There are certain occupations that increase one's risk of asbestos exposure. Shipyard workers during World War II - and anytime before the 1980's for that matter - were heavily exposed to asbestos. The material was ideal for use in ship building because of its ability to resist corrosion and high temperatures. It has been used as insulation for boilers, incinerators, hot water pipes and steam pipes. The asbestos dust builds up around these areas and other inadequately ventilated parts of the ship.

Not only the ship builders, but the crews of those ships and the longshoreman - those who load the ships - were heavily exposed to asbestos as well. In fact, before the 1980s, many longshoremen probably even loaded bundles of asbestos onto ships. Before that time, the health risk associated with asbestos was not known by these workers and no special precautions were taken to prevent inhalation. Because of this, many shipyard workers run an increased risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses.

A study conducted at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine found that 86% of shipyard workers with 20 or more years of experience developed asbestos-related lung disease or lung cancer. If you have ever worked in a shipyard or on an old ship and feel you may have been exposed to asbestos, it is important that you discuss it with your physician. As with any type of cancer, mesothelioma is most easily treated when it is caught as early as possible. Once you have taken care of your health, you should contact a lawyer about seeking compensation for your exposure.

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