o works with asbestos-containing materials is also at risk.
Tragically, most cases of secondary exposure occur in women and children living with blue collar workers who come in contact with asbestos at work.
How Does Secondary Asbestos Exposure Happen?
Secondary exposure occurs when disturbed asbestos sticks to worker's skin, clothes, or hair and is carried home, where family members can be exposed to it. These are some of the potential points of secondary exposure:
- A worker with asbestos on their clothes or skin can then shed it in their car while driving - anyone who subsequently rides in that car is at risk of exposure
- Asbestos can enter the home where it can be deposited on furniture or spread in the air
- Handling or washing clothing that has been contaminated with asbestos can also cause secondary exposure
- Personal contact is the most direct form of secondary exposure. It's easy to inhale asbestos while hugging or touching someone who has been exposed to it
How Can I Mitigate the Risks?
Employees who work with asbestos should be provided with everything they need to undergo a thorough decontamination process. This includes:
- Lockers where they can store their work clothes and equipment instead of taking them home
- Shower facilities to wash off after work and remove any minerals that may have clung to the worker's skin or hair
- A dedicated area to store their street clothes and ensure that they don't get contaminated from being left on the work site
With these measures, the chances of secondary exposure go down. However, it remains a pressing concern. Workers can still track home trace amounts of asbestos and repeated exposure can harm the ones they live with.
This is all the more reason to take these measures seriously. Employers should take every precaution to minimize the likelihood that workers are carrying asbestos particles home.
What Should I Do if I Think I've Been Exposed?
The symptoms of mesothelioma can appear anywhere from 10 to 50 years after exposure. Even then, they can start off fairly mild. This long latency period can make it challenging to diagnose mesothelioma, especially since the early symptoms can mimic those of more common illnesses.
If you or a loved one shows symptoms of mesothelioma and may have been exposed, talk to your doctor about getting some scans. A biopsy is the only way to diagnose mesothelioma; however, a full workup is important because the symptoms could be pointing to any number of other possible conditions.
After a diagnosis, there are a few treatment options. As with many types of cancer, this can involve radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, or experimental treatments. Many people opt for a multi-modal approach.
Ultimately, secondary exposure is a risk for anyone who lives with someone who works in an industry where asbestos is a hazard. Because of this, it’s important to diligently follow a thorough decontamination process and ensure that asbestos-containing materials stay on the job site.