Occupational asbestos exposure is a serious concern in the United States, with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration stating that over 75 occupations expose workers to asbestos.

Occupational asbestos exposure increases the risk of a number of dangerous diseases, including asbestos lung cancer and mesothelioma, with federal law requiring companies to provide disclosure of potential asbestos exposure when working with their products.

Occupational asbestos exposure can span throughout the worker’s life, and can also affect their families and loved ones due to second hand asbestos exposure. Any fibers that attach to the worker’s clothing, risk getting inhaled or swallowed by the worker’s loved one when the clothing is handled.

Asbestos is a fibrous material that was popularly used throughout the 20th century; it reached its peak in popularity during World War II.

Asbestos is resistant to chemicals and fire, and was cheap to use for manufacturing companies. This means asbestos was used in almost every manufacturing and industrial application, including being implemented in household products like concrete, cement, bricks, pipes, gaskets, drywall, flooring, roofing, paints, mattresses, and even flower ports.

This means that occupational asbestos exposure is especially prevalent in any construction, manufacturing, or industrial job, with federal law requiring companies to warn employees of potential exposure and to provide protective equipment.

Asbestos is still found across the country in buildings, roads, homes, schools, factories, ships, trains, and cars. It is heavily regulated by United States health officials. Even though asbestos is a known carcinogen, the fibrous material is still used in a number of products like roof materials and vehicle brakes and clutches.

Overview of Occupational Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos became more heavily regulated in 1971, when the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recognized its dangerous nature. Even though OSHA implemented limitations on asbestos use, workers remain at risk for occupational asbestos exposure due to lack of regulation in the workplace. Workplaces with the highest risk for occupational asbestos exposure include:

• Construction Workers (particularly demolition crews and home renovators)
• Firefighters (asbestos was used to make protective clothing, helmets and boots)
• Industrial Workers (particularly mechanics, foremen, trade laborers, chemical workers, and machinery operators)
• Power Plant Workers (asbestos was used to make fireproofing spray and pipe insulation)
• Shipyard Worker (particularly construction workers, boiler workers, demolition workers, and repair men)

In addition, mining is considered a high risk job for occupational asbestos exposure, even though asbestos is no longer actively mined in the country. However numerous retired mine workers, as well as other manufacturing or industrial retirees, reportedly developed mesothelioma and other serious health problems related to asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma is a very rare form of lung cancer, which is specifically caused by asbestos exposure. This variant of lung cancer develops in the mucous lining of the lungs, caused by asbestos fibers becoming embedded in the lining. This is not to be confused with asbestos lung cancer, in which the fibers become embedded in the lung itself.

Both of these diseases can take decades to progress to the point of exhibiting symptoms, often resulting in late stage diagnoses and limited treatment options. Patients who allegedly developed these diseases due to occupational asbestos exposure may be eligible to file legal action against the manufacturing companies allegedly responsible.