Secondary Asbestos Exposure: Family Risks

Understanding Secondary Asbestos Exposure

Secondary asbestos exposure—also called take-home or para-occupational exposure—occurs when family members are exposed to asbestos fibers carried home by workers on their clothing, hair, skin, or equipment.

This form of exposure has been linked to mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, particularly in wives and children of asbestos workers who never worked directly with the material themselves.

How Secondary Exposure Happens

Asbestos fibers are microscopic and can cling to virtually any surface. Workers who handled asbestos-containing materials often brought fibers home without realizing the danger they posed to their families.

Common Exposure Pathways

Laundering work clothes: When contaminated clothing is washed, asbestos fibers become airborne or contaminate water and washing equipment. Historically, wives who handled laundry were frequently exposed.

Physical contact: Hugging a family member before they changed clothes or showered could transfer fibers directly to skin and clothing.

Household dust: Fibers settling on carpets, furniture, and surfaces could be repeatedly disturbed during cleaning, exposing anyone in the home.

Shared vehicles: Workers who drove home in contaminated clothing left fibers in car seats and interiors.

Equipment storage: Tools and work gear stored at home released fibers over time.

Who Is at Risk

People most likely to have experienced secondary asbestos exposure include:

Immediate Family Members

• Spouses and partners of workers who handled asbestos daily
• Children who had close contact with working parents
• Other household members living with asbestos workers

Family Members of High-Risk Workers

Workers in certain occupations brought home more asbestos fibers:

When Exposure Occurred

Secondary exposure was most common from the 1940s through the 1970s, when asbestos use was at its peak and safety regulations were minimal. However, exposure continued into later decades as asbestos remained in existing buildings and products.

Impact on Women

Secondary exposure disproportionately affects women. Research indicates that household exposure accounts for a substantial portion of mesothelioma cases in women—one study suggests up to 91% of cases in women without direct occupational exposure may be attributed to this pathway.

This disparity reflects historical gender roles: women traditionally handled laundry and spent more time at home where contaminated clothing and dust accumulated.

Health Risks

Asbestos fibers inhaled through secondary exposure can cause the same diseases as direct occupational exposure:

Mesothelioma: Cancer of the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. The latency period is typically 20–50 years after exposure.

Lung cancer: Asbestos exposure increases lung cancer risk, especially in combination with smoking.

Asbestosis: Scarring of lung tissue that causes breathing difficulties. Usually requires heavier exposure than secondary contact typically involves.

Symptoms to Watch For

If you may have been exposed to asbestos secondarily, be aware of symptoms that could indicate asbestos-related disease:

• Persistent shortness of breath
• Chest pain or tightness
• Chronic cough
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Difficulty swallowing
• Abdominal swelling or pain (peritoneal mesothelioma)

What to Do If You Were Exposed

Talk to Your Doctor

If a family member worked with asbestos, mention this during medical appointments. Your doctor should know about potential exposure even if you have no current symptoms.

Depending on your exposure history and symptoms, your doctor may recommend:

• Chest X-ray or CT scan to check for abnormalities
• Pulmonary function testing
• Ongoing monitoring

No routine screening protocol exists for asbestos-exposed individuals without symptoms, but awareness of your exposure history helps ensure appropriate evaluation if symptoms develop.

Document Your Exposure

Recording your exposure history can be important for medical care and potential legal claims:

• The family member who worked with asbestos
• Their employer(s) and job title(s)
• The time period of exposure
• How you came into contact with their work clothes or equipment
• Any other family members who may have been exposed

Legal Options for Secondary Exposure

Family members who develop mesothelioma or other asbestos diseases from secondary exposure may have legal options for compensation. Courts have recognized that asbestos manufacturers had a duty to warn about take-home exposure risks.

Potential Compensation Sources

Asbestos trust funds: Many bankrupt asbestos companies established trust funds to compensate those affected, including those with secondary exposure.

Lawsuits: Claims against companies that manufactured asbestos products or failed to warn about take-home risks.

Workers’ compensation: Generally does not cover secondary exposure since the affected person was not an employee.

Preventing Secondary Exposure Today

Asbestos remains in many older buildings and products. Workers who encounter asbestos during renovation, demolition, or maintenance should take precautions:

At work:

• Follow all safety protocols
• Wear appropriate protective equipment
• Use decontamination facilities before leaving work sites

Before going home:

• Shower and change clothes at the worksite when possible
• Keep work clothes separate from personal items
• Transport contaminated clothing in sealed bags

At home:

• Never bring work clothes into living areas
• Wash work clothes separately from family laundry
• Do not allow children near work equipment or vehicles used at job sites