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Empire State Building

Empire State Building

Empire State Building The Empire State Building, completed in 1931 as the world's tallest building, was constructed using asbestos-containing materials throughout its 102 floors. Generations of building trades workers have been exposed to asbestos during construction, maintenance, and renovation of this iconic New York City landmark.

Last verified: 2026-03-09
Legal & editorial
Written by Paul Danziger, J.D. · Edited by Rod De Llano, J.D. · Legally reviewed by Michelle Whitman (affiliated firm)
Editorial Policy & Advisory Board
Location
New York, NY
Industry
Commercial Construction
Exposure Era
1930–1931
Primary Asbestos Products
Spray-on fireproofing, Pipe insulation, Floor tiles, Boiler insulation, Electrical wiring insulation
Job Categories at Risk
Construction workers, Maintenance workers, Electricians, Plumbers, HVAC technicians, Elevator mechanics

History & Asbestos Use

Built in just 410 days between 1930 and 1931, the Empire State Building used asbestos spray-on fireproofing, pipe insulation, and floor materials standard for high-rise construction of that era. The building's 102 floors and extensive mechanical systems contained thousands of tons of asbestos-containing materials. Major renovation projects throughout the late 20th century included asbestos abatement, particularly during the comprehensive modernization program begun in the 2000s.

Exposure Details

Asbestos was used in spray-on fireproofing on structural steel, pipe and duct insulation in mechanical spaces, floor tiles, and boiler room insulation. The building's massive heating and mechanical systems required extensive asbestos insulation that was maintained and replaced by building engineers over decades. Workers in boiler rooms, elevator shafts, and utility corridors faced concentrated exposure in enclosed spaces.

Workers at Risk

The following job categories at Empire State Building had the highest risk of asbestos exposure:

  • Construction workers
  • Maintenance workers
  • Electricians
  • Plumbers
  • HVAC technicians
  • Elevator mechanics

Health Effects

Building trades workers who performed construction, maintenance, and renovation work at the Empire State Building have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. The sheer scale of the building meant that large numbers of workers were exposed over its long history. Workers who spent careers maintaining the building's mechanical systems in enclosed spaces faced particularly high cumulative exposure.

Health information is based on established medical research on asbestos exposure. Asbestos is classified as a known human carcinogen by the National Cancer Institute, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Consult a physician for medical advice specific to your situation.

Compensation May Be Available

Workers exposed to asbestos at Empire State Building may be entitled to compensation through asbestos trust funds, personal injury lawsuits, or veterans benefits. Mesothelioma patients and their families have recovered billions in compensation from companies that manufactured or used asbestos products.

Find Out If You Qualify

Were You Exposed to Asbestos at Empire State Building?

Workers who were employed at Empire State Building between 1930–1931 may have been exposed to asbestos-containing materials. If you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may have legal options including trust fund claims and lawsuits.

Speak with an Attorney — Free Request a Free Case Evaluation

Related Exposure Sites

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Chrysler Building

New York, NY
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Rockefeller Center

New York, NY
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World Trade Center

New York, NY

Treatment Centers in New York

If you were exposed to asbestos at Empire State Building and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, these specialized treatment centers in New York may be able to help.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

New York, NY

Comprehensive Cancer Center
View Full Profile
Mount Sinai Health System

Mount Sinai Health System

New York, NY

Cancer Center
View Full Profile
NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center

NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center

New York, NY

Comprehensive Cancer Center
View Full Profile
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

Buffalo, NY

Comprehensive Cancer Center
View Full Profile

Browse all treatment centers →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much asbestos was used in the Empire State Building?

The Empire State Building's 102 floors required extensive fireproofing and insulation during its 1930-1931 construction. Thousands of tons of asbestos-containing materials were used in spray-on fireproofing, pipe insulation, floor tiles, and mechanical system components.

Has the Empire State Building been cleaned of asbestos?

Major asbestos abatement has been conducted during renovation programs, particularly the comprehensive modernization begun in the 2000s. However, the building's vast size and complexity mean that asbestos management remains an ongoing concern.

Who is eligible to file asbestos claims related to the Empire State Building?

Construction workers, maintenance engineers, electricians, plumbers, and other tradespeople who worked in the building and later developed mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases may be eligible to file claims against asbestos product manufacturers.

I worked here but I have no employment records. Does that end it?

No. Missing paperwork is normal after this long, and it is not what decides a claim. A Social Security earnings statement lists every employer you had, by year, and can usually be requested directly. Union records, W-2s and a DD-214 for military service do similar work. Coworkers who were there can also confirm conditions. What matters most is what you remember, written down in your own words.

My father or husband worked here and has since died. Can the family still file?

Yes. A wrongful death claim can be brought by the estate or eligible family members, and it is a separate route from a claim the patient would have brought themselves. It also runs on a different clock: the deadline generally starts at the date of death rather than the date of diagnosis, which means families are sometimes still in time when they assume they are not. Deadlines are set by each state, so confirm the one that applies to yours.

I never worked here, but a family member did. Could I have been exposed?

Possibly. Asbestos fibres travelled home on work clothes, in hair and in vehicles, and household members were exposed while washing laundry or greeting someone at the end of a shift. This is called secondhand or take-home exposure and it is a recognised route to a claim in its own right, not an exception. If you are documenting a family member's work history, write down your own contact with their work clothing as well.

Did you work at Empire State Building? Write this down now

You do not need a lawyer, a diagnosis, or a decision to do this. You need a piece of paper. Memory is the part of a claim nobody else can reconstruct for you, and it is the part that fades.

  • The years you worked there — approximate is fine, and a range is fine
  • Your trade or job title, and what you actually did day to day
  • Which building, unit, ship or area you spent your time in
  • Who else was there — names of crew, foremen, or anyone who could confirm it later
  • Anything you remember about the materials — write what you recall on your own, before looking anything up. Details you remember unprompted are the ones that hold up years later when you are asked under oath. Details you read on a website do not.

If you are doing this for a relative who has died, write down what you remember too, including work clothes brought home to be washed. Household exposure is a real claim, not an edge case.

Worked at Empire State Building? Tell us the years and your trade

That is usually enough to work out which claims are open to you — trust funds, a lawsuit, or VA benefits if the exposure happened in service. You do not need records, dates you are certain of, or the name of a product. If you are asking on behalf of someone who has died, a family member can file and the deadline runs differently. No cost, no obligation, and no pressure to decide anything today.

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Sources:

  • New York City Department of Environmental Protection records — accessed 2026-03-09
  • OSHA compliance records — accessed 2026-03-09
  • Building renovation historical records — accessed 2026-03-09
← All Exposure Sites in New York ← All Exposure Sites
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