At Risk Occupations

Occupational asbestos exposure is the most common exposure to dangerous fiber. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 125 million people were exposed to asbestos on the job because asbestos was used so prevalently in products.

Asbestos was used in many industries. Today, the mineral can still be found in building materials and products used by workers. Any worker in contact with asbestos may develop mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease. Certain occupations are at high risk of asbestos exposure.

Eventually, federal regulations were put in place to protect workers from asbestos. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) began requiring labels on asbestos products and eventually worked towards banning the product in the late 80s. People were not just exposed on the job but also at home through husbands’ and fathers’ work clothes.