Who Is At Risk for Mesothelioma?

The only known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Unfortunately, many people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma either didn't know they were exposed to asbestos at some point in their life, or they were not warned about the danger of being regularly exposed to asbestos fibers.

Many individuals who were eventually diagnosed with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos in the workplace, while on active duty in the military, or through secondary exposure.

Occupational Exposure

Workplace exposure to asbestos accounts for a large amount of mesothelioma diagnoses in the United States. In fact, the number one cause of work-related deaths is asbestos exposure.

The following occupations have the highest risk of asbestos exposure.

• Industrial or manufacturing plants workers
• Railroad workers
• Construction workers
• Auto mechanics
• Brick and stone masons
• Firefighters
• Plumbers
• Shipyard workers

Military Exposure

Some statistics suggest that upwards of 30% of all mesothelioma patients are veterans of the military, as it was a common building and insulating material for many military products, including:

• Shipyards and naval ships
• Airplanes and jets used by the Air Force
• Jeeps and other military vehicles

Secondary Exposure

Some individuals are diagnosed with mesothelioma even though, to their knowledge, they were never directly exposed. Secondary exposure occurs when you have contact with someone else who was exposed to asbestos fibers. For example, an individual can develop mesothelioma after coming into contact with someone who brought asbestos fibers home with them (such as on their clothing). It is particularly common in women, especially in wives whose husbands were in the military or had an occupation that frequently handled asbestos material.