Roofers and Asbestos: 39% Higher Lung Cancer Mortality From Shingle and Roofing Material Exposure

Roofers face one of the construction industry's most serious asbestos exposure risks, with research documenting 39% higher lung cancer mortality compared to the general population ^[1]. During decades of roofing installation and repair work, roofers handled roofing shingles, felts, mastics, and other materials containing asbestos concentrations up to 60% by weight. This exposure, combined with the physically demanding nature of roofing work in poorly ventilated conditions, created ideal circumstances for deadly fiber inhalation. If you worked as a roofer and have developed mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung disease, experienced mesothelioma attorneys can help you pursue substantial trust fund compensation.

What Is the Lung Cancer Risk for Roofers From Asbestos Exposure?

The occupational health data regarding roofers is unambiguous: this profession carries dramatically elevated asbestos disease risk. Research documented in the roofers occupational profile reveals the extent of their exposure burden ^[1].

Elevated Cancer Mortality Across Multiple Cancer Types

While lung cancer presents the most common asbestos-related malignancy among roofers, occupational health studies document elevated risks across multiple cancer categories:

• Lung cancer: 39% higher mortality than general population (PMR 139)
• Bladder cancer: Elevated risk (PMR 138) from fiber translocation and urinary excretion
• Esophageal cancer: Increased risk (PMR 134) from ingested fibers and inflammation
• Laryngeal cancer: Higher incidence (PMR 145) from direct fiber contact

This multi-cancer pattern is characteristic of occupations with substantial cumulative asbestos exposure^[3]. CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report data confirms that construction workers, including roofers, continue to account for a disproportionate share of mesothelioma deaths nationally^[13].

Why Roofers Face Such High Exposure Risk

Roofers' elevated risk reflects multiple exposure pathways unique to their work:

• Direct material contact: Handling raw asbestos products throughout workdays
• Fiber release through cutting: Cutting shingles and felts to size released airborne fibers
• Nailing and fastening: Installing materials by hand disturbed asbestos fibers
• Hot-mopping work: Heating roofing felts to 400-500°F increased fiber volatilization
• Demolition exposure: Removing old roofing released decades of settled asbestos
• Cumulative lifetime exposure: Roofing careers spanning 30-40 years created massive fiber burdens

"I worked on roofs across the city for 38 years. We cut asbestos shingles all day, worked in open air but with heavy dust clouds, and nobody ever told us about the danger. Now I have mesothelioma, and I'm fighting for the compensation I deserve."

— Yvette Abrego, Senior Client Manager, Danziger & De Llano

What Asbestos Products Did Roofers Work With on the Job?

The asbestos products database catalogs thousands of roofing materials containing asbestos, nearly all of which roofers handled regularly ^[4].

Roofing Shingles and Tiles

Asbestos-containing roofing shingles represented a major exposure source throughout roofers' careers:

• Asbestos cement shingles: 12-50% asbestos content, widely used for residential and commercial roofing
• Johns-Manville Transite shingles: One of the highest-volume asbestos shingle products, installed on millions of buildings
• Slate-look asbestos shingles: Marketed as premium products, contained high asbestos percentages
• Corrugated roofing panels: Industrial buildings frequently used asbestos panels (20-30% asbestos)

Roofing Felts and Underlayment

Asbestos roofing felts represented perhaps the highest-concentration asbestos products in the roofing industry:

• GAF roofing felts: Up to 60% chrysotile asbestos (1920s-1982)
• Built-up roofing materials: Felts layered and bonded with asbestos-containing adhesives
• Roll roofing: Asbestos felts with mineral-coated surfaces, widely installed
• Asbestos paper and membranes: Underlayment and vapor barriers containing asbestos fibers

Roofing Mastics, Cements, and Adhesives

Bonding materials used to install and repair roofing frequently contained asbestos:

• Roofing mastics and cements: 10-15% asbestos content, applied by trowel
• Asbestos-containing adhesives: Used to bond felt layers and seal seams
• Caulking compounds: Asbestos-based caulks sealed roof penetrations and seams
• Joint sealants: Flexible asbestos compounds filled expansion joints

Flashing and Related Materials

Metal and material flashing often incorporated asbestos components:

• Asbestos-impregnated flashing: 15-40% asbestos content
• Roof edge trim: Asbestos-containing materials protected roof edges
• Vent pipe flashing: Asbestos components sealed roof penetrations
• Membrane flashing tape: Asbestos-based tapes sealed roof transitions

Product Category	Typical Asbestos Content	Peak Usage Period	Exposure Activity
Asbestos Shingles	12-50%	1930s-1980s	Cutting, nailing, removal
Roofing Felts (GAF)	Up to 60%	1920s-1982	Unrolling, cutting, adhesion
Roofing Mastics	10-15%	1930s-1980s	Troweling, sanding, cleanup
Flashing Materials	15-40%	1920s-1980s	Cutting, bending, installation
Roofing Paints	10-20%	1930s-1970s	Mixing, brushing, spraying

How Did Roofers' Work Activities Release Asbestos Fibers?

