Electrical Cloth

Electricians are just one of several groups of workers who have, throughout the past several decades, suffered from exposure to asbestos. Because working with electricity includes exposure to high heat and temperatures as well as the potential of fire, asbestos enjoyed widespread use in this field.

One of the many products that were manufactured with asbestos and used by electricians on a regular basis was electrical cloth. This cloth was used to insulate wires and other items that may reach a high temperature, resulting in a fire. The cloth featured various levels of asbestos and was not dangerous if it was undamaged. However, if it needed to be cut to fit certain applications, toxic asbestos fibers were released. And because the electrician often worked in very tight quarters, the asbestos dust stayed in one spot and was easy to inhale.

Today, electricians make use of other materials for insulation and electrical cloth is no longer manufactured using asbestos. However, electricians that work in old homes or commercial buildings may still encounter asbestos-containing electrical cloth if they are working on wiring at those locations. That means protective steps should always be taken, which includes wearing a respirator if you might be working with wires wrapped with asbestos electrical cloth.

Decades ago, no one wore masks or respirators while working with asbestos. That’s because most tradesmen were not aware of the dangers of this toxic mineral. Unfortunately, there were individuals who were indeed informed as to asbestos’ toxic properties, but the information was rarely shared with employees. It’s because of this massive asbestos-related cover-up that many electricians are sickened today with asbestos cancer such as mesothelioma.

It wasn’t until the U.S. government issued bans on certain asbestos products in the 1970s that the cover-up became evident and the plight of asbestos-disease sufferers came to light. Because diseases such as mesothelioma take between 20 and 50 years to surface, many of those who were exposed to asbestos on a daily basis before the 1970s are just learning that they’re suffering from these diseases.

If you worked with electrical cloth but weren’t informed of its dangers, and if you’ve developed mesothelioma due to this exposure, you have legal rights and you may be able to receive compensation for your medical expenses and suffering. Take a moment to order our free mesothelioma information packet for more about the disease and its legal ramifications.

Last modified: December 09 2009.