Was Asbestos Used in Electrical Wiring?
Yes, asbestos was used in electrical wiring and other components between the 1930s and early 1980s. Asbestos was believed to be a safe way to keep electric wires well-insulated and protect them from corrosion.
However, manufacturers of asbestos-containing electrical wiring hid a deadly truth: Exposure could lead to mesothelioma and other health problems 10 to 50 years later.
Key Facts on Asbestos in Electrical Wiring
- Applications: Electrical cables, circuit breakers, panels, heaters, conductors, cable wrap, and more
- Health risks: Mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer
- Manufacturers: General Electric, Siemens Energy & Automation, Westinghouse, and many others
- Compensation options: Mesothelioma lawsuits, asbestos trust funds, and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits
If you or a loved one was exposed to asbestos in old electrical wiring and later developed mesothelioma, our team can help you explore treatments, pursue financial compensation, and receive support.
Get our Free Mesothelioma Guide to see all the ways we can assist you.
Why Was Asbestos Found in Electrical Wiring?
Asbestos had unique properties that made it ideal for use in electrical wiring, insulation, and other products.
It was:
- Durable: Asbestos fibers are very strong, ensuring long-lasting insulation.
- Fireproof and heat resistant: Asbestos can withstand high temperatures, making it ideal for preventing electrical fires and insulating wires that generate a lot of heat.
- Non-conductive: Asbestos does not conduct electricity, which is crucial to prevent short circuits and electrical shocks.
However, none of these benefits outweigh the deadly drawbacks.
Working with electrical wires and other asbestos-containing materials could release fibers into the air. Breathing in these fibers could trigger mesothelioma later in life.
Who’s at Risk of Asbestos in Electrical Wiring?
Anyone who handles asbestos-containing electrical products could develop mesothelioma later in life. Those at the highest risk worked with or around electrical materials every day.
This includes:
- Electricians
- Boilermakers
- Construction workers
- Factory workers
- Firefighters
- Homeowners
- Maintenance workers
- Mechanics
- Shipyard workers
- U.S. veterans
Family members were also in danger of secondary asbestos exposure. This occurred when workers came home with asbestos fibers on their hair, clothing, or skin, putting loved ones at risk of developing mesothelioma.
Julie Gundlach was exposed to asbestos when her father, an electrician, came home covered in contaminated dust. In her mid-30s, she developed mesothelioma. Julie bravely fought the cancer and is still thriving nearly 20 years later. “Never give up hope and remember that your life is yours, not the disease’s,” she says.
Contact us if you or a loved one worked with asbestos electrical materials and developed mesothelioma. We can help you pursue treatments and financial compensation to make your cancer fight easier.
Health Risks of Asbestos in Electrical Wiring
Exposure to asbestos in electrical materials can trigger serious health problems.
Common asbestos-related diseases include:
- Mesothelioma: This aggressive cancer forms in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, heart, or testicles. The only known cause is being exposed to asbestos.
- Asbestosis: This chronic lung disease leads to difficulty breathing and lung failure.
- Lung cancer: People who work around asbestos have an increased risk of lung cancer.
- Other illnesses: Asbestos can lead to ovarian cancer, laryngeal cancer, pleural effusion (fluid buildup in the lung lining), and other health problems.
These diseases don’t appear until 10 to 50 years or more after asbestos exposure. You are at a higher risk of getting sick if you worked with or around electrical products containing asbestos.
Types of Electrical Wiring Materials That Used Asbestos
Many electrical components used asbestos to make them more heat-resistant and less prone to wear. Learn about some of the most notable materials below.
- Asbestos Electrical Panels
These panels were made with asbestos because of its heat resistance and fireproofing capabilities. This way, they could safely cover electrical components that generated a lot of heat. - Asbestos Knob and Tube Wiring
The wires surrounding knobs and tubes were protected with asbestos to prevent them from wearing out. - Asbestos Wiring Insulation
Asbestos fibers were woven into the insulation material that coated old wires, providing a durable, heat-resistant layer. Asbestos cloth wiring was also used as insulation. - Cable Wrappings
Asbestos cable wrappings were used to insulate and protect potentially friable electrical cables, particularly in high-temperature environments. - Cement Shielding
Asbestos was used in cement shielding and bases to protect electrical wires from damage and fires. - Insulation Paper
Asbestos insulation paper was wrapped around wires to prevent electrical shorts and to protect against high temperatures. This helped electrical systems to operate smoothly.
