Plumbers
The term plumber refers to an individual who is responsible for the design, installation and repair of pipe systems, most often in a residential setting. Those who tackle this same job in commercial or industrial settings are usually referred to as pipe fitters.
It seems that everyone hires a plumber now and then, especially for small-scale repair work within the home. Plumbers come to the rescue when there's a leak in the pipes, a need for new pipes or faucets, a burst water heater, excessive corrosion, or some other concern that homeowners may not have the skills to address on their own.
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Plumbers and Asbestos
Plumbers, like pipe fitters, deal with equipment and parts that must insure the smooth running of hot and cold water to various fixtures within a home or small commercial building. Furthermore, these parts must remain resistant to major changes in temperature or corrosion. For that reason, pipes - even those in homes - were often insulated with asbestos-containing materials, particularly in structures built prior to the 1980s. Asbestos may also be found in pipe fittings, pipe coatings, and water heater filaments that were installed before the asbestos warnings of approximately 30 years ago.
Because pipes often need to be bent, cut, and otherwise altered, especially during removal, asbestos found on or in old pipes can be damaged and asbestos fibers circulated throughout the air. While most plumbers now take care to avoid inhaling dangerous asbestos fibers, those who practiced the profession prior to the 1980s probably were not informed as to the toxicity of the mineral. Therefore, most plumbers did not wear protective gear, even though they were working in small, cramped spaces where damaged asbestos could be easily inhaled. Decades later, many plumbers have been diagnosed with serious asbestos-related illnesses caused by on-the-job exposure, including mesothelioma.
Homeowners who decide to tackle plumbing jobs should be diligent about protecting themselves and their family members as well, especially in old homes, and should be informed as to local laws about the removal and disposal of asbestos-containing materials before they begin a plumbing job inside the home.
