How exposure happens - Facts about asbestos cancer and mesothelioma

Your exposure to asbestos most likely occurred in one of three main ways:

1. Workers in asbestos mines and in factories where products containing asbestos were manufactured.
2. Workers who used asbestos-laden products while working in manufacturing and construction trades (see List of industries/jobs)
3. Anyone who was unknowingly exposed to asbestos as an innocent bystander, including:
   
   
   1. family members of those who were exposed to asbestos at work and brought fibers home on their clothing, skin and hair;
   2. people who unwittingly used household products containing asbestos, and;
   3. workers and tenants in buildings with deteriorating construction materials that contain asbestos, particularly janitors, maintenance workers, school custodians, firefighters and construction tradesmen.

Although the risk of asbestos cancer and illness increases with heavier exposure and longer exposure periods, many incidences of mesothelioma have been traced to exposure periods of as little as one or two months.

Anyone exposed to asbestos under these circumstances who does not wear protective gear and take proper precautions has an increased risk of developing an asbestos lung disease.