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Who is at Risk for Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma?

Occupations With High Mesothelioma Asbestos Exposure Risk

Mesothelioma is a disease that can ravage the respiratory system often to the point that many are not able to fully recuperate or they may not recuperate at all. It goes without saying that this cancer is terrible and all efforts should be undertaken to help reduce the chances of someone developing it. Mostly, mesothelioma and similar diseases are caused by exposure to the substance known as asbestos. Most people are fully aware of this substances’ carcinogenic properties yet many still end up developing mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure every year. Certain groups of people are at much higher risk than others for not only asbestos exposure but developing mesothelioma as well. 

Occupations With High Asbestos Exposure Risk

A startling fact is that almost everyone will be exposed to asbestos in some capacity or another in their lifetime. It is a naturally occurring mineral that was in widespread use for over a century but most will only encounter it in trace amounts which stand an extremely low chance of causing any serious health effects. Certain occupations come with a particularly high risk of asbestos exposure. Many people working these jobs actually are not aware of this risk and end up being exposed out of ignorance and sometimes an employer’s negligence. Occupations involving manual labor and skilled trades are typically the highest risk when it comes to asbestos exposure. This is mostly due to the once-common use of asbestos in the construction and manufacturing industry which causes damage to this day. 

Blue Collar Exposure to Asbestos

Jobs in this field at very high risk include jobs in factories, shipyards, and construction; especially demolition and renovation since asbestos can accidentally be stumbled upon and launched into the air when doing something like tearing down a wall. Old buildings built before the 80s can come with a risk of being constructed with materials containing asbestos. All it takes is a bit of drilling, hammering, or sawing to disturb the microscopic fibers of asbestos that can be in walls, pipes, flooring, tiles, etc. These microscopic fibers at the slightest disturbance can be sent into the air and breathed in where they damage the lungs and cause cancer. 

Asbestos Exposure in the Mining Industry

Mining is another industry where asbestos exposure is very common. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that can be found all over the world. Asbestos has actually been mined for thousands of years and persisted in the United States until the last operation closed in 2002. Asbestos was actually mined much more recently than most people realize with peak mining in the United States occurring in the 70s merely years before the government started to regulate its use after the public gained awareness of its dangerous qualities. 

Asbestos exposure doesn’t just happen in mines that specifically seek it out. It is a naturally occurring mineral that can show up in other materials and composite minerals that may be mined instead. Vermiculite is a mineral that asbestos can potentially be tainted with asbestos and can consequently injure many people that are exposed. A vermiculite mine in Libby, Montana was actually the site of one of the worst natural disasters in the country’s history. The vermiculite mined there was tainted with asbestos and caused the deaths of hundreds of miners and sickened thousands of the nearby citizens of Libby with dust from the mine. 

Military Exposure to Asbestos

One of the top demographics that has had to deal with the lingering effects of asbestos exposure is the military. Asbestos was once widely used in a number of military applications due to its fireproof and insulating properties. Veterans, especially those of the United States Navy that served aboard ships are considered a demographic that is at high risk of being exposed to asbestos. Many military buildings and facilities were built using asbestos and asbestos products. Many vehicles and machinery also utilized asbestos-lined parts as well. Both old military equipment and facilities exposed millions of veterans to asbestos long after asbestos had stopped being actively used.

Products That Can Contain Asbestos

Since asbestos fibers are excellent at insulating and fireproofing, they were used in millions of products. In the early 20th century you could find asbestos in toys and even some clothing. Asbestos use is actually not banned in the United States. There are still products being made with asbestos like certain car parts and construction materials. Even though new products that contain asbestos are significantly less common than before, many products from the days of rampant asbestos use are still around and can harm you. Construction is one of the fields where this is obviously very common.

Car Parts and Asbestos Exposure

The automotive field is also an area where asbestos-containing products can regularly be found. People that work in automotive repair garages can come across old cars with deteriorating parts that can expose them to the asbestos contained within. Old car parts that can potentially contain asbestos include brake pads, mufflers, clutches, hood liners, gaskets, heat shields, and electrical insulation to name a few. 

Seek an Experienced Asbestos Cancer Lawsuit Attorney

Personal injury attorneys work to serve people just like you. One is standing by to help you take on the large corporation, business, or manufacturer that caused your exposure to asbestos. The right attorney will investigate the what, when, how, and who of your case.

Knowingly exposing people to cancer-causing harm is not fair and demands justice. As you learn about your mesothelioma diagnosis, you should contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney without delay. An attorney will handle the complex details of your claim while you focus on your physical and emotional recovery.

Contact an experienced asbestos attorney as soon after your diagnosis as possible to prevent the statute of limitations from impacting your ability to file a claim. You can reach our office at (833) 700-MESO [6376] or fill out a contact form online.

Dolman Law Group
800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33765
(833) 700-MESO [6376]

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