The term “asbestos” has become more well-known in recent years – not so much for its many applications, durability, or fireproof properties that made it sought-after during most of the twentieth century, but for its harmful impact on human health.

We currently know a great deal about how the widespread use of this mineral has led to an epidemic of individuals developing cancer and other serious diseases. After all, recent data reveals there are as many as 255,000 deaths annually from asbestos exposure.

Exposure concerns are commonplace in occupational settings where asbestos continues to be used in the automotive industry, in cement, and in a handful of other capacities. Construction workers also continue to be susceptible given that renovation or demolition projects can easily uncover asbestos in walls, floorboards, roofing shingles, insulation, and more.

However, there is a less talked about and equally as dangerous way to develop asbestos-related diseases – being exposed secondhand. If secondhand cigarette smoke can cause serious health issues in those who inadvertently exposed secondhand, it only makes sense that inhalation and absorption of asbestos fibers brought home by someone else can do the same.

Asbestos: The Dangers of Direct Exposure

It’s important to gain a solid understanding of what asbestos is and how it can lead to health complications so individuals can determine whether or not they’re at risk and what to look out for if they’re already experiencing health issues. Let’s discuss the dangers of direct exposure to asbestos first.

¿Qué es el asbesto?

Asbestos is referred to as a singular item, but it’s actually an umbrella term for several minerals including chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, actinolite, anthophyllite and tremolite. Its fibers have been used extensively in shipbuilding, construction, and numerous other industries due to their heat-resistant properties and ability to withstand the elements over time. While the use of asbestos in the U.S. was largely discontinued by the mid-1980s, again, exposure can still occur in job settings, especially if workers fail to take precautions to protect themselves.

How Asbestos Impacts Human Health

When one comes into direct contact with friable asbestos – meaning, the fibers are secured inside areas where they cannot be breathed in – its microscopic fibers can enter the body, latching on permanently to the lining of the lungs or in other areas. That’s when the mineral begins to take its toll over time.

Asbestos exposure is responsible for numerous health conditions, both malignant and non-malignant. Some of the condiciones relacionadas con el asbesto one may encounter as a result of breathing in the mineral include:

● La Asbestosis: A chronic lung condition that results in lung scarring and shortness of breath.

● Placas pleurales: Areas of thickened tissue that form in the pleural tissue found throughout the lungs and diaphragm.

● Pleural Effusions: Built-up fluid that settles in the layers of the lungs’ pleural lining.

● Mesotelioma: An aggressive cancer that affects the thin membrane that’s responsible for encasing many of the vital organs, known as the mesothelium. There are an estimated 38,400 mesothelioma deaths annually worldwide.

● Cáncer de pulmón: While many lung cancer cases are caused by smoking, asbestos exposure can also be a major risk factor. Moreover, those who smoke and have been exposed to asbestos greatly increase their risk of developing lung cancer.

● Laryngeal Cancer: A rare cancer that affects the larynx.

● Ovarian Cancer: A cancer that affects the ovaries.

● Many Other Cancers.

Who Is Most at Risk?

The following populations are most at risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses:

● Construction and building trades workers (especially insulators, excavators, tilers, and

builders)

● Auto mechanics

● Shipyard workers

● Service men and women

● Firefighters

● Miners

However, there are a number of occupations in which workers may be exposed. Equally as vulnerable are family members of those frequently exposed to asbestos on the job.

Secondhand Asbestos Exposure: Is It Possible?

The short answer is, yes. While those working directly alongside asbestos are going to be most at risk of absorbing fibers and developing health issues, those who are in contact with these individuals are also at risk of potentially developing cancers or diseases. There are a number of ways in which an individual may be exposed secondhand.

The Sources Driving Secondhand Exposure

Unfortunately, studies show that indirect exposure is common. Sharing a home or a vehicle with someone who carries asbestos fibers home can be enough to cause asbestos-related health problems. This tends to happen when fibers travel from a person’s jobsite to their residence on their clothing, footwear, hair, skin, tools, or in their vehicle. Invisible and impossible to detect, they can then easily spread to loved ones. This is why it’s so important for those who are at risk in occupational settings to take the proper precautions to protect themselves from exposure, including avoiding ACMs whenever possible and wearing PPE.

Is Secondhand Exposure Really That Dangerous?

Research has shown that there are no safe levels of asbestos exposure. To further drive home the point, we need only highlight that one in five women with mesothelioma, a cancer that has only been directly linked to asbestos, did not work outside the home. This means they must have been exposed to asbestos indirectly.

