Secondary Asbestos Exposure at Home
Secondary asbestos exposure, also known as para-occupational exposure or home exposure, is an indirect consequence of working with or around asbestos-containing materials. Before the late 1970s, asbestos was commonly used in various products across manufacturing and construction industries. It’s crucial to grasp that asbestos exposure can lead to the development of mesothelioma or lung cancer years after initial contact with asbestos dust and fibers. Home exposure predominantly occurred within households, where family members unknowingly came into contact with individuals covered in asbestos-laden dust from their workplaces.
How Second-Hand Asbestos Exposure Occurs
Asbestos fibers are incredibly small and lightweight, making them easily transportable on clothing, hair, and footwear. Due to a lack of warnings on asbestos-containing materials used in different industries, numerous individuals were exposed to asbestos before the late 1970s. Often, it was women and children who unknowingly inhaled asbestos fibers brought home on the attire of family members who had direct daily contact with asbestos-containing materials. Disturbingly, even seemingly innocuous activities like shaking out work clothes before laundering could trigger the development of mesothelioma years later. There are documented cases of housewives contracting mesothelioma while washing work clothes. Children of exposed workers may also fall victim to asbestos contamination originating from the workplace.
In 2000, a comprehensive review of mesothelioma linked to environmental exposures revealed a startling fact: individuals exposed within their households faced an astonishing 8.1 times higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to unexposed individuals.
Once asbestos infiltrates a home, it can become a permanent resident. Asbestos fibers integrate themselves into rugs, curtains, and bedding, becoming airborne with the slightest movement. Consequently, family members may experience round-the-clock exposure to asbestos, in stark contrast to the intermittent exposure typically occurring within workplaces. The silent danger lies in asbestos’s absence of warning qualities, which allows household members to sustain substantial exposure without any awareness of the risk.
Second-hand asbestos exposure carries a peril level equivalent to direct exposure. A study involving 90 women afflicted with mesothelioma—a cancer induced by asbestos—revealed that a staggering 64% had fallen ill due to second-hand exposure.
Identifying Those Vulnerable to Second-Hand Asbestos Exposure
Today, asbestos exposure occurs less frequently than it did two decades ago. However, because many countries, including the United States, have not imposed a complete asbestos ban, the risk persists. Globally, approximately 255,000 asbestos-related deaths occur annually. While only a portion of these deaths results from second-hand exposure, comprehending the lethal potential of asbestos in any context remains crucial, especially considering its status as the leading cause of work-related fatalities worldwide.
Individuals most susceptible to second-hand asbestos exposure are those who share a household with someone working with asbestos. Workers in fields such as shipbuilding and repair, manufacturing, firefighting, construction, coal mining, asphalt installation, and factory work may inadvertently introduce asbestos particles into their homes if protective measures are not diligently observed. Spouses, children, and elderly parents sharing the living space become susceptible to exposure.
How Second-Hand Asbestos Exposure Happens
Asbestos comprises airborne fibers that become dislodged when disturbed. This property makes construction workers particularly vulnerable to exposure as they hammer, demolish, and disrupt old building materials, dispersing asbestos particles into the air. When these workers return home, they inadvertently carry asbestos into the living space.
Several common activities serve as conduits for second-hand asbestos exposure:
- Washing Laundry: Attempting to launder asbestos-laden clothing can prove futile and, worse, expose individuals to asbestos during the process. In such cases, disposal of affected garments in a labeled container or bag, followed by proper disposal at an asbestos waste facility, is the safest approach.
- Sitting on Furniture: Asbestos fibers brought home by exposed workers can become embedded in upholstery, affecting various pieces of furniture, including couches, dining room chairs, beds, and benches.
- Physical Contact: The most significant risk arises from direct person-to-person contact. A hug, handshake, or pat on the back from an asbestos-exposed worker can transmit asbestos fibers to others. Although one instance of exposure may not pose significant health risks, prolonged exposure over time can lead to illness.
The Health Risks of Second-Hand Asbestos Exposure
Analogous to the dangers of second-hand smoke, second-hand asbestos exposure poses equivalent risks to direct exposure. Both scenarios carry the same list of potential injuries and illnesses:
While treatments are available for these conditions, mesothelioma remains incurable. The prognosis for mesothelioma patients depends on several factors, including age, gender, overall health, and the stage and location of the cancer. Each patient’s journey is unique, but hope persists even in the face of this devastating disease.
Moreover, treatment for asbestos-related diseases is accompanied by significant costs. For many mesothelioma patients, monthly treatment expenses can reach approximately $8,200, encompassing surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. While insurance can alleviate some of these costs, they still pose an additional burden for individuals already grappling with illness. Beyond medical bills, patients may need to take time off work, hire caregivers, and cover transportation and lodging.