Boiler Workers and Asbestos Lung Cancer

Boiler workers may have been exposed to large amounts of asbestos while building, installing, and maintaining boilers in ships and buildings. Many boilermakers are now at risk of lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases as a result. Learn more about bolier workers and asbestos, including how we can support those who are now sick.

Free Case Review

Written and Fact-Checked by: Lung Cancer Group

Last updated: January 26, 2026

Top Topics:

Asbestos Risks
Job Sites
Diseases
Support

Understanding Boilermakers and Asbestos Exposure

Between the 1930s and early 1980s, boilers were made with asbestos-containing products like insulation. Boiler workers were required to assemble, cut, and manipulate these products. In the process, asbestos fibers were released into the air, where boilermakers could easily breathe or swallow them in.

Today, asbestos is known to cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other serious illnesses. Boilermakers had no idea that the asbestos products they worked with every day could cause them to get sick later in life, as manufacturers hid the health risks.

Quick Facts About Asbestos & Boilermakers

Boiler workers who served on U.S. Navy ships or shipyards were especially at risk of asbestos exposure.
Even one exposure to asbestos can increase a boilermaker’s risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma.
It can take 10-50 years before symptoms of asbestos illnesses appear in boilermakers or others exposed.
Family members and loved ones may have been exposed secondhand through asbestos dust carried home by boiler workers on clothing and tools.

If you or a loved one is facing lung cancer after serving as a boilermaker, we may be able to assist you and your family.

Get our Free Lung Cancer Guide now to learn about top lung cancer treamtents, asbestos risks, and compensation options.

How Does Boilermakers Asbestos Exposure Occur?

Boilermakers risked asbestos exposure every day as boilers and boiler rooms contained so many asbestos products needed to withstand extreme temperatures.

Boilermaking tasks included cutting, welding, or maintaining components inside boiler rooms to keep the machinery functioning. These job duties made the air dense with asbestos fibers.

Boiler workers and asbestos exposure can be traced to:

Asbestos boiler insulation and pipe insulation
Floor tiles and paneling
Gaskets, seals, or linings inside pressurized tanks
Heat-resistant adhesives, joint compounds, and cements

Because boiler rooms were poorly ventilated, dust built up quickly. For decades, no protective measures were taken to keep boiler workers safe, causing many to develop asbestos-related illnesses like lung cancer and mesothelioma later in life.

Boiler Workers and Asbestos Job Sites

Boilermakers may have encountered many asbestos products in boiler rooms while working in different industries and on various job sites.

High-risk boiler workers and asbestos job sites included:

Construction sites with asbestos-containing products like drywall, pipes, and paint
Industrial factories producing heavy-duty equipment
Oil refineries that used asbestos products for heat control and insulation
Ships and shipyards, as asbestos was used in almost all aspects of shipbuilding

“I was a boiler tender when I went aboard my first ship. I asked them what the material was made out of and they told me it was asbestos. It didn’t kill anybody on the spot that’s for sure. It took years later. That’s when it started catching up with us.”

– Walter Twidwell, former Navy boiler tender with mesothelioma

Boilermakers had the greatest risk of exposure prior to the early 1980s, because up until this point the public was not fully aware of the danger that asbestos posed. Private manufacturers did know the risks but hid them to make a profit.

However, boiler workers could be exposed to asbestos even today when working on older buildings or ships with boiler components from decades ago.

Our team can see if your lung cancer diagnosis may be linked to boilermakers asbestos exposure. Call (877) 446-5767 now to learn more.

Boiler Workers and Asbestos-Related Diseases

Boilermakers who are exposed to asbestos run a high risk of serious health issues later in life. Notable asbestos-related diseases include several types of cancers and incurable, long-term health issues.

Boilermakers asbestos exposure can cause:

Asbestosis: This is not cancer, but it is a very serious health problem in which the lungs get stiff over time. It eventually prevents the lungs from working properly.
Mesothelioma: This is a very rare cancer that affects the lining of the inside of the body. Most cases start in the lining of the lungs.
Lung cancer: Any boilermakers exposed to asbestos could develop lung cancer later in life. Asbestos fibers can get trapped in the lungs and cause long-term damage. The risk is greater among smokers, because asbestos makes it easier for smoke to harm the lungs.

