Occupational Asbestos Exposure: Jobs at Risk

When clocking into work, we all know there is always a set list of certain risks we may have to come into contact with while on the job. For some, the risks can include operating heavy machinery, working with wild animals, or, in some cases, dealing with other people. While we all know our job’s typical modus operandi, there are some risks that you should never have to worry about. One of those risks includes exposure to a known human carcinogen. Below, we’ll be talking you through the risks of exposure to asbestos while on the job, what health issues you may experience should you or your loved ones have been exposed, and what your next steps are.

What Risks Are There When You Are Exposed to Asbestos?

Reports of the dangers behind exposure to asbestos have been documented in medical journals since before the 1930s. Medical researchers have noted the injuries and illnesses connected to those in the construction industry, vehicle operations, and military personnel after they’ve experienced exposure to asbestos. So, if this mineral has been medically documented to be hazardous for over 100 years, why hasn’t anything been done to fight back against its use or exposure to humans? Before we dive into the whys, let’s cover what asbestos is and how it is so harmful to humans. 

Breaking Down the Basics of Asbestos

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), asbestos is a term applied to six cancer-causing minerals that occur in rocks and soil, including actinolite, amosite, anthophyllite, chrysotile, crocidolite, and tremolite. Asbestos is made up of long, thin, and strong fibers that do not evaporate or dissolve in water. The fibers are also known to be resistant to heat, chemicals, electricity, and corrosion, making them helpful in creating durable building materials such as roofing shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, and insulation for furnaces, pipes, and walls.

Mesothelioma and Its Connection to Asbestos

The EPA, along with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has classified asbestos as a known human carcinogen. Carcinogens are substances that may increase the risk of cancer developing in humans. In this case, asbestos has been heavily linked to a form of cancer known as mesothelioma, more specifically, pleural mesothelioma. Medically, mesothelioma refers to the tumors that develop in the mesothelium, which is a type of tissue that makes up the lining of cavities or hollows that protect and surround certain organs. 

Pleural mesothelioma, also known as "malignant pleural mesothelioma," is a cancer that grows in the membrane that lines the walls of your chest and lungs after exposure to asbestos. Other forms of mesothelioma include peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the tissue in the abdomen and pelvic area; pericardial mesothelioma, which affects the tissue surrounding the heart; and mesothelioma of tunica vaginalis, which affects the tissue surrounding the testicles. Here, we will be focused on pleural mesothelioma. 

How Does Asbestos Cause Pleural Mesothelioma?

Pleural mesothelioma is caused by inhaling or ingestion of asbestos fibers. When inhaled, the fine shard-like fibers will stick to the protective mesothelium layers of the body's organs, where, eventually, they will create cancerous cells. Those diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma have a life expectancy of about 18 months; however, medical journals report that many people die anywhere from the first four to six months after diagnosis; however, most will pass roughly 12 months after they’ve received their diagnosis. Currently, there is no cure for mesothelioma, and according to the International Labor Organization, roughly 100,000 people are expected to die from asbestos-related cancer each year.

Depending on the form of mesothelioma, symptoms will vary from person to person. However, common symptoms of malignant pleural mesothelioma include chest pain, excessive sweating, fluid in the lungs, shortness of breath, weight loss, and wheezing. While symptoms of pleural mesothelioma can take anywhere from 15-to-20 years to develop after exposure to asbestos, victims may still be able to seek medical attention sooner. If you believe you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos while on the job, do not wait to seek treatment from a medical professional.

Banning Asbestos in the United States

So, while there has been a general understanding as to why exposure to asbestos is incredibly harmful to humans, why is the mineral not banned? Well, the answer to this question may seem more complicated. However, when it comes to most issues with banning heavily used minerals, major corporations are more concerned over how this will affect their wallets rather than their employees. There has been some headway made in the decades-long fight to ban the use of the carcinogenic material. 

In March 2024, the Biden administration finalized a ban on chrysotile asbestos, which accounts for approximately 95% of the asbestos in the United States. However, with all solutions, there is always a catch. While the ban has been set into place, companies have been allowed a phase-out period of up to 12 years to continue using the material for certain manufacturing processes. While this solution is far from perfect, it seems to be a general step in the right direction. You can read more about the ban/phaseout here. 

Which Jobs Are at Risk of Asbestos Exposure?

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) says the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has estimated that 1.3 million employees in the construction and general industry are exposed to asbestos on the job. OSHA claims that in the United States, most occupational exposures occur during the repair, renovation, removal, or maintenance of asbestos-containing products that were installed years ago. Some of the occupations that commonly deal with repairs, renovations, or maintenance of asbestos-containing products include, but are not limited to, the following:

Auto mechanics: Many auto parts were constructed using asbestos-based materials in order to prevent issues such as overheating from friction or nearness to the vehicle’s engine. Mechanic work often includes assembly, disassembly, cutting, grinding, and other activities that disturb the parts that contain asbestos. This disturbance can release microscopic particles into the air, which can be ingested or inhaled by those working nearby.

Construction workers: While on the job, construction workers are often at high risk of exposure to asbestos. Remodeling or repairing older structures or even homes built in the 1980s contain construction materials created with asbestos, such as floor and ceiling tiles, popcorn ceilings, joint compounds, siding, and plaster. 

Maintenance workers: Similar to construction workers, many maintenance workers face exposure to asbestos due to the nature of their jobs. When working in older buildings, they may be required to repair, replace, or gain access to areas in buildings or structures that may contain asbestos insulation, drywall, ceiling and floor tiles, cement, paint, and textiles. 

Firefighters: Much like construction workers and maintenance workers, firefighters are at risk of asbestos exposure due to older buildings still containing asbestos-based materials. When a building collapses due to a fire, it releases asbestos into the air, risking the firefighters actively trying to put out the fire or searching through the debris. 

Due to its heat-resistant properties, asbestos was also used to create a multitude of products directly used by firefighters, including helmets, suits, gloves, and boots. Asbestos was also used when constructing the fire engine to prevent overheating. Over time, the material on the suits and engines would wear down and release asbestos fibers into the air, placing those nearby at risk.

Other occupations at risk for asbestos exposure, as listed by the CDC, include carpenters, demolition workers, drywallers, electricians, floor covering workers, furnace workers, glaziers, insulators, ironworkers, plant workers, painters, pipefitters, plasterers, plumbers, refinery workers, roofers, sheet metal workers, shipyard workers, steamfitters, tile setters, U.S. Navy personnel, and welders.

The list of jobs at high risk of exposure to asbestos does not end there. If you believe you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos on the job, connect with a Morgan & Morgan attorney today to learn more about what your legal options are.

Asbestos Exposure Outside of the Job Is Possible

The risk of exposure to asbestos does not end on the job. Many people may also be exposed to old sources of asbestos at home as a result of activities such as home renovations, which can expose and disturb the existing asbestos used in the home building materials. In some cases, you may also risk exposure to a newer source of asbestos as a result of certain types of activities and hobbies, such as auto repairs, painting, or even activities like gardening. If you suspect you were exposed to asbestos or are exhibiting symptoms of mesothelioma, contact a medical professional today, then contact a mesothelioma and asbestos exposure attorney.

Exposed to Asbestos on the Job? Connect with a Morgan & Morgan Attorney

While the dangers behind exposure to asbestos have been widely documented for years, many corporations continue to expose their employees to the cancer-causing mineral. Many who have been or are the survivors of those who were diagnosed with mesothelioma can still fight back against those responsible for their exposure. Speaking with a qualified mesothelioma and asbestos exposure attorney can help you and your loved ones understand what your legal options are and get you on the right track to recovering the compensation you rightfully deserve.