Asbestos exposure is the primary cause of
mesothelioma cancer. Inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers may cause an
inflammation of internal tissue and disrupt organ function which leads to the
development of mesothelioma. Asbestos products were used extensively throughout
the 20th century in a wide variety of applications. Asbestos companies
continued to produce these products even after they were known to be hazardous
and harmful to workers and their families. Many of these products were
responsible for asbestos exposure sustained by both the individuals who
manufactured the products as well as those who used them at commercial,
industrial and military jobsites. Renovation and construction both at home and
in schools and other public facilities also posed high risk areas for asbestos
exposure.
Asbestos related cancer is common
among military veterans who we exposed on naval ships, in shipyards and at
military bases. Naval ships where exposure occurred include aircraft carriers,
battleships, destroyers, submarines, warships and others. Some prominent
shipyards where asbestos was prevalent include Brooklyn Navy Yard, Norfolk Navy
Shipyard, Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Long Beach Naval Shipyard and Hunters
Point Naval Shipyard. At commercial and industrial locations including
refineries, power plants, steel mills, auto production facilities and large
construction sites, many workers were put at risk. Some of the occupations of
workers at risk include electricians, plumbers, boilermakers, carpenters,
mechanics , machinists and more. Additionally, if you lived with someone who
was regularly exposed to asbestos and washed their clothes, you could be at
risk for second hand asbestos exposure.