It takes 10-50 years for asbestos related health problems to develop after exposure. However, boilermakers may not realize they are sick because common symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath are mild at first and could be mistaken for more common issues.

Boilermakers can stay on top of their health by getting precautionary lung cancer screenings, which can help confirm a diagnosis before symptoms develop.

Compensation for Boilermakers Exposed to Asbestos

Companies that manufactured asbestos products hid the dangers to protect their profits, putting millions of workers at risk. Boilermakers who developed asbestos-related diseases may be able to seek compensation and hold these companies accountable.

Lung cancer compensation options for boiler workers and asbestos include:

Asbestos trust funds: There’s over $30 billion available in asbestos trusts today. Boilermakers with asbestos-related diseases like lung cancer may be eligible for payouts from multiple trusts.
Personal injury lawsuits: Lung cancer lawsuits seek compensation from the companies that made the products that contributed to a diagnosis.
VA benefits: Many U.S. military veterans tended asbestos-containing boilers while serving their country. Veterans who now have lung cancer or mesothelioma as a result may be eligible for disability payouts worth over $4,000 per month and free of low-cost health care through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Wrongful death lawsuits: If your loved one died from an asbestos-related disease after working with asbestos boilers, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit to hold asbestos companies responsible.

Lung Cancer Group has partnered with trusted lung cancer law firms that have fought for boiler workers and other trades workers exposed to asbestos. We can help determine eligibility and make the process as stress-free as possible.

Get a free case review now to find out if you qualify to pursue lung cancer compensation.

Get Support for Boilermakers With Asbestos Lung Cancer

Boilermakers risked exposure to asbestos-containing components for decades, never realizing that they could wind up with lung cancer or other serious health problems later in life.

At Lung Cancer Group, our team is ready to support boiler workers and loved ones harmed by asbestos-related lung cancer.

We may be able help you:

Better understand your treatment options
Pursue lung cancer compensation
Connect with other support resources

Get our Free Lung Cancer Guide or call (877) 446-5767 to learn how we can assist you and your family facing asbestos lung cancer.

Boiler Workers and Asbestos Lung Cancer FAQs

Do boilers have asbestos in them?

Yes. Many boilers installed before the 1980s contain asbestos, usually in insulation, gaskets, or other materials. Modern boilers do not use asbestos, but older units can pose a risk if disturbed during repairs or removal.

What jobs are most exposed to asbestos?

Jobs with the highest asbestos exposure risk typically involved working around insulation, heat, or older building materials. These include boilermakers, construction workers, electricians, and shipyard workers.

Many of these workers were exposed while installing, repairing, or removing asbestos-containing materials.

Can you sue for working around asbestos as a boilermaker?

Yes. You may be able to sue for working around asbestos as a boilermaker if your exposure caused you to develop lung cancer or another asbestos-related disease.

Boiler workers and asbestos exposure often went hand-in-hand. Asbestos in boiler rooms was a common hazard, and workers weren’t warned of the risk.

If you qualify, an asbestos lawyer can file a lawsuit on your behalf and seek the compensation you deserve. Call (877) 446-5767 right now to get started.

When did they stop putting asbestos in boilers?

Manufacturers generally stopped using asbestos in boilers in the early 1980s, as health risks became widely recognized and safety regulations increased.

However, for boilermakers already exposed to asbestos, it was too late. Today, many are getting sick due to work they performed years ago.

Are old boilers safe?

Old boilers can be safe if they’re in good condition and left undisturbed, but they may pose a risk if they contain asbestos.

Boiler workers may still be exposed during maintenance, repairs, renovations, or removal. Disturbing old insulation, gaskets, or cement can release asbestos fibers, even decades after installation.

If you or a loved one has been harmed, we may be able to help. Get started with a free case review.