Asbestos mesothelioma risk is most prevalent in World War II veterans and former manufacturing employees who were exposed to the fibrous material on a daily basis many years ago.

The reason behind this is because asbestos mesothelioma risk was not widely known until the 1970s, when the federal government began ordering strict safety regulations regarding asbestos use and removal.

Asbestos is a fibrous material which was popularly used in a variety of construction and insulation purposes before the 1980s.

Manufacturing companies often opted for the material for its low cost and its fire and chemical resistant qualities. However, a number of former manufacturing employees and veterans have filed legal action against these companies for failing to warn them about asbestos mesothelioma risk.

Mesothelioma is a very rare type of cancer, which is specifically caused by asbestos exposure. Not to be confused with asbestos lung cancer, mesothelioma occurs in the lining around the lungs after asbestos fibers are inhaled.

Mesothelioma develops when healthy mesothelial cells become corrupted by asbestos. At this time, tumors can occur.

Overview of asbestos mesothelioma risk

According to the World Health Organization, approximately half of all occupational cancer deaths are directly caused by asbestos exposure. A recent study found similar results by observing over a thousand workers who were reportedly exposed to asbestos. The deaths in more than 200 of these workers allegedly resulted from malignant tumors which developed in the patients’ respiratory system, digestive system and even abdomen lining.

In March 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) presented an updated asbestos mesothelioma risk assessment at the World Health Organization conference. The IARC stated the risk between asbestos and cancer has increased, and that asbestos exposure could induce permanent health impairments regardless of the fiber length or type.

High asbestos mesothelioma risk occupations

The asbestos mesothelioma risk is highest in individuals who worked directly with asbestos or with asbestos containing products including. According to the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), these occupations include:

• Shipyard repairs
• Military work
• Construction, demolition, renovation, and repairs
• Power and chemical plant jobs
• Instillation installers
• Automotive workers (automotive brake and clutch repairs)
• Manufacturing of asbestos products
• Other industrial occupations

In each of these occupations, employees mined asbestos, processed asbestos or worked with asbestos composed products in their occupational fields. Asbestos fibers were likely released into these work environments where employees could unknowingly become exposed to the carcinogen.

Although modern asbestos exposure is far less likely than it used to be for high-risk professions, exposure can still occur on the job. Individuals who work with old, asbestos-based products in homes or vehicles could become exposed to the carcinogen. Asbestos remediation standards aim to reduce exposure, but it may still occur if employers fail to properly warn their employees of the presence of asbestos or fail to provide proper safety measures.

Asbestos exposure: how does it occur?

Victims often inhaled or swallow these fibers without realizing it. They also would unknowingly expose their loved ones to asbestos mesothelioma risk when they did simple acts like initiating hugs or washing work clothes.

Unfortunately, many cases of asbestos mesothelioma are diagnosed at a latent stage as the disease can take up to 50 years to present in patients. As a result, consumers may not be able to immediately identify where and when they were exposed to asbestos. However, if they worked in high risk occupations, this may be the first place to check.

Patients who may have been exposed to asbestos could face a high mesothelioma risk and should consult their doctor immediately. In addition, these patients may be eligible for legal action as the manufacturing companies may have failed to disclose this asbestos mesothelioma risk.