Asbestos exposure remains a serious occupational hazard in California, despite federal regulations restricting its use. For decades, this mineral was widely used across many industries due to its heat resistance and durability. Unfortunately, workers exposed to asbestos often face life-threatening health consequences, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. In California, where industrial, military, and construction activities have long thrived, many job sites have been identified as sources of dangerous exposure. This article explores the industries and workplaces where asbestos exposure is most prevalent in California and outlines the legal options available to affected workers.
Why Asbestos Exposure Is Dangerous
Asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring minerals that can be separated into thin, durable fibers. These fibers are resistant to heat, chemicals, and electricity, making asbestos an ideal component in construction materials, insulation, automotive parts, and shipbuilding. However, when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, they release tiny fibers into the air. Once inhaled or ingested, these fibers can become permanently lodged in the lungs or abdominal cavity, causing inflammation, scarring, and eventually deadly diseases.
The effects of asbestos exposure often take decades to appear. Mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer linked exclusively to asbestos, can take 20 to 50 years to develop. Workers may not realize they were exposed until long after they leave a job, making legal claims both complex and time-sensitive.
California Laws on Asbestos in the Workplace
California follows both federal and state laws regarding workplace safety and asbestos regulation. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), employers must monitor and limit workers’ exposure to airborne asbestos. California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) enforces similar rules and requires employers to provide training, personal protective equipment (PPE), and engineering controls when asbestos is present.
Furthermore, California’s Proposition 65 mandates businesses to provide clear warnings if workers or the public may be exposed to substances known to cause cancer, including asbestos. Despite these safeguards, exposure still occurs—especially at older job sites or during demolition and renovation projects.
Industries Most Affected by Asbestos Exposure
1. Construction
Construction workers are among the most at-risk groups for asbestos exposure. Before the 1980s, asbestos was a standard ingredient in cement, roofing shingles, ceiling tiles, joint compounds, drywall, and insulation. Even today, when crews remodel or demolish old buildings, they risk disturbing hidden asbestos materials. Workers involved in sanding, drilling, or cutting into these structures are especially vulnerable.
2. Shipbuilding and Maritime Work
California’s coastal economy has long supported a robust shipbuilding industry. Naval yards and private shipyards used asbestos in insulation, piping, boilers, and engine rooms due to the mineral’s resistance to fire and corrosion. Workers at shipyards in Long Beach, San Diego, and Vallejo were frequently exposed. Many of these individuals later developed mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses.
3. Manufacturing
Many factories and plants in California used asbestos-containing materials to line furnaces, kilns, boilers, and heavy machinery. Asbestos was also commonly used in products like textiles, gaskets, friction parts (e.g., brake pads), and sealants. Workers in paper mills, glass plants, and automotive manufacturing facilities were particularly at risk.
4. Power Plants and Utilities
Asbestos was once the standard insulation for pipes, turbines, and electrical wiring in power plants. In California, workers at older power stations—including those operated by Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) and Southern California Edison—were exposed during maintenance, repairs, or retrofitting.
5. Oil Refineries and Petrochemical Plants
California is home to some of the largest oil refineries in the United States. Workers at facilities in Richmond, El Segundo, and Torrance were exposed while servicing pumps, valves, and thermal insulation coated with asbestos. Heat-intensive operations made asbestos a logical (but dangerous) choice for protecting machinery and workers.
6. Railroads
Railroad workers often encountered asbestos in locomotive insulation, brake pads, gaskets, and fireproofing materials. Major companies like Southern Pacific and Union Pacific operated in California for over a century, and many of their employees unknowingly inhaled asbestos fibers on the job.
7. Military Installations
California hosts numerous military bases, including Camp Pendleton, Naval Base San Diego, and Edwards Air Force Base. Before the U.S. military phased out asbestos use, it was widely used in aircraft, ships, vehicles, and base housing. Veterans and civilian contractors alike have been diagnosed with mesothelioma stemming from service-related exposure.
Common Job Sites with Known Asbestos Risks
The following job sites in California have been identified in asbestos litigation and exposure claims:
- Hunters Point Naval Shipyard (San Francisco)
- Long Beach Naval Shipyard
- Standard Oil Refinery (Richmond)
- PG&E Power Plants (across Northern California)
- San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station
- California Portland Cement Company (Colton)
- Union Pacific Railroad yards (multiple locations)
- Kaiser Steel Mill (Fontana)
- U.S. Navy Base (Coronado)
- General Motors Plant (Fremont)
These facilities represent just a small portion of locations where long-term, high-volume asbestos use led to harmful exposure.
Who Is at Risk?
Even workers who were not directly handling asbestos could be at risk. “Secondary exposure” occurs when family members inhale asbestos fibers brought home on a worker’s clothes, tools, or hair. Wives and children of factory and shipyard workers have also developed mesothelioma from laundering contaminated uniforms.
Occupations at high risk include:
- Insulators
- Plumbers and pipefitters
- Electricians
- Boiler operators
- Demolition workers
- Auto mechanics
- HVAC technicians
- Maintenance personnel
Legal Rights of Exposed Workers
If you were exposed to asbestos at work in California and later developed a related illness, you may be entitled to compensation. Victims can pursue claims through:
- Workers’ Compensation: Covers medical costs and lost wages but does not offer damages for pain and suffering.
- Personal Injury Lawsuits: Allows victims to sue product manufacturers, contractors, or employers if negligence played a role.
- Asbestos Trust Funds: Some bankrupt asbestos companies have set up trust funds to pay claims without going to court.
- VA Claims: Veterans may receive benefits for service-connected asbestos exposure.
Because symptoms may not appear for decades, California law allows some flexibility on statutes of limitation—typically one year from diagnosis. However, legal strategies vary, and consulting an experienced California mesothelioma or asbestos attorney is crucial.
Conclusion
California’s history of industrial growth, military activity, and construction boom has left a legacy of asbestos exposure that still affects workers and their families today. While many of the most dangerous uses of asbestos have been banned, legacy exposure at older job sites continues to cause serious harm. Understanding where these exposures occur—and what legal options are available—can help victims seek justice and receive the compensation they deserve.
References
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (2022). Asbestos toxicity: What are routes of exposure to asbestos? https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov
- California Department of Industrial Relations. (2023). Asbestos in the workplace. https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh
- Environmental Working Group. (2021). Mapping asbestos exposure in California job sites. https://www.ewg.org
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2024). Asbestos standards. https://www.osha.gov
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2023). Asbestos exposure and VA benefits. https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/asbestos
- United States Geological Survey. (2023). Asbestos historical use and risk factors. https://www.usgs.gov
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