Of course, when assessing the family risk of asbestos exposure, it’s important not to just discuss the impact on partners of those in direct contact with asbestos. Children are also placed at risk. And when it comes to children, it’s very difficult to tell when/if symptoms will appear or how they’ll appear due to the extensive latency period between inhaling fibers and symptom development (occurring up to 50 years later).

Could There Be Something Even More Dangerous on the Horizon?

While it’s been established that spouses, children and other loved ones sharing spaces with those working around asbestos can be exposed secondhand and developing diseases later on, the dangers may not stop there. Researchers are now exploring whether asbestos-related health complications can also be passed on to unborn children.

Asbestos research often focuses on two individuals: those who are in direct contact with asbestos and those who are introduced to asbestos fibers via secondhand contact. However, those who are planning on starting a family with someone who has introduced asbestos into the home might also question whether their unborn child will be at risk. Essentially, there are two concerns here: Can asbestos fibers reach and impact a developing child? And can existing asbestos-related diseases be passed to younger generations?

What We Know Regarding the Potential Impact on Unborn Children

We’ve already established that women can become victims of secondhand asbestos exposure. Therefore, it could very well be the case that women who are also pregnant are absorbing these fibers and passing them along to developing fetuses.

But is this supported by science? Not necessarily. At the moment, available research doesn’t back the likelihood of asbestos affecting the health of unborn children. Multiple agencies throughout the U.K. and the U.S. have stated that asbestos fibers should not be able to breach the placenta and reach unborn children nor be passed to children after birth by means of nursing (although the potential for secondhand exposure by means of the sources listed above could still be a potential problem). The potential for exposure through these two avenues is said to be highly unlikely or very low.

But like most things in science, there are those who believe it could happen and pieces of evidence that support those theories. One report assessing the health of women and girls in Wittentoom, Australia (a town exposed to major amounts of asbestos), discovered asbestos fibers throughout the women’s ovaries, lungs, and peritoneal and pleural mesothelium. While this isn’t uncommon, what the report found next was that the placental digests of both stillborn and live children of the town contained asbestos fibers. This is just one report and cannot be used to make sweeping generalizations or conclusions, but it may point to a larger problem that scientists have yet to thoroughly research.

A Genetic Predisposition to Mesothelioma

Science has also revealed that it is, technically, possible for asbestos-related diseases to be passed down and for unborn children to be affected by a mother living with an asbestos-related illness.

If a pregnant mother is living with an asbestos-related health condition, the symptoms of this condition can easily impact a developing fetus. Shortness of breath, unexpected weight loss, chronic fatigue, and other complications commonly present will not only compromise the mother’s health but could lead to pregnancy concerns. In essence, the symptoms experienced by a soon-to-be mother are simultaneously experienced by her unborn child.

Moreover, it has been well-established that mutated genes can be passed from parents to their children, and this is the case with mutations that occur as a result of asbestos-related illnesses – especially in cancer cases. Altered genes that have been passed down could make children more susceptible to developing cancer, especially mesothelioma. At the center of this phenomenon is the BAP1 gene.

The BAP1 gene can lead to mesothelioma when it’s mutated, which means that those who have this gene are much more likely to develop mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos. However, there is a silver lining. Identifying the presence of BAP1 early on via regular screenings could improve treatment outcomes should the cancer surface.

AsbestosClaims.Law: Your Support as You Navigate Secondhand Asbestos Exposure

While families of those at high risk of being exposed to asbestos can easily develop complications as a result, that doesn’t mean they have to deal with these health consequences on their own. Being diagnosed with an asbestos-related health condition can take a toll on all family members, physically, emotionally, and financially. With mounting medical bills, seeking compensation can make it a bit easier to navigate the trying times ahead.

Filing a lawsuit for compensation is not the only way to receive financial support, nor is it the fastest and easiest way to receive funds when they’re needed the most. Those who are dealing with secondhand exposure can also take advantage of asbestos trusts, filing a claim to share in the more than $80 billion dollars still available to asbestos victims.

Whether opting to file a traditional lawsuit or a trust claim, AsbestosClaims.Law is here to offer the support, advice, and guidance necessary to ensure success. We understand that dealing with an asbestos-related illness is life-changing, and that’s why we specialize only in asbestos law, leveraging our extensive experience and team of seasoned attorneys to get victims the compensation they deserve.

With our support, clients also benefit from:

● A free consultation and case evaluation.

● Compassionate support.

● Transparent guidance, every step of the way.

● A contingency fee structure that eliminates any upfront costs.

● Access to extensive learning and treatment resources, including our W.A.R.D. database.

● And much more…

Secondhand exposure and the subsequent health issues are very real, and so is your need for compensation as you cope with what’s to come. Reach out to us at AsbestosClaims.Law today so we can learn more about your unique situation and provide a comprehensive case evaluation.