Occupational Asbestos Exposure

 

According to the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety, more than 75 occupational groups have exposed workers to asbestos. The effect of daily exposure over the span of a career has led many workers to develop asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Learn more about the occupations and industries that place people at risk of asbestos exposure.

75+ Occupational Groups Exposed Workers to Asbestos

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National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety

The Asbestos Epidemic

Asbestos is virtually everywhere in America. It is a mineral that exists naturally in a fibrous form and is resistant to heat, water, chemicals and electricity.
Throughout the 20th century, asbestos was incorporated into thousands of construction, commercial and household products, including fire-retardant coatings, concrete and cement, bricks, pipes, gaskets, insulation, drywall, flooring, roofing, joint compound, paints and sealants. It exists in electrical appliances, plastics, rubber, mattresses, flowerpots, lawn furniture, hats and gloves.

 Asbestos Regulation

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) didn't regulate asbestos exposure in the workplace until 1971. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, OSHA progressively reduced permissible asbestos concentrations in the workplace, which helped limit the risk of workers developing the disease. However, the consequences from the lack of regulation are still lingering.

Asbestos Today

Asbestos still can be found across the country in buildings, roads, homes, schools, factories, ships, trains and automobiles. It's regulated in the U.S., but it is not banned. A surprising number of products are still made with asbestos, including automobile brakes and clutches, roofing materials and several other construction products.