Construction sites remain one of the most common places where people encounter asbestos today. Even though many manufacturers stopped adding asbestos to their products decades ago, older buildings still contain materials that were installed before the risks were fully understood. Renovation, demolition, and everyday repair work can disturb these materials and release microscopic asbestos fibers into the air. Once inhaled, those fibers can become trapped in the lungs and, in some cases, lead to mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases many years later. Because symptoms often do not appear until decades after the original exposure, many construction workers do not connect a new diagnosis to work they did earlier in their careers. Knowing which materials are most likely to be contaminated can help construction workers and contractors recognize a hazard before it becomes a health emergency.
At The Williams Law Firm, P.C., we have spent decades helping construction workers and their families understand how asbestos exposure at job sites may connect to a later mesothelioma diagnosis. Below, we break down five materials that are frequently associated with asbestos contamination on construction sites, along with the additional materials, federal regulations, and legal options every construction worker and contractor should understand before starting a renovation or demolition project. If you or a family member has been diagnosed with a disease related to asbestos, consulting an asbestos in construction attorney can help clarify the legal options available to you.
For most of the twentieth century, asbestos was a popular ingredient in building and construction products because of its resistance to heat, fire, and corrosion. Manufacturers mixed the mineral into paints, cements, insulation, and hundreds of other materials to make them more durable and less likely to catch fire. Because asbestos fibers are inexpensive to mine and easy to blend into other substances, the mineral found its way into nearly every part of a building, from the foundation to the roof. Manufacturers marketed asbestos-containing products directly to contractors and builders, often without disclosing the health risks that were already becoming known within the industry.
Construction companies and product manufacturers used asbestos so widely that federal regulators have identified roofing shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, pipe insulation, vinyl flooring, textured paint, and asbestos cement products as common examples of where the mineral turns up in older buildings. Many of these products remained in use well into the 1980s, and some legacy materials are still found in structures built before that time. Construction workers who cut, sand, drill, or demolish these materials can release asbestos fibers into the air, creating a health hazard that may not become apparent for decades. Knowing where asbestos is most likely to be hiding is the first step toward avoiding dangerous exposure on the job, whether you are a longtime tradesperson or a homeowner planning your first renovation.
Painters face a higher rate of mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases than many other construction trades. Because asbestos was once mixed directly into paints, primers, and textured coatings, older studies have found that airborne asbestos fiber levels during painting activities can run several times higher than the legal exposure limit. Manufacturers sometimes listed asbestos as an ingredient, while other times it appeared only as an undisclosed filler.
Textured paints and popcorn ceiling coatings are especially common culprits because asbestos fibers helped create a decorative, raised finish on ceilings and walls. When professional painters sand, scrape, or otherwise disturb an old textured surface, the work can release asbestos dust into the surrounding air. Even brushing on a fresh coat over a deteriorating asbestos-containing surface can disturb enough material to create a hazard. Because these coatings remained in use well into the 1980s, many older homes, offices, and commercial buildings still have them today. Homeowners who purchase an older property built during this period may unknowingly disturb these coatings during a do-it-yourself renovation, not realizing that the same precautions that apply to professional contractors should apply to them as well. Workers who spent years in this trade, along with the family members who handled their laundry, may face elevated exposure risks worth discussing with a knowledgeable attorney.
Spackling and joint compounds are used to repair damage to drywall and plaster before painting, and many of the older formulas were made with gypsum powder blended with small amounts of asbestos. The mineral gave these compounds extra strength and resistance to cracking once dry, which made it attractive to manufacturers before the health risks were understood.
Contaminated spackling was especially common in spray-applied compounds used to finish large sections of wall or ceiling quickly. If a construction worker or contractor used spackling on the job before the 1980s, exposure could have come from mixing the dry powder, sanding the compound after it dried, or simply working in a space where someone else was doing that work nearby. Because spackling is typically applied in thin layers and sanded smooth before painting, the sanding step alone can generate a substantial amount of airborne dust in a short period of time. Exposure can also occur today when old spackling left behind in a building from before asbestos was regulated gets disturbed during a renovation or demolition project. Because dried spackling looks identical to modern, asbestos-free products, there is no way to tell by sight alone whether a compound is safe to sand or scrape.
Roofing shingles and roofing felt have long been known to contain harmful levels of asbestos, particularly in buildings constructed before the 1980s. In the past, tile setters mixed and spread asbestos grout while installing roofs, and some crews sprayed asbestos-contaminated asphalt compounds directly onto finished surfaces. Manufacturers also produced asbestos cement shingles and tiles that were marketed for their fire resistance and long lifespan.
