Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that became widely used starting in the mid-1800s during the Industrial Revolution. Production and use of asbestos particularly increased during World War II, when it was used in a variety of commercial products, including textiles, insulation, flooring, shingles and cement. Millions of workers in the US have had asbestos exposure during a time when the risks were not well known. As time passed, workers in asbestos mines and asbestos processing facilities, manufacturing plants of asbestos products, as well as workers in the heating and construction industry began to develop mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses.

Even a short period of asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma decades into the future. There have been documented cases of mesothelioma sufferers who had been exposed to asbestos for only one to three months. Latency is particularly prolonged in mesothelioma, where in other words the time between initial contact with asbestos and when symptoms of the disease start to become apparent may usually be around thirty years.

Occupational Asbestos Exposure

Since the early part of the twentieth century, asbestos exposure has been recognized as an occupation hazard. The federal government, through the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration, has enforced acceptable limits of exposure to asbestos in the workplace, including creating guidelines for use of protective gear and equipment, best practices in the workplace, warning labels and signs, as well as periodic medical examinations. Various studies have reported the association between exposure to asbestos in the workplace with pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma.

Secondary Asbestos Exposure

A number of studies have reported that family members and others living in close quarters with workers dealing with asbestos products have a higher risk of contracting mesothelioma and related illnesses. This is thought to be due to small asbestos fibers and dust that contaminate homes as they are brought back on the clothing worn by employees at the workplace. Asbestos workers are now typically required to shower and change their clothes before leaving work.

Asbestos Exposure from Houses and Buildings

Some materials used in housing and building construction contain asbestos. Care should be taken when renovating these buildings to prevent exposure to asbestos dust. The US Environmental Protection Agency has set guidelines for asbestos removal as well as for the safe disposal of asbestos waste. What is important during the removal process is to limit dust and debris from becoming airborne and sealing off the work area to prevent asbestos exposure to the rest of the building.

Asbestos Exposure from the Environment

Since asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, populations living in communities where asbestos mines and processing plants are closeby often have a greater risk of mesothelioma. This was much more dangerous when the risks of asbestos exposure were unknown, and contamination of the nearby environment was almost a daily occurrence, which caused entire communities to become ill.