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How Can a Civil Engineer Get Mesothelioma by Occupational Exposure to Asbestos?
A civil engineer designs, plans and oversees construction projects, often on infrastructure like railways, airports, bridges and roads. They may also help construct, design and plan dams, power plants, water systems and irrigation projects. These projects may be for the public or private sector.
These professionals may work as independent contractors or work for employers like rail companies, utility companies, governmental agencies or construction companies. Some civil engineers work in a specialized area, such as power or transport.
Civil engineers commonly work on construction sites. They must inspect various aspects of the project as it is being completed. Asbestos was once contained in a variety of construction materials due to its durability and fireproofing characteristics. It was used to wrap boilers, in floor tiles, in cements, in paints and in drywall. Civil engineers could have come in contact with these materials while inspecting ongoing projects.
Additionally, civil engineers could have come in contact with asbestos when around byproducts that were produced on civil work projects. Mixing concrete and fitting pipes that were contaminated with asbestos could cause asbestos fibers to become airborne where they could be breathed in by those on site, including by civil engineers. Asbestos fibers could also become dislodged when demolishing or renovating projects that civil engineers were working on.
Civil engineers who worked on roads were also at risk for being exposed to asbestos since dust from concrete and asphalt often contained asbestos, which was often contaminated with asbestos.
Civil engineers were not aware of the dangers of asbestos. Many even specified the use of asbestos materials in their projects because it was a good heat insulator and helped prevent fire.
Typical duties of a civil engineer include the following:
- Analyze plans, maps, survey reports and other data to design projects
- Investigate construction sites
- Complete technical and feasibility studies
- Make complex calculations
- Prepare applications for permits from local, state and federal agencies
- Compile job specifications
- Resolve problems at construction sites
- Schedule purchases of materials and equipment
- Conduct soil testing and analyze results of soil testing
- Test concrete, wood, steel, asphalt or other building materials
- Oversee surveying operations
- Manage the repair, maintenance and replacement of construction or infrastructure
- Ensure the project complies with health, safety and legal standards
Possible sources of asbestos exposure to civil engineers include the following:
- Older buildings that were made with asbestos-containing materials
- Materials that were disturbed while renovating a property
- Building materials that contained asbestos, including roofing, floorings, walls and insulation
- Heating and ventilation that included pipes covered with asbestos
- Concrete foundations
- Friction products such as gaskets, clutches and brakes
Locations in the United States for the Highest Employment Rates for Civil Engineers
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are currently 326,800 civil engineers employed in the United States. There is an average rate of expected growth for this occupation during the next ten years. California, Texas, New York, Florida and Pennsylvania are the five states with the highest employment rates for civil engineers.
Similar Occupations as Civil Engineers
Similar occupations as civil engineers include the following:
- Architects
- Civil engineering technicians
- Construction managers
- Environmental engineers
- Landscape architects
- Mechanical engineers
- Surveyors
- Urban and regional planners
Lawsuits and Settlements Involving Civil Engineers and Mesothelioma
There have been a few notable lawsuits involving civil engineers. A New York jury awarded $8 million to a 75-year-old man who was exposed to asbestos while working as a civil engineer. The jury found that the company he worked for was aware that asbestos was a dangerous carcinogen when they had him work on a project that used asbestos spray on coating.
A San Francisco jury awarded more than $1.1 million to an engineer who developed asbestosis after working for 35 years in replacing materials that contained asbestos that were manufactured by the defendants.
Studies Related to Civil Engineers and Asbestos
There have been various case studies and reports about the dangers civil engineers face. The California Department of Transportation released a report that said three bridges that were planned for demolition found between 40% and 70% chrysotile asbestos material in the material that interfaced metal guardrails of the concrete bridges. An industry publication reported on the potential for operators, owners and designers of hydroelectric facilities to be exposed to asbestos.
The Air Resources Board in California also reported that serpentine materials were used to surface roads and driveways and could be disturbed while building or reconstructing roads.
Types of Asbestos Products Used by Civil Engineers
Civil engineers may have come in contact with a variety of products that contained asbestos, including the following:
- Concrete foundations that were constructed with cement powder that contained asbestos
- Pipe and boiler insulation that contained asbestos
- Asbestos-containing adhesives
- Insulation that contained asbestos
- Sprayed coating, insulation board, siding, wallboard and other wall construction materials that contained asbestos
- Heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment that contained asbestos
- Joint compounds, mortar, spackle and other mixtures that were used to adhere building materials to the project
- Vinyl, asphalt or vinyl sheet flooring that contained asbestos
- Asbestos cement pipes
- Roofing felt, cement siding and roof shingle products that contained asbestos
- Asbestos sheets and boards and piping
- Building materials to construct bridges
- Generators, turbines, conduits and piping used to construct dams
- Asphalt road surfaces that were used to strengthen and bind aggregates
- Asbestos flash strips and electrical products
Manufacturers of Asbestos Products Used by Civil Engineers
Manufacturers who created asbestos products that civil engineers may have come in contact with include the following:
- P. Green Industries
- Abex Corporation
- Armstrong World Industries
- Babcock and Wilcox
- Borg Warner Company
- Celotex
- CertainTeed Corporation
- Cleaver-Brooks
- Dana Corporation
- Federal Mogul Corporation
- Foster Wheeler
- GAF Corporation
- General Electric
- John Crane
- Johns Manville
- Kaiser Aluminum
- Owens Illinois
- Raybestos
- Unarco
- Union Carbide
- R. Grace and Company
