Mesothelioma Risk Factors

The most dangerous risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Anyone who was exposed to a heavy amount of asbestos, whether in small doses over time or just several heavy exposures, could be a candidate for developing the disease. Secondary exposure, which takes place when an occupationally-exposed person brings home asbestos fibers on their clothing, skin and hair, has also been shown to cause mesothelioma.

In addition to asbestos exposure, several other risk factors have been shown to increase the chance of developing mesothelioma among those exposed to asbestos.

Occupational Mesothelioma Risk

Many industrial and construction workers employed throughout the 20th century have been placed at risk of developing mesothelioma due to the common usage of asbestos-containing materials at their workplaces. Someone who was occupationally exposed to asbestos is at risk to develop mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis and other asbestos-related conditions. In most cases, workers were exposed to asbestos unknowingly while at work.

Many workers who were exposed to asbestos on the job worked in industrial settings. Shipyard workers, construction workers, railroad employees and power plant employees are among a few types of workers that were exposed while on the job. Not all forms of toxic exposure are typically classified as industrial. For example, one group of workers who were exposed to asbestos in a non-traditional way was the first responders and emergency personnel at the 2001 World Trade Center crash sites in New York City, New York.

Many individuals who perform home improvement projects are unknowingly exposed to asbestos. Asbestos-containing materials are commonly found in the form of insulation and many other construction materials such as shingles, wall paneling, adhesives and even paint. Floor and ceiling tiles are often a common location for asbestos-containing materials.

Secondary Exposure Risks

Due to the easy transportation of asbestos fibers on clothing and skin, family members living in the household of someone who worked with asbestos were easily exposed to the toxic fibers.

Some cases of secondary exposure were the result of people living in the vicinity of asbestos mines or factories. In many cases, the presence of asbestos dust in the ambient air surrounding asbestos facilities was high enough for those residing nearby to develop mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease. These persons had no direct contact working with asbestos materials, but were rather exposed to microscopic asbestos fibers floating in the ambient air.

Smoking and Mesothelioma Risk

Researchers have shown during numerous studies that smoking does not cause mesothelioma, nor does smoking increase the risk of developing mesothelioma among those exposed to asbestos. Anyone exposed to asbestos should avoid smoking at all costs because it greatly increases the risk of developing lung cancer and compromises the lungs in a way that could make patients more susceptible to the development of lung conditions such as mesothelioma.

Some studies have even shown that smokers are up to 90 percent more likely to develop lung cancer after being exposed to asbestos. Any combination of smoking with asbestos exposure will in turn compromise the lungs and make the person more susceptible to the development lung disease, particularly lung cancer.