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Asbestos exposure and conditions caused by it, such as mesothelioma, tend to disproportionately affect certain occupations. Construction work is one of the most commonly listed occupations you will see that falls under this category.
According to a research review by the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR) at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), construction workers have a 2.6 times higher risk of being exposed to asbestos than the average job. A 1990 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) report cited in ATSDR’s toxicology profile estimated that over 114,000 workers in the construction industries may have been exposed during their career.
A separate CDC report on occupational death rates for malignant mesothelioma found that shipbuilding and construction industries “were major contributors to malignant mesothelioma mortality.” This report also notes that there has been a “large number of construction workers with prior direct and indirect exposure to asbestos fibers through most of the 20th century,” likely because the construction industry once accounted for 70% – 80% of asbestos consumption.
Current and former construction workers who have received a malignant mesothelioma diagnosis or who think they have the symptoms of mesothelioma should know that their condition has a strong chance of being related to asbestos exposure during their work. They can get assistance from an experienced attorney to file a potential personal injury claim and attempt to get compensation for their medical costs, lost wages, and suffering.
Occupational Exposure to Asbestos in the Construction Industry
The mineral asbestos held wide appeal for business interests following the industrial revolution because of its many advantageous properties. Asbestos deposits can be processed into fibers that can then be woven into or included in a wide range of products. These fibers were valued because they had a high tensile strength, poor heat conduction, high chemical resistance, poor electrical conduction, and a relatively inexpensive cost.
During the construction boom of the first half of the 20th century, asbestos-containing materials were considered something of a miracle. The fibers found their way into hundreds of different products. These products included pipe coverings, roofing felt, roofing tile, cement boards, fireproofing textiles, sealants, coatings, electrical insulation, vinyl floor tiles, and more.
Some of these materials pose higher risks than others to construction workers depending on the state they’re in during installation and how they’re handled. Looser materials like fill insulation and woven textiles have a high chance of asbestos fibers “frying” off and becoming airborne. Roofing workers may also be likely to disturb fibers found in roofing felt and shingles as they handle the materials throughout the day.
In total, hundreds of thousands of construction workers were exposed to asbestos in doses known to cause serious health risks. Even relatively young construction workers operating under modern safety standards can still develop mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases.
Construction Workers Should Be Aware of Their High Risk of Mesothelioma
If you have worked in the construction industry, especially prior to the year 1990, know that you have a high chance of risk for asbestos exposure and the subsequent development of fatal diseases like mesothelioma.
The connection between construction workers and mesothelioma remains tragically strong even today, leading to a number of mesothelioma lawsuit claims from former workers — both young and old.