Roofing work inherently involved numerous fiber-releasing activities that transformed solid asbestos products into airborne respirable dust. The construction trades exposure guide documents the mechanical activities that liberated asbestos fibers ^[5].

Roofing Installation Exposure

New roof installation created sustained fiber exposure throughout work days:

• Unrolling felt materials: Disturbing bundled felts released centuries of stored asbestos
• Cutting shingles and felts to fit: Saw and knife cutting generated airborne dust clouds
• Power tool cutting: Circular saws and pneumatic saws exceeded 30 f/cc (fiber/cubic centimeter), 300 times OSHA's current permissible exposure limit of 0.1 f/cc under 29 CFR 1926.1101^[12]
• Nailing shingles: Hand nailing and pneumatic nailers disturbed materials and released fibers
• Troweling mastics: Spreading, smoothing, and sanding asbestos cements generated heavy dust

Roofing Repair and Maintenance Exposure

Maintaining existing asbestos roofs created ongoing exposure throughout roofers' careers:

• Patching and sealing: Working on deteriorating roofs disturbed asbestos-containing materials
• Coating application: Painting and sealing existing roofs ground fibers into paint
• Joint reseal work: Opening and resealing roof seams released trapped asbestos
• Ventilation pipe maintenance: Working around vent flashing disturbed asbestos-containing components

Roofing Tear-Off and Demolition Exposure

Removing asbestos roofing produced the highest exposure concentrations:

• Removing old shingles: Prying off and stacking old materials released heavily weathered asbestos fibers
• Demolishing built-up roofs: Tearing out multiple felt layers released maximum fiber concentrations
• Grinding and cutting old materials: Breaking up old roofing for disposal created enormous dust clouds
• Hauling and dumping: Transporting asbestos waste released additional fibers

"Tear-off work was brutal. We'd rip off roofs layer after layer, and the dust was so thick you couldn't see. Some roofers thought the dust was normal. It wasn't. It was decades of accumulated asbestos fibers being released into the air with no protection."

— Yvette Abrego, Senior Client Manager, Danziger & De Llano

Which Major Roofing Manufacturers Produced Asbestos Products?

Understanding which manufacturers produced the roofing materials you worked with is essential for identifying potential defendants and trust funds. The asbestos manufacturers database catalogs these companies and their products ^[6].

Major Asbestos Roofing Manufacturers

Leading roofing manufacturers that produced asbestos products included:

• GAF (General Asbestos Fiber Company): Produced GAF roofing felts with up to 60% chrysotile asbestos; dominant market presence
• Johns-Manville: Manufactured Transite asbestos shingles (12-50% asbestos) and roofing products; major defendant
• Flintkote Company: Produced asbestos roofing shingles and felt products with significant market share
• Celotex Corporation: Manufactured insulation and roofing products containing asbestos fibers
• Owens Corning: Produced fiberglass and asbestos-containing roofing materials throughout the peak exposure period
• Philip Carey Manufacturing: Produced asbestos roofing shingles and materials widely used in residential construction

How to Identify Manufacturers of Materials You Handled

Connecting your exposure to specific manufacturers strengthens compensation claims:

• Product brand names: Do you remember specific product names like GAF, Johns-Manville, Flintkote?
• Supplier records: Contractors and distributors often kept records of material sources
• Union records: Roofing union locals maintained job records and material specifications
• Job site documentation: Building permits, purchase orders, and job specifications identified products
• Witness statements: Coworkers often remember specific brands used on major projects

What Compensation Is Available for Roofers With Mesothelioma?

Roofers diagnosed with mesothelioma have access to substantial compensation through multiple pathways. The asbestos trust funds guide and settlements reference document available compensation sources ^[7].

