Working with chemicals can be dangerous, and even deadly. Unfortunately, many workers interact with harmful chemicals on a daily basis, putting them at risk for serious health problems. This list of five risky occupations highlights common jobs that can involve regular exposure to dangerous chemical exposure for your loved one.
Construction
Construction workers are regularly exposed to harmful chemicals, including asbestos, lead, and silica. Asbestos exposure, in particular, can cause mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer that is almost always fatal. Construction workers aren’t the only ones at risk of mesothelioma — not by a long shot. According to the National Cancer Institute, millions of American workers have died from asbestos exposure, including firefighters, carpenters, bricklayers, plumbers, electricians, and more.
How do construction workers become exposed to asbestos? Often, it’s through exposure to older buildings that contain the material, though even modern construction sites can become contaminated. Disturbing asbestos-containing materials releases tiny fibers into the air. Inhaling these fibers traps them in the lungs and other tissues, eventually causing cancer. Asbestos isn’t the only dangerous chemical found on construction sites. Lead and silica are also common and can cause health problems like lead poisoning and silicosis.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing products from raw materials uses both naturally occurring chemical compounds and synthetic chemicals. Many of the chemicals used in manufacturing are toxic and can cause serious health problems, including cancer. Workers in this industry are at risk of exposure to a variety of harmful chemicals, including benzene, asbestos, cadmium, and lead. Additionally, the use of chemicals in manufacturing is an ever-evolving process and new risks are constantly emerging. While regulations can offset some of the risks, it often takes years for data on the health effects of new chemicals to become available.
Welding
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) identifies welding fumes as a serious health hazard. Welding fumes are an intricate mixture of tiny particles that contain metals, including cadmium, lead, manganese, and nickel. Additionally, gasses such as argon and carbon monoxide are usually present. Inhaling these fumes can cause lung damage, kidney disease, and cancer. Welding fumes aren’t the only hazard welders face. Welding is another one of the top occupations with asbestos exposure. In recent years, welding appeared on lists of deadliest jobs due to deaths caused by asbestos exposure.
Painting
Painters are exposed to a variety of harmful chemicals, including lead, which can cause neurological damage, and solvents, which can cause liver and kidney damage. When paint evaporates, it can release volatile organic compounds like ethanol, benzene, and toluene. These can cause short-term health effects like headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Inhaling too much overtime can lead to more serious health problems, including cancer. Additionally, painters may be exposed to asbestos from sanding down walls and hauling debris. Sanding and other methods used by painters to prepare surfaces for painting — like using a heat gun to strip paint — can release asbestos fibers into the air. Free-floating asbestos dust is especially dangerous because it can be inhaled and lodge itself in the lungs, where it can cause mesothelioma.
Hazardous Waste Workers
Workers who are involved in the removal, transportation, and disposal of hazardous waste are naturally at risk of exposure to a variety of harmful chemicals. Due to the nature of the work, hazardous waste removal puts workers face-to-face with some of the most dangerous substances known to man, including toxic, infectious, and radioactive substances. There are a variety of ways these workers can be exposed to hazardous materials, including skin contact, inhalation, and ingestion. Since the occupation’s primary service is to safely remove hazardous material, workers are well-aware of risks and take precautions. Exposure is often caused due to accidents and failure to follow safety protocols.
Workplace Chemical Exposure is More Common Than You Think
These are just a few of the many occupations that come with a risk of chemical exposure. Others include engineers, paper mill workers, navy yard workers, and aircraft mechanics, just to name a few. It is important to do your research into what jobs have which risks. You must weigh the risks of any job you pursue in order to protect yourself and your health. It affects your family in the future if you start having health problems. Work and money is never worth the cost of your health. Make sure you seek legal advice if you think you have been exposed to harmful chemical or toxins in your life. They may be able to help you get the advice and guidance you need in securing financial stability for you and your family.
Conclusion
If you work in one of these occupations or suspect you’ve been exposed to hazardous materials, it’s important to speak with an experienced attorney who specializes in workplace chemical exposure and can help you understand your legal options.
