Was Asbestos in Ductwork?
Yes, asbestos was commonly used in ductwork from the 1930s to the early 1980s as insulation for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
Anyone exposed to asbestos in ductwork could develop mesothelioma 10 to 50 years later. HVAC mechanics were put in extreme danger since manufacturers of asbestos products hid the health risks of exposure for decades.
Key Facts on Asbestos in Heating Ducts
- Locations: Homes, schools, military installations, and other buildings
- Products: Tape, cement, insulation, dampeners, and connectors
- Health risks: Mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and other asbestos-related diseases
- Manufacturers: Celotex, Grant Wilson, Johns Manville, and more
- Compensation options for victims: Personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits, asbestos trust funds, and benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Mesothelioma can be stressful, but you’re not alone. Mesothelioma Hope is here to assist anyone who developed this cancer after working with asbestos ductwork or other products.
Get our Free Mesothelioma Guide to see how we can help you find medical care, pursue compensation for treatment, and access other key resources.
Why Was Asbestos Used in Ductwork?
Before the health risks were publicly known, asbestos was considered a safe and cost-effective way to insulate ductwork.
HVAC mechanics relied on it because it was:
- Durable
- Heat resistant
- Inexpensive
- Soundproof
However, handling, repairing, or replacing asbestos products could release dangerous fibers and dust into the air. Breathing in or swallowing these fibers could cause mesothelioma decades after the fact.
Who Is at Risk From Asbestos in Ductwork?
HVAC mechanics faced the highest risk of asbestos exposure from heating ducts. Their daily work exposed them to a variety of products containing asbestos.
That said, anyone who worked with or around asbestos on heating ducts could have been exposed.
These include:
- Boilermakers
- Construction workers
- Homeowners
- Insulators
- Renovators
- Steelworkers
Family members also risked secondhand asbestos exposure when their loved ones brought asbestos fibers home with them on their clothing, hair, or skin.
Additionally, if asbestos in a building’s HVAC system was disturbed, anyone living or working there could have been exposed.
Call (866) 608-8933 if you or a loved one was exposed to asbestos in heating ducts and now has mesothelioma. We can help you access treatment and financial compensation.
Health Risks of Asbestos in Ductwork
Anyone exposed to asbestos in heating ducts can go on to develop severe asbestos-related diseases.
Asbestos in ductwork can cause:
- Mesothelioma: This is a rare but very aggressive cancer that forms in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, heart, or testicles. The only known cause is asbestos exposure.
- Asbestosis: This is a disease in which the lungs become stiff due to asbestos scarring. While it is not a type of cancer, asbestosis can be fatal over time.
- Asbestos lung cancer: You or a loved one could develop lung cancer if asbestos fibers get trapped in your lungs.
- Other illnesses: Exposure to asbestos on ductwork can also cause ovarian cancer, laryngeal cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other serious health issues.
It can take 10 to 50 years or more for symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses to appear after initial exposure.
Types of Products That Used Asbestos in Ductwork
Many products used in HVAC ducts contained asbestos. Learn more about specific asbestos ductwork products below.
- Asbestos Tape on Ductwork
Duct tape used in asbestos heating ducts could contain 35% to 65% chrysotile asbestos. Over time, this tape could deteriorate, releasing these fibers into the air. If you find asbestos tape in your home, consult a professional instead of trying to remove it yourself. - Cement
Hundreds of thousands of buildings used cement asbestos wrap on ductwork, which can decay and release fibers into HVAC systems. A 1986 study found over 6,000 homes in Willingboro, New Jersey, had ducts made of asbestos cement. - HVAC Insulation
Asbestos insulation was frequently used in older HVAC systems to make cooling and heating more efficient. The use of asbestos paper as insulation was also common. - Rubber or Vinyl Duct Connectors
Duct connectors made from asbestos, rubber, and vinyl were used to create airtight seals. At the time, HVAC workers believed these seals helped safely maintain air quality and temperature. - Vibration Dampeners
Vibration dampers made from asbestos cloth were used to reduce noise between the metal ductwork and air handler. If damaged, these dampeners could release asbestos fibers throughout the building.
Contact us now to explore your medical and financial options if you developed mesothelioma from asbestos in heating ducts.
Asbestos Ductwork Companies
Many companies made and sold asbestos-containing products used in heating ducts and HVAC systems.
Some of these asbestos companies include:
- Celotex
- Duro Dyne
- Grant Wilson
- H.B. Fuller
- Johns Manville
- Turner & Newall
These companies knew the health effects of asbestos exposure as early as the 1930s. Instead of warning the public, they hid the truth to continue making profits.
Financial Compensation for Ductwork Asbestos Exposure
If you or someone you love developed mesothelioma from asbestos in ductwork, you may qualify for financial compensation to cover your medical expenses and secure your family’s future.
Key options include:
- Mesothelioma lawsuits: These can result in payouts of $1 million or more from companies that made and sold the asbestos ductwork products.
- Asbestos trust funds: Bankrupt companies were forced to put money into trust funds if they wanted to stay in business. These trusts contain over $30 billion today. Our legal partners can help you access this money, often in 90 days or less.
- VA benefits: Veterans with mesothelioma who were exposed to asbestos ductwork during their service may qualify for disability compensation worth almost $4,000 a month and free or inexpensive VA health care.
Our legal partners can file claims on your behalf so you can focus on your health and family.
Get a Free Case Review with our team right now to see if you’re entitled to compensation.
Get a Free Mesothelioma Case Review
How We Can Help Victims Exposed to Asbestos in Ductwork
If you or someone you love developed mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos in ductwork, our team can connect you with the resources you need.
Mesothelioma Hope can help you:
- Determine when, where, and how you were exposed
- Find top doctors and cancer treatment centers for free
- Pursue compensation valued at $1 million or more on average
- Secure the support you need to manage life with cancer
You never deserved to get sick from asbestos in ductwork, but you don’t have to face mesothelioma alone. Mesothelioma Hope will guide you and your family through every step of your cancer journey.
Call (866) 608-8933 or request our Free Mesothelioma Guide to see all of the ways we can assist you.
Asbestos Ductwork FAQs
What are the symptoms of asbestos in the air?
Breathing in fibers released into the air from asbestos-wrapped ductwork and other products can cause symptoms like chest pain, a persistent cough, and difficulty breathing.
If you have any of these potential mesothelioma symptoms, make sure to see a doctor and tell them about your asbestos exposure. They can run tests to determine if you’ve developed an asbestos-related illness.
How can I tell if there is asbestos in insulation?
You won’t be able to see if insulation or other HVAC materials contain asbestos, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The only way to know for sure is to have them tested by a professional.
For your safety, the CPSC recommends not touching or disturbing products that may contain asbestos, as this could release fibers into the air.
Is a house with asbestos safe to live in?
It may be safe to live in a house with asbestos ductwork or other materials if they’re intact and undisturbed. However, even a single stray asbestos fiber can lead to cancers like mesothelioma later in life.
Because of this, you should always consult with a licensed asbestos professional to ensure the products in your home don’t pose a threat to you or your family.
What does asbestos do if you breathe it in?
If you breathe in or swallow asbestos fibers released from ductwork, you could develop life-threatening health problems.
Asbestos fibers can get trapped in your body and cause irritation for decades, eventually leading to diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.
Contact us now if you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma from asbestos exposure decades ago. We can help you access treatments, financial compensation, and other resources.
Is asbestos still found in heating ducts?
Yes, asbestos-containing materials can still be found in older HVAC ducts today.
If you think there is asbestos in your ductwork, the best thing to do is leave it alone. Consult a licensed asbestos removal professional who can determine next steps.
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