Mesothelioma can be a deadly and tragic diagnosis for those who worked in an environment where they were not aware of exposure to or the dangers of asbestos.
There are a number of occupations where that exposure can occur, but too often the symptoms don't surface until it's too late, leaving those suffering from the disease and their family to fight it, often with the help of a mesothelioma lawyer.
Mesothelioma is a tumor that most often forms in the thin membrane lining the lungs, chest, and abdomen. It is typically the result of asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma can be cancerous or noncancerous. If the tumor on the mesothelium is cancerous, it is called malignant mesothelioma. If the tumor on the mesothelium is noncancerous, it is called benign mesothelioma.
The problem, however, is that many people are not aware that they have the condition or that they may have been exposed to asbestos that might lead to it. That's because the symptoms don't surface for, in some cases, decades. Because it often isn't discovered until the late stages, this type of cancer often is fatal.
Knowing the occupations where asbestos exposure was most likely will offer those who served in those jobs an opportunity to discuss concerns with a health care professional. Some of those key occupations include:
- Auto mechanics, who handled certain parts like brake linings and clutches made with asbestos.
- Construction workers, who worked with fireproofing and certain building materials that contained asbestos, like roof shingles, pipes, siding, ceiling, and floor tiles.
- Electricians, who may have been exposed to asbestos when it was commonly used as an insulator in wiring and in high-voltage switchgear and motors.
- Firefighters, who are often exposed to a variety of construction materials while fighting fires in older buildings, or those who wore asbestos suits to prevent injury.
- Insulators, who may have installed or removed, without proper protection, pipe covering, block insulation, or cement that contained asbestos.
- Longshoremen and shipbuilders, who may have been exposed to large amounts of asbestos while loading or unloading cargo or when working on vessels.
- Plumbers, pipe fitters and steamfitters, who worked with gaskets made with asbestos and other products used on pipes that needed repairing.
- Railroad workers, who may have been exposed to asbestos used in insulation, brake linings and other products.
- Brick masons and boilermakers, who may have been exposed to asbestos in gaskets, rope, insulation and concrete used to insulate boilers and furnaces and the related piping.
- School workers, including teachers who may have been exposed to asbestos dust in classrooms inside older buildings stirred up because the building materials were worn or damaged.
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