Sheet metal workers have a documented, elevated asbestos-related disease profile driven by three converging exposure pathways: cutting and tapping asbestos-cement duct board, wrapping and unwrapping asbestos-fabric duct lagging, and work overhead beneath sprayed asbestos fireproofing on structural steel (allegedly the norm on commercial high-rise construction through the 1973 EPA fireproofing ban). Federal occupational-health cohort studies of sheet metal workers have documented mesothelioma incidence well above the general-population baseline, along with elevated rates of asbestos lung cancer, asbestosis, and pleural disease.
Mesothelioma
A rare cancer of the mesothelial lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), abdomen (peritoneal), or heart (pericardial). Latency is typically 20 to 50 years from initial asbestos exposure. Sheet metal workers whose careers fell in the 1950s-1980s asbestos era are documented to have mesothelioma incidence significantly above the general-population rate, driven by the daily handling of asbestos-cement duct board and pervasive overhead exposure to sprayed asbestos fireproofing in commercial high-rise HVAC installation.
Asbestos lung cancer
Lung cancer caused or contributed to by asbestos exposure. The risk is multiplied by smoking — a synergistic effect that compounds beyond the additive risk of either factor alone. For career sheet metal workers who were also smokers, the lung cancer incidence rate is documented at extreme multiples of the general population.
Asbestosis
A chronic, non-malignant scarring of the lung tissue caused by inhaled asbestos fibers. Asbestosis causes progressive shortness of breath, persistent cough, and reduced lung function. It does not improve with treatment, and it is a recognized basis for a claim under most asbestos trust funds and civil claims. Sheet metal workers who cut asbestos-cement duct board with hand saws, drilled through it for hanger and screw penetrations, and worked overhead beneath sprayed fireproofing have documented asbestosis rates in the trade’s asbestos-era cohorts.
Pleural disease
Including pleural plaques, pleural thickening, and benign pleural effusion. Common in long-career sheet metal workers even without other asbestos disease. Eligibility to file a claim under trust funds varies — some trusts pay for pleural disease alone; others require demonstrated functional impairment.
Other recognized diseases
Asbestos has also been linked to laryngeal cancer, ovarian cancer, and certain gastrointestinal cancers, each recognized under various asbestos trust schedules and case-law authorities. Eligibility and proof requirements vary by claim type.
If you or a family member is a current or former sheet metal worker with any asbestos-related diagnosis, an experienced asbestos attorney can evaluate which trusts and claims are applicable to your specific facts.
Free, confidential case evaluation: Speak with O’Brien Law Firm — (314) 237-3332