads the firm’s national asbestos practice and is licensed in Texas, New York, New Jersey and Illinois. Our Houston office puts us at the center of Gulf Coast asbestos litigation. There is no fee unless we win compensation for you. Our team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with multilingual intake in Spanish, Russian, Tagalog and 12 other languages. We have taken on cases that other firms declined.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are oil refinery workers at risk of mesothelioma?
Yes. Oil refinery workers are at elevated risk of mesothelioma because of decades of direct exposure to asbestos used throughout refinery infrastructure, including insulation, gaskets, refractory materials and fireproofing. Research has documented pleural mesothelioma deaths among refinery workers at rates significantly above the general population.
Where was asbestos found in oil refineries?
Asbestos was found throughout oil refineries, in pipe and vessel insulation, gaskets and valve packing, refractory lining in furnaces and catalytic crackers, boiler insulation, spray-applied fireproofing on structural steel and even some protective gear workers wore. Nearly every area of a refinery built before 1980 contained asbestos materials.
Which refineries and companies used asbestos?
Many of the largest petroleum companies in the U.S. operated refineries where asbestos was used widely, including Mobil Oil, Standard Oil, Sun Oil, Conoco, Cities Service, Shell and Texaco. The Houston Ship Channel and the Gulf Coast refinery corridor are among the most heavily documented asbestos exposure zones in the country.
How long after asbestos exposure does mesothelioma develop?
Mesothelioma typically takes 20 to 60 years to develop after asbestos exposure. Workers exposed during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s are receiving diagnoses today. Refinery work from decades ago can still result in a diagnosis.
Can I file a claim if I worked at a refinery decades ago?
Yes. The statute of limitations for a mesothelioma claim generally begins at the date of diagnosis, not the date of exposure. In many states, a diagnosis confirmed today starts the legal clock regardless of when the exposure occurred. Deadlines vary by state, and the state in which you’ll file depends on the details of your case. Contacting a lawyer for a consultation as soon as possible is advisable.
What compensation is available to refinery workers with mesothelioma?
Refinery workers diagnosed with mesothelioma may be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit against the manufacturers of the asbestos products they were exposed to, submit claims against bankrupt manufacturers’ asbestos trust funds or pursue VA benefits.
Can a family member exposed to take-home asbestos file a claim?
Yes. Secondhand asbestos exposure is a recognized basis for legal action. Family members who developed mesothelioma after contact with asbestos carried home on a worker’s clothing, skin or hair may be entitled to pursue compensation against the same manufacturers responsible for the worker’s exposure.
How much does it cost to hire a mesothelioma lawyer?
There is no upfront cost. Meirowitz & Wasserberg handles mesothelioma cases on a contingency basis,so there is no fee unless we win for you. Your first consultation is free and confidential.
About The Author
Daniel Wasserberg
Founding Partner
Daniel Wasserberg, a founding partner of Meirowitz & Wasserberg, is a Best Lawyers-recognized and Super Lawyers-rated mesothelioma attorney with over 20 years of experience. Named a Top 100 Trial Lawyer and Top 10 Asbestos-Mesothelioma Lawyer, he leads the firm's national asbestos practice.
