Mesothelioma | Second Hand Exposure
It’s easy to understand the concept of second-hand exposure when it comes to smoking tobacco or other substances. But what about asbestos? What exactly is second-hand exposure to asbestos, and can it be dangerous enough to threaten the development of deadly diseases like mesothelioma? Here’s what you need to know about secondary asbestos exposure, and why it’s too dangerous to ignore.
Defining Secondary Asbestos Exposure
Whether we call it occupational exposure, or environmental exposure, we understand that these terms refer to people who come into direct, primary contact with asbestos. This happens when people are exposed to asbestos because of work-related tasks they are engaged in on a frequent basis, or simply because of the presence of asbestos in the soil or air around them. Even if someone does not know that they are exposed to asbestos in either of these cases, they are both distinct from secondary asbestos exposure.
“The overall evidence suggests there is no safe level of asbestos exposure.”Source: National Cancer Institute (NIH)1 |
We can define second-hand asbestos exposure as the kind of asbestos exposure that takes place when those who do not work directly with asbestos are exposed to fibers, often because they share a workplace or home dwelling with someone who does. Here are some ways we can further explain these scenarios:
Para-Occupational Exposure
Health researchers will sometimes refer to second-hand asbestos exposure as para-occupational exposure, using it as a general term to define all types of secondary exposure. But this term can also be used to explain more specific scenarios in the work environment.
Even though certain workplaces may have asbestos present in the facility, this does not mean that everyone will be directly exposed to those locations. However, those who do work directly with asbestos can contaminate their clothing, tools, and other items, resulting in the spread of asbestos fibers to other people and in different locations. This scenario quickly escalates direct exposure to asbestos into a very dangerous secondary exposure risk.
People who worked in these industries prior the mid-1980s have a higher risk of developing asbestos-related diseases:
| Construction | Factories | Foundries | Refineries | Shipyards | Mining / Milling |
| Demolition | Insulation | Steelworkers | Pipe Fitting | Shipbuilding | Mechanics |
| Roofing | Textiles | Iron workers | Boilers | Firefighting | Brake Repair |
| Flooring | Cement | Electricians | Gasket Repair | Railroad | HVAC |
Unfortunately so do their families.
Domestic Asbestos Exposure
Domestic asbestos exposure is closely connected to the scenarios included in the umbrella term of para-occupational exposure, and sometimes the terms are used interchangeably. However, domestic exposure is more specifically the household asbestos exposure risks.
For example, when the tiny asbestos fibers attach to work clothing, tools, vehicle interiors, and even lunch boxes, those fibers are taken into the home. These fibers can be spread throughout the entire house, making the worker’s spouse and children at risk of being exposed to asbestos. This is also known as take-home exposure risk.
“[S]ome [asbestos] fibers may bypass…your body’s natural defenses…and lodge deep within your lungs. Those fibers can remain in place for a very long time and may never be removed.”Source: American Lung Association |
Is Secondary Asbestos Exposure Really That Dangerous?
Unfortunately, the risks associated with second-hand asbestos exposure is not a simple matter of quantity. While it is true that the risk factors are higher for people who have a history of long-term exposure to asbestos, this does not downplay the risk of second-hand exposure.
Whether we are considering the take-home exposure risks of asbestos for family members, the exposure risk of other coworkers, or the direct risk for someone who deals with asbestos on a daily basis, research shows that it only takes one instance of exposure to asbestos to be at risk to the dangerous and even life-threatening effects of this mineral. In fact, there is no safe level of asbestos exposure.
“Generally, those who develop asbestos-related diseases show no signs of illness for a long time after exposure.”Source: National Cancer Institute (NIH)2 |
Second-Hand Exposure Still Causes Mesothelioma
Unfortunately, one in five people with an asbestos-related illness never had a job working with asbestos. Instead, they lived with someone else who did. In fact, it is indisputable, based on the available data, that second-hand exposure can be, and often is, linked to mesothelioma.
To put this fact into perspective- that even people who never worked around asbestos have developed mesothelioma – is sobering to say the least. It is easy to assume that the risk of asbestos is a localized issue. But once it is discovered that asbestos can travel from a worksite to the home, it’s much easier to see how the dangers apply equally to anyone who finds themselves in regular contact with work items (clothing, boots, tools) or the places they’re located (laundry room, garage, or family vehicle).
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What Mesothelioma Means
What matters when it comes to the dangers of mesothelioma, as well as any disease related to asbestos exposure, is not how someone was exposed to asbestos, but whether they have been exposed. Regardless of their origin, asbestos fibers do enormous damage over time, once they’re in the body.
Unfortunately, asbestos diseases have a latency of 20-50 years, meaning that the damage being done over time will often go unnoticed until significant lung scarring and other health problems related to asbestos exposure have taken place. In the case of mesothelioma, this cancer affects the mesothelium, which is a thin tissue that forms a protective layer around the body’s organs. Almost all instances of mesothelioma are due to asbestos exposure. Many people never find out about their exposure to asbestos until it’s too late.
Is Mesothelioma Contagious?
Maybe you are wondering if asbestos is something that can be threatening to people with various types of exposure, what about mesothelioma? This is a fair question to ask, but the simple answer is no. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is not transferred to other people from close contact. However, it is important to consider how a friend or loved one developed mesothelioma. While you cannot get mesothelioma from them, you should consider whether their exposure to asbestos happened due to an environment that you have also been exposed to.
Do You Qualify For Compensation?
Quickly and easily find out how you were exposed by searching W.A.R.D., the largest asbestos database on the planet.
FREE SEARCH >Mesothelioma and Legal Help
Asbestos can cause life-threatening illnesses, even after minimal exposure, and mesothelioma is one of the more notorious examples. Learning that you have developed mesothelioma can be a stressful example, but it doesn’t have to be. Having an asbestos attorney can take away the stress and help you determine whether you qualify for an asbestos claim.
Asbestos attorneys get paid only once clients cash their compensation checks. This means that there are no upfront out-of-pocket costs when hiring an asbestos attorney. What’s more, there are many instances when compensation can be received without having to file a lawsuit, thanks to asbestos bankruptcy claims, If you have been exposed to asbestos or have developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, reach out to AsbestosClaims.Law right away.
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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.
There is no risk or cost to speak with one of our staff about your asbestos litigation. There are no fees unless you receive money.
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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W.A.R.D., which stands for the Worldwide Asbestos Research Database, helps clients to narrow down when and where they may have been exposed, as well as which products may still contain asbestos. W.A.R.D. will also help indicate compensation types and how much a person may be entitled to.
1 National Cancer Institute (NIH), Asbestos Fact Sheet.
2 National Cancer Institute (NIH), Asbestos Fact Sheet.