Since it only takes a small amount of asbestos inhalation to cause mesothelioma, it is possible for family members of asbestos job site workers to contract mesothelioma later in life. After a long day on the job, workers can carry home asbestos fibers on their clothes, skin, and hair, heightening the risk of secondary exposure for their families.
Some of the ways in which secondary asbestos exposure can occur include:
- Washing clothes – The jagged structure of microscopic asbestos fibers easily attaches to clothing. Anyone in the home who handles or washes a worker’s clothes has a high chance of experiencing secondary exposure.
- Bodily contact – Simply hugging a spouse or child after coming home from work can cause the asbestos fibers on a worker’s hair, clothes, or skin to transfer to the family member.
- Furniture – If a worker does not change out of their contaminated clothing after returning home from work, asbestos fibers can become embedded in the furniture and carpet of the home.
If you have further questions about the risks of secondary asbestos exposure, please contact The Law Office of Brown | Kiely, LLP or call (410) 625-9330 today to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our experienced Baltimore asbestos attorneys.
