{"id":13526,"date":"2023-05-03T17:05:16","date_gmt":"2023-05-03T23:05:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/?post_type=blog&p=13526"},"modified":"2023-05-03T17:12:09","modified_gmt":"2023-05-03T23:12:09","slug":"mesothelioma-second-hand-exposure","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/es\/asbestos-blog\/mesotelioma-exposicion-de-segunda-mano\/","title":{"rendered":"Mesothelioma | Second Hand Exposure"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It\u2019s easy to understand the concept of second-hand exposure when it comes to smoking tobacco or other substances. But what about asbestos? What exactly is second-hand exposure to asbestos, and can it be dangerous enough to threaten the development of deadly diseases like mesothelioma? Here\u2019s what you need to know about secondary asbestos exposure, and why it\u2019s too dangerous to ignore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Defining Secondary Asbestos Exposure<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Whether we call it occupational<\/em> exposure<\/a>, or environmental<\/em> exposure<\/a>, we understand that these terms refer to people who come into direct, primary contact with asbestos. This happens when people are exposed to asbestos because of work-related tasks they are engaged in on a frequent basis, or simply because of the presence of asbestos in the soil or air around them. Even if someone does not know that they are exposed to asbestos in either of these cases, they are both distinct from secondary asbestos exposure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThe overall evidence suggests there is no safe level of asbestos exposure.\u201d<\/h3>\n

Source: National Cancer Institute\n<\/a> (NIH)1<\/sup><\/p>\n <\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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We can define second-hand asbestos exposure as the kind of asbestos exposure that takes place when those who do not work directly with asbestos are exposed to fibers, often because they share a workplace or home dwelling with someone who does. Here are some ways we can further explain these scenarios:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Para-Occupational Exposure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Health researchers will sometimes refer to second-hand asbestos exposure as para-occupational exposure<\/a>, using it as a general term to define all types of secondary exposure. But this term can also be used to explain more specific scenarios in the work environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though certain workplaces may have asbestos present in the facility, this does not mean that everyone will be directly exposed to those locations. However, those who do work directly with asbestos can contaminate their clothing, tools, and other items, resulting in the spread of asbestos fibers to other people and in different locations. This scenario quickly escalates direct exposure to asbestos into a very dangerous secondary exposure risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who worked in these industries prior the mid-1980s have a higher risk of developing <\/strong>asbestos-related diseases<\/strong><\/a>:<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Construction<\/td>Factories<\/td>Foundries<\/td>Refineries<\/td>Shipyards<\/td>Mining \/ Milling<\/td><\/tr>
Demolition<\/td>Insulation<\/td>Steelworkers<\/td>Pipe Fitting<\/td>Shipbuilding<\/td>Mechanics<\/td><\/tr>
Roofing<\/td>Textiles<\/td>Iron workers<\/td>Boilers<\/td>Firefighting<\/td>Brake Repair<\/td><\/tr>
Flooring<\/td>Cement<\/td>Electricians<\/td>Gasket Repair<\/td>Railroad<\/td>HVAC<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately so do their families.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Domestic Asbestos Exposure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Domestic asbestos exposure<\/a> is closely connected to the scenarios included in the umbrella term of para-occupational exposure, and sometimes the terms are used interchangeably. However, domestic exposure is more specifically the household asbestos exposure risks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, when the tiny asbestos fibers attach to work clothing, tools, vehicle interiors, and even lunch boxes, those fibers are taken into the home. These fibers can be spread throughout the entire house, making the worker\u2019s spouse and children at risk of being exposed to asbestos. This is also known as take-home exposure risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201c[S]ome [asbestos] fibers may bypass\u2026your body\u2019s natural defenses\u2026and lodge deep within your lungs. Those fibers can remain in place for a very long time and may never be removed.\u201d<\/h3>\n

Source: American Lung Association\n<\/a><\/p>\n <\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Is Secondary Asbestos Exposure Really That<\/em> Dangerous?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Unfortunately, the risks associated with second-hand asbestos exposure is not a simple matter of quantity. While it is true that the risk factors are higher for people who have a history of long-term exposure to asbestos<\/a>, this does not downplay the risk of second-hand exposure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether we are considering the take-home exposure risks of asbestos for family members, the exposure risk of other coworkers, or the direct risk for someone who deals with asbestos on a daily basis, research shows that it only takes one instance of exposure to asbestos to be at risk to the dangerous and even life-threatening effects of this mineral. In fact, there is no safe level <\/a>of asbestos exposure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cGenerally, those who develop asbestos-related diseases show no signs of illness for a long time after exposure.\u201d<\/h3>\n

Source: National Cancer Institute\n<\/a> (NIH)2<\/sup><\/p>\n <\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

Second-Hand Exposure Still Causes Mesothelioma<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, one in five<\/a> people with an asbestos-related illness never had a job working with asbestos. Instead, they lived with someone else who did. In fact, it is indisputable, based on the available data, that second-hand exposure can be, and often is, linked to mesothelioma<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To put this fact into perspective- that even people who never worked around asbestos have developed mesothelioma – is sobering to say the least. It is easy to assume that the risk of asbestos is a localized issue. But once it is discovered that asbestos can travel from a worksite to the home, it\u2019s much easier to see how the dangers apply equally to anyone who finds themselves in regular contact with work items (clothing, boots, tools) or the places they\u2019re located (laundry room, garage, or family vehicle).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Image<\/td>\"Image<\/td>\"Image<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What Mesothelioma Means<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

What matters when it comes to the dangers of mesothelioma<\/a>, as well as any disease related to asbestos exposure, is not how<\/em> someone was exposed to asbestos, but whether<\/em> they have been exposed. Regardless of their origin, asbestos fibers do enormous damage over time, once they\u2019re in the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, asbestos diseases have a latency of 20-50 years, meaning that the damage being done over time will often go unnoticed until significant lung scarring and other health problems related to asbestos exposure have taken place. In the case of mesothelioma, this cancer affects the mesothelium, which is a thin tissue that forms a protective layer around the body\u2019s organs. Almost all instances of mesothelioma are due to asbestos exposure<\/a>. Many people never find out about their exposure to asbestos until it\u2019s too late. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Mesothelioma Contagious?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Maybe you are wondering if asbestos is something that can be threatening to people with various types of exposure, what about mesothelioma<\/a>? This is a fair question to ask, but the simple answer is no. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is not transferred to other people from close contact. However, it is important to consider how a friend or loved one developed mesothelioma. While you cannot get mesothelioma from them, you should consider whether their exposure to asbestos happened due to an environment that you have also been exposed to.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Do You Qualify For Compensation?<\/p>\n

Quickly and easily find out how you were exposed by searching W.A.R.D., the largest asbestos database on the planet.<\/p>\n FREE SEARCH > <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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