21 Apr 50 Jobs That Can Lead to Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare but deadly form of cancer that attacks the lining of the lungs and most commonly develops because of exposure to asbestos. High levels of repeated exposure that can occur on a job site can be quite dangerous and lead to severe health complications such as mesothelioma.

Even though many uses of this substance have been outlawed by the EPA and other health agencies around the world, some people are still at risk of exposure—especially those who encounter it on the job. Here is a look at what types of workers are most likely to inhale asbestos, how this substance plays a role in mesothelioma, and what to do if you think you’re at risk for the disease.

Which jobs can lead to mesothelioma?

While this is by no means an exhaustive list, the positions listed below have been associated with exposure to asbestos that can contribute to the development of melanoma.

1. Beauticians
2. Blacksmiths
3. Boilermakers
4. Bulldozer operators
5. Carpenters
6. Chemical technologists
7. Construction workers
8. Crane operators
9. Drill press operators
10. Electricity linemen
11. Electricians
12. Engineers (aerospace, civil, electrical, mechanical, operating, sales, stationary)
13. Firefighters
14. Forge workers
15. Freight handlers
16. Grinding machine operators
17. Home inspectors
18. Home appliance Installers
19. HVAC workers
20. Industrial plant workers
21. Insulators
22. Iron workers
23. Machinists
24. Masonry workers
25. Mechanics (garage, air, auto, heavy machinery)
26. Merchant marines
27. Metal lathers
28. Millwrights
29. Mixing operators
30. Molders
31. Oil refinery personnel
32. Painters
33. Pipefitters
34. Plasterers
35. Plumbers
36. Police
37. Power plant personnel
38. Railroad workers
39. Road machine operators
40. Roofers
41. Sailors and deckhands
42. Sawyers
43. Sheet metal workers
44. Shipyard workers
45. Telephone repairmen
46. Textile operators
47. Tinsmiths
48. Tool makers
49. Weavers
50. Welders

What role does asbestos play in mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that attacks the thin lining of the body’s organs, known as the mesothelium. Mesothelium is present across most of the body, but when mesothelioma occurs, it most frequently forms in the lining of the lungs.

There are sometimes natural causes of this disease, but it most frequently happens those who have had repeated and long exposure to asbestos—according to the American Lung Association, between 70% and 80% of all cases occur because of workplace exposure. Asbestos fibers are microscopic and jagged, and when they are inhaled, they become stuck in the mesothelium of the lungs.

Researchers are still unsure of the exact reason that this can lead to mesothelioma, but there are currently several theories:

• DNA Damage: The asbestos fibers may be damaging the genetic information that mesothelium cells use to reproduce, which can lead to the development of cancerous cells.
• Inflammation: Mesothelium cells may be damaged by the jagged edges of the asbestos fibers, which leads to inflammation that is then passed onto new cells.
• Growth Pattern Changes: Asbestos fibers may trigger the production of a protein that causes cells to reproduce too quickly, leading to cancerous growth.

How does asbestos exposure occur?

People with the highest risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses are typically those who work in a profession in which the substance was frequently used.

For example, between 1920 and 1980, asbestos was quite popular as an insulator for homes and other buildings, and this puts a wide variety of construction workers who were active during those years at one of the highest risks for asbestos inhalation. While all types of construction workers could have potentially been exposed, those who worked between the walls of a building—such as plumbers and electricians—have had the highest chance of coming into contact with asbestos.