Who is at Risk?
At hundreds of job sites across the United States, thousands of workers often encountered asbestos, jeopardizing their health and even their lives on a daily basis. Family members could also be exposed when loved ones brought the dust home on their clothes. This is called second-hand or take-home exposure. Those who worked in the following professions could be at risk.
- Aircraft Mechanics
- Air Force Veterans
- Auto Mechanics
- Boilermakers
- Bricklayers
- Carpenters
- Coal Miners
- Construction Workers
- Electricians
- Firefighters
- Insulators
- Iron Workers
- Machinists
- Navy Veterans
- HVAC Technicians
- Oil Refinery Workers
- Painters
- Paper Mill Workers
- Phone Company Workers
- Pipefitters
- Plasterers and Drywall Finishers
- Plumbers
- Power Plant Workers
- Railroad Workers
- Roofers
- Shipbuilders
- Ship Scrappers
- Steel Workers
- Tile Setters
The Facts
- Nearly 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year.
- Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure.
- Occupational exposure to asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
- Since the early 20th century, millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos.
- Overall evidence suggests there is no safe level of asbestos exposure.
- Asbestos is still not completely banned in the United States.