Malignant mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. Even at low exposure levels, these microscopic particles can cause mesothelioma cancer, which can have a latency period of up to 40 years. Most of this asbestos exposure occurred prior to the 1980s, when asbestos was discovered to be a health hazard. Hundreds of thousands of individuals have been potentially exposed to these asbestos fibers through their jobs. In addition, family members of those exposed also may be at risk through paraoccupational exposure. In these cases, workers may have unknowningly exposed their families through indirect contact. In addition, families located near former asbestos production facilities, shipyards, and other sites that involve asbestos are at risk. Even the demolition of buildings that contain asbestos can contaminate nearby homes and communities.

Locations:
Asbestos product manufacturing (insulation, roofing, building, materials)
Automotive repair (brakes & clutches)
Construction/contractors
Maritime
Miners
Offshore rust removals
Oil refineries
Power plants
Railroads
Sand or abrasive manufacturers
Shipyards / ships / ship builders
Steel mills
Tile cutters
Occupations:
Auto Mechanics
Boiler makers
Bricklayers
Building Inspectors
Carpenters
Drywallers
Electricians
Floor Coverings
Furnace Workers
Glazers
Grinders
Hod carriers
Insulators
Iron workers
Laborers
Longshoremen
Maintenance workers
Merchant marines
Millwrights
Operating Engineers
Painters
Plasterers
Plumbers
Roofers
Sand blasters
Sheet metal workers
Steam fitters
Tile setters
Welders
U.S. Navy veterans
Welders
Due to massive asbestos exposure, certain occupations have an increased risk for developing mesothelioma. For example, asbestos insulation workers have 92 times the risk of developing of lung cancer, and smelter workers have 3-8 times the risk of developing lung cancer.


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