Asbestos Trust Fund Claims

Over $30 billion remains available in 60+ asbestos bankruptcy trusts. Roofers typically qualify for multiple trust claims because their work involved products from numerous manufacturers:

• Johns-Manville Trust: Shingles, roofing products, insulation materials
• GAF Trust: Roofing felts, membranes, insulation products
• Celotex Trust: Roofing and insulation products
• Owens Corning Trust: Fiberglass and roofing products containing asbestos
• Flintkote Trust: Asbestos roofing shingles and materials
• USG Trust: Joint compounds, membranes, and building materials

Direct Lawsuits Against Solvent Manufacturers

Many roofing manufacturers remain solvent and can be sued directly:

• Product liability claims: Based on manufacturers' failure to warn of asbestos dangers
• Negligence claims: Failure to provide adequate protection or alternatives
• Breach of warranty: Products represented as safe when dangers were known
• Fraudulent concealment: Active suppression of health data despite internal knowledge

Typical Roofer Mesothelioma Compensation

Compensation for roofers varies based on case-specific factors but typically includes:

• Trust fund awards: $100,000-$500,000+ from multiple trust claims
• Settlement amounts: $1-1.4 million or more depending on exposure duration and disease stage
• Trial verdicts: Can significantly exceed settlement offers
• Total recovery: Many roofers recover from both trust funds and direct lawsuits

How to File Asbestos Trust Fund Claims for Roofers?

Trust fund claims require careful documentation and strategic filing. The trust fund filing guidance and claim optimization guide provide detailed information ^[8].

Required Documentation for Trust Claims

Successful trust fund claims require comprehensive documentation:

• Medical diagnosis: Pathology reports and diagnostic imaging confirming mesothelioma or lung cancer
• Work history verification: Employment records, tax returns, union records documenting roofing work
• Exposure evidence: Product identification, job site documentation, witness statements
• Manufacturer identification: Records linking products to specific manufacturers
• Latency documentation: Showing time between exposure and diagnosis (typically 20-60 years)

Strategic Filing Considerations

Experienced representation ensures optimal trust fund recovery:

• Identifying all applicable trusts: Based on products you worked with and manufacturers
• Understanding trust fund distributions: Each trust has different criteria and payment percentages
• Timing claims strategically: Some trusts offer better compensation to early filers
• Coordinating with lawsuits: Managing trust claims alongside direct litigation
• Maximizing recovery: Ensuring all trust funds are identified and claims filed

"Trust fund claims are complex. Each trust has different procedures, different standards of proof, different payout percentages. Our job is to make sure your claims are filed correctly, completely, and strategically to maximize every dollar available to you."

— Yvette Abrego, Senior Client Manager, Danziger & De Llano

How Should Roofers Document Their Asbestos Exposure History?

Strong exposure documentation is essential for successful claims. The evidence preservation guide provides comprehensive documentation strategies ^[9].

Work History Documentation

Reconstruct your complete roofing career:

• Employers and dates: Every roofing contractor you worked for, with employment dates
• Social Security records: Official government records of all employment
• Union records: If union member, dispatch records and job assignments
• Tax records: W-2 forms, 1099s, and tax returns documenting employment
• References: Names of supervisors and coworkers who can verify employment

Product and Exposure Identification

Document the specific materials and products you handled:

• Product brands: GAF, Johns-Manville, Flintkote, Celotex products you remember
• Material types: Shingles, felts, mastics, flashings, paints you worked with
• Job site records: Building permits, specifications, purchase orders when available
• Supplier documentation: Records from material suppliers showing what was purchased
• Product identification: Photographs or packaging information identifying asbestos content

Witness Statements and Corroboration

Coworker testimony powerfully corroborates exposure claims:

• Coworker affidavits: Detailed statements from roofers who worked alongside you
• Supervisor statements: Testimony about work duties and materials handled
• Union testimony: Union officials familiar with industry conditions and practices
• Family knowledge: Spouses who may remember your work stories and conditions
• Medical provider statements: Doctors who can link your diagnosis to occupational exposure

What Are the Filing Deadlines for Roofer Mesothelioma Claims?

Time limits apply to all mesothelioma claims. The statute of limitations guide explains state-specific deadlines ^[10].

Key Statute of Limitations Principles

• Discovery rule: Most states start the statute of limitations from diagnosis date, not exposure date
• State variation: Deadlines range from 1 to 3 years depending on state jurisdiction
• Multiple jurisdiction options: Claims may often be filed where you worked, where you live, or where diagnosed
• Trust fund timelines: Each trust fund has its own filing procedures and deadlines
• No statute for trust claims: Some trusts have different or no traditional statute limitations

Why Immediate Action Is Critical

Prompt legal consultation protects your rights in multiple ways:

• Identifying all deadlines: Across all potentially applicable jurisdictions
• Preserving evidence: While coworkers and supervisors can still provide testimony
• Filing all claims: Before limitations periods expire in any relevant jurisdiction
• Securing best representation: Early engagement allows thorough case development

Can Construction Workers and Secondary Exposure Victims File Claims?

