Railroad Workers and Asbestos Exposure

How Railroad Workers Were Exposed to Asbestos

Asbestos was used widely in the railroad industry, and workers who helped construct, operate, maintain, inspect, and repair tracks, trains, and rail equipment were routinely exposed to harmful asbestos-containing materials in the course of their employment.

From the myriad of asbestos-containing products found in train cars to asbestos contained in essential locomotive components and railways, there were many ways that railroad workers were directly exposed to asbestos. Indirect exposure to asbestos also affected workers who didn’t directly work on trains or rail systems, as well as families of railroad workers who were exposed to the harmful mineral through secondary exposure. Studies have found ample evidence to show that spouses and children of railroad workers have a higher incidence of mesothelioma than the general population due to take-home exposure.

Asbestos was used widely in materials and equipment found in rail cars. Insulation, for example, contained asbestos because it was heat-resistant and could withstand the high temperatures inherent to rail transit. As such, asbestos insulation was used abundantly in engine rooms, boilers, electric panels, brake systems, clutches, and other train and rail components subject to heat and intense friction. It could also be found throughout freight and passenger cars in wallboard, ceiling tiles, flooring, and more.

A variety of workers faced risks of asbestos exposure due to working in or alongside the railroad industry during the 20th century. Some examples include:

Unfortunately, workers who built, installed, serviced, or repaired these items were likely exposed to asbestos. The risks were especially great for workers who performed tasks such as sanding, grinding, or sawing, which increased the likelihood of releasing harmful asbestos fibers into the air where they could be inhaled or ingested, and for workers who performed tasks in cramped spaces with poor circulation where asbestos fibers could concentrate at higher levels.

Some studies suggest railroad workers who worked with and around older trains may face greater risks of developing asbestos diseases. That’s because older locomotives were primarily powered by steam engines and used larger quantities of asbestos to insulate equipment than diesel-powered trains, which were still riddled with asbestos.

In addition to the direct exposure experienced by railroad workers, other workers would have also been exposed to asbestos used by the railroad industry. This includes machinists, boilermakers, welders, pipefitters, electricians, painters, welders, and various trades workers who built or repaired train components in repair shops and roundhouses, as well as general laborers and track workers who installed new rail lines. Some of these track workers were exposed to raw asbestos when excavating or clearing land for new lines.

Asbestos was used so abundantly on trains, tracks, and rail-owned property that even workers who did not directly handle asbestos-containing products were likely exposed to asbestos. This includes employees in various ancillary and support roles, such as clerks.