Which occupational exposure is the strongest risk factor for malignant mesothelioma?

The strongest risk factor for malignant mesothelioma is associated with occupational exposure to asbestos, which is most commonly encountered in shipyards. Working in a shipyard often involves proximity to asbestos insulation and materials used in shipbuilding, where asbestos was widely utilized due to its heat-resistant properties. This exposure significantly increases the likelihood of developing mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer primarily affecting the pleura (the lining around the lungs).

Malignant mesothelioma has a well-established epidemiological link to asbestos exposure, and individuals who have worked in industries such as shipbuilding, construction, and manufacturing where asbestos has been used are at a notably higher risk. While other factors, such as family history and smoking, are relevant in lung cancer pathogenesis, they do not have the same strong, direct correlation with mesothelioma as occupational asbestos exposure does.