7 Risk Factors for Mesothelioma Development November 7, 2016 by Wendy Henderson In Social Clips. While smoking isn’t directly responsible for mesothelioma, people who smoke and have been exposed to asbestos are at a much higher risk of contracting asbestos lung cancer and almost double their risk of developing mesothelioma. Find out about nine symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Print This Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7