Employees of the railroad industry were in no way exempt from the risk of asbestos exposure. Both steam locomotives and some diesels saw their machinery and supporting materials be constructed of asbestos. Asbestos insulation was found in refrigeration units, pipes, and steam and hot water lines. Asbestos was a common component of gaskets, cement railroad ties and the floor tiles of passenger cars. It was also used around boxcars and cabooses, in addition to being found in the packing and rope that bound cargo the trains carried.

In addition, railroad clutches and brakes also proved an asbestos exposure risk to employees in this field. Asbestos’ strength and heat resistance saw its frequent use in brake and clutch linings because it would not deteriorate as easily as other materials. However, as it wore, it also shed tiny fibers which collected as dangerous dust deposits.

Employees at Risk

Those at risk for asbestos exposure included virtually everyone who worked in this industry. Asbestos fibers could gather in the rail cars, putting conductors and onboard employees at risk on a daily basis. Pipefitters and insulation installers were also at risk, as they had to work directly with materials composed of asbestos as they inspected, removed and replaced these parts. Mechanics who worked with the brakes and clutches also faced significant exposure to the particles that were forced free.

Furthermore, these employees often unknowingly brought asbestos fibers with them on their clothing to railroad offices, exposing workers that otherwise would not have suffered asbestos exposure. In addition, other ancillary workers who worked in close proximity to those directly exposed suffered asbestos exposure, including locomotive engineers, painters, joiners, brakemen, riggers, finishers and polishers. Individuals charged with rail construction and maintenance, demolition and waste handling also saw dangerous asbestos exposure.

Industry Reactions to Asbestos Exposure

The American Railway Association Medical and Surgical Section knew of the dangers relating to asbestos dust exposure and disease as early as the 1930s. The first entry on these dangers came in 1932, when the association called the dust an industrial hazard that required attention, due to its tendency to cause serious lung ailments. At the time, this medical concern was known as fibrosis of the lungs.

That initial 1932 entry explained that two methods of preventing the development of this illness existed. First, water could be used to soak the dust exposure and prevent its spread into the railroad worker air space. Secondly, forced ventilation of these spaces could be done to remove these particles and introduce clean air. An entry the following year further explained that if the sources of asbestos dust could not be wetted or fresh air could not be pumped in for employees, respirators should be provided to ensure safe breathing.  

In 1935, at The American Railway Association Medical and Surgical Section’s 15th annual meeting, the term “asbestosis” was first used to describe the condition railroad employees were developing. Although the association acknowledged a concern for all forms of pneumoconiosis, or lung disease, asbestos dust exposure interested railroad surgeons the most. In fact, preventative recommendations, including education, dust elimination, wetting the dust, respirator use and air analysis, were discussed in the meetings of 1935, 1937, 1939, 1940, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1957 and 1958. Despite the industry’s awareness of these asbestos issues, we continue to see high numbers of former railroad employees develop asbestos-related diseases due to unaddressed past exposure.