People who are at the most risk of contracting mesothelioma are those who work in construction, asbestos manufacturers, people who live in close proximity to an asbestos factory and also those who are in contact with these people (asbestos fibers can stick to ones hair and clothing so people who are in daily contact with others who work around it are at risk themselves).

Generally, the age that most people find out that they have mesothelioma is between 60 and 70 years old. This is because the latency period for mesothelioma is between 30 and 50 years, so people who were exposed when they were young do not find out they have mesothelioma until much later in life.