Occupational Hazards - Asbestos Exposure

What jobs are the most hazardous for asbestos exposure? What types of workers have the highest risk for Mesothelioma? It is in the handling of asbestos and the breathing of its dust and fibers that constitutes the primary risk-factor for developing an asbestos related pathology, such as mesothelioma. However, even if one hasn’t directly handled the asbestos, one’s risk-factor for asbestos disease still increases if one has worked in a facility where its dust and fibers are a component of the breathable air.

While many uses for asbestos were banned in the mid-1970’s, the risk from exposure continues to this day because of mesothelioma’s long latency and incubation period of anywhere between 10 – 70 years. Today, asbestos continues to be a threat to workers exposed through their occupations and in buildings that were erected or renovated prior to the ban.

Asbestos fibers are so toxic that industrial and trade worker’s families may develop mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related disease, through coming into contact with stray fibers and particles that have built-up on the worker’s clothing, shoes, skin and hair. This type of “second-hand” exposure to asbestos is known as para-occupational exposure.

Thousands of workers in a variety of industries have been tragically affected by the dangerous nature of asbestos fibers. However, certain industries, such as the construction and the maritime industries, have a greater occurrence of asbestos-related disease than others do.

Some of the construction trades most at risk from asbestos include (but are not limited to):

• insulators
• plumbers and pipefitters
• electricians
• sheet metal workers

Any construction worker may be in danger during maintenance, remodeling, or demolition of an old building or road.

In addition to asbestos exposure to workers in private industries, sailors, submariners, and other Navy personnel were placed at risk. Shipbuilders were constantly in danger of inhaling asbestos, but those who tore apart old ships so that they may be repaired or refurbished were at an even greater risk.

The following occupations present the highest risk for workers exposed to asbestos fibers: