What Jobs Cause Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer remains one of the deadliest and most common types of cancer that, despite medical breakthroughs, is a big killer in the US. According to the National Institute of Health, roughly 15% of lung cancer cases in men, can be attributed to occupational hazards they faced at work.

For some people, their living environment plays a larger role in the development of lung cancer than their work environment.  This is especially true if you live in a highly polluted area or have asbestos exposure in your home. However, most people spend a significant amount of time at their workplace, and there are certain occupations which, unfortunately, put workers at high risk for developing lung cancer.

Hazardous Jobs

Some of the types of jobs that can put people at a high risk of contracting lung cancer include:

• Construction – This is a broad category, so think in particular about projects that involve working with insulation materials, especially in older buildings where there might be asbestos involved. Demolition work can be extremely hazardous as it leads to a lot of flying microscopic particles that may get into your lungs. The best way to block dangerous materials from inhalation is with proper protection like N95 masks.
• Agriculture – Agrochemical sprays have a variety of uses, including increasing nutrients to plants, clearing crops, and destroying certain microbes that cause blight. However, many of these sprays can also be dangerous. Agent Orange is a notorious example of a defoliation chemical that was used extensively in the Vietnam War (but also domestically in the US) and caused extraordinarily high rates of cancer among service personnel.
• Textile manufacturing – Any type of floor-level manufacturing work involving the creation of clothing, upholstery, or just about anything with the weaving of fibers is not good for your lungs. Inhaling small particles from cotton, polyester, and other soft textile material can have serious consequences down the line.
• Bartending (with a caveat) – Traditionally, most bars in the US once allowed smoking indoors, but this is decreasing with more states passing new smoking regulations each year. Bartenders at establishments with indoor smoking run a high risk of lung cancer and other breathing problems. Prolonged second-hand smoke inhalation in an enclosed environment can be just as harmful as smoking cigarettes directly.
• Mining – The phrase “black lung” has mostly been applied to coal miners over the centuries. But coal is not the only thing being mined these days. Different types of high-volume exposure to dust and mineral particles deep underground in enclosed spaces raise a lot of concerns about carcinogens and other elements that lead to lung cancer.
• Cleaning and maintenance – Cleaning staff don’t just wear masks because they’re trying not to get sick. Disinfectants and other cleaning products are known to be very harmful when inhaled. New research is still emerging on lung conditions, including cancer, that can be caused by prolonged exposure to different types of cleaning materials.
• Education – The most puzzling item on this list is saved for last because while it may not be obvious, teachers are exposed to more risk than we may think. Most of America’s public schools need replacing, with some states still using school buildings that were built during the Roosevelt administration. This means cracked walls packed with asbestos-containing insulation.

How Do I Protect Myself?

This list of jobs includes tens of millions of Americans. It should never be too much to ask for a safe work environment. However, some long-term risks simply exist in these occupations, and it is up to you to protect yourself. If you work in environments with a lot of sprays, flying dust, smoke, etc., you need to be vigilant about using the proper protective equipment. Don’t cut corners when it comes to your health.

Employer Liability

When research leads to the discovery of links between products or environments and lung cancer, it is up to employers to do everything they can to minimize the exposure of their employees. Failure to do so, when the law requires it, opens that employer up to liability.

The alarming prevalence of lung cancer caused by an unsafe work environment propelled the rise of a new specialty within legal services. If you believe that your lung cancer is job-related, find out if you might be eligible for compensation.