Who is at risk of secondary asbestos exposure?
Asbestos is a material that was widely used in the 20th century in buildings, construction and even in common household objects. Asbestos is widely known to be a dangerous substance now, but strict regulations on the use of the material were not put in place until the 1970s. This means that many people suffered exposure to asbestos until this point, particularly construction, factory and navy workers. Since asbestos can still be present in buildings that predate the 1970s, people can suffer exposure even today when renovating without adequate protection.
The reason why asbestos is so dangerous is in part because it can cause mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, when it is inhaled over a prolonged period of time. Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma. Therefore, if you have been diagnosed with the disease, it is likely that you have been exposed to asbestos either directly or through secondary exposure.
What is secondary exposure to asbestos?
Secondary exposure to asbestos occurs when a person is exposed after another person has directly interacted with it. A common example of secondary asbestos exposure is when a man working in a factory containing asbestos returns home from work with contaminated clothing and after inhaling asbestos. When he returns home from work, his wife will likely touch his clothing and will therefore inhale the dust left on the clothing. Additionally, the asbestos breathed in from the factory may be exhaled in the home environment, and can be inhaled by the worker’s wife and even children. This is an unfortunate and typical example of asbestos exposure before the 1970s.
What can I do if I have been affected by secondary asbestos exposure?
If your loved one worked in an environment where asbestos was present and you have recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should consider the possible ways that you can take action. It could be that you can claim damages from your loved one’s employer since you were affected by their use of asbestos.
There are many ways to take action if you are suffering from mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure. By pursuing damages, you may be able to claim compensation for medical bills and the pain and suffering caused.