A new study has suggested that thousands of constructions workers may be at risk for pleural mesothelioma even though they have not worked in areas of asbestos exposure.
The study was conducted by researchers in the Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine at Umea University, in Sweden and they used male Swedish construction workers who had had medical examinations between 1971 and 1993 as their sample.
There were 367,568 workers included in the analysis with 419 cases of mesothelioma occurring between 1972 and 2009. However, only 21% of those with mesothelioma had worked with asbestos, such as those dealing with insulation. There were even more cases of mesothelioma among concrete workers and woodworkers and also painters, electricians and foremen.
Those born between 1935 and 1945 were the most likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma, due to the lack of protection from asbestos at that time, and the long time needed before mesothelioma becomes apparent.
The report concludes that not only those with direct exposure to asbestos in the construction industry are at risk, given the occurrence of mesothelioma in a wide range of construction workers.
In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has established guidelines designed to protect asbestos workers including risk advisories, asbestos handling training and the provision of protective gear.
If you have been diagnosed with any an asbestos related disease, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. To find out how we can help you recover for your asbestos related claim, contact the Law Office of Brayton Purcell, LLP at (800) 598-0314 immediately, or contact us online for a free consultation.
