Industries Affected
In spite of regulations passed in the 1970’s, many industries continued to use asbestos well into the 1980’s. Asbestos is a naturally occurring material found in dust and rocks around the world, and is the primary cause of mesothelioma. The news that a person has mesothelioma is delivered to approximately 2,000 people annually. There are still numbers of public buildings and schools that contain asbestos insulation.
Exposure to asbestos increases the chances of developing mesothelioma. This risk does not decrease over time or after exposure stops.
Studies have shown that family members of people exposed to asbestos are also at risk. Asbestos fibers can be carried home on clothing, putting the family in jeopardy of breathing in and coming into contact with the fibers.
If you have been exposed to asbestos, let your doctor know so that appropriate tests for mesothelioma can be conducted. Early detection is very important with any cancer, but particularly with an asbestos cancer like mesothelioma since the latency period is long (usually 20 – 50 years) and it is often diagnosed in the latter stages of the disease.
Following is a list of just some of the many industries that may have used asbestos:
Aerospace
- Aerospace Mechanics
- Missile and Aircraft Production Workers
Automotive
- Assembly Workers
- Auto Mechanics
- Brake Repairers
- Production Workers
Construction and Demolition
- Boilermakers
- Bricklayers
- Building Engineers
- Carpenters
- Construction Workers
- Drywall Installers
- Glazers
- HVAC Mechanics and Welders
- Inspectors
- Insulators
- Laborers
- Masonry and Cement Workers
- Painters
- Plasterers
- Plumbers
- Roofers
- Steamfitters
- Steel and Ironworkers
Electrical
- Electrical Linemen
- Electricians
- Powerhouse Workers
- Telephone Linemen
Labor
- Crane Operators
- Railroad Employees
- Refinery Workers
- Sheet Metal Workers
- Steamfitters
- Warehouse Workers
Manufacturing
- Aircraft Manufacturers
- Asbestos Textile Mill Workers
- Machinists
- Material Products Manufacturers
- Packing and Gasket Materials Workers
- Protective Clothing Manufacturers
Shipyards
- Coast Guard Personnel
- Laggers
- Longshoremen
- Merchant Mariners
- Sailors
- US Navy Personnel
- Yard Workers