Painter
A painter has the important responsibility in the construction and renovation of industrial, commercial, and residential building projects. Their preparation and painting can add the final aesthetic value and protection a property needs. Painters’ skills and duties include stripping old paint, cleaning surfaces, taping, patching, filling, caulking, sanding, priming, choosing paints, and, of course, painting. Unfortunately, some of the materials used by painters in the past contained asbestos, so many have suffered workplace asbestos exposure and the resulting health problems.
Occupational asbestos exposure is one of the more common exposures because building products can release fibers and dust into the air when disturbed. When inhaled, an asbestos exposure can lead to a number of health problems including asbestosis and the following cancers: mesothelioma, lung, esophageal, gastrointestinal, laryngeal, and pharyngeal.
Painters at High Risk for Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma
Painters, who worked from about 1940 to 1980, are at the highest risk for asbestos exposure because, as explained above, a variety of the construction materials used during this time period contained asbestos. Asbestos fibers were sometimes mixed directly with paint to give walls fire-resistant properties and utilized in a number of additional materials with which painters worked closely.
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Top Asbestos-Containing Products Encountered by Painters
• Joint compound, patching, spackle, caulking, putties, and textured paints
• Sprayed on acoustical or decorative plaster
• Drywall, wallboard, millboard, and paperboard
• Wall coverings
• Siding and shingles
Asbestos was added as an ingredient to these products primarily because of its unique resistance to heat, electrical and chemical damage and the benefits of sound absorption and tensile strength. On the negative side, asbestos fibers can be distributed into the air when these materials are cut, shaved or ground with power tools to fit specific dimensions. These microscopic fibers can float in the air for long periods of time and cause adverse health effects when inhaled. Even workers who did not directly handle asbestos materials were put at risk.
A more exhaustive list can be found on our asbestos containing products page.
Modern Painters are Still at Risk for Asbestos Exposure
Today’s painters continue to face the risks associated with asbestos exposure. It has been estimated that around 1.3 million workers in the construction industry are still exposed to asbestos annually. Painters need to remain aware any paint jobs involving buildings constructed pre-1980. In addition, although the United States began regulating asbestos in the 1970’s, it has not been banned entirely. Two-thirds of the modern asbestos-containing products are construction materials, although they are typically labeled as such.
Often modern Painters are not taught the proper safety procedures or given the required equipment to protect themselves from the dangers of asbestos. A basic precaution is wearing a ventilator or safety mask to avoid inhaling asbestos dust. Painters should also be schooled on the identification of asbestos containing products and the proper methods of handling disposal within their particular jurisdiction.
Were You Exposed to Asbestos While Working as a Painter? Mesothelioma Lawyers May be Able to Help
It is recommended that people who have spent a significant period of time employed as a painter get a full physical evaluation by a medical doctor. Mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure, often takes 15-40 years to manifest and the life expectancy of a victim is around a year post-diagnosis. Thus, it is important to catch the disease in its early stages. At-risk workers should pay close attention to any mesothelioma symptoms which include fluid in the lungs, chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and fatigue.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and believe you were exposed to asbestos working as a painter, you may be entitled to compensation via a mesothelioma settlement. To learn more about your legal options and how mesothelioma lawyers may be able to help, please contact us for a free legal case evaluation of your potential claim.