Understanding Secondary Asbestos Exposure
When people think about asbestos exposure, they often picture workers in industries such as construction, shipbuilding or manufacturing. However, many people are surprised to learn that family members can also be exposed to asbestos fibres, even if they never worked with asbestos themselves.
For many years, workers unknowingly brought asbestos dust home on their clothing, overalls, boots and hair. Partners or family members washing contaminated work clothes could inhale these fibres, putting them at risk of developing serious asbestos-related illnesses decades later.
This type of exposure is known as secondary asbestos exposure, and while it may have happened many years ago, its effects can still be seen today.
How Did Washing Work Clothes Lead to Asbestos Exposure?
Before the dangers of asbestos were fully understood, it was common for workers to return home wearing the same clothes they had worked in all day.
Jobs that involved cutting, drilling or handling asbestos-containing materials often released tiny asbestos fibres into the air. These fibres settled on clothing and personal belongings before being carried home.
When work clothes were shaken out before washing or placed into the washing machine, asbestos fibres could become airborne again, allowing anyone nearby to breathe them in.
Because asbestos fibres are microscopic, they cannot always be seen with the naked eye, sometimes making it impossible for families to know they were being exposed.
Who Was Most at Risk?
Secondary asbestos exposure most commonly affected:
- Wives or partners who washed contaminated work clothes
- Children who hugged a parent returning home from work
- Family members living in the same household
- Anyone handling contaminated overalls, uniforms or boots
Although the level of exposure was often lower than that experienced in the workplace, research has shown that repeated domestic exposure can still increase the risk of developing asbestos-related diseases. There is no known safe level of asbestos exposure, and even relatively low levels have been associated with the development of mesothelioma.
Which Occupations Were Most Likely to Bring Asbestos Home?
Many industries regularly used asbestos throughout the 20th century.
Workers at higher risk included those employed as:
- Builders
- Shipyard workers
- Electricians
- Plumbers
- Joiners
- Boiler engineers
- Pipe fitters
- Laggers and insulation workers
- Factory workers
- Power station employees
- Railway workers
- Steelworkers
Many of these workers had no protective clothing or changing facilities, meaning contaminated clothing was routinely taken home.
What Illnesses Can Secondary Asbestos Exposure Cause?
Even relatively low levels of asbestos exposure can lead to serious illness many years later.
Conditions linked to secondary asbestos exposure include:
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer affecting the lining of the lungs or, less commonly, the abdomen. It is strongly associated with asbestos exposure and can develop 15 to 60 years after contact with asbestos fibres.
Asbestosis
Although more commonly associated with prolonged occupational exposure, some individuals exposed to significant levels of asbestos in the home have also developed asbestosis, a chronic lung disease caused by scarring of the lungs, but such claims are very rare.
Pleural Thickening
Diffuse pleural thickening causes thickening of the lining of the lungs, which can restrict breathing and reduce lung function.
Pleural Plaques
Pleural plaques are areas of thickening on the lining of the lungs caused by asbestos exposure. While they do not usually cause symptoms, they can indicate that asbestos exposure has occurred.
What Are the Symptoms?
Asbestos-related illnesses often develop decades after exposure, which means symptoms may not appear until many years later.
Common symptoms include:
- Persistent cough
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- Loss of appetite
If you’ve experienced any of these symptoms and believe you may have been exposed to asbestos, it’s important to seek medical advice promptly.
Can You Claim Compensation for Secondary Asbestos Exposure?
Yes.
Many people assume that compensation is only available to those who worked directly with asbestos, but that isn’t always the case.
If you’ve developed an asbestos-related illness after being exposed to asbestos fibres brought home on a family member’s work clothes, you may still be entitled to make a compensation claim.
Every case is different, but compensation may be available where it can be shown that an employer failed to take reasonable steps to prevent workers from carrying asbestos fibres home, such as by providing changing facilities, protective clothing or on-site laundering.
How We Can Help
At Asbestos Justice, we understand that learning your illness may have been caused by secondary asbestos exposure can be both distressing and unexpected.
We’ll take the time to understand your circumstances, investigate how the exposure occurred and advise whether you may have grounds to bring a compensation claim.
Our experienced team specialises in asbestos-related claims, and all of our claims are handled on a No Win, No Fee basis, giving you peace of mind that you won’t have to pay legal fees upfront.
What Evidence May Be Needed?
Every claim is unique, but we may help you gather evidence such as:
- Medical records confirming your diagnosis
- Information about your family member’s employment
- Witness statements
- Employment records
- Evidence showing how asbestos exposure occurred
Even if the exposure happened many decades ago, it may still be possible to pursue a successful claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can washing work clothes really expose someone to asbestos?
Yes. If asbestos fibres were present on contaminated clothing, they could become airborne when clothes were handled or washed, leading to secondary exposure.
Can you get mesothelioma from washing asbestos-contaminated clothes?
Yes. Although less common than occupational exposure, secondary asbestos exposure has been linked to cases of mesothelioma.
Can I claim compensation if I never worked with asbestos?
Potentially, yes. If you developed an asbestos-related illness because of exposure to fibres brought home by a family member, you may have grounds to make a compensation claim.
How long after exposure do symptoms appear?
Symptoms often develop between 20 and 60 years after exposure, depending on the condition.
What should I do if I think I was exposed?
If you have concerns about past asbestos exposure or have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, seek medical advice and speak to a specialist asbestos solicitor as soon as possible.
How Asbestos Justice Can Help
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis or another asbestos-related illness following secondary asbestos exposure, we’re here to help.
Our specialist solicitors have extensive experience supporting individuals and families affected by asbestos exposure, including claims involving contaminated work clothing. We’ll explain your legal options in clear, straightforward language and guide you through the claims process from start to finish.
All of our asbestos compensation claims are handled on a No Win, No Fee basis, so you can pursue the compensation you deserve without worrying about upfront legal costs.
Contact us today on 0800 038 6767 and we’ll do what we can to help.