Can a Fetus Suffer from Second-hand Asbestos Exposure?
Short Answer: To put it plainly, there is a much lower risk of second-hand asbestos exposure to a fetus through the placenta during pregnancy than to others in the household where asbestos is present. Which sounds like good news on its surface. And to some degree, it is.
However, there is data suggesting asbestos fibers can migrate throughout the body, and have been found in the placenta of pregnant women. Which isn’t good news at all.
That’s why today we’re turning our attention to how a fetus can be affected by second-hand asbestos exposure and what you can do to protect yourself and your unborn child from these risks.
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If you may have been exposed to asbestos, speak with your healthcare provider about tests and screening to help detect the presence of asbestos fibers and asbestos-related diseases.
Understanding Second-Hand Asbestos Exposure
Although the risk of second-hand asbestos exposure to a fetus through the placenta during pregnancy is considered to be much lower than the risk to others living in a household with asbestos, it is crucial to understand the potential implications of such exposure. Research indicates that asbestos fibers can migrate throughout the body, and have been found in the placenta.
Given the grave consequences of asbestos exposure, it is essential to exercise extreme caution in protecting a fetus from harmful exposure to anything during gestation, including asbestos fibers.
How Asbestos Fibers Migrate in the Body
Asbestos fibers are pernicious and have been found in all organs of individuals who have been exposed. The mechanism behind this widespread distribution of fibers within the body can be explained in two stages:
Primary translocation: Fibers can be dragged from the lung interstitium by pulmonary lymph flow.
Secondary translocation: After reaching the bloodstream through the pulmonary lymph flow, asbestos fibers can then distribute to the entire body, leading to a kind of “secondary exposure” within the organism. That’s where the risks to the fetus come into play.
Potential Risks of Second-hand Asbestos Exposure to a Fetus
Although the scientific literature is limited in terms of direct evidence linking second-hand asbestos exposure to fetal harm, the data suggesting that asbestos fibers can migrate throughout the body and reach the placenta warrants a cautious approach. This is especially important considering the known health risks associated with asbestos exposure. Let’s take a look at those next.
Health Issues Related to Asbestos Exposure
Some of the most well-known health issues related to asbestos exposure have to do with the impact ingesting fibers has on the lungs, specifically, and include:
Lung cancer: Fibers get lodged permanently in the lungs, which can eventually lead to lung cancer.
Mesothelioma: This is a form of cancer that develops in the tissue lining the lungs as well, or in the chest or abdomen, and has been linked directly to asbestos exposure.
Pleural plaques: This is a condition in which scar tissue forms on the pleura, the membrane that surrounds the lungs.
Asbestosis: This is an irreversible scarring of the lungs due to long-term inhalation of asbestos fibers.
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Protecting a Fetus from Second-Hand Asbestos Exposure
Given the possible migration of asbestos fibers within the body and the serious health risks associated with asbestos exposure, it is crucial to take measures to protect a fetus from second-hand asbestos exposure during pregnancy. Some steps that can be taken include:
Avoiding exposure: Pregnant women should avoid environments containing asbestos, such as older buildings with deteriorating insulation or those undergoing renovation.
Professional assessment: If asbestos is suspected in the home, engage a qualified professional to assess and safely remove the material. This professional should be aware of the risks posed to unborn babies and take appropriate precautions. They should inspect all insulation, flooring, and other potential sources of asbestos fibers.
Workplace safety: Pregnant women working in high-risk occupations should follow proper safety guidelines and use personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize asbestos exposure.
Home hygiene: Implementing a regular cleaning routine using a HEPA-filter vacuum cleaner and damp dusting can help reduce asbestos fibers in the home. This can also help clear fibers that may have become airborne due to renovations or activities such as grinding and sanding.
By understanding the potential dangers of second-hand asbestos exposure and taking the necessary steps to protect a fetus, pregnant women can ensure that their unborn baby is safe from potential harm.
Conclusion: risks of second-hand asbestos exposure to fetuses
While the risk of second-hand asbestos exposure to a fetus during pregnancy is considered to be lower compared to other household members experiencing direct exposure, the potential for asbestos fibers to migrate throughout the body and reach the placenta calls for a cautious approach.
Pregnant women should take necessary precautions to avoid asbestos exposure and consult with professionals if they suspect the presence of asbestos in their environment. By taking these preventive measures, the health risks associated with asbestos exposure can be minimized, ensuring the well-being of both the mother and the developing fetus.
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For Justinian C. Lane, getting compensation for asbestos victims is personal.
Justinian’s grandparents and his father all worked with asbestos in their younger years and died from asbestos-related cancers in their later years.
At the time of each of their deaths, no one in Justinian’s family knew that they were eligible to file an asbestos lawsuit and to seek compensation from the asbestos trusts.
Because no one in Justinian’s family knew their options, they never received any compensation for the death of their loved ones.
If you believe that you or your family member’s injury was related to asbestos exposure, you could be entitled to significant compensation.
This is money you could use to cover the costs of asbestos removal services, pay for medical treatment, and preemptively protect your physical well-being.
There are also asbestos trusts that offer compensation much more quickly and easily (without filing a lawsuit.)
If you’d like help with filing a claim, please get in touch by email at [email protected], or call or text us at (833) 4-ASBESTOS (427-2378) or (206) 455-9190. We’ll listen to your story and explain your options. And we never charge for anything unless you receive money in your pocket.
In addition to legal claims, veterans disability, social security and employment protection like workers compensation, FELA and The Jones Act for maritime workers, there are asbestos trusts that have been set up to compensate those harmed by asbestos without having to file a lawsuit.
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If you have any additional questions or concerns related to asbestos, check out our website and YouTube page for videos, infographics and answers to your questions about asbestos, including health and safety, asbestos testing, removing asbestos from your home and building, and legal information about compensation for asbestos injuries.
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Huang, J., Hisanaga, N., Sakai, K., Iwata, M., Ono, Y., Shibata, E. and Takeuchi, Y. (1988), Asbestos fibers in human pulmonary and extrapulmonary tissues. Am. J. Ind. Med., 14: 331-339. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.4700140310.
Miserocchi G, Sancini G, Mantegazza F, Chiappino G. Translocation pathways for inhaled asbestos fibers. Environ Health. 2008 Jan 24;7:4. doi: 10.1186/1476-069X-7-4. PMID: 18218073; PMCID: PMC2265277.