Asbestos Cement Pipe

Cities and water districts laid asbestos cement pipe for drinking water distribution, especially in the decades after World War II. It was also used for sewer lines, storm drains, irrigation, industrial process lines and cooling water systems at plants. Some buildings used asbestos cement flue pipes and vents. Because the material resembles ordinary concrete pipe, workers did not always know what they were handling. Many municipalities are still replacing aging sections, so the pipe continues to be encountered during repairs and upgrades. Records at water utilities often show where it was installed and when.

The riskiest work involved cutting pipe to length, beveling ends, tapping holes for service connections, and breaking or crushing old pipe during removal. Power saws produced heavy dust, especially when used dry. Workers also handled broken pieces while digging trenches and cleaning up. Water utility crews, pipelayers, plumbers and excavation contractors did this work regularly. Before modern rules, few crews used wet cutting methods or respiratory protection, and dust could settle on clothing and equipment carried back to shops and trucks at the end of the day. Some crews also crushed old pipe in place, which added more dust to the trench.

Municipal records, project plans and contractor files can show which pipe materials were installed on specific jobs. Union records may confirm assignments for pipelayers and laborers. Coworkers often remember the gray color of the pipe and the product names printed on it. If you worked for a city or water district, your employment and pension records can confirm your years of service. If you worked for private contractors, list the companies and the towns or projects you remember. Even rough details, such as the size of the pipe or the tools used to cut it, are useful to investigators.

1. 1

   List any water, sewer or irrigation projects where you cut or installed cement pipe.

2. 2

   Note the saws and tools used to cut pipe and whether water was used to control dust.

3. 3

   Request employment records from the city or water district if you were a public employee.

4. 4

   Write down any product names you remember printed on the pipe sections.