Electrical work could release asbestos fibers into the air as these materials were replaced, repaired, or serviced, putting those nearby at risk of mesothelioma later in life.
Companies That Made Asbestos Wiring
Many companies were involved in the production and distribution of asbestos-containing electrical wiring and other products.
Some of these asbestos companies included:
- Appleton Electric, LLC
- Eaton Electrical (Cutler-Hammer)
- Emerson Electric Company (U.S. Electrical Motors)
- General Electric
- Hubbell Lighting (Prescolite)
- Rockwell Automation (Allen Bradley)
- Schneider Electric (Square D)
- Siemens Energy & Automation
- Westinghouse Electric Corporation
These companies hid the risks of exposure to asbestos electrical insulation, wires, and other products for decades to make significant profits.
Compensation Options for Electrical Wiring Asbestos Exposure
You can seek financial compensation if you develop mesothelioma or another serious illness from asbestos-containing electrical materials.
Notable ways to seek compensation include:
- Mesothelioma lawsuits: A lawsuit demands that asbestos companies pay for harming you. The average mesothelioma lawsuit awards $1 million or more.
- Asbestos trust funds: The U.S. court system forced bankrupt asbestos companies to establish trusts so victims could get paid. There is over $30 billion in these trusts today and you may qualify to access some of it.
- VA benefits: The VA offers medical and financial benefits to veterans who have developed mesothelioma. Notable benefits include over $4,000 a month in disability payouts and free or inexpensive medical care.
Mesothelioma Hope’s legal partners can file lawsuits and trust fund claims on your behalf, allowing you to pursue asbestos payouts with less stress.
Get started with a Free Case Review to learn more about your compensation options.
Get a Free Mesothelioma Case Review
We’re Here to Help Asbestos Electrical Wiring Victims
Asbestos wiring insulation and other electrical components put workers and their families in danger of mesothelioma and other life-threatening illnesses for decades.
Mesothelioma Hope is here to support patients and loved ones through a diagnosis.
We can help you:
- Access top doctors and treatments
- Determine which electrical products put you at risk
- Explore support options and resources
- Secure compensation often worth $1 million or more
Call (866) 608-8933 or get our Free Mesothelioma Guide to explore your options and how we can assist you.
Asbestos Wiring Insulation FAQs
How do you identify asbestos wiring?
Seek out an abatement professional who can identify if any electrical wiring contains asbestos. You won’t be able to do it yourself.
Leave old wires alone and don’t touch them, as this could release asbestos fibers into the air around you.
Are electricians exposed to asbestos?
Yes, electricians were exposed to asbestos in products like wires, insulation, cables, and paneling. These materials were used through the mid-1980s.
As a result, many older electricians are being diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer today.
Contact us now for help pursuing medical care and compensation if you or a loved one has mesothelioma.
Do circuit breakers have asbestos?
Yes, older circuit breakers may have asbestos wiring insulation, cables, and other components.
To keep yourself safe, you should avoid disturbing any materials in circuit breakers that could potentially contain asbestos.
Did old electrical wiring have asbestos?
Yes, asbestos was used in electrical wiring between the 1930s and early 1980s. The general public didn’t realize that many electrical products were dangerous as manufacturers hid the health risks of asbestos exposure.
It takes 10 to 50 years for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses to form, so those exposed to asbestos in electrical wiring decades ago are at risk of getting sick today.
Call (866) 608-8933 now for help if you developed mesothelioma from asbestos in electrical wiring.
Is asbestos still found in electrical panels and wiring?
Yes, asbestos may still be found in electrical wiring, panels, and other materials installed before the mid-1980s.
The use of asbestos greatly decreased after the risks became public knowledge. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned asbestos in April 2019.
That said, many older electrical components installed before the risks were fully understood may still be in place even today.
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