A new study of Baltimore shipyard workers shows that mesothelioma risk, as well as other asbestos exposure risks, is especially prevalent within that trade.

Mesothelioma is one of the most prevalent risks linked to asbestos exposure, often resulting in short life expectancies and limited treatment options for patients. This very rare variant of lung cancer is specifically caused by asbestos exposure, in which fibers become trapped in the mucus lining of the lungs and remain there for years.

Mesothelioma can take up to 50 years to show any symptoms. On average, mesothelioma victims often do not experience symptoms until 31 years after exposure. This long latency period may result in late diagnosis and bleak recovery outlooks.

The recent analysis closely analyzed the mesothelioma risk in shipbuilders who worked at a Baltimore shipyard in the 1950s and 1960s. The study found that individuals who worked during this time are at a higher risk for lung cancer, malignant mesothelioma, and early death.

Researchers from the National Cancer Institute, the Uniformed Services University in Maryland, and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point collaborated in analyzing these statistics. The researchers traced back the medical histories of over 4,700 shipyard workers previously employed by the Coast Guard Shipyard in Baltimore from 1950 to 1964.

On a daily basis, these shipyard workers were exposed to a number of different substances including solvents, lead, oils and greases, wood dust, and asbestos. The researchers tracked these workers’ medical histories through 2001.

Researchers calculated the exposures using standardized mortality ratios. They found that all five chemical categories had a relationship to the heightened risk of mesothelioma and lung cancer.

They noted that subjects’ exposure to asbestos could have been so pervasive that it confounded their analysis of the effects of the other pollutants.

Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma Risk

Asbeststos was widely used for its chemical and fire resistant qualities before the 1980s. It found application in insulation, fireproofing, automotive parts, and other industrial materials.

Construction of U.S. Navy ships involved many asbestos components, from the ships’ engine rooms to the dining areas. Like other workers in manufacturing jobs during that period, shipyard workers were exposed to asbestos on a daily basis and were largely unaware of the risks asbestos exposure presented.

Asbestos fibers can either be inhaled or swallowed when released in the air, eventually causing serious health problems for workers. This study and other inquires found that the longer individuals worked in these environments, the higher their mesothelioma risk.

In addition, the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set guidelines for shipbreaking to minimize asbestos exposure. These guidelines include having workers wear safety equipment and limiting the amount of time workers are in the hazardous environment.