Over the years, asbestos has been used in a wide range of fields. So, there are all kinds of workers who, at some point in their career, may have faced asbestos exposure. A few examples of work fields that have seen significant risks on this front over the years are shipbuilding, construction, building and asbestos-related mining/milling/manufacturing.
Any asbestos exposure carries risks. But not all exposures are equal. There are certain things that could up the chances of an exposure leading to asbestos-related medical conditions, like asbestosis and mesothelioma.
For one, the size of an exposure matters. The two critical aspects of size are length of time and amount of asbestos. Generally, the more asbestos a person was exposed to and the longer they were exposed, the greater their risk of health harms.
Another thing that has impacts on the likelihood of health harm is the type of asbestos a person was exposed to. While all types of asbestos have their dangers, some are associated with upped risks.
Also, the individual characteristics of the person exposed to asbestos can have impacts. Certain types of genetic factors and personal health history can put a person at greater risk of developing a disease from asbestos exposure.
Negative health effects from asbestos exposure can take a long time to become visible. It is not out of the question for decades to pass after an exposure before symptoms start to show. So, it can be important for individuals who were exposed to asbestos earlier in their work life to keep a close eye on their health. This can especially be the case for individuals who experienced particularly high-risk exposures.
When individuals discover they have asbestosis, mesothelioma or some other health condition associated with asbestos and suspect that their condition came about due to past workplace asbestos exposure, they have many questions regarding their rights. Asbestos exposure lawyers can help answer such questions.