Asbestos Exposure in Louisiana
From the 1930s through the 1980s, the heaviest asbestos exposure occurred to workers in industrial construction and maintenance, insulation installation and tear out, vehicle repair, building construction, and to workers in the petrochemical refining, power generation, papermill and shipbuilding industries. According to the Louisiana Department of Health, asbestos was valued by countless industries for its high durability, heat resistance, light weight, and low cost.[1]
Last Updated:
- May 16, 2025
How Does Asbestos Exposure Occur?
Asbestos exposure occurs when asbestos-containing products are disturbed through activities such as cutting, mixing, spraying, drilling, crushing, tearing out, or similar tasks. These activities are common during the installation, removal, or manufacturing of insulation at industrial job sites.
Asbestos is hazardous when disturbed, as it releases microscopic fibers into the air that can remain airborne for long periods. These fibers can be inhaled or ingested by anyone working in the area, not just those directly handling the materials. Even normal wear and tear of asbestos-containing products can release hazardous fibers into the air.
Did You Know?
Asbestos fibers typically enter the body by being breathed in while airborne. You cannot see, feel, taste, or feel irritation in your eyes or skin, so you do not know you are inhaling a deadly mineral.
Occupational Exposure
Asbestos exposure is most frequently occupational, meaning it occurs in the workplace. In the mid-1970s, the government began regulating asbestos to protect workers from asbestos exposure. However, workers in many trades were exposed to asbestos for decades before that, either by using products containing asbestos or working near someone who did.
A Local 60 Pipefitter's Story
“We didn't know it was that dangerous.”
I joined the Local 60 in 1963 and served a five-year apprenticeship. I went to several job sites all up and down Mississippi River. I was exposed to asbestos while cutting out insulation to put in pipes. Anytime we had to cut into a line, we knocked off the insulation or asbestos insulation. We didn’t know it was that dangerous. But when they needed a fitter to go in there and help them, I went in there. We called ’em the asbestos crew.
In Louisiana, some of the trades that have commonly been exposed to asbestos-containing materials include the following:
Some of the most common job sites in Louisiana where workers may have faced asbestos exposure include the following:
Although the risk of mesothelioma in the U.S. general population is small—less than 1 percent—the risk skyrockets to 8 to 13 percent for occupational exposure.
Secondary Exposure
It’s not just workers who handled or worked near industrial asbestos products that may have faced exposure. Workers’ families could also have faced secondary exposure if the worker wore their asbestos-laden clothing home. If a child jumped into their parents’ arms when they came home or a spouse handled work clothes while doing laundry, they could inhale invisible asbestos fibers, which could silently embed themselves into the linings of their organs.
Secondary Exposure from Father
"The exposure was from his clothes."
My dad worked in the industrial field his whole career. He worked in paper mills and in plants. As soon as my dad got off work, he would always bring me to practice. We had a a Volkswagen. And that’s where I would ride next to him with my arm around him in his work clothes. The exposure was from his clothes. It was a secondary exposure to me as I was young growing up.
Environmental Exposure
Environmental exposure is another way people unknowingly inhaled and ingested asbestos fibers. Many industrial sites released asbestos into the air, soil, or water, leaving the nearby communities vulnerable to exposure. Asbestos exposure was particularly likely following natural disasters.
West Bank Environmental Exposure
Residents of the West Bank, including the towns of Gretna, Westwego, Harvey, and Marrero, are at risk of exposure to asbestos used in building their driveways and sidewalks. Manufacturer Johns-Manville sold this asbestos. The asbestos was so prevalent that white residue would cover cars' tires as they pulled in and out of driveways. High winds would blow the asbestos around. Residents were potentially exposed every time they used a driveway, walked along the sidewalk, or played in the yard. As a result, many West Bank residents have been sickened with asbestos-related diseases.
