Unfortunately Asbestos and its Dangers Are Still With Us, and Even the Most Vulnerable Can Be Exposed and Harmed

We all know the devastating effects that asbestos exposure can have on our health. When the microscopic fibers of this deadly material are inhaled, they attach to the lining of our lungs and travel throughout our body, causing inflammation that leads to cellular mutations and cancers.

Some Asbestos is in Most Homes and Buildings Constructed Before the 1980s.

Many houses built before the 1980s were constructed using asbestos-containing materials, so even if you have never come into contact with asbestos outside of the home, you may have been exposed to it through your own property. Undisturbed asbestos is typically harmless, but once interfered with, it releases tiny fibers that become airborne and consequently easily inhaled. 

So, whether a pregnant woman has worked with asbestos or been exposed to it during the course of home renovations, what are the potential implications for her health and that of her unborn child?

Can a mother’s asbestos exposure affect her unborn child?

According to the US Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, it is unlikely that developing fetuses and infants would be exposed to asbestos via their mother’s breast milk or the placenta during pregnancy. 

While this statement may be somewhat reassuring, ultimately, any definitive conclusion remains uncertain, so caution should always be taken.

Health Research on the Dangers of Asbestos Exposure While Pregnant

The former mining town of Wittenoom in Australia has also uncovered some interesting study results. According to a report published by pubmed.gov, women and girls from the asbestos-riddled town were part of a study that revealed some direct links to the potential dangers of asbestos exposure to unborn babies. 

The report stated that asbestos fibers had been found in the lung, ovary, and pleural and peritoneal mesothelium of women. Furthermore, asbestos fibers have also been detected in the placental digests of both live and stillborn infants. The conclusion drawn is that such a ‘cluster of gestational trophoblastic diseases has some biological plausibility for asbestos causation.’

While these findings only state the plausibility of asbestos causation, the fact that asbestos fibers have been found in the placental digests of both live and stillborn infants is enough to warrant extreme concern.

What about breastfeeding? Is it safe after asbestos exposure?

For a substance to pass into a mother’s breast milk, it must first enter her own bloodstream. While asbestos can technically enter the blood, it does so in extremely low amounts, if at all. Results from animal studies also do not indicate that exposure to asbestos is likely to result in any birth defects.

The potential for asbestos exposure while in vitro 

Women can be exposed to asbestos directly or indirectly. Direct exposure is a concern for women who work in industries such as machining, construction, firefighting, auto repair, and factory work. They can also be directly exposed during the process of home renovations where insufficient caution is taken regarding the presence and removal of asbestos in an older home.

Indirect exposure is also possible, as the fibers are so fine and difficult to see, that they can be carried home on the clothes, hair, etc., of a family/household member and subsequently breathed in by a pregnant woman at home. 

Indirect effects of asbestos exposure on pregnancy

Of course, while the question of whether an unborn baby could be directly affected by asbestos exposure remains uncertain, any health conditions faced by the mother inadvertently impact the child. 

Should an expectant mother develop asbestos-related lung or respiratory issues or disease, the impacts on the health of her unborn child could still be significant. For example, if the mother was to suffer from breathing difficulties, the baby could be at risk of not receiving sufficient oxygen for optimal development. Equally, if a pregnant woman was to develop tumors in her abdomen and stomach, the digestive complications alone could negatively impact the amount of nutrients the baby receives.

Final thoughts

Good news – the overarching conclusion is that the chances of asbestos exposure directly impacting the health of an unborn child appear to be very slim. However, it has also not been ruled out, and extreme caution must always be taken. As discussed, the implications of asbestos-related disease in the mother can have devastating consequences for a child both during fetal development and after birth.

Everyone should ensure that they consult with expert asbestos contractors when dealing with this hazardous material, and avoid it at all costs, but especially pregnant women and those already experiencing respiratory issues or disease. In addition, remember that any renovations to homes built before the 1980s should be approached with extreme caution regarding the likely presence of asbestos. 

!

If you may have been exposed to asbestos, speak with your healthcare provider about tests and screening to help detect the presence of asbestos fibers and asbestos-related damage.

This is especially true if the person exposed to asbestos was pregnant at the time or after.

AsbestosClaims.Law

AsbestosClaims.law is your comprehensive resource for all things asbestos. We hope this information is helpful.

If you have any additional questions or concerns related to asbestos, check out our website and YouTube page for videos, infographics and answers to your questions about asbestos, including health and safety, asbestos testing, removing asbestos from your home and building, and legal information.

And if you believe that you were exposed to asbestos, or have been diagnosed with an asbestos illness, you could be entitled to significant compensation – money you could use to cover the costs of asbestos removal services, pay for medical treatment, and preemptively protect your physical well-being. 

All without filing a lawsuit.
If you’d like help with filing a claim, please get in touch by email at [email protected], or call or text us at (833) 4-ASBESTOS (427-2378) or (206) 455-9190. We’ll listen to your story and explain your options. And we never charge for anything unless you receive money in your pocket.