Mesothelioma risk often stems from someone’s professional employment. Certain industries have a known association with the increased potential of asbestos exposure on the job and therefore the possibility of developing mesothelioma.
Auto mechanics, professionals that serviced Navy ships and construction workers are among those at elevated risk of eventually developing mesothelioma. Those are far from the only impacted professions. There are actually two different groups of professionals who are at risk of developing mesothelioma in the future because of current water treatment practices.
Workers in water treatment facilities
Researchers have noted that employees who work at water treatment plants may have an elevated risk of mesothelioma when compared with the general public. Research seems to indicate that the risk for lung cancer may not be higher among those who work in water treatment plants, but the possibility of asbestos exposure may increase workers’ risk of developing mesothelioma later in life.
More research is certainly necessary for the protection of those who keep the water supply safe for their communities, but those who work in water treatment may want to advise their physician to better screen for the possibility of asbestos-related illness.
Workers at chemical facilities
Making chemical compounds is a big business. Both consumers and companies have uses for various chemicals, like solvents and cleaning agents. The workers in chemical plants likely already recognize that their work exposes them to dangerous chemicals. Although it was once commonplace, asbestos is among the most dangerous substances that workers may have to handle, as it has no safe level of exposure.
One of the most common reasons that manufacturers import asbestos is to create sanitation products, such as the chemicals used to sanitize municipal water supplies. Much domestic chlorine production involves asbestos. The workers helping process asbestos at those facilities may eventually develop serious medical conditions because of the work that they perform.
Anyone exposed to asbestos on the job might eventually develop life-altering medical issues later in life, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. Identifying yourself as someone with a higher-than-average risk of mesothelioma could help you detect the signs of mesothelioma more quickly and pursue a claim for compensation if necessary.