Your risk of getting lung cancer may be higher depending on your profession as there are some jobs in which the rates of such cancer are higher. In general, occupational lung diseases are more common than other workplace illnesses in terms of severity, frequency, and preventability.
While there are other factors that affect your individual risk factors for getting lung cancer (such as family history or smoking), some jobs are definitively linked to lung cancer.
These Jobs May Cause Lung Cancer
One job that many people associate with lung cancer is coal mining. Coal miners are more likely to get lung cancer because of their constant exposure to dust, fumes, and potentially dangerous substances like radon.
However, coal mining is only one job that may cause lung cancer. Other jobs are considered high-risk when it comes to developing lung cancer, according to Business Insider:
Construction Workers
Homes and offices contained asbestos until the late 1970s. The use of asbestos discontinued upon the discovery of it being a carcinogen. When asbestos burns, crumbles, or deteriorates with time, it releases tiny fibers that are a known source of cancer and other deadly lung diseases. Construction workers are exposed to asbestos, heavy metals, and led when they are demolishing or renovating older buildings.
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Welders
Welders all face a higher risk of lung cancer because of their job. Welders use extremely high temperatures to melt metals. This increases their exposure to radiation, asbestos, and other deadly fumes that can scar their lungs and potentially cause lung cancer.
Firefighters
Firefighters must battle deadly flames, and in doing so they are often exposed to carcinogens from those burning materials. According to a report from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health as published in U.S. News & World Report, firefighters have a greater risk of getting cancer than most people because they inhale and absorb hazardous elements on a regular basis. Everyday objects can emit life-threatening fumes when they burn, such as asbestos.
Firefighters and construction workers who helped after the 9/11 airliner assault on the World Trade Center endured exposure to dangerous levels of asbestos and other carcinogens. The intense heat of the burning building created a toxic atmosphere for first responders and clean-up crews.
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Manicurists and Salon Workers
It is ironic that two beauty-related jobs have an ugly truth: manicurists and hairstylists have a greater risk of developing lung cancer. Airborne particles inhaled on a regular basis may cause lung cancer.
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Factory and Manufacturing Workers
People who work in rubber, plastics, or aluminum manufacturing and processing are routinely exposed to known carcinogens. These dangerous elements include formaldehyde, asbestos, cadmium, vinyl chloride, heavy metals, and arsenic, just to name a few.
Farmers and Agriculture Workers
Farmers, migrant workers, and agriculture workers are at a greater risk for lung cancer and other forms of cancer than the average person. Pesticides are a major contributor to lung cancer but there are others, including dust, animal viruses, fuels, fertilizers, engine exhaust, and microbes that are specific to farming and food sources.
Auto Mechanics
Car mechanics are also at a higher risk for lung cancer than most people. Mechanics are regularly exposed to arsenic, asbestos, benzenes, and diesel exhaust, a known carcinogen. They also use grease dissolving substances that contain tetrachloroethylene, which is linked to several types of cancer.
Dry Cleaners
Like auto mechanics, people who work at dry cleaners are also exposed to tetrachloroethylene. While there is no evidence to show that wearing clothes cleaned with tetrachloroethylene increases your risk of cancer, dry cleaning jobs may cause lung cancer.
Any Desk Job
Depending on the age of the building, your workplace has the potential to make you sick. If your workplace contains asbestos, you could be at an increased risk of lung cancer.
What You Can Do to Reduce Your Risk of Lung Cancer on the Job
If you work in a job that puts you at a greater risk of lung cancer, it may not be possible for you to change careers. You could reduce your risk of job-related lung cancer by:
- Wear protective devices including facial masks.
- Ensure your workspace is well-ventilated.
- Report injuries or illnesses to your supervisor.
You have the right to know about potential hazards on the job and in the workplace.
A Lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Can Help
If you or a loved one work in a high-risk industry for lung cancer and recently received a diagnosis of lung cancer, please call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm. We can help you get compensation and justice for your injuries and damages. Call (800) 217-6099 for a free case evaluation today.
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