Respuesta corta: To put it plainly, there is a much lower risk of second-hand asbestos exposure to a fetus through the placenta during pregnancy than to others in the household where asbestos is present. Which sounds like good news on its surface. And to some degree, it is.

However, there is data suggesting asbestos fibers can migrate throughout the body, and have been found in the placenta of pregnant women. Which isn’t good news at all.

That’s why today we’re turning our attention to how a fetus can be affected by second-hand asbestos exposure and what you can do to protect yourself and your unborn child from these risks.





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Si es posible que haya estado expuesto al asbesto, hable con su proveedor de atención médica sobre pruebas y exámenes para ayudar a detectar la presencia de fibras de enfermedades relacionadas con el asbesto.





Understanding Second-Hand Asbestos Exposure

Although the risk of second-hand asbestos exposure to a fetus through the placenta during pregnancy is considered to be much lower than the risk to others living in a household with asbestos, it is crucial to understand the potential implications of such exposure. Research indicates that asbestos fibers can migrate throughout the body, and have been found in the placenta

Given the grave consequences of asbestos exposure, it is essential to exercise extreme caution in protecting a fetus from harmful exposure to anything during gestation, including asbestos fibers.

How Asbestos Fibers Migrate in the Body

Asbestos fibers are pernicious and have been found in all organs of individuals who have been exposed. The mechanism behind this widespread distribution of fibers within the body can be explained in two stages:

  1. Primary translocation: Fibers can be dragged from the lung interstitium by pulmonary lymph flow.
  2. Secundaria translocation: After reaching the bloodstream through the pulmonary lymph flow, asbestos fibers can then distribute to the entire body, leading to a kind of “secondary exposure” within the organism. That’s where the risks to the fetus come into play.

Potential Risks of Second-hand Asbestos Exposure to a Fetus

Although the scientific literature is limited in terms of direct evidence linking second-hand asbestos exposure to fetal harm, the data suggesting that asbestos fibers can migrate throughout the body and reach the placenta warrants a cautious approach. This is especially important considering the known  health risks associated with asbestos exposure. Let’s take a look at those next.

Health Issues Related to Asbestos Exposure

Some of the most well-known health issues related to asbestos exposure have to do with the impact ingesting fibers has on the lungs, specifically, and  include:

  • Cáncer de pulmón: Fibers get lodged permanently in the lungs, which can eventually lead to lung cancer.
  • Mesotelioma: This is a form of cancer that develops in the tissue lining the lungs as well, or in the chest or abdomen, and has been linked directly to asbestos exposure.
  • Placas pleurales: This is a condition in which scar tissue forms on the pleura, the membrane that surrounds the lungs.
  • La Asbestosis: This is an irreversible scarring of the lungs due to long-term inhalation of asbestos fibers.

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Protecting a Fetus from Second-Hand Asbestos Exposure

Given the possible migration of asbestos fibers within the body and the serious health risks associated with asbestos exposure, it is crucial to take measures to protect a fetus from second-hand asbestos exposure during pregnancy. Some steps that can be taken include:

  1. Avoiding exposure: Pregnant women should avoid environments containing asbestos, such as older buildings with deteriorating insulation or those undergoing renovation.
  1. Professional assessment: If asbestos is suspected in the home, engage a qualified professional to assess and safely remove the material. This professional should be aware of the risks posed to unborn babies and take appropriate precautions. They should inspect all insulation, flooring, and other potential sources of asbestos fibers.
  1. Workplace safety: Pregnant women working in high-risk occupations should follow proper safety guidelines and use personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize asbestos exposure.
  1. Home hygiene: Implementing a regular cleaning routine using a HEPA-filter vacuum cleaner and damp dusting can help reduce asbestos fibers in the home. This can also help clear fibers that may have become airborne due to renovations or activities such as grinding and sanding.

By understanding the potential dangers of second-hand asbestos exposure and taking the necessary steps to protect a fetus, pregnant women can ensure that their unborn baby is safe from potential harm.

Conclusion: risks of second-hand asbestos exposure to fetuses

While the risk of second-hand asbestos exposure to a fetus during pregnancy is considered to be lower compared to other household members experiencing direct exposure, the potential for asbestos fibers to migrate throughout the body and reach the placenta calls for a cautious approach.

Pregnant women should take necessary precautions to avoid asbestos exposure and consult with professionals if they suspect the presence of asbestos in their environment. By taking these preventive measures, the health risks associated with asbestos exposure can be minimized, ensuring the well-being of both the mother and the developing fetus.

AsbestosClaims.Law

Para Justinian C. Lane, obtener una indemnización por las víctimas del asbesto es algo personal.

Los abuelos de Justiniano y su padre trabajaron con asbesto en su juventud y murieron de cánceres relacionados con el asbesto en sus últimos años.  

En el momento de cada una de sus muertes, nadie en la familia de Justiniano sabía que eran elegibles para presentar una demanda por asbesto y buscar una compensación de los fideicomisos de asbesto.

Debido a que nadie en la familia de Justiniano conocía sus opciones, nunca recibieron compensación alguna por la muerte de sus seres queridos. 

Si cree que su lesión o la de su familiar estuvo relacionada con la exposición al asbesto, podría tener derecho a una compensación significativa.

Este es dinero que podría usar para cubrir los costos de los servicios de remoción de asbesto, pagar el tratamiento médico y proteger de manera preventiva su bienestar físico. 

También hay fideicomisos de asbesto que ofrecen compensación mucho más rápida y fácilmente (sin presentar una demanda).

Si desea ayuda para presentar un reclamo, ponerse en contacto por correo electrónico a [email protected], or call or text us at (833) 4-ASBESTOS (427-2378) o (206) 455-9190. Escucharemos su historia y le explicaremos sus opciones. Y nunca cobramos por nada a menos que reciba dinero en su bolsillo.

Además de demandas legales, discapacidad de veteranos, seguridad social y protección del empleo como compensación de trabajadores, FELA y La ley de Jones para los trabajadores marítimos, hay fideicomisos de asbesto que se han establecido para indemnizar a los perjudicados por el asbesto sin tener que presentar una demanda.

No hay riesgo ni costo para hablar con uno de nuestro personal sobre su litigio de asbesto. No hay cargos a menos que reciba dinero.

Si tiene preguntas o inquietudes adicionales relacionadas con el asbesto, visite nuestro sitio web y página de YouTube para ver videos, infografías y respuestas a sus preguntas sobre el asbesto, incluida la salud y la seguridad, prueba de asbesto, la eliminación del asbesto de su hogar y edificio, y información legal sobre la compensación por lesiones de asbesto.

Presentamos la base de datos de información sobre asbesto más grande del planeta.

W.A.R.D., que significa Worldwide Asbestos Research Database, ayuda a los clientes a reducir cuándo y dónde pueden haber estado expuestos, así como qué productos aún pueden contener asbesto.WARD también ayudará a indicar los tipos de compensación ya cuánto puede tener derecho una persona.

Huang, J., Hisanaga, N., Sakai, K., Iwata, M., Ono, Y., Shibata, E. and Takeuchi, Y. (1988), Asbestos fibers in human pulmonary and extrapulmonary tissues. Am. J. Ind. Med., 14: 331-339. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.4700140310.
Miserocchi G, Sancini G, Mantegazza F, Chiappino G. Translocation pathways for inhaled asbestos fibers. Environ Health. 2008 Jan 24;7:4. doi: 10.1186/1476-069X-7-4. PMID: 18218073; PMCID: PMC2265277.