Which of the following is a common industry that exposure to asbestos might occur?

The construction industry is well-known for its historical and ongoing exposure to asbestos. Asbestos was commonly used in building materials for insulation, fireproofing, and soundproofing due to its durability and resistance to heat. Structures built before the 1980s, in particular, often contain asbestos in materials such as floor tiles, roofing, and drywall compounds. Consequently, construction workers, including those involved in renovation or demolition activities, are at significant risk of asbestos exposure. The handling, removal, or disturbance of asbestos-containing materials can release harmful fibers into the air, making awareness and monitoring of exposure critical in this sector.

In contrast, while other industries like automobile manufacturing may have used asbestos in specific applications such as brake linings, it is not as prominently associated as the construction sector. The information technology and retail industries have little to no significant risk of asbestos exposure, as they do not typically involve materials that contain asbestos.