Mesothelioma in Oil Refinery Workers

Q: What are the health risks of working at an oil refinery?

An oil refinery can expose workers to many hazardous chemicals . Before the 1980s, one of the most dangerous substances used in oil refineries was asbestos. Asbestos was used in oil refineries to insulate various structures and equipment. However, asbestos fibers can break off from these assets and enter the air. Anyone that inhales asbestos is at risk of mesothelioma and other deadly illnesses 10-50 years later.

Q: What should I do if I might have mesothelioma from working at an oil refinery?

See a doctor as soon as possible if you're concerned about mesothelioma. Tell them about any symptoms that you are having, and also note when, where, and how you were exposed to asbestos (if you remember). Doctors can recommend tests to diagnose you and can recommend treatment options if you have mesothelioma. Getting an early mesothelioma diagnosis is key as if the cancer is caught before it spreads, you'll have more treatment options available.

Mesothelioma and Oil Refinery Workers Explained

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) includes oil refineries in its list of businesses that exposed people to asbestos, a cancer-causing substance.

Oil refineries are specialized industrial plants that turn crude oil, which comes from out of the ground, into diesel fuel and gasoline.

Unfortunately, many oil refineries relied on asbestos prior to the early 1980s. In fact, up to 9 out of 10 oil refinery workers were exposed to asbestos.

Because of this, oil refinery personnel who worked with asbestos are at a high risk of mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases today.

Help is available for oil refinery workers with mesothelioma. Workers can pursue medical care, compensation, and benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), as well as legal compensation. Learn more with our Free Veterans Packet.

Why Was Asbestos Used by Oil Refineries?

Oil must be boiled in order to be refined. Because the boiling is done at such a high temperature, asbestos was used to protect many of the mechanical parts used at refineries.

Oil refinery workers were responsible for sanding, cutting, and handling materials made from asbestos. These materials gave off asbestos dust that workers then could inhale.

Did You Know?

Asbestos reduced the risk of fires and it also prevented workers from getting burns.

Being exposed to asbestos on a daily basis greatly increases the risk of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases later in life.

How Were Oil Refinery Workers Exposed to Asbestos?

Asbestos was used throughout oil refineries for decades, putting workers at risk in many ways.

On oil refinery sites, asbestos could be found in:

Buildings: Structures throughout oil refinery sites relied on asbestos, as it was commonly used in buildings for decades on end.
Insulation: Asbestos was used between the 1930s and early 1980s as an insulator in oil refinery factories because it is non-flammable. Boilers and pipes were just a few of many products in oil refineries that contained asbestos insulation.
Protective Equipment: There was such high heat involved in working at an oil refinery, so workers were often given personal protective equipment that was made from asbestos.
Refinery Equipment: Asbestos was used in gaskets, sealants, and other equipment. As workers made repairs to these products, they could disturb asbestos and unknowingly inhale it.

Not sure how you were exposed to asbestos?

Call (877) 450-8973 now.

Our team can help if you have mesothelioma.

Oil Refinery Workers at Risk of Mesothelioma

Anyone who worked in a refinery may have been exposed to asbestos and could develop mesothelioma.

Oil refinery workers at risk of mesothelioma include:

Boilermakers
Engineers
Electricians
Millwrights
Pipefitters
Welders

Oil refinery workers with the greatest risk of mesothelioma worked with or around asbestos-based products on a daily basis for months or years on end.

Sadly, oil refinery workers weren't warned of the risks that asbestos posed and that most didn't have access to proper protective equipment.

Modern-Day Oil Refinery Asbestos Risks

According to the most recent figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are over 34,000 people working in oil refineries today.

However, some oil refinery personnel are still at risk of asbestos exposure if they work in older refineries and proper protective equipment isn't used. This is because older products and buildings in these refineries may still contain asbestos.

In 2021, the investigative news company Reuters reported on a now-closed refinery in Pennsylvania. The refinery had "enough pipeline to connect you from here to Florida," and most of it was wrapped in asbestos, according to a renovator.

In addition, you could still be at risk of mesothelioma if you were exposed to asbestos as an oil refinery worker decades ago. This is because asbestos-related illnesses take 10-50 years to form after asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma & Oil Refinery Workers: Get Help Now

Because so many were exposed to asbestos in oil refineries and got sick, there are several different ways to get help.

Oil refinery workers with mesothelioma can access:

Care from top doctors: Though mesothelioma only affects about 3,000 people per year, oncologists (cancer doctors) across the country can treat it.
Compensation: Companies made and sold asbestos-containing products for decades despite knowing the risks. By filing private claims against these companies, you can receive financial compensation. Mesothelioma claims often pay out $1 million or more.
VA benefits: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers low-cost or free health care and monthly financial compensation to veterans with mesothelioma.

Our team can help you and your family get all the benefits and compensation you deserve. Get a Free Veterans Packet now to learn more.

Mesothelioma & Oil Refinery Workers FAQs

What are the health risks of working at an oil refinery?

An oil refinery can expose workers to many hazardous chemicals. Before the 1980s, one of the most dangerous substances used in oil refineries was asbestos.

Asbestos was used in oil refineries to insulate various structures and equipment. However, asbestos fibers can break off from these assets and enter the air.

Anyone that inhales asbestos is at risk of mesothelioma and other deadly illnesses 10-50 years later.

Do oil refinery workers get cancer?

Yes, oil refinery workers get cancer and other serious illnesses.

If you were exposed to asbestos at an oil refinery, you may be at risk of:

Asbestosis
Lung cancer
Mesothelioma
Other asbestos-related diseases

Thankfully, you may qualify for financial compensation and medical care following a diagnosis. Call (877) 450-8973 now to learn more.

What should I do if I might have mesothelioma from working at an oil refinery?

See a doctor as soon as possible if you're concerned about mesothelioma. Tell them about any symptoms that you are having, and also note when, where, and how you were exposed to asbestos (if you remember).

Doctors can recommend tests to diagnose you and can recommend treatment options if you have mesothelioma.

Getting an early mesothelioma diagnosis is key as if the cancer is caught before it spreads, you'll have more treatment options available.