Mesothelioma - Occupational Asbestos Exposure

• An estimated 125 million people are exposed to asbestos on the job annually.
• According to the CDC, almost 70% of all mesothelioma cases are work-related.
• There are asbestos regulations in place to help protect workers.
• Construction workers, mechanics and shipyard workers are among those most at risk.

Because of the wide use of asbestos in the past, countless Americans are at risk of exposure. However, studies have shown that the most common cause of asbestos exposure still occurs in the workplace. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that around 70% of all mesothelioma cases occur as the result of workplace exposure. Workers, particularly those in higher-risk industries like construction, need to be aware of the dangers of asbestos, the health effects of exposure and the laws in place to help protect them on the job.

Those currently working in the following fields may not experience adverse health effects from their asbestos exposure for decades, due to the long latency period typical of asbestos-related diseases. However, all those currently working, and those that have since retired from these industries, should discuss their elevated risk of asbestos exposure with a medical professional and ask those managing their workplaces about possible asbestos-containing products.

Construction workers are often cited as the group with the greatest risk of asbestos exposure while on the job. According to the most recent data, there are around 1.3 million construction workers exposed to asbestos each year. In fact, throughout the 20th century, the industry comprised between 70 – 80% of all asbestos used within the country. The effects of this widespread use can be seen in CDC data, which shows that more than 14% of all mesothelioma deaths between 1999 and 2012 occurred among those who worked in the construction industry.

These workers experience exposure due to asbestos use as a common additive for building materials, including floor tiles, roofing material and vinyl siding, to increase the durability and flame retardation. When construction workers and other laborers disturb the materials in some way, such as sawing, they can create toxic asbestos dust.

According to one study, one in four building workers with heavy asbestos exposure will develop malignant mesothelioma in their lifetime. Comparatively, the researchers found that less than one in 500 people in the general population will develop the cancer.

Additionally, a retrospective study found that aging construction workers tended to have decreased lung function due to exposure to vapors, gases, fumes and dust, like asbestos, on the worksite. According to testing completed in 2003, 20% of the air samples collected from construction sites that year had asbestos levels above the legal limit set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Those who experienced exposure then may now be starting to show signs of asbestos diseases.