Today, removing these materials during a renovation or tear-off can release asbestos fibers into the air if the work is not handled carefully. Roofing felt, which is often found layered on top of outbuildings, garages, and older commercial roofs, can also contain asbestos and may go unnoticed until a contractor begins tearing it out. Older commercial buildings with built-up or modified bitumen roofing systems may present an even greater risk, since multiple layers of felt and asphalt were often added over the years without removing the original materials underneath. Roofing professionals who spend years working with older materials face a cumulative exposure risk that can be difficult to recognize until symptoms appear much later. Anyone planning a roof replacement on an older structure should have the materials tested before removal begins, since disturbing asbestos cement shingles with power tools can create the highest fiber release.
Masonry materials used for bricklaying and general brickwork can also contain asbestos, creating a hazard for masonry professionals and anyone working nearby. In the past, some manufacturers mixed raw asbestos into mortar, concrete, and block compounds to add strength and fire resistance. Masonry workers and bricklayers then cut these products down to size and secured them using adhesives or additional concrete that sometimes contained even more asbestos.
Exposure was not limited to installation. Masonry workers may have also been exposed when preparing surfaces for new brick by scraping away dry, asbestos-contaminated mortar from an older wall. Historic buildings, bridges, and industrial facilities built with reinforced masonry are especially likely to contain these older, asbestos-reinforced compounds, since many were constructed during the decades when asbestos use was at its peak. All of these practices mean that bricklayers and masonry workers from earlier decades face a high risk of developing mesothelioma today, and modern construction crews may still be at risk of exposure during demolition or renovation of older structures. Because masonry work often involves cutting, grinding, or breaking apart old material with power tools, the dust generated can be far more concentrated than dust from simple handling, which raises the stakes for anyone without proper respiratory protection.
Drywall and joint compounds are among the most frequently cited sources of asbestos contamination at construction sites. Research has found traces of asbestos in a wide range of drywall products, including plasters, gypsum board, millboard, and joint compounds, with one commonly cited study finding contamination in nearly every taping compound it sampled. This was largely due to the fire-resistant nature of asbestos, which made it appealing for use in homes, schools, and commercial buildings alike. Drywall installers are especially at risk when cutting or sanding drywall panels, since that work can release fine asbestos dust into the air.
Drywall is far from the only material construction crews should watch for. A variety of other building products manufactured before the 1980s may also contain asbestos, including:
Any of these materials can release asbestos fibers when they are cut, drilled, sanded, or broken apart during a renovation or demolition project. Because most of these products look identical to their asbestos-free replacements, construction crews often have no way to know a material is hazardous until it has been sampled and tested by a qualified professional. Homeowners undertaking a kitchen or bathroom remodel in an older home should be especially cautious, since these renovations frequently involve removing several of these materials at once.
Federal regulators have worked for decades to limit the ongoing use of asbestos in the United States, though the mineral has never been fully banned across every industry. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, asbestos has historically been used in a wide range of building construction materials because of its fiber strength and heat resistance, and older products containing it can still be found in buildings constructed before the 1980s. In March 2024, the EPA finalized a rule ending certain ongoing uses of chrysotile asbestos, the only form of the mineral still imported into or used in the United States, though the rule focused on specific industrial applications, such as chemical processing gaskets and some vehicle friction products, rather than legacy construction materials already in older buildings. Earlier federal actions in the late 1980s and 1990s also restricted several categories of asbestos-containing products, though court challenges limited the scope of some of those regulations, which is part of why asbestos was never eliminated from every building material on the market.
Because so many pre-1980s construction materials may still contain asbestos, workers and contractors should never assume a material is safe simply because a building looks well maintained. If you suspect that a material at a job site contains asbestos, avoid cutting, sanding, drilling, or otherwise disturbing it until a licensed asbestos inspector can test a sample. Disturbing suspected asbestos without proper containment and protective equipment can expose everyone nearby, not just the person doing the work. Reporting a suspected hazard to a supervisor and requesting testing before work continues is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and your coworkers.
Construction workers who were exposed to asbestos on the job may be at risk of a serious disease long after they have left the trade behind. Because mesothelioma and other asbestos-related conditions can take decades to develop, many construction workers do not notice symptoms until years after their last day on a job site. By the time a diagnosis arrives, the companies that manufactured or supplied the contaminated materials may no longer exist in their original form, but that does not mean compensation is out of reach.
Depending on the circumstances of your exposure, you may be able to file a mesothelioma lawsuit against a solvent company that manufactured or distributed the asbestos-containing product, or you may be able to pursue a claim through one of the asbestos trust funds that many bankrupt manufacturers were required to establish. In many cases, a construction worker’s claim involves both options, since exposure at a single job site can often be traced back to products made by several different companies. Because every state sets its own filing deadlines and rules for these claims, the value of a case can depend heavily on where the exposure occurred and where the lawsuit is filed. An experienced attorney can help review your employment history, medical records, and any documentation of the materials used at your job sites to determine which legal paths may be available to you. Because state deadlines for filing a claim can be strict, it is worth speaking with an attorney as soon as symptoms or a diagnosis arise.
Materials that needed fire resistance or extra durability were the most likely to contain asbestos, including paint and textured coatings, spackling and joint compounds, roofing shingles and felt, masonry mortar and cement products, and drywall. Pipe insulation, floor and ceiling tiles, and certain gaskets or adhesives may also contain asbestos, especially in buildings constructed before the 1980s. In many cases, the specific brand or manufacturer of a product can also affect which company may ultimately be responsible for compensation. Because these materials often look identical to their asbestos-free replacements, testing by a qualified professional is the only reliable way to confirm whether a specific material is contaminated.
You cannot tell whether a material contains asbestos just by looking at it. The fibers are microscopic and are usually mixed into other substances, such as paint, cement, or joint compound, so there is no visible warning sign. Home test kits sold to consumers are generally not reliable enough for this purpose. If a building was constructed before the 1980s and the material has not already been tested, the only reliable way to confirm whether asbestos is present is to have a licensed inspector collect and test a sample before the material is disturbed.
Most asbestos-containing construction materials are no longer manufactured in the United States, though asbestos has not been fully banned across every industry. In 2024, the EPA finalized a rule ending certain ongoing uses of chrysotile asbestos, though that rule targeted specific industrial applications rather than general construction products. Individual states and local municipalities may also have their own rules governing inspection, abatement, and disposal of asbestos-containing materials. Older materials already installed in buildings constructed before the 1980s are not required to be removed, which is why legacy asbestos exposure remains a risk on renovation and demolition projects today.
If you believe you disturbed or worked around a material that may contain asbestos, avoid further contact with the area and report the concern to a supervisor so the material can be tested. Try to document when and where the exposure occurred, along with the type of work you were doing, since this information can matter later. Keeping a written record of the incident, including photos if it is safe to take them, can also support a future claim. If you develop symptoms or receive a diagnosis related to asbestos exposure, consider speaking with a doctor experienced in asbestos-related illness and an attorney who handles these cases.
Yes, in many cases you can, even if the exposure happened many years or even decades ago. Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases often take decades to develop, and the law generally accounts for this by starting the filing deadline from the date of diagnosis rather than the date of exposure. Whether you may be able to pursue a lawsuit, a trust fund claim, or both depends on the companies involved and the specifics of your work history, which is why reviewing your case with an attorney as soon as possible can help protect your rights.
Yes. Construction workers can carry asbestos fibers home on their clothing, skin, and hair, which may expose spouses, children, and other household members who never set foot on the job site. This is often called secondary or take-home exposure, and it has been linked to mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases in family members over the years. If a family member of a construction worker later develops an asbestos-related illness, it may be worth discussing the household’s exposure history with an attorney.
At The Williams Law Firm, P.C., we focus on helping construction workers and their families understand how asbestos exposure on the job may connect to a later diagnosis of mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease. We handle mesothelioma and other asbestos-related claims individually, tailoring our approach to each client’s exposure history rather than treating every case the same way. With decades of experience handling these cases, our firm has never lost a mesothelioma case, and we bring that same preparation and attention to detail to every client we fight for. We take mesothelioma cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront and no legal fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
If you or a family member worked at a construction site and has since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related illness, you do not have to face the legal process alone. Reach out to contact an attorney from The Williams Law Firm, P.C. today for a free consultation to discuss the materials you worked with, your exposure history, and the legal options that may be available to you.
As the founding partner of Williams Law Firm, Joseph P. Williams has dedicated over 30 years to representing mesothelioma victims and their families. His firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for those affected by asbestos exposure, offering personalized, aggressive legal advocacy. Based in New York, Williams Law Firm provides free consultations and handles cases nationwide.
