Members of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers (IW / IABSORIW) allegedly have a documented elevated incidence of asbestos-related disease — and, according to the foundational occupational-health record established by Dr. Irving Selikoff’s Mount Sinai group and confirmed in subsequent follow-up cohort studies, iron workers were allegedly among the construction trades with documented elevated mesothelioma incidence rates. The exposure pathway is direct, daily, and uniquely proximate: decades of overhead work directly beneath sprayed asbestos fireproofing as it was applied to structural steel columns, beams, and the underside of floor decking; in-cloud connecting, plumbing-up, welding, and bolt-up on structural steel receiving spray application on adjacent floors; daily contact with asbestos-cement panels and precast asbestos-cement siding; encountering asbestos-refractory brick and castable during steel mill blast furnace, BOF, reheat furnace, and coke oven structural rebuild work; and daily contact with asbestos-fabric welder-shop torch pads, burn hood curtains, and welding blankets during steel connection welding and rebar tacking.
Mesothelioma
A rare cancer of the mesothelial lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), abdomen (peritoneal), or heart (pericardial). Latency is typically 20 to 50 years from initial asbestos exposure. Iron workers — driven by decades of overhead work directly beneath sprayed asbestos fireproofing on structural steel, in-cloud connecting and bolt-up on adjacent floors receiving spray application, and daily contact with asbestos-cement panels, asbestos-refractory brick and castable in steel mill construction, and asbestos-fabric welder-shop torch pads during structural steel connection welding — allegedly have mesothelioma incidence rates a substantial multiple of the general-population rate for career IW members of the mid-1950s to early-1970s construction era. Selikoff’s Mount Sinai cohort work and the follow-up occupational-health literature allegedly document iron workers among the construction trades with elevated mesothelioma incidence rates.
Asbestos lung cancer
Lung cancer caused or contributed to by asbestos exposure. The risk is multiplied by smoking — a synergistic effect that compounds beyond the additive risk of either factor alone. For career IW iron workers who were also smokers, the lung cancer incidence rate is allegedly documented at extreme multiples of the general population.
Asbestosis
A chronic, non-malignant scarring of the lung tissue caused by inhaled asbestos fibers. Asbestosis causes progressive shortness of breath, persistent cough, and reduced lung function. It does not improve with treatment, and it is a recognized basis for compensation under most asbestos trust funds and civil claims. Iron workers who spent decades connecting and plumbing-up structural steel inside active spray cloud environments, cutting and setting asbestos-cement panels, and rebuilding steel mill blast furnace, BOF, reheat furnace, and coke oven structural steel adjacent to asbestos-refractory brick + castable are allegedly at elevated risk.
Pleural disease
Including pleural plaques, pleural thickening, and benign pleural effusion. Common in long-career iron workers even without other asbestos disease. Eligibility for compensation under trust funds varies — some trusts pay for pleural disease alone; others require demonstrated functional impairment.
Other recognized diseases
Asbestos has also been linked to laryngeal cancer, ovarian cancer, and certain gastrointestinal cancers, each recognized under various asbestos trust schedules and case-law authorities. Eligibility and proof requirements vary by claim type.
If you or a family member is a current or former IW structural iron worker, reinforcing iron worker (“rod-buster”), ornamental iron worker, precast erector, rigger, or machinery mover with any asbestos-related diagnosis, an experienced asbestos attorney can evaluate which trusts and claims are applicable to your specific facts.
Free, confidential case evaluation: Speak with O’Brien Law Firm — (314) 936-2956