Can Motor Vehicle Occupations Cause Mesothelioma?

People take many risks in choosing their profession, and some fields are more dangerous than others. While this is fairly common knowledge, most people who work in motor vehicle occupations focus on the risks of manual labor, such as injuries from heavy equipment; however, some people have started developing mesothelioma from this field. 

Mesothelioma is a dangerous lung disease that can be caused by numerous compounds, such as asbestos. Mesothelioma is a type of lung cancer that causes abnormal proliferation of some of the body's lung cells. As these cells reproduce out of control, they start to crowd out the body's healthy tissues. This can make it hard for people to breathe. While mesothelioma is a type of lung cancer, it is not confined to only the lungs. Cardiac mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma are possible, and different types of the disease can impact the lungs, such as pleural mesothelioma.

As this disease has increased in prevalence, much research has been performed regarding the occupations exposed to asbestos and the various available treatments. While all of this research is important, it is crucial to focus on preventing this disease in the first place. That is the goal of a recent research publication regarding the possibility of motor vehicle workers being at an increased risk of developing mesothelioma.

To look at the rates and prevalence of mesothelioma in motor vehicle employees, the researchers took a detailed look at the available research. They scoured the various electronic research databases to see any statistical relationship between the disease and the employees who worked in the auto field. Out of the countless studies, the researchers found about ten different studies exploring the relationship between mesothelioma and motor vehicle occupations. These studies were all different types, ranging from cohort studies to Case-control studies and others.

While some of the analyzed studies found an increased rate of mesothelioma in auto workers, others did not. Those who are not familiar with statistical analysis should know that different methods are used in different situations. These various methods could yield different results. The researchers conducted an overall statistical analysis of the data to see a statistically significant increase in mesothelioma rates across all of the studies combined.

The researchers found that, overall, there was not a statistically significant increase in the prevalence of mesothelioma in those who work in the auto field; however, it is important to note that the various studies analyzed were all very different, and mesothelioma can still develop in those who work in the auto field.

The study was conducted to see if motor vehicle workers are at an increased risk of developing mesothelioma. The study extensively reviewed the literature that was available to them regarding motor vehicle occupations and mesothelioma and found that there was not a statistically significant increase in the amount of mesothelioma that motor vehicle workers experienced; however, there are a few important questions that must be asked about the way that the research was conducted.

The first is to look at the studies themselves. This meta-analysis analyzed how various studies looked at motor vehicle occupations. A person needs to ask themselves how old those studies are. Were the studies performed in an era where not as much was known about mesothelioma? It also bears asking about the statistical methods used in the study. What kinds of tests were performed on the data? If different statistical methods were used, would the results be different? This question must be asked as well. Without a doubt, more information is needed regarding mesothelioma and motor vehicle accidents. More studies must be performed to explore this possibility further.

Regardless of the results, mesothelioma remains a significant burden on the country's modern healthcare system. It can be a costly disease that places significant financial stress on patients and their loved ones. Anyone who has developed mesothelioma should consider their legal options for assistance in battling this disease. For more information, reach out to an experienced Sacramento Mesothelioma lawyer today.

Even though this study found no statistically significant increase in mesothelioma in auto workers, this is still debilitating and deadly lung cancer that impacts countless people. Anyone who has been impacted by this disease should reach out to us at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for friendly, free advice.

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Editor's Note: This page has been updated for accuracy and relevancy. [cha 8.26.21]

Photo by Enis Yavuz on Unsplash

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