Asbestos exposure extends beyond roofers themselves. The demolition workers guide and secondary exposure information document broader exposure patterns ^[11].

Other Construction Trades Exposed Through Roofers

Workers in related trades faced exposure working alongside roofers:

• Carpenters: Installing roofing materials and roof structures
• Laborers: Removing and hauling asbestos roofing materials
• General contractors: Supervising roofing work and purchasing materials
• Building inspectors: Inspecting roofing work and disturbing asbestos materials
• Demolition workers: Removing buildings with asbestos roofing

Secondary Exposure: Family Members of Roofers

Family members living with roofers also developed mesothelioma from take-home exposure:

• Laundering contaminated work clothes: Released asbestos fibers into homes
• Dust on hair and skin: Roofers brought fibers into family living spaces
• Work equipment storage: Tools and materials stored in homes released fibers
• Spouses and children at risk: Family members exposed through proximity and shared environments

What Should Roofers With Mesothelioma Do Next?

If you worked as a roofer and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung disease, experienced legal representation is essential to protecting your rights and maximizing compensation.

Our experienced mesothelioma attorneys understand roofing industry practices, the products you worked with, and the manufacturers responsible for your exposure. We guide roofers through trust fund claims, direct lawsuits, and all aspects of the compensation process.

Related Occupational Exposure Resources

• Carpenters and Mesothelioma: 34x Higher Risk — Related construction trade exposure
• Construction Workers: 7 High-Risk Trades — Building trades overview
• Asbestos Trust Funds: $30 Billion Available — Comprehensive trust fund information
• Free Case Assessment — Evaluate your potential compensation

Additional Research and Documentation

• Roofers Occupational Profile — Detailed exposure and risk information
• Occupational Exposure Index — 300+ documented occupations
• Construction Workers Overview — Building trades exposure patterns
• Asbestos Products Database — Product identification resource

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References

1. [1] WikiMesothelioma, "Roofers" — Occupational exposure profile documenting 39% elevated lung cancer mortality and associated cancer risks for professional roofers.
2. [2] WikiMesothelioma, "Asbestos Manufacturers" — Reference database of asbestos product manufacturers including GAF, Johns-Manville, Flintkote, Celotex, Owens Corning, and Philip Carey.
3. [3] WikiMesothelioma, "Occupational Exposure Index" — Comprehensive documentation of cancer risks across multiple cancer types for occupations with substantial asbestos exposure.
4. [4] WikiMesothelioma, "Asbestos Products Database" — Catalog of asbestos-containing products including roofing shingles, felts, mastics, flashing, and paints with documented asbestos percentages.
5. [5] WikiMesothelioma, "Construction Trades" — Documentation of mechanical activities in roofing and related trades that released asbestos fibers.
6. [6] WikiMesothelioma, "Asbestos Manufacturers" — Detailed information on major roofing manufacturers including GAF, Johns-Manville, Flintkote, Celotex, Owens Corning, and Philip Carey and their product lines.
7. [7] WikiMesothelioma, "Asbestos Trust Funds" — Comprehensive guide to $30+ billion in 60+ asbestos bankruptcy trusts available for roofer mesothelioma compensation claims.
8. [8] WikiMesothelioma, "Trust Fund Filing Guidance" — Procedural information for filing claims with multiple asbestos trusts and optimizing recovery strategy.
9. [9] WikiMesothelioma, "Evidence Preservation" — Detailed guidance on documenting roofing exposure history, product identification, and witness statements to strengthen compensation claims.
10. [10] WikiMesothelioma, "Statute of Limitations by State" — State-specific filing deadlines and legal timeframes for roofer mesothelioma compensation claims.
11. [11] WikiMesothelioma, "Secondary Exposure" — Information on family members and related construction workers exposed to asbestos through proximity to roofing work.
12. [12] Occupational Safety and Health Administration, "Asbestos Standards for Construction (29 CFR 1926.1101)" — Federal permissible exposure limits and safety requirements for construction asbestos handling.
13. [13] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Malignant Mesothelioma Mortality — United States, 1999–2020" — Federal surveillance data on mesothelioma incidence and mortality by occupation and industry.
14. [14] National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, "Workplace Safety and Health Topic: Asbestos" — Federal guidance on occupational asbestos exposure prevention and health effects.
15. [15] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "Asbestos Laws and Regulations" — Federal regulatory framework governing asbestos in construction materials and building products.

Last updated: February 10, 2026