Public Buildings and Asbestos Exposure
Before the government began regulating asbestos in the 1970s and 1980s, public buildings across Louisiana used asbestos-containing construction materials for fire resistance and soundproofing. Materials such as floor tiles, spray fireproofing & sound proofing, ceiling tiles, insulation, roofing, siding, wallboard, and plaster often contained asbestos. Buildings built before the 1980s in Louisiana that are likely to contain asbestos in some form include the following:
- Schools
- Churches
- Hospitals
- Museums
- Libraries
- Airports
Today, the people most at risk for asbestos exposure are those who perform routine maintenance or renovations in these public buildings, such as roof repairs and plumbing maintenance. The drilling, tearing, sanding, and cutting from maintenance can disturb asbestos-containing materials, releasing fibers into the air. The demolition of older parts of public buildings could also release asbestos.
Aging and degrading infrastructure can also put people at risk for asbestos exposure. Over time, the asbestos-containing materials in aging public buildings can deteriorate and become brittle, releasing fibers into the air.
Did You Know?
Manufacturers have known of the dangers of asbestos since the 1930s. However, the mineral was so inexpensive that corporate executives intentionally kept the danger secret to maximize profits.
Asbestos in Louisiana Homes
After World War II ended, housing construction across Louisiana dramatically increased as servicemembers returned home and needed homes to raise their families. The housing industry skyrocketed nationwide, and the Louisiana landscape transformed with the creation of thousands of mass-produced suburban tract homes. From 1940 to 1960, Louisiana’s population grew by nearly 100,000.
Unfortunately, this mid-century housing boom coincided with the proliferation of asbestos-containing home construction products. Asbestos was a component of everything from floor tile to roof shingles throughout the 20th century. If your home was built between 1940 and 1980, one or more products used in its construction likely contain asbestos. It’s important to be mindful of the potential risk of exposure when renovating or repairing an older home, especially when dealing with the following products:
- Floor tiles
- Drywall joint compound (tape and bed mud)
- Interior plasters
- Wall coatings
- Popcorn ceilings
- Exterior siding
- Roof shingles
- Chimney sealant
- Ductwork
Frequently Asked Questions About Asbestos Exposure
Below are some questions Louisiana residents frequently ask regarding potential asbestos exposure in their own lives. If you have further questions, our team is available to help.
What Is Asbestos?
Why Was Asbestos Used?
Asbestos is valued for its heat and chemical resistance, strength, flexibility, and low electrical conductivity. These properties made it popular in many industrial and consumer products because it’s fire-resistant, corrosion-resistant, soundproof, lightweight, and affordable to extract.
What Are the Types of Asbestos?
The three types of asbestos commonly used in the U.S. are chrysotile or white asbestos, crocidolite or blue asbestos, and amosite or brown asbestos. Chrysotile is the most widely used form of asbestos. Both crocidolite and amosite have brittle, needle-like fibers.
What Are the Health Risks of Asbestos Exposure?
Asbestos exposure poses several health risks, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, colon cancer, asbestosis, pleural effusions, and pleural plaques. Mesothelioma often doesn’t develop until decades after exposure occurs. Due to its health risks, asbestos is classified as a carcinogen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
How Much Asbestos Exposure Causes Mesothelioma?
Research on the link between asbestos exposure duration and mesothelioma risk has produced mixed results. Some studies indicate that longer exposure increases the risk of developing mesothelioma, while others show no significant difference between long and short exposure times. Despite this, evidence suggests that even low levels of asbestos exposure can raise the risk of mesothelioma.
Contact Louisiana Mesothelioma Advocates
If you or a loved one suspect exposure to asbestos in Louisiana and have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, Louisiana Mesothelioma Advocates can help—even if the asbestos exposure occurred decades ago. We will connect you with our sponsor, Baron & Budd, P.C., who can direct you to the best mesothelioma physicians and advise you on the best route for compensation.
Call Us Today
If you’re facing a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Content Reviewed by
Todd Kale
Todd Kale meets with mesothelioma patients and their families across Louisiana to investigate their asbestos exposure, providing compassionate support and guidance during a difficult time.