1. Direct exposure to asbestos
The risks of developing mesothelioma increase with the intensity and duration of asbestos exposure. Most persons who develop mesothelioma were directly exposed to asbestos at their jobs for long periods of time. Following are a list of some of the higher risk jobs occupations:
- Auto Mechanics – at risk of developing mesothelioma because brake pads and clutches contained asbestos
- Boiler makers – at risk of developing mesothelioma because asbestos insulation was wrapped around the boilers
- Bricklayers – at risk of developing mesothelioma because certain bricks, most notably firebricks, contained asbestos
- Building Inspectors – at risk of developing mesothelioma from regular exposure to construction sites containing asbestos
- Carpenters – at risk of developing mesothelioma because flooring, roofing, insulation, and joint compound contained asbestos
- Drywallers – at risk of developing mesothelioma because joint compound contained asbestos
- Electricians – at risk of developing mesothelioma because electrical wiring coverings contained asbestos and because often were required to cut insulation to do work
- Floor Coverings – at risk of developing mesothelioma because tiles contained asbestos
- Furnace Workers – at risk of developing mesothelioma because insulating firebrick and gunnite contained asbestos
- Glazers – at risk of developing mesothelioma because glazing equipment contained asbestos material
- Grinders – at risk of developing mesothelioma because grinding equipment contained asbestos material
- Insulators – at risk of developing mesothelioma because virtually all insulation products contained asbestos
- Iron workers- at risk of developing mesothelioma because insulating firebrick and gunnite contained asbestos
- Laborers – at risk of developing mesothelioma to the extent they performed same work as tradesman exposed to asbestos
- Longshoremen – at risk of developing mesothelioma because insulation of ships' boilers contained asbestos
- Maintenance workers – at risk of developing mesothelioma to the extent job sites contained asbestos
- Merchant marines – at risk of developing mesothelioma because insulation of ships' boilers contained asbestos
- Millwrights – at risk of developing mesothelioma to the extent various trades performed by millwright exposed them to asbestos
- Operating Engineers- at risk of developing mesothelioma because insulation of pipes contained asbestos
- Painters- at risk of developing mesothelioma to the extent they painted in areas containing asbestos products
- Plasterers – at risk of developing mesothelioma because joint compound contained asbestos
- Plumbers – at risk of developing mesothelioma because pipes were insulated with asbestos material
- Roofers – at risk of developing mesothelioma because roofing tiles contained asbestos
- Sand blasters- at risk of developing mesothelioma to the extent they blasted metals containing asbestos products and in areas containing asbestos products
- Steam or pipe fitters – at risk of developing mesothelioma because insulation of boilers and furnaces contained asbestos
- Tile setters – at risk of developing mesothelioma because tiles contained asbestos
- U.S. Navy veterans – at risk of developing mesothelioma because boilers were insulated with asbestos material
- Welders – at risk of developing mesothelioma because welded through or cut pipes wrapped with asbestos material
2. Secondary exposure to asbestos
Although much less common, family members of persons working at high-risk jobs may also have been exposed to asbestos. Generally, this exposure occurs when the person with direct exposure bring home asbestos fibers on his work clothes.
Although unlikely as well, persons working in buildings constructed before the mid-1970s, such as school buildings and hospitals, may be at risk if asbestos fibers from the insulation become airborne. Because much of the asbestos in these buildings has been removed or remediated, the risks today are much lower.
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