Individuals who worked at jobsites where asbestos materials were commonly used, or who worked in jobs that caused them to come into regular contact with products containing asbestos may be at risk of developing mesothelioma cancer or other diseases that are linked to asbestos exposure.
If you or a loved one worked at a jobsite or in a profession that involved exposure to asbestos-containing materials and believe you may have developed an illness as a result of this exposure, you may qualify to receive free asbestos testing in order to determine whether asbestos is present in your body and whether you have developed an asbestos disease.
Jobsites Where Asbestos Materials Were Used
Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that was used for decades as an insulation, flame-retardant, and to protect against high temperatures.
During the 20th century, scientists discovered that exposure to asbestos could increase the risk of developing serious and potentially deadly diseases, including mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Although the use of asbestos materials declined significantly after the 1970s, workers at jobsites that contained large amounts of products with asbestos may be at risk of developing an asbestos-related disease due to their years of exposure.
While asbestos materials were removed from many jobsites after the link between asbestos and cancer began to be publicized, some jobsites may still contain large quantities of insulation, building materials, or other materials containing asbestos.
Some of the most common jobsites where asbestos exposure may have occurred include:
- Aluminium plants
- Asbestos mines
- Automotive repair shops
- Breweries
- Chemical plants
- Military sites, including Air Force bases, Navy ships, Navy shipyards
- Oil refineries
- Paper mills
- Power plants
- Sawmills
- Schools
- Steel mills
- Textile mills
Occupations At Risk of Asbestos Exposure
The risk of asbestos exposure doesn’t just come from working at a jobsite where asbestos materials were commonplace.
Many occupations during the 20th century involved regularly working with parts or materials that contained asbestos, putting workers at risk of developing an asbestos disease.
Workers who were exposed to asbestos-containing materials in these professions may be at risk of developing mesothelioma or other diseases years after they were last exposed.
Some of the professions where workers regularly came into contact with asbestos include:
- 9/11 first responders
- Aircraft mechanics
- Agricultural workers
- Boilermakers
- Construction workers, including bricklayers, carpenters, cement finishers, contractors, electricians, laborers, lathers, millwrights, painters, plasterers, and tile installers
- Demolition workers
- Farmers
- Firefighters
- Foundry workers
- Hairdressers
- Industrial workers, including foremen and machine operators
- Mechanics
- Metal workers
- Pipefitters and pipe coverers
- Plumbers
- Railroad workers
- Sheet metal workers
- Teachers
- Veterans of the US Navy or Merchant Marines
Asbestos-Related Cancers
The disease that is most commonly associated with asbestos exposure is mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that may be found in the lining of the heart, lungs, abdomen, or testicles. Mesothelioma is an extremely aggressive form of cancer that can only be caused by exposure to asbestos. Usually, the first symptoms of the disease only appear decades after workers were exposed to asbestos on the job. Although treatments for mesothelioma have been developed, life expectancy for workers who are diagnosed with this form of cancer is usually less than a few years.
Exposure to asbestos can also cause workers to develop lung cancer. Whereas mesothelioma is a cancer that can affect the lining that surrounds the lungs, in patients who are diagnosed with lung cancer caused by asbestos, cancer forms inside the lung tissue. There are two types of lung cancer that are linked to asbestos: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Depending on the type and stage of lung cancer, treatment options may be available for patients with asbestos-related lung cancer.
Non-Cancerous Disease Linked to Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos exposure can also cause workers to develop a disease known as asbestosis. Asbestosis is a chronic disease of the lungs that is caused by scarring of the lung tissue when asbestos fibers are inhaled, leading to breathing problems and other symptoms. As with mesothelioma, the symptoms of asbestosis usually only appear years after exposure to asbestos occurred.
Exposure to asbestos can also cause a number of other non-cancerous diseases, including atelectasis, diffuse pleural thickening, pleural effusions, pleural plaques, and pleurisy.
Schedule Your Free Asbestos Test
If you or a loved one worked at an asbestos jobsite or in an occupation where asbestos materials were used and believe you have symptoms of an asbestos-related disease, you may qualify to receive free asbestos testing in order to determine whether you are suffering from mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, or other conditions caused by asbestos.
To schedule your free asbestos test, contact the lawyers at Hissey, Mulderig & Friend by calling our office toll-free at 1-855-500-3734. You can also contact us by filling out our free asbestos testing contact form, which is located on the right side of this page for desktop users, and at the bottom of the page for mobile device users.
After we receive your message, a member of our staff will contact you to obtain any additional information you need and to help you schedule your free asbestos test.
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