Mesothelioma - Cancer of the Lung Lining
Asbestos Causes Mesothelioma
Asbestos is the major cause of mesothelioma
in the United States. Asbestos is a mineral that occurs as
a long thin fiber in the environment. Until the 1980's, when
asbestos was banned due to its health dangers, asbestos had been used
in many industrial and insulation materials as a fire retardant.
Some of the jobs in which people have been exposed to asbestos
directly or indirectly are those that involve factory work,
demolition, insulation, shipbuilding, carpentry, installation
of brake linings in vehicles, and many other jobs.
Workplace Exposure To Asbestos
Review our
At Risk Job section for a more
detailed list of jobs. Despite efforts to eliminate asbestos
from our environment, many public and private buildings still
contain asbestos today. Personnel who remove asbestos from
such structures or work around asbestos are required to wear
personal safety and breathing equipment to lower their risk of exposure to asbestos.
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