Diagnosed with mesothelioma but don’t know where you were exposed?
That is a reason to investigate—not a reason to assume nothing can be done. You can begin with the parts of your life you remember: jobs, tasks, places, equipment, dusty work, household history and other possible exposure pathways.
What if I have mesothelioma but do not know where I encountered asbestos?
That is a common reason to begin an exposure investigation. Work history, jobsites, repairs, equipment, building materials, household exposure and personal talc history can be reviewed separately so that remembered details become specific investigative leads.
A product name is only one kind of clue
Jobs, tasks and places
Employers, trades, departments, buildings, construction projects, military service, repair work and approximate years can establish a timeline for investigation.
People and objects
Coworkers, family members, machines, tools, packaging, uniforms, work clothing and photographs may trigger additional memories or point toward records.
Do not wait for a perfect exposure history
You do not need a complete product list
Many people cannot name materials encountered decades earlier. The interview can begin with what the material looked like, how it was handled and what work was occurring.
You do not need exact dates
Approximate years, life events, job sequence and family recollection can help narrow time periods.
Exposure history is broader than a single job
Work and trade history
Electricians, carpenters, and plumbers and steamfitters may remember tasks and equipment more readily than product names.
Other possible histories
We also ask about household exposure and, when relevant, personal talc history.