Construction workers of all kinds were exposed to asbestos because it was allegedly built into hundreds of building materials used across the industry from the 1940s through the 1980s.
How Construction Workers Were Exposed
Laborers, carpenters, drywall workers, roofers, and general construction trades handled asbestos joint compound, floor and ceiling tile, cement board and siding, roofing, insulation, and spray fireproofing. Cutting, sanding, mixing, and demolishing these materials released fiber — and renovation and demolition work, which tears out old asbestos materials, produced some of the heaviest exposures of any construction activity.
The Asbestos Materials Involved
- joint compound and texture
- floor and ceiling tile
- cement board, siding, and roofing
- spray fireproofing and insulation
Take-Home Risk to Families
Like other dusty trades, construction workers carried asbestos fibers home on their clothing, skin, and tools — exposing spouses and children who never worked with asbestos. See take-home asbestos exposure.
Related Products & Resources
Joint Compound · Floor Tile · Ceiling Tile · Spray Fireproofing. See also how to identify asbestos in common building materials.
If you worked as a construction worker and were diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease after exposure to asbestos on the job, you may be entitled to compensation through asbestos trust funds and civil litigation.
Product references reflect allegations documented in publicly filed asbestos litigation. This information is published by an independent media organization — not a law firm — and is educational only. It does not constitute legal advice or provide legal services.