Top 10 High-Risk Occupations Linked to Asbestos Exposure & Lung Cancer
Millions of workers were exposed to asbestos, a toxic mineral linked to lung cancer and mesothelioma, before the risks were understood by the public.
Yet thousands of workers and their families still do not know that occupational asbestos exposure could be to blame for their lung cancer diagnosis.
The top 10 high-risk asbestos occupations are:
- Shipyard work
- Insulation work
- Construction work
- Military service
- Firefighting
- Pipefitting and plumbing
- Boilermaking
- Automotive work
- Electrical work
- Teaching
Lung Cancer Group can help individuals who served in these occupations understand the dangers, determine possible exposures, and explore resources like treatments or compensation for medical bills.
1. Shipyard Workers
Shipyard workers have one of the most severe and well-documented asbestos exposure profiles of any occupation in American history.
An estimated 4.5 million workers faced exposure to asbestos in U.S. shipyards during World War II alone. Accounts from that era note that asbestos dust clouded the yards, making it hard to see to the other end of rooms.
At the time, asbestos was mandated for use aboard every U.S. Navy ship and many commercial vessels for fireproofing and insulation.
Many of those who worked with asbestos-containing products on ships or in shipyards, namely boilers, engines, insulation, and more, are at risk of lung cancer today.
2. Insulation Workers
Insulation workers handled raw asbestos materials directly, cutting and wrapping pipe, boilers, and insulation. These activities released concentrated clouds of fiber into enclosed spaces with little or no ventilation.
Insulation workers had a 4 times higher risk of developing lung cancer from asbestos exposure, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
3. Construction Workers
Roughly 1.3 million construction and industry workers were exposed to asbestos from building materials, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Anyone who cut, drilled, sanded, or removed asbestos-containing building products could have suffered exposure.
Construction workers risked exposure to asbestos in:
- Caulk
- Ceiling and floor tiles
- Cement
- Drywall
- Insulation
- Joint compound
- Roofing
- Paint
- Shingles
- Wiring
Because of their long-term and significant exposure to asbestos, construction workers account for 25% of asbestosis deaths and 14% of mesothelioma deaths, according to OSHA.
4. U.S. Military Veterans
Approximately 33% of mesothelioma patients are veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces due to the widespread use of asbestos between the 1930s and early 1980s. All branches of the military used asbestos in military bases, ships, vehicles, and equipment.
In particular, U.S. Navy veterans who served aboard ships during this period faced heavy exposure. Navy ships were cramped, meaning asbestos fibers used in boilers, pipe lagging, and engine rooms could linger in the air more easily.
Additionally, U.S. veterans may have found civilian jobs post-service based on their military roles. This meant additional exposure for those who served as firefighters, construction workers, mechanics, or shipyard workers.
5. Firefighters
Firefighters risked exposure to asbestos when responding to burning buildings. Before the early 1980s, homes, offices, and many other structures contained asbestos.
When they caught fire, the asbestos fibers could contaminate the air firefighters breathed in and soil their equipment, potentially leading to lung cancer, mesothelioma, and more later in life.
Firefighters were more than twice as likely to develop mesothelioma as the general population, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
6. Pipefitters and Plumbers
Pipefitters and plumbers regularly worked on pipes, insulation, and boilers that contained asbestos.
Their job duties frequently required removing old components and installing new ones. However, this could send asbestos flying into the air. Breathing in asbestos fibers day in and day out increased the risk of lung cancer and other serious health issues.
About 600,000 miles of asbestos-containing water pipes remain in use today, potentially putting plumbers and pipefitters who service them at risk if proper precautions aren’t taken.
7. Boilermakers
Boilermakers were responsible for installing and maintaining large boilers in ships and industrial facilities. These boilers and their insulation often contained asbestos.
Boiler areas were often cramped and poorly ventilated, so asbestos dust could remain trapped in the air that boilermakers breathed in.
Boilermakers with a history of long-term asbestos exposure have a slightly higher risk of lung cancer, according to the American Journal of Industrial Medicine.
8. Auto Mechanics
Auto mechanics were frequently exposed to asbestos, which was used by manufacturers to help with friction and heat resistance.
Common car parts that used asbestos included:
- Brakes and brake pads
- Clutches
- Gaskets
- Insulation
These components shed asbestos dust during inspection, replacement, and cleaning. The risk of exposure was widespread for mechanics at repair shops and dealerships for decades.
Those working on older cars should take extra care to avoid exposure to asbestos materials that may still be present today.
9. Electricians
Electricians risked exposure to asbestos across a broad range of worksites. Asbestos was used to help keep wires and electrical panels well-insulated to reduce the risk of fires.
Those working on renovation and demolition projects face a particularly elevated risk. In some cases, electricians continue to encounter asbestos when working on older homes, buildings, and factories.
10. Teachers
While they may not have worked directly with asbestos-containing materials, teachers ran a high risk of exposure. Many schools throughout the country had aging asbestos in place, so teachers who made their careers risked long-term exposure.
Even today, school buildings that are in need of renovations continue to put teachers in danger of exposure to asbestos and related diseases like lung cancer and mesothelioma.
As recently as the 2020s, school districts in cities like Philadelphia have made headlines for problems with asbestos and teachers developing mesothelioma from their jobs.
Understanding Occupational Asbestos Risks & Getting Help
Your lung cancer diagnosis may be linked to on-the-job asbestos exposure that occurred decades ago, even if you smoked. In these cases, the diagnosis may not have been your fault.
Manufacturers of asbestos-containing materials hid the dangers of asbestos from the public for decades. As a result, they could be responsible if you’ve developed a serious illness like lung cancer.
Lung Cancer Group is committed to supporting patients and families. The team is ready to help review treatment options, figure out how asbestos exposure played a role, and find options to more easily afford treatment.
To learn more, call (877) 446-5767 or get a free case review from the organization now.
Written by:Lung Cancer GroupLung Cancer Group was established by a team of caring advocates so those with lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases can get the help they deserve. Our site provides the most accurate and up-to-date information about lung cancer, its link to asbestos, and financial compensation available to patients. Contact us to learn more and get assistance.
