Secondary Asbestos Exposure & Mesothelioma

What Is Secondary Asbestos Exposure?

Secondary asbestos exposure occurs when a worker with asbestos materials indirectly exposes another to the toxic mineral. Secondary exposure is also known as secondhand, domestic or household exposure.

Most secondary exposure occurs when workers bring home asbestos fibers on their work clothes, hair and bodies. Family members may be exposed to asbestos by washing work clothes or hugging their loved ones after work.

A study in the British Journal of Industrial Medicine showed how a shipyard machinist’s wife developed mesothelioma from washing her husband’s clothing. The husband told researchers his work clothes were often “covered with [asbestos] dust.”

Secondary exposure is as dangerous as primary exposure. It can cause diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. It’s less common today because many industries have phased out asbestos. Also, workplaces have tightened asbestos regulations.

How Does Secondary Asbestos Exposure Occur?

Secondary asbestos exposure happens when asbestos fibers on clothing, furniture, or a person’s body transfer to other people. Asbestos fibers have a rough texture ideal for sticking to clothing, hair and skin. 

People who don’t work directly with asbestos-containing products but share workspaces with those who do also have a higher risk of secondary asbestos exposure. This includes sharing an office, a work vehicle or desk chairs, particularly if they’re upholstered. This type of exposure is also known as environmental asbestos exposure.

Close physical contact, such as hugs or a child sitting in their father’s lap, can expose loved ones to toxic fibers on a worker’s clothing, skin or hair. Handling or washing contaminated clothing at home is also a secondary asbestos exposure risk.

Peritoneal mesothelioma survivor Jayda K. said was most likely exposed to asbestos as a child through her father, who worked with asbestos products in the coal mining industry.

Asbestos Brought Home on Clothing

Workers unknowingly carry asbestos fibers on their clothing after a day’s work. A study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health shows workers with the highest risk of bringing asbestos home included asbestos product manufacturing workers, insulators, shipyard workers and asbestos miners. Family members can be exposed when laundering their contaminated clothes.

Dr. Marcelo DaSilva, a thoracic surgeon at Advent Health Orlando, says, “I can think of at least three or four patients in which I’ve operated on” who were highly exposed to asbestos by a family member.

Contaminated Personal Items

Shoes, work bags, and tools may also collect asbestos fibers. These items can easily transport asbestos into the home or office, creating a dangerous environment for household members and co-workers.

Another common way home exposure occurs is through furniture and fabrics like carpeting, upholstered headboards, couch fabrics and curtains. Fibers transported into the home quickly become embedded in these materials and can transfer to others or become airborne and inhaled.

Risk to Family Members

Spouses, children and other household members are often exposed when they come into contact with contaminated clothes or personal items. Even close physical interactions with a worker can result in exposure over time, significantly increasing health risks.

What Are the Health Risks of Secondary Asbestos Exposure?

Secondary asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, pleural plaques and asbestosis. Secondary exposure risks are the same as primary exposure, including pleural plaques and pleural effusions.

In some circumstances, secondary exposures have approached occupational levels. This is more likely to happen when a worker is employed in a high-exposure industry. Examples include asbestos miners, insulators, shipyard workers and construction workers.

Extensive research has proven that secondary asbestos exposure causes serious health effects. About 90% of all cases of malignant mesothelioma stem from asbestos exposure. 

The number of yearly deaths from malignant mesothelioma in women saw a 25% increase from 1999 to 2020. Some experts suggest this may result from increased secondhand exposure, though women have also entered more fields that could lead to primary exposures.

Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer

Secondary asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma, an aggressive form of cancer affecting the lungs and abdomen. It can also lead to lung cancer, with the same severity as those exposed firsthand.

Asbestosis

Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. Prolonged exposure—whether direct or secondary—leads to lung scarring and breathing difficulties.

Why Secondary Exposure Is Often Undiagnosed

Secondary exposure cases are frequently misdiagnosed or identified too late because people may not realize they’ve been exposed. This can delay treatment, worsening the prognosis for those affected by asbestos-related diseases.

Jayda K.

Verified Asbestos.com Survivor

Survivor’s Mesothelioma Most Likely the Result of Secondary Exposure

Jayda was most likely exposed as a child through her father, who worked with asbestos products. This kind of asbestos exposure, when an asbestos worker unknowingly brings asbestos home on their clothing and work gear, is called secondary exposure. Jayda has four siblings, and she’s concerned about their potential prior exposure and what the future may hold.

Jayda K.

Verified Asbestos.com Survivor

Read Jayda’s Story

How to Protect Yourself from Secondary Exposure

Protecting yourself and your family from secondary asbestos exposure is crucial, mainly if someone in the household works in high-risk environments like construction, shipyards, or manufacturing. Asbestos fibers can quickly be brought into the home on clothing, shoes, and personal items, posing a significant health risk to family members.

To minimize exposure, it’s essential to follow safety precautions. Workers should change out of contaminated clothing before leaving the job site. Wearing protective gear, such as respirators and disposable coveralls, can significantly reduce the risk of bringing fibers home. Additionally, washing work clothes separately from other household laundry is crucial to avoid cross-contamination.

For more information on safety standards, consult the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These organizations offer guidelines and regulations for minimizing asbestos exposure at work and at home.

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Legal Options for Secondary Asbestos Exposure

Juries in several states, including California and Washington, have a history of awarding compensation to people who filed secondary asbestos exposure lawsuits. New Jersey and North Dakota recently rejected secondary exposure claims altogether. An experienced asbestos lawyer can help you determine if you’re eligible for compensation, where to file and how to document your exposure. 

Each secondary asbestos exposure case that successfully awards the plaintiff compensation sets precedents for future cases. For example, the California Supreme Court ruled in 2016 that companies are liable for secondary exposure after two landmark lawsuits.

People who develop symptoms of mesothelioma, especially those with difficult exposure cases, can benefit from connecting with national law firms with robust resources to help with research. As Registered Nurse and Patient Advocate Karen Selby states, “Just leave it in their hands … They’ll be able to figure it out.”

Common Questions About Secondary Asbestos Exposure

What are other names for secondary asbestos?

There are several additional names for secondary asbestos exposure. These terms are often used interchangeably.

• Domestic exposure
• Familial exposure
• Household exposure
• Indirect exposure
• Paraoccupational exposure
• Secondhand exposure
• Take-home exposure

These terms describe exposures when someone is in contact with another person with primary asbestos exposure. Spouses and children typically experience secondary exposure.

How much asbestos exposure is dangerous?

Any amount of exposure to asbestos is dangerous and can cause mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. There is no safe level of exposure. However, a person’s risk level can increase depending on the frequency and concentration of asbestos contact. Long-term, repeated exposure can raise the risk of developing cancer like malignant mesothelioma.

Can you sue for secondhand asbestos exposure?

Secondary asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma among family members of people who work with asbestos. Asbestos liability varies from state to state. 

Secondhand legal claims aren’t as straightforward as direct exposure claims. However, a mesothelioma lawyer can investigate the source of asbestos and help family members file a successful claim.

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