Aerospace Workers

When we speak of Aerospace workers that might have been exposed to asbestos, the contaminant that causes Mesothelioma, we are referring to those that work directly in the production and manufacturing of aircraft, military weapons, space vehicles, propulsion units, aircraft engines, and other related products. This group of workers make up approximately 40 percent of all aerospace workers. Most of these jobs are not industry specific as well and can be found in many manufacturing environments.

Many individuals in aerospace work as part of an assembly that may be putting together parts for an airplane or vehicle. There are also Machinists who make parts too small to mass-produce. These workers follow blueprints and specifications to build the specified units. Another group of Aerospace workers, Tool and die makers work in developing precision tools dies which are used to produce parts for final products. Beside production jobs, aerospace workers also take on many other roles including Inspectors, testers, and samplers which all help ensure the safety and reliability of the end product.

While dealing with the production and manufacturing of these products, aerospace workers may have come in contact with asbestos. Aerospace workers have come into contact with Asbestos in the work environment all across the country. In New York, aerospace workers at the Durez plastics plant were exposed to asbestos in the 1970s when the plant was using the contaminant in the manufacturing of its products. Over 50 of the plant's employees were exposed to the contaminant and eventually died from malignant mesothelioma.

Aerojet, a manufacturer of rocket and missile motors, came under fire for using asbestos in the manufacturing of its products in its California plant. One employee of Aeroject unknowingly exposed his daughter to asbestos after working around the contaminant and bringing asbestos fibers home on his clothing where it could affect his family. His daughter was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 1999 and died at the age of 42. The jury awarded the worker's family over $5 million dollars.

Aerospace workers in the navy have also been exposed to the contaminant in the past. Many parts on Naval aircraft in the past contained asbestos. Asbestos was previously used as insulation around engine parts and electrical wiring. The brakes used on these aircraft were also lined with asbestos. Every time the breaks would be used, asbestos dust would be created which would be inhaled by all those that serviced the breaks and the surrounding. Asbestos was also used in other cases throughout the aircraft. Any worker that was in charge of replacing or maintaining these parts on the aircraft may have been exposed